More Scary Kisses – Liz Grzyb (ed)
Ticonderoga Publications, 2011
260 pages
RRP: AU$25
ISBN: 978-0-9807813-2-8

Reviewed by Kate Smith

Having absolutely loved Scary Kisses, I approached More Scary Kisses with both anticipation and apprehension.  Scary Kisses was such a wonderful combination of stories, such a different take on the world, snapshots of lives from a different perspective.  Hence  my apprehension.  However I was assured by a friend that More Scary Kisses would not let me down.  That friend was absolutely correct.

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Steampunk – Ann & Jeff VanderMeer (ed.)
2008, Tachyon Publications
373 pages
RRP: US$14.95
ISBN: 9781892391759

Reviewed by Liz Grzyb

This anthology is a diverse mix of novel excerpts and short stories from the canon of the steampunk subgenre and rounded out with some newer stories. They are balanced by some non-fiction writings on the genre. Steampunk aficionados will find the collection a useful addition to their libraries.

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Heartless – Gail Carriger (Parasol Protectorate #4)
Hachette Orbit, 2011
336 pages
RRP:AU$19.99
ISBN: 9780356500096

Reviewed by Liz Grzyb

The whole of the Parasol Protectorate series so far has been a delightful romp, and Heartless is no exception. Carrying on from the previous novel, Alexia must deal with her “inconvenience” whilst solving mysteries, averting dastardly plans and most importantly, drinking enough tea. Thankfully, Alexia is back in England where she can indulge in her favourite beverage to her heart’s content.

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Familiar – Michelle Rowen (novella)
Amazon Digital Services/Smashwords, 2011
RRP: US$0.99
ASIN: B0050OWWIO

Reviewed by Liz Grzyb

Familiar, a novella first published in Trisha Telep’s Kiss Me Deadly anthology of young adult paranormal romance, has been released separately as an ebook on Smashwords and Amazon. It’s about a young, reluctant witch-in-training, Brenda, who chooses a kitten as her familiar, only to find out that it’s no ordinary cat.

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Corsets & Clockwork – Trisha Telep (ed.)
Running Press, 2011
448 pages
RRP: US$9.95 (paperback), US$7.95 (ebook)
ISBN: 978-0762440924

Reviewed by Liz Grzyb

Corsets and Clockwork is a collection of thirteen steampunk/romance stories. They range from sweet, gentle love stories with a hint of steampunk about them, to gritty and disturbing tales of power and corruption. Nominally focused at a young-adult audience, the anthology has a much larger appeal to those who enjoy steampunk.

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