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The Steampunk Club
When Vicky Hale goes for a job interview at an elite and secretive London society, she doesn't realise that the work will involve an abandoned Victorian mill, steam engines, costumes, and formal afternoon teas. Struggling with her contempt for the steampunk genre, she is nevertheless eager to prove her worth to the enigmatic Sir Aubrey, and earn her place as a member of The Steampunk Club.
A contemporary romance for readers who love historical romance, and a gentle introduction to steampunk, for skeptics.
This is a short story of about 18,000 words.
A contemporary romance for readers who love historical romance, and a gentle introduction to steampunk, for skeptics.
This is a short story of about 18,000 words.
68 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2015
16 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 10, 2016
An interesting take on the steampunk genre. Rather than creating an alternate steampunk world the author sets this in present time where people gather within a secret exclusive club (entrance by invite only) for the love of steampunk. I enjoyed the unfolding of the story until towards the end, when it pretty much just turned into a romance. The story is left hanging. I am curious about the continuation. Will it be just a romance with steampunk as a prop? I hope not.
July 27, 2017
An interesting cast of characters. The club reminds me of the group I belong The Arizona Steampunk Society with its d.i.y. Would like to read about the club going to a steampunk or science fiction convention. Could use a more interesting cover.
May 31, 2015
More
It was a simple fast read. Almost to fast. I would have loved more romance. That was really lacking. It was cute though.
It was a simple fast read. Almost to fast. I would have loved more romance. That was really lacking. It was cute though.
December 31, 2016
A cute story with a nice bit of romance; I did enjoy the technical details in the story. It seemed like a setup for a larger tale. I wouldn't mind reading an adventure within this framework.
May 25, 2017
This one was free so I tried it. Good writing, some clever bits, but the plot is a lame "It was all a joke" cop-out. A set-up for a possible story series, it could be worked into something decent if the author could get her mind off of the romance between the lead characters & write an actual plot.
July 31, 2016
'The Steampunk Club' centers around a young college student's invitation via her roommate, to work for a group of weird streampunk role-players, as a type setter for their monthly magazine. During a blackmailing mystery, the heroine - Vicky - falls for the group's leader, 'Sir Aubrey', along the way.
The author did her research on old printing methods, which was nice.
A cute short story.
The author did her research on old printing methods, which was nice.
A cute short story.
September 18, 2015
This is a well-written and entertaining tidbit of a tale. It is not at all what I expected, although the title says exactly what it is about. I look forward to another installment Ms. Deverell.
December 24, 2018
Well this one's a quirky tale. The pacing's a little off (that did tempt me to DNF) and the romance just whams out of nowhere with all the sudden trembling-at-his-touch talk (another near-DNF factor) but there's something original about the modern day LARPer aspect rather than everyone being alternate-world chock with Victoriana.
A girl is initiated into the secretive "Steampunk Club" by her university roommate because they need a typesetter and, wouldn't you know it, Victoria Hale has those skills. She also hasn't a clue what steampunk is. She's drawn in by the mystery that is suddenly engulfing the eclectic group... and by the enigmatic leader, Sir Aubrey.
I both did and didn't like the romance aspect. It didn't have a beginning so much as a sudden (one-sided - no excessively steamy punks here thankfully) combustion, and all that female-lusting-after-male trope language can get a bit old, but ultimately it could be an interesting LARP-based romance. The mystery aspect was the reverse, sounding gradually more interesting but then shooting to a slightly disappointing conclusion. Perhaps everything just needed a bit more time to build and resolve.
The characters could have used a bit more fleshing out, as what with their hopping between double-lives I couldn't always remember who was who. All the detail here comes in the form of Victoria's typesetting and printing experience - the author's either done it themselves or done a lot of research. A nice touch, but maybe a little overlong? Not everyone's familiar with printing presses and formes or the sprinkled literature references, so it could go a bit over the head at times. It's a bit at odds with the simple writing style.
It's an interesting one, but there are those little things that didn't quite gel for me. Even so, it might work better for you if you'd like some LARP rather than faux history.
A girl is initiated into the secretive "Steampunk Club" by her university roommate because they need a typesetter and, wouldn't you know it, Victoria Hale has those skills. She also hasn't a clue what steampunk is. She's drawn in by the mystery that is suddenly engulfing the eclectic group... and by the enigmatic leader, Sir Aubrey.
I both did and didn't like the romance aspect. It didn't have a beginning so much as a sudden (one-sided - no excessively steamy punks here thankfully) combustion, and all that female-lusting-after-male trope language can get a bit old, but ultimately it could be an interesting LARP-based romance. The mystery aspect was the reverse, sounding gradually more interesting but then shooting to a slightly disappointing conclusion. Perhaps everything just needed a bit more time to build and resolve.
The characters could have used a bit more fleshing out, as what with their hopping between double-lives I couldn't always remember who was who. All the detail here comes in the form of Victoria's typesetting and printing experience - the author's either done it themselves or done a lot of research. A nice touch, but maybe a little overlong? Not everyone's familiar with printing presses and formes or the sprinkled literature references, so it could go a bit over the head at times. It's a bit at odds with the simple writing style.
It's an interesting one, but there are those little things that didn't quite gel for me. Even so, it might work better for you if you'd like some LARP rather than faux history.
