A nice steampunk novel set in World War I

**Attila57** · 10-30-2010 11:50

A few weeks ago was published in Italy Leviathan of Scott Westerfeld, the first book of a trilogy, a steampunk novel which I found very nice though born as a children's book.

This is the link to the review of "The New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/bo...rossman-t.html

Between a game and the other it can be a good read. And perhaps a good idea for a new boardgame.

Attilio

**swarbs** · 10-31-2010 17:39

The second one just came out here in the US. I also found these to be pretty decent books. Other than the main characters being teen-aged, there's not much of an indication that these are written for kids, the writing itself is solid enough.

It's really a pretty interesting take on the steam-punk world, populated not only with impressive steam-powered machines, but also with genetically spliced animals. Pretty cool ideas.

**Attila57** · 11-01-2010 06:57

Yes, a very pretty idea.

At the beginnins it reminded me a Japanes manga cartoon but I think the narrative is much more exciting and the construction of the story is excellent.

I agree it's not a book only for kids (some reviews catalog it in this way perhaps for the age of the two main protagonist).

**AlgyLacey** · 11-01-2010 08:49

I've just discovered this fellah:

Johnathan Green

http://paxbritanniablog.blogspot.com...ibus-vol1.html

**Attila57** · 11-01-2010 09:36

Nice, Dave!

Leviathan was my first steampunk reading (transalted), This literary genre seems really interesting.

I read years ago the WordWar and Colonization Series of Harry Turtledove, a science fiction series of 4+3+1 books set in World War II (i read only the firt 7 books translated in italian).

The saga begins with an Alien invasion during World War. It's wasn't a saga for kids, for sure, but it's a really intricate and crude story.

**Mac** · 11-01-2010 11:16

One word for you steampunk fans;
Malifaux
Google Wyrd games.

**KiltedWolf** · 11-01-2010 12:57

I second Don's plug of Malifaux! Besides WoW, it is the only other game I am playing right now and it rocks. Another game like WoW that doesn't use dice, but uses cards instead, and doesn't rely on killing everything on the board. And as miniature games go (Malifaux is a skirmish game involving fewer than 10 miniatures usually) it is very inexpensive to get into.

Cheers!

**Attila57** · 11-02-2010 00:42

I look a t Malifax.

Excellent suggestion, I'll keep definitely in mind. It seems a good idea for an Halloween night game session!

I forgot to underline that the book contains a large amount of drawings that illustrate the story and are very well done.

Attilio

**Pope** · 11-03-2010 09:12

Ok I keep seeing the term 'steampunk' on various forum's but what does it mean?

Cheers, Aled

**Mac** · 11-03-2010 10:16

Think Victorian era steam powered machines, zombies, and a light dusting of magic.

Sherlock Holmes meets Edgar Allen Poe meets H.G. Wells meets Anne Rice and it is all directed by Tim Burton.

**Attila57** · 11-03-2010 11:36

I agree!

**Pope** · 11-03-2010 11:44

Originally Posted by Mac

Think Victorian era steam powered machines, zombies, and a light dusting of magic.

Sherlock Holmes meets Edgar Allen Poe meets H.G. Wells meets Anne Rice and it is all directed by Tim Burton.

Cheers it makes sense now