Like a Wisp of Steam, Steampunk Erotica
edited by Cecelia Tan and J. Blackmore
Circlet Press, www.circlet.com, 95 pages, $5.99
reviewed by Barry Hunter

I had never thought of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne as steampunk. I tend to go with Rudy Rucker and Bruce Sterling. But after reading this and with further consideration, the title fits and whether you think of the fathers of science fiction in that way or not, I’m sure you will enjoy this collection of stories in the first of two planned steampunk anthologies.

"The Innocent’s Progress" by Peter Tupper – Miss Alwyx is auditioning for a part with the House of The Razor Lotus, a traveling performance group that performs plays written by The Bawd and then takes assignations from the Patrons to add coins to the coffers. This is an interesting look at the backstage happenings of the bawdy Victorians. It is also a tale of unrequited love.

"An Extempore Romance" by Jason Rubis – Shortly after the death of Queen Victoria, Mr Dodgson is taking photographs of Amelia Lessington and her fairies with his steam powered daguerrograph for her new volume of stories. The world is changing at a breakneck speed due to the invention of the cabriolets that speed through the streets and the chimerae, machines resembling humans, who are able fill all the needs one can have. Amelia and Dodgson end the tale on an interesting note.

"Hysterical Friction" by Thomas S. Roche – Victoria Barker’s husband has brought his wife to Dr. Fitzmartin due to his wife’s hysteria. She had not felt right since her wedding and she appeared to be suffering from a nervous condition. Clara, the doctor’s nurse, assures Victoria that the doctor will be able to help her and she will do her part to help as well. Victoria’s treatment is aided by a new electrical device and the treatment is a rousing success. Fitzmartin recommends treatments several times a week and Victoria appears to be a changed woman.

"In the Flask" by Vanessa Vaughn – Nicholas is aiding Dr. Aubrey in his laboratory while running animal tests on a new drug to repress sexual urges. Aubrey leaves Nicholas alone to mix the compounds on a strict schedule and to test it if he returns late. Nicholas makes a mistake and the resulting compound makes the animals more aggressive. When Nicholas tells Dr. Aubrey of his mistake, Dr. Aubrey suggests that Nicholas be the first human trial with interesting results.

"Steam and Iron, Musk and Flesh" by Kaysee Renee Robichaud – Trista and Cecelia are floating over Fort Detroit in a steam powered skyship spending too much time enjoying each other rather than paying attention to the ship as it crashes. Trista is thrown out of school and ends up in Chicago where she joins a Wild West Show. Trista’s job is to keep Benjamin, the world’s oldest steam powered man replica, up and running. Trista finds a kindred soul in Maggie Douglas, the Shooting Lady, who is a "confirmed maiden" and we follow their adventures. They run into Black Paul and his band of desperados who plan to use Benjamin to rob a bank. It’s up to Trista to save the day.

This is an enjoyable group of tales that solidly fits the bill as steampunk and erotica. It will be interesting to see how the second volume will improve on this one. For those who are unfamiliar with steampunk it is a splendid jumping in point. Of course the erotica only adds to the enjoyment.