Category: Steampunk

Lil and Coop — Joseph R. Lallo

By 5t4n5

Lil and Coop -- Joseph R. LalloLike The New Inspector, this is another short story from the Free Wrench series.   This time it’s Lil and Coop’s turn to get the focus.

In the main books Joseph just brushes over how the crew came to be on Windbreaker — apart from Nita who gets a whole novel — so it’s great to have these back story shorts from Joseph telling us more about our favourite characters’ past.   Definitely not to be missed by fans of the series.   Looking forward to the rest of the crew getting laid bare in the future.

So how do you get it?

Originally only available to Joseph’s Patreon supporters, but now also in Sidequests.

Joseph’s Page

#steampunk #josephrlallo

The New Inspector — Joseph R. Lallo

By 5t4n5

The New Inspector -- Joseph R. LalloAlthough this delightful little short is the sixth book of the Free Wrench series, i feel it can be read at any time once you’ve got settled into the series.

I read it after Cipher Hill and it totally worked for me reading it then.   And i’m actually quite pleased that i didn’t read it until then because i really enjoyed the change in my feelings towards Wink.   I won’t spoil it, but suffice to say, if you’re a fan of the Free Wrench series by Joseph R. Lallo and its resident little furries, the Aye Ayes, then this is an absolute must read.   After reading The New Inspector i really do hope Joseph writes more Aye Aye stories, they’re awesome little fuggers and easily deserve their own spin off series.

And yes, Aye Ayes really exist.   Isn’t it nice to know that they’re going to survive “The End Time” when the Fug envelopes the earth?

So how do you get it?

Originally only available to Joseph’s Patreon supporters, but now also in Sidequests.

Joseph’s Page

#steampunk #josephrlallo

Magnificent Devices: Books 1-4 — Shelley Adina

By 5t4n5

Magnificent Devices: Books 1-4 -- Shelley AdinaWe have a 17 year old protagonist, Clair, who is like a female James Bond on some super-amazing, mental and physical, performance enhancing drugs: if you’re looking for something serious to read it’s all rather ridiculous.   However, if you’re willing to put your belief in reality aside for a while, it is, undeniably, a rather enjoyable read.   12 days to get through 4 books isn’t too shabby for me so it obviously kept me turning the pages.

So if you aren’t looking for a serious read and are just wanting something that just passes away the hours without you taking anything seriously then this might be for you.   I think, “silly” might be a good term to use in describing these books.   But that’s not to use “silly” in a bad way, sometimes a bit of “silly” is a good thing in a world like ours — maybe we could all use a dose of “silly” now and again.

The plus side is that the characters quite likeable, although the baddies always seem to be a complete bunch of buffoons while the goodies are simply incredible in every possible way — again, making one not take it at all too seriously.

Am i going to read the rest of the series?   Yes, i’ll certainly come back for more at a later date when i’m in the mood for something “silly” like this.   But right now i really do need to read something a bit more complex and believable.

Shelley’s Page

#steampunk #shelleyadina

Cipher Hill — Joseph R. Lallo

By 5t4n5

Cipher Hill -- Joseph R. LalloMore wonderful, shenaniganic fun aboard ‘Wind Breaker’.   See reviews for the previous books here and here.

Sadly, for now, this is the last book in Joseph’s Free Wrench series, but i certainly hope he’ll be adding some more at some point.   Captain Mack and the crew are just too much fun to leave them here forever.

I really can’t say enough about Joseph’s writing, it’s perfect in every way.   His Book of Deacon series is just the same quality of writing and so far he has never left me disappointed at buying any of his books.

If you enjoyed watching Firefly then i would totally recommend a look at this series of books — i really can’t see you being disappointed.

So, with this being the last in the series for now, i’ll have to resort to diving straight in Joseph’s Big Sigma series next — oooh yeah!   And at some point in the not to distant future i’ll be backtracking and re-reading the whole of Book of Deacon adding in all the new stories that Joseph has added since i last read it all — looking forward to that series again.

Writers like Joseph is why i love books.

Joseph’s Page

#steampunk #josephrlallo

The Calderan Problem — Joseph R. Lallo

By 5t4n5

The Calderan Problem -- Joseph R. LalloIt struck me while reading this book that the Free Wrench series is pretty much a Steampunk version of Firefly.   If you liked Firefly then you’ll love this series.

Brilliant!

All our favourite characters are back from the first three books, Free Wrench Collection: Volume 1, and a few more new ones besides.   And the shenanigans get ever more complex as each book builds upon the last one — the series just keeps getting better.

Joseph’s writing is it’s usual, wonderfully imaginative stuff, expressed in a nice, easy flowing prose that just allows the story to flow.

So once again, a really good, fun read from Joseph, with a loveable set of characters.

And now straight into the next book in the series, Cipher Hill — awesome!

Joseph’s Page

#steampunk #josephrlallo

Free-Wrench Collection: Volume 1 — Joseph R. Lallo

By 5t4n5

Free-Wrench Collection: Volume 1 -- Joseph R. LalloTotally enjoyable!

Having become a fan of Joseph’s writing with The Book of Deacon series, i was pleasantly surprised when this turned up in my Bookbub alerts at 99p, and curious as to how he would get on in the Steampunk genre — i simply couldn’t resist.

And i’m glad i didn’t resist.   Joseph’s writing is as good in this series as it is in The Book of Deacon series, the characters are excellent, nothing is ever too far fetched, etc..

And i simply had no choice but to immediately buy the 4th book in the series, The Calderan Problem, and jump straight into that when i finished this.

Anyways, for anyone into Steampunk, or even anyone who is Steampunk curious, or even you’ve never heard of Steampunk, you can’t really go wrong with this trilogy in one cover.   Start reading today!

Joseph’s Page

#steampunk #josephrlallo