18 Steampunk Books Everyone Should Read

Strap on your goggles and fire up the airship—it’s time to dive into the fantastical world of steampunk! From gritty alternate histories to sky-high adventures and clockwork creatures, steampunk blends Victorian flair with futuristic imagination. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or just steam-curious, these books are your passport to a genre where gears grind, corsets clash, and anything is possible. Ready to explore? Here’s a growing list of steampunk books everyone should read.

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What Is Steampunk, Anyway?

Imagine if Victorian London collided with a sci-fi future—steam-powered gadgets, airships flying over cobblestone streets, and inventors in top hats tweaking brass machines. That’s steampunk in a nutshell. It’s a genre (and a lifestyle, for some) where the past and future shake hands, where gears grind and corsets cinch in a world of wonder, rebellion, and mechanical marvels.

Steampunk isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s rich with adventure, social commentary, romance, and rebellion. And when it comes to books? Oh, you’re in for a ride. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned time-traveling gearhead, this list of steampunk books is your gateway to another world.

Steampunk Books Everyone Should Read

1. The Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling

This book is basically the godfather of the modern steampunk genre. Set in an alternate 19th-century Britain where Charles Babbage’s mechanical computer actually took off, it’s loaded with political intrigue, early hackers, and proto-internet vibes—all running on steam. If you like your fiction with a dash of historical what-if, this one’s essential.

2. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Steampunk meets young adult adventure, and it’s glorious. This trilogy kicks off with a reimagined World War I: the Axis powers use clunky machines, while the Allies have evolved living, bio-engineered creatures. There’s espionage, cross-dressing disguises, and a giant flying whale. Need I say more?

3. Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

Zombies. Airships. A ruined, walled-off Seattle. If that sounds like a wild combo, it totally is—but it works. Boneshaker is gritty, fast-paced, and full of gas-masked scavengers and underground survivors. Plus, it stars a fierce, determined mother trying to save her son. Hardcore steampunk with a heart.

4. Perdido Street Station by China Miéville

Okay, this one’s not strictly steampunk—it’s weird fiction at its finest. But the aesthetic fits like a glove. Miéville crafts a sprawling, twisted city called New Crobuzon filled with steam tech, bizarre creatures, and gritty politics. It’s dense and mind-bending, but if you like your steampunk with serious world-building and an edge of horror, this is it.

5. Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

What if entire cities moved around on wheels, devouring smaller towns like mechanical monsters? That’s the wild world of Mortal Engines. It’s steampunk with a dystopian twist and an addictive plot. Yes, it’s YA—but don’t let that fool you. This series is dark, clever, and totally binge-worthy.

6. Gideon Smith and the Mechanical Girl by David Barnett

If Indiana Jones wore goggles and rode a brass airship, he’d probably be Gideon Smith. This book is pure adventure—full of dashing heroes, clockwork femmes fatales, monsters, and mysteries. It doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s part of the fun. Great if you want steampunk that feels like a Saturday morning pulp serial.

7. Soulless by Gail Carriger

Think Jane Austen with werewolves, vampires, and parasols that double as weapons. This witty, romantic romp through an alternative Victorian England features a strong female lead with no soul (literally), a lot of tea, and plenty of supernatural sass. Perfect if you like your steampunk with a hefty dose of humor and romance.

8. The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

Here’s one for the romance fans. This book is steamy (pun intended), bold, and packed with pirates, nanotechnology, and a tough heroine who takes no nonsense. It’s steampunk-meets-romantic-suspense in a richly imagined world that plays with imperialist themes in fresh ways.

9. Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Part of The Infernal Devices trilogy, this prequel series to The Mortal Instruments blends Victorian London, demon hunting, and—you guessed it—steampunk gadgets. Expect automatons, shadowy secret societies, and plenty of romantic tension. A fan favorite among YA steampunk lovers.

10. Airborn by Kenneth Oppel

A sky-high adventure with pirates, mysterious creatures, and lush airship battles. It’s like Treasure Island meets Around the World in 80 Days. Geared towards younger readers, but honestly, it’s a blast for all ages.

11. The Court of the Air by Stephen Hunt

If Charles Dickens rewrote Game of Thrones with clockwork soldiers and arcane tech, it might feel something like this. It’s big, bold, and bursting with wild ideas—ideal for readers who love expansive world-building and a tangled political web.

12. Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding

This is one of the grittiest, most fun steampunk adventures out there. It’s basically Firefly in book form—featuring airship pirates, heists, betrayal, and a crew of lovable rogues you won’t forget.

13. Lady of Devices by Shelley Adina

Think of it as steampunk meets finishing school dropout turned revolutionary leader. This series is charming, empