Karen Memory

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By Elizabeth Bear

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Publisher Description

“Bear pumps fresh energy in the steampunk genre with a light touch on the gadgetry and a vivid sense of place . . . Karen and the ladies kick ass.” —Library Journal (starred review)

Set in the late nineteenth century—when the city we now call Seattle Underground was the whole town (and still on the surface), when airships plied the trade routes, would-be gold miners were heading to the gold fields of Alaska, and steam-powered mechanicals stalked the waterfront, Karen Memery (“like memory only spelt with an e”) is a young woman on her own, making the best of her orphaned state by working in Madame Damnable’s high-quality bordello. Through Karen’s eyes we get to know the other girls in the house—a resourceful group—and the poor and the powerful of the town. Trouble erupts one night when a badly injured girl arrives at their door, begging for sanctuary, followed by the man who holds her indenture, and who has a machine that can take over anyone’s mind and control their actions. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, the next night brings a body dumped in their rubbish heap—a streetwalker who has been brutally murdered.

Bear brings alive this Jack-the-Ripper yarn of the old west with a light touch in Karen’s own memorable voice, and a mesmerizing evocation of classic steam-powered science.

“[A] rollicking, suspenseful, and sentimental steampunk novel . . . [Karen’s] story is a timeless one: a woman doing what is needed to get by while dreaming and fighting for great things to come.” —Publishers Weekly

136 Reviews

3.5

Athena Maze

Created about 1 month ago

“I rather enjoyed how diverse the characters were and how the world Bear created allowed a myriad of genders, sexualities and races to exist in a way that felt realistic enough. I wish we had gotten to know the characters a bit more as they could oftentimes feel rather one dimensional. Aside from that it was quite a lovely read and reminded me that despite my recently found penchants for romance novels, I do rather enjoy a fantasy/sci-fi story as well. I would actually go as far to say that I didn’t necessarily find this to be a romance novel by any means and the romance was not the centre of the book, despite being central to the storyline, for those who aren’t the biggest fans of romance novel but want to read books with sapphic characters this might be a great option!”

Diverse representation Limited character growth Memorable Strong relationships Strong villain Action-packed Clever plotting Predictable but satisfying Satisfying conclusion Futuristic Gritty Historical Immersive world-building Unique location Vivid descriptions Beautifully-written Takes getting used to

McBeard

Created 9 months ago

Lunazulla

Created 11 months ago

Barnesm31

Created over 1 year ago

“In a loving homage to the dime novels of the old west Elizabeth Bear has given us the a a lesbian steampunk western pulp fiction packed with larger-than-life heroes, scheming villains, and gritty action. Set in 19th century Rapid City on the U.S. northwest coast, modeled on the tiered raised streets of the Seattle Underground and a gateway to the gold rush of the Alaskan North. Our resourceful titular narrator the orphan Karen Memery ("like memory but with an e") as a sex worker in Hôtel Mon Cherie. The action begins when, Priya, a malnourished but tough young woman, arrives at the door carrying the badly wounded Merry Lee, who escaped from one of the grim brothels operated by brutal gangster Peter Bantle. Madame Damnable’s steam-powered mechanical surgeon saves Merry’s life—but not before Bantle himself shows up, wearing, Karen notes, a peculiar glove that somehow can compel others to obey his commands. Worse, the following night the girls discover the body of a murdered sex worker. U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves (who was a real and amazing character and worthy of his arrival with his Comanche sidekick, Tomoatooah; they’re tracking a serial killer who seems to have made his way to Rapid City. The story twists complications, with dauntless (and, by this point, love-stricken) Karen in the thick of the action. This breathless narrative and rollicking story are enjoyable in themselves but I found the best in the diversity of the numerous characters who are so often side-lined in these sort of action-orientated tales. But Elizabeth Bear subverts this tradition, just as much as she's giving steampunk a gentle, loving twist. An African-American marshal and a transgender prostitute are just two members of the book's diverse cast, and it's clear that Bear is making a point about the way history, like literary subgenres, can steamroll over anyone who falls outside the norm. I also appreciated that despite the majority of characters in this book being sex workers, there’s no actual in-book sex – it’s very much depicted as a boring job that people have different preferences about. Be mindful that the plot includes the murder of sex workers, and sex trafficking so be aware. The action, already brisk in the last quarter of the novel builds in speed, with many almost most like it has built up a head of steam to a satisfying conclusion to which I was a little disappointed as I wanted to spend more time with these characters I had grown so interested in. Fortunately, there is a sequel.”

Sarah Arnette

Created over 1 year ago

About Elizabeth Bear

Elizabeth Bear was born on the same day as Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, but in a different year. She is the Hugo, Theodore Sturgeon Memorial, Locus, and Astounding Award–winning author of dozens of novels and over a hundred short stories. She has spoken on futurism at Google, MIT, DARPA’s 100 Year Starship Project, and the White House, among others. Find her at www.elizabethbear.com.