10 Fantasy And Steampunk Books
Step into a world of airships, enchanted artifacts, and clockwork intrigue, where romance simmers beneath layers of mystery and adventure. Fantasy and steampunk fiction weave together the thrill of the unknown with the intoxicating allure of danger, drawing readers into realms brimming with magic, mechanical marvels, and irresistible charm. Whether you’re craving a love story set against the backdrop of a mystical empire or a tale of dashing rogues navigating treacherous skies, these ten books promise unforgettable journeys.
1. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Why You’ll Love It: Necromancers, sword fights, and locked-room mysteries? Yes, please. Gideon the Ninth blends gothic fantasy with a razor-sharp wit, following Gideon Nav, a rebellious swordswoman, as she’s forced to assist her arch-nemesis, Harrowhark, in a deadly trial. Their enemies-to-something-more dynamic crackles with tension, making this book as emotionally gripping as it is action-packed.
2. Soulless by Gail Carriger
Why You’ll Love It: If Jane Austen had dabbled in supernatural steampunk, this is what she’d have written. Alexia Tarabotti, a no-nonsense spinster with no soul (literally), finds herself entangled with an infuriatingly handsome werewolf and a mystery that threatens Victorian society. Witty, romantic, and endlessly charming, Soulless is a perfect blend of tea, treachery, and irresistible chemistry.
3. The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher
Why You’ll Love It: Imagine epic naval battles—only in the sky. Butcher’s Cinder Spires series launches with an exhilarating tale of airship captains, warrior monks, and talking cats (yes, really). Steampunk adventure meets high-stakes drama in a world where air travel is as dangerous as it is essential. The cast of characters is delightfully complex, with just enough slow-burn romance to keep you hooked.
4. The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason
Why You’ll Love It: What happens when you combine Sherlock Holmes’ niece, Bram Stoker’s sister, and a dash of time travel? A thrilling mystery set in an alternate Victorian London, where these two fierce heroines uncover secrets wrapped in gears, steam, and ancient relics. The romantic subplot adds just the right amount of tension, ensuring that while the mystery keeps you guessing, your heart gets caught in the gears of fate.
5. Perdido Street Station by China Miéville
Why You’ll Love It: Miéville’s New Crobuzon is a city unlike any other—gritty, sprawling, and teeming with strange creatures and even stranger technologies. When a rogue scientist unwittingly unleashes a terrifying horror, an unlikely group of rebels, including a fierce artist and her enigmatic lover, must fight to survive. Steampunk, body horror, and political intrigue collide in this masterpiece of weird fiction.
6. The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg
Why You’ll Love It: A fresh take on magic where spells are cast through folding enchanted paper. Ceony Twill, an apprentice forced into paper magic, soon discovers that even the most delicate art can wield immense power—especially when a rogue magician threatens the man she’s beginning to love. It’s a soft, whimsical romance wrapped in a tale of discovery and danger.
7. Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff
Why You’ll Love It: Picture a feudal Japan-inspired world with mechas, mythical creatures, and a fierce heroine at its heart. Yukiko, a warrior with the ability to communicate with animals, finds herself bound to a legendary thunder tiger. Amidst revolution, betrayal, and an empire teetering on the brink of war, romance blooms in the most unexpected place. The prose is as poetic as it is brutal, making this a read that lingers long after the final page.
8. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
Why You’ll Love It: A fusion of history, horror, and steampunk innovation, Boneshaker takes readers to a zombie-infested, gas-choked Seattle where airships rule the sky. Briar Wilkes ventures into the city’s deadly depths to rescue her son, navigating ruthless gangs, deadly secrets, and maybe even a new chance at love. This is adventure at its finest, brimming with eerie atmosphere and high-stakes thrills.
9. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld
Why You’ll Love It: A stunning reimagining of World War I, where massive biological creatures serve as warships and clockwork machines fight in the skies. Amidst the chaos, Deryn, a girl disguised as a boy to join the British Air Service, and Alek, an Austrian prince on the run, forge an unexpected bond. Their slow-burn romance adds just the right amount of warmth to this adrenaline-fueled adventure.
10. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Why You’ll Love It: A dreamlike, slow-burning fantasy where two rival magicians are locked in a competition of spellbinding wonder, unaware that their fate is entwined in an exquisite but dangerous game. The love story between Celia and Marco is woven with an elegance that makes every page shimmer. If you crave lyrical prose, breathtaking settings, and a romance that defies time, this is the book for you.
Your Turn!
Now that you’ve glimpsed these mesmerizing worlds of magic, mystery, and mayhem, which fantasy or steampunk novel has enchanted you the most? Are there any hidden gems that deserve a place on this list? Share your favorites—I’d love to hear what books have fueled your love for all things fantastical and gear-driven!
