Review - Clockwork Spells and Magical Bells edited by Herika R. Raymer

Clockwork Spells and Magical Bells

Steampunk Machinery Versus Magic The Victorian era brought us the wonderful world of steam powered gadgetry and industry. It also still held many of the old beliefs. The Challenge: to write intriguing steampunk tales with a twist - magic versus machine.

Clockwork Spells and Magical Bells is a collection of short stories based on “magic vs. machine” with an emphasis on fantastical creatures (in this case, elves and dwarves). While there were certainly stories I enjoyed more than others, I found that as a whole the book provided a diverse look into the steampunk world. With a rise in books in this genre, I’ve gained an appreciation for the variety that can exist within it. This book of stories provides just that.

There were some cases in which I wanted to keep reading, as if the story had only just begun. Then there were others where I delighted in finding poetry amongst the prose. I think it added an extra element. I especially liked “Adventure: A Series of Steampunk Haiku” by Michael Greenway which outlined the genre perfectly. From the short stories, I had trouble picking one but I enjoyed the twist in “Discombobulation” by Robert J. Krog and the adventure of “Quest for the Dragon’s Scale” by M.R. Williamson.

This series of work from a variety of authors offers a bit of everything, from action and adventure to poetry. Great for anyone with a taste for steampunk.

Austine

Well hello there! I see you’ve reached the end of the post. Bummer. But perhaps I may interest you in a comment? And in case you were wondering, I’m a 20-something college grad with a piece of paper that says I know about wildlife. Reviewer of books since 2011, amateur photographer by day, and aspiring author by night. I believe animals (and books) are better than people.