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songwind's review against another edition
5.0
This book is near perfect.
The book is told in a folksy vernacular that evokes Western movies, but which isn't so overdone as to become annoying.
The book's heroine, despite being young and in the socially disadvantageous position of working as a prostitute, is self assured, assertive and confident. Throughout the narrative she maintains her agency and proactive attitude rather than allowing events to come to her.
The nature of the Madame's parlour (i.e. brothel) is such that she has attracted and assembled an eclectic and unlikely group of misfits, outcasts and strangers. Bear uses this fact to effectively include a wide variety of characters that keep the plot interesting.
The inclusion of real-life US Marshall Bass Reeves was a nice touch, as were a few small nods to the Lone Ranger, a character Marshall Reeves may have helps inspire.
The romance subplot was well written, and kind of adorably awkward.
I felt that the denouement was bobbled a little bit, but it's really a small flaw in an otherwise amazing book.
Narrator Jennifer Grace did an excellent job giving voice to all the characters.
The book is told in a folksy vernacular that evokes Western movies, but which isn't so overdone as to become annoying.
The book's heroine, despite being young and in the socially disadvantageous position of working as a prostitute, is self assured, assertive and confident. Throughout the narrative she maintains her agency and proactive attitude rather than allowing events to come to her.
The nature of the Madame's parlour (i.e. brothel) is such that she has attracted and assembled an eclectic and unlikely group of misfits, outcasts and strangers. Bear uses this fact to effectively include a wide variety of characters that keep the plot interesting.
The inclusion of real-life US Marshall Bass Reeves was a nice touch, as were a few small nods to the Lone Ranger, a character Marshall Reeves may have helps inspire.
The romance subplot was well written, and kind of adorably awkward.
I felt that the denouement was bobbled a little bit, but it's really a small flaw in an otherwise amazing book.
Narrator Jennifer Grace did an excellent job giving voice to all the characters.
stellarian's review against another edition
5.0
As I’ve mentioned before, I mostly read audiobooks. Because of it, I sometimes miss the spelling of names, places and other noteworthy things I need when writing these things up. With this particular book, I may be making more mistakes than usual, and I apologize in advance. Karen Memory is told entirely from the perspective of its narrator, Karen Memery (like memory, but with an e), and her grammar isn’t all that good.
Karen is a “seamstress” in Rapid City (an amalgamate of a few late 19th century American cities, including what is now Seattle Underground). She does a bit of actual seamstressing, which is taxed heavily by the city, but her main occupation is the “seamstressing” that’s earned on her back and is the actual reason why Karen and her coworkers have to pay so much. Things are not horrible. Karen and the other girls at the Hôtel Mon Cherie are allowed to save a part of what they earn, they have their own rooms when they don’t entertain customers and Madame Damnable, who runs the place, offers them a certain security.
The setting of this book is Wild West Steampunk, which is a joy to read. There are a variety of steam-powered gadgets including a near heal-all surgeon’s tool, a variety of digging and building tools, a strap-in sewing machine and even a mechanical octopus. Naturally, there are steam-powered airships. The Wild West aspect is represented by sheriffs, gold diggers and dime novel heroes and villains.
The first person narrative makes everything direct and exciting. Karen is brave, but not unbelievably so. She falls in love, but certainly not with one of her customers and her emotions are written simply and honestly. The plot has to do with politics on both a local, direct level and in a larger setting, but the text never feels distant or boring, because Karen is always right there at the heart of things, making what happens personal and real.
A lot of the characters are non-white and/or don’t identify as heterosexual. This could have seemed contrived in a lesser book, but the author knows her business and makes them all real people, well fleshed-out. Bear is also very good at being matter-of-fact about some of the awful living conditions of these characters. It’s their lives and it’s the way things are.
Jennifer Grace does a good job of narrating the audiobook, so if you like listening to your novels I recommend it. However, if you don’t mind spelling variations and unconventional grammar in your written text, give the paper book/e-book a try.
Karen is a “seamstress” in Rapid City (an amalgamate of a few late 19th century American cities, including what is now Seattle Underground). She does a bit of actual seamstressing, which is taxed heavily by the city, but her main occupation is the “seamstressing” that’s earned on her back and is the actual reason why Karen and her coworkers have to pay so much. Things are not horrible. Karen and the other girls at the Hôtel Mon Cherie are allowed to save a part of what they earn, they have their own rooms when they don’t entertain customers and Madame Damnable, who runs the place, offers them a certain security.
The setting of this book is Wild West Steampunk, which is a joy to read. There are a variety of steam-powered gadgets including a near heal-all surgeon’s tool, a variety of digging and building tools, a strap-in sewing machine and even a mechanical octopus. Naturally, there are steam-powered airships. The Wild West aspect is represented by sheriffs, gold diggers and dime novel heroes and villains.
The first person narrative makes everything direct and exciting. Karen is brave, but not unbelievably so. She falls in love, but certainly not with one of her customers and her emotions are written simply and honestly. The plot has to do with politics on both a local, direct level and in a larger setting, but the text never feels distant or boring, because Karen is always right there at the heart of things, making what happens personal and real.
A lot of the characters are non-white and/or don’t identify as heterosexual. This could have seemed contrived in a lesser book, but the author knows her business and makes them all real people, well fleshed-out. Bear is also very good at being matter-of-fact about some of the awful living conditions of these characters. It’s their lives and it’s the way things are.
Jennifer Grace does a good job of narrating the audiobook, so if you like listening to your novels I recommend it. However, if you don’t mind spelling variations and unconventional grammar in your written text, give the paper book/e-book a try.
rc_boxnut's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, and Trafficking
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, Rape, Child abuse, and Sexual violence
Minor: Death of parent and Racial slurs
lsparrow's review against another edition
3.0
steam punk alternate history - wild west mystery and lesbian romance.
I think that probably covers it all. Easy read - enjoyed it enough to try the second in the series but not enough to feel that it would make my recommendation list.
I think that probably covers it all. Easy read - enjoyed it enough to try the second in the series but not enough to feel that it would make my recommendation list.
maile_vine's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Physical abuse
hectaizani's review against another edition
4.0
Super engaging story about Karen Memery, whose name is like memory only spelt with an e. Set in a parallel late 19th century Seattle, Karen is a prostitute with a heart of gold. It's the story a a Jack the Ripperesque killer, with elements of the Old West, and steampunk trappings. I really liked Karen and hope we'll get more of her story eventually. There is a second book [b:Stone Mad|34405622|Stone Mad (Karen Memory, #2)|Elizabeth Bear|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1506700334s/34405622.jpg|55508621] but at 192 pages it's more of a novella.
gatun's review against another edition
5.0
Karen Memory can be classified as sci-fi fantasy, steampunk, western, mystery, or historical fiction. It is all of those. It is especially the tale of an extremely capable young woman who can be tender, nurturing and kick ass as the situation demands. Karen is one of the most memorable (figure the pun) heroines you will ever meet. She does not need a man to save her. The really great part of the story is the men do not need to be saved either. Both male and female characters are well developed and balanced. If a character is weak it is the personality of the character, not the gender that makes them so.
Karen Memory is a prostitute at Hôtel Mon Cherie, one of the better bordellos in what is to become Seattle. She works for Madame Damnable. Karen describes Madame as, “She’s got to be fifty-nine, and she’s still got a balcony you could do Shakespeare from.” The descriptions of people are wonderful. They are three dimensional with actions fitting with their characters. The range of characters is broad also. Besides Karen’s coworkers there are villains, inventors, and a broad range of nationalities as well as ethnicities.
Karen tells narrates her own story. Her voice is clear. Her backstory slips in where she feels it is relevant to what is happening. It does help explain her motivations and how she comes to working as a prostitute. The steampunk aspect of the story is very subtle. It is woven into the story and not distracting at all. Karen’s sexuality is seamlessly written into the story. Her attraction to women is not explained or commented on. It just is as it should be only a part of who she is.
The narration by Jennifer Grace is perfect. Karen’s voice is strong as she recounts the events that take place in the story. She admits her mistakes, admits her fears, and allows her anger to show. She felt very real to me, like someone I would want to call friend. The other voices are equally well done by Ms. Grace. The women’s voices are identifiable by pitch, accent or tone as are the men’s voices. It really is a great job narrating.
I enjoyed Karen Memory and was sad to see the book end. I know it will be one that I will revisit again and again.
Story (Plot) 5
Performance 5
Production Quality 5
Attention Holding 5
I originally received Karen Memory from Audiobook Jukebox in exchange for a fair review but enjoyed it so much I purchased Kindle and Audible versions.
Karen Memory is a prostitute at Hôtel Mon Cherie, one of the better bordellos in what is to become Seattle. She works for Madame Damnable. Karen describes Madame as, “She’s got to be fifty-nine, and she’s still got a balcony you could do Shakespeare from.” The descriptions of people are wonderful. They are three dimensional with actions fitting with their characters. The range of characters is broad also. Besides Karen’s coworkers there are villains, inventors, and a broad range of nationalities as well as ethnicities.
Karen tells narrates her own story. Her voice is clear. Her backstory slips in where she feels it is relevant to what is happening. It does help explain her motivations and how she comes to working as a prostitute. The steampunk aspect of the story is very subtle. It is woven into the story and not distracting at all. Karen’s sexuality is seamlessly written into the story. Her attraction to women is not explained or commented on. It just is as it should be only a part of who she is.
The narration by Jennifer Grace is perfect. Karen’s voice is strong as she recounts the events that take place in the story. She admits her mistakes, admits her fears, and allows her anger to show. She felt very real to me, like someone I would want to call friend. The other voices are equally well done by Ms. Grace. The women’s voices are identifiable by pitch, accent or tone as are the men’s voices. It really is a great job narrating.
I enjoyed Karen Memory and was sad to see the book end. I know it will be one that I will revisit again and again.
Story (Plot) 5
Performance 5
Production Quality 5
Attention Holding 5
I originally received Karen Memory from Audiobook Jukebox in exchange for a fair review but enjoyed it so much I purchased Kindle and Audible versions.
alice_inthe_bookland's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
jesslynh's review against another edition
5.0
Do yourself a favor and get this one. Authors--THIS is how steampunk is done!