October 4, 2018
Hiiiiiiii! Sorry, I’ll stop the fangirl squeals now. I LOVED this story! I can’t state it enough. I loved everything, from the setting to the characters to the meta to the plot to… kay, I’ll stop here. Now that it’s been stated that this story is great and you should read it and then subscribe to Eva Deverell’s steampunk mailing list thingy so she’ll write more Steampunk Club stories, here’s the actual review:
The characters in this story were especially appealing to me; not just the main characters, but all the members of the Steampunk Club. They all bring their share of delightful diversity. I want to know more about virtually all of them, but especially Sir A., Eloise and the Duchess. Sir Aubrey is, for me, the most lovable of Eva Deverell’s male leads, not only because he’s surrounded in mystery, but also because he’s so sweet I get a sugar rush just thinking about him.
The steampunk element is so strong that there’s a “clash” every time you get back to modern reality—the first time we see a certain character out of costume is quite memorable. ♥ Man, I want this turned into a movie. Or a comic book. Just for that scene. Somebody, make it happen.
The mystery element is faultlessly entwined into the romance and falls in beauty; that might also have contributed to the “something more” I was referring to earlier. Oh, and I can’t end this review without mentioning the humour: I’ve laughed out loud in several places.
What are you waiting for? Subscribe to Eva Deverell’s coterie and get reading!
The characters in this story were especially appealing to me; not just the main characters, but all the members of the Steampunk Club. They all bring their share of delightful diversity. I want to know more about virtually all of them, but especially Sir A., Eloise and the Duchess. Sir Aubrey is, for me, the most lovable of Eva Deverell’s male leads, not only because he’s surrounded in mystery, but also because he’s so sweet I get a sugar rush just thinking about him.
The steampunk element is so strong that there’s a “clash” every time you get back to modern reality—the first time we see a certain character out of costume is quite memorable. ♥ Man, I want this turned into a movie. Or a comic book. Just for that scene. Somebody, make it happen.
The mystery element is faultlessly entwined into the romance and falls in beauty; that might also have contributed to the “something more” I was referring to earlier. Oh, and I can’t end this review without mentioning the humour: I’ve laughed out loud in several places.
What are you waiting for? Subscribe to Eva Deverell’s coterie and get reading!
January 10, 2019
The choice of interview wear is an eye opener
A good read. A bit of mystery, a bit of romance and all wrapped up in a secret Club. With characters that suit the tale and become ones you can visualise in your minds eye.
When her flatmate suggests she apply for the job, she really doesn't know what to expect. Certainly not sitting in the backseat with a blindfold over her eyes and then having to wear a costume. A steam punk club! Whatever that is. The job however is real. They need someone to edit and print out the newsletter. The only flaw is - it is using old equipment where the type has to be set by hand and printed one page at a time. It's going to take hours. She will have to stay. The more time she spends there the more she learns about the group and the more she becomes fascinated by the leader. However another group is sending out threats to reveal them and demanding money in exchange for silence. The more threats are made the more it becomes clear that there is an insider working against the club. Who is it? Why you are they doing this? Will she stay on or be asked to leave? What about her attraction to the leader, how will it end?
A good read. A bit of mystery, a bit of romance and all wrapped up in a secret Club. With characters that suit the tale and become ones you can visualise in your minds eye.
When her flatmate suggests she apply for the job, she really doesn't know what to expect. Certainly not sitting in the backseat with a blindfold over her eyes and then having to wear a costume. A steam punk club! Whatever that is. The job however is real. They need someone to edit and print out the newsletter. The only flaw is - it is using old equipment where the type has to be set by hand and printed one page at a time. It's going to take hours. She will have to stay. The more time she spends there the more she learns about the group and the more she becomes fascinated by the leader. However another group is sending out threats to reveal them and demanding money in exchange for silence. The more threats are made the more it becomes clear that there is an insider working against the club. Who is it? Why you are they doing this? Will she stay on or be asked to leave? What about her attraction to the leader, how will it end?
January 14, 2025
Wonderful Plot Twists
I meant to read a couple paragraphs to see if it would be interesting to download for an upcoming trip. It wasn't because I didn't put it down until I finished. It is so creative and told we'll. I hope there are many more stories from this author!
I meant to read a couple paragraphs to see if it would be interesting to download for an upcoming trip. It wasn't because I didn't put it down until I finished. It is so creative and told we'll. I hope there are many more stories from this author!
February 11, 2020
I found The Steampunk Club a really comfortable read. Sure it might be a little short but the whole story is balanced so nicely that I didn't realise I was enjoying the story until I reached the last page. I came back to reality with a rush.
Like the title says, it's about a steampunk club and we are introduced to this strange new world with the companionship of someone else who knows about as much of what goes on in a steampunk club as I do (which is zip). There is mystery, a bit of romance, comedy and of course steampunk! what is there not to like.
I eagerly await the next. (That is a hint Eva Deverell)
Like the title says, it's about a steampunk club and we are introduced to this strange new world with the companionship of someone else who knows about as much of what goes on in a steampunk club as I do (which is zip). There is mystery, a bit of romance, comedy and of course steampunk! what is there not to like.
I eagerly await the next. (That is a hint Eva Deverell)
May 28, 2015
Very cutesy. Pity it was so short...
April 22, 2017
Awesome!!!!
It was very interesting and keeps your attention. The only downside is that it was short. Hope there is more to the story.
It was very interesting and keeps your attention. The only downside is that it was short. Hope there is more to the story.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews