Lukasz's Reviews > Karen Memory

Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear
Rate this book
Clear rating

by
19694853
's review

liked it
bookshelves: steampunk, historical-fantasy, lgbt, western

3.5/5

It was fun and I liked it. In short, it's an LGBT friendly steampunk western. Rather suspenseful, and just a bit sentimental. Karen Memery works as a “seamstress”(a prostitute) at Madame Damnable’s Hôtel Mon Cherie in Rapid City. Bear's alternate reality is filled with airships, surgical machines, and other mechanical creations.

Karen has a distinct voice that will divide people. Some will love it, some will need time to get used to it. I was in the second camp and as much as I liked Karen as a protagonist, each time I opened the book I needed a few minutes to stop paying attention to butchered (deliberately) grammar. The ending was explosive but also strained my sense of immersion.

I’m glad I’ve read the book. I liked it more than not, but some things irked me.
3 likes · flag

Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read Karen Memory.
Sign In »

Reading Progress

January 27, 2020 – Started Reading
January 27, 2020 – Shelved
January 28, 2020 –
22.0%
January 28, 2020 –
61.0% "A solid book with a memorable protagonist but few things irk me."
January 28, 2020 – Shelved as: steampunk
January 28, 2020 – Shelved as: historical-fantasy
January 28, 2020 – Shelved as: lgbt
January 28, 2020 – Shelved as: western
January 28, 2020 – Finished Reading

No comments have been added yet.