Status Updates From Clockwork, Curses and Coal

“The Coach Girl:”
Though I am a stranger to “The Goose Girl,” the source material for this story, I thoroughly enjoyed this adaptation. Great feminist ending to the anthology.

“Father Worm:”
The least steampunk of the stories in this collection, I found this apocalyptic tale full of horror and liked the subtle commentary on religion and ritual.

“Ningyō:”
The Japanese setting was intriguing, but my unfamiliarity with that culture meant that some of the details were lost on me. The ending was a cliffhanger and the story feels like it is really part of a novel. Still, I appreciated the references to Pure Land Buddhism.

This Aesop adaptation absolutely warmed my heart. Probably my favorite story in the book.

This Aesop adaptation absolutely warmed my heart. Probably my favorite story in the book.

"Divine Spark:"
"Hansel & Gretel" with a twist. Still processing this one.

“Divine Spark:”
Kind of a neat take on how humans are viewed and valued.

“Sappho and Erinna:”
“The Twelve Dancing Princesses” with a lesbian twist? Delightful.

"Blood and Clockwork:"
Original and tragic, with shades of the French Revolution.

"Necromancy:"
"The Pied Piper" meets "The Walking Dead."

"Checkmate:"
I have long thought that the world needs something better for war than armies of thousands. This story presents a possible solution; however, it is the Chess Scene from "Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone" on steroids.

"A Bird Girl In the Dark Of Night:"
Not sure what fairy tale this is derived from. I detected a theme of breaking patriarchal structures.

"A Future of Towers Made:"
"Rapunzel" breaks out of her tower. Such a great feminist story!

"Clockwork Tea:"
"Pinocchio" meets that episode of "The Twilight Zone" with the ventriloquist dummy.