Work Sets You Free

Gideon Smith #0.5

by David Barnett

"Work Sets You Free", by David Barnett, is an original short story featuring the protagonist of the forthcoming novel Gideon Smith and the Mechanical Girl (Tor Books [US] and Snowbooks [UK], September 2013). Gideon is a young fisherman in Yorkshire, England, in an alternate 1890, who embarks on a journey to find Captain Lucian Trigger, the famed Hero of the Empire, to deal with a mystery plaguing his home village. This story takes place as the naive Gideon sets off for London, but on the way encounters a very dark side to the British Empire's insatiable hunger for resources...
At the publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Steampunk, Short Stories, Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Historical Fiction, Victorian

32 pages, ebook

First published August 21, 2013

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those written as a .5 in a series; written after a series has become successful and sets some background. Whilst enjoyable, it does seem a little pointless.

I was planning on reading the first in the series and thought this might set the scene, so to speak. It doesn’t do that, maybe I made a mistake in reading this first? It also fails to fully exploit the title (you’ll see what I mean if you read it, just don’t want to give too much away).

It’s a nice little tale, spread over a few pages, I’m just not sure I see the point. I’m sure I’ll return to edit this when I’ve read the first in the series!

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting short intro to an upcoming book. I'm not really sure how to review without dropping spoilers, but I'll try.

It's set in the English countryside, and there will be clanks (which is usually a good thing, right?). It starts with hints of vampires, but this story takes a turn (perhaps they show up later in the upcoming book?)

The title is a bit chilling though. And for good reason.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple of short stories were put out before the release of Gideon Smith and the Mechanical Girl. I enjoyed Business as Usual and this one was entertaining as well. Interested in how these stories will have any effect on the story and it's characters.

[Shhhhh Ahhhhh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I understand that this is a prequel. It reminds me, in that way, of the Little Sisters of Eluria (dark tower series). I get the sense of being prepared for an adventure that I'm unfamiliar with. I like the universe so far. Harsh and interesting. Very realistic depictions of the way people actually are, especially in unusual circumstances.

[Dorthe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little story; I haven't read the novel(s?), so I came to this without preconceptions.

The title is very suggestive ... I would have loved it, though, if the last name of the Austrian hadn't been given, that would have been neatly subtle.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to the series.

[Derrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was so short and I know nothing about the story, I was very confused, but it didn't give me any idea on what to expect for this.

[Fen4etoYNWA · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice story to meet Gideon Smith.
I liked the allusion with "Arbeit macht frei" and the starring of Hitler's father. =)

[Boulder Boulderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short story. Ok but nothing special, which is a shame as the other story in the set, Business As Usual, is an excellent dark steam-punky tale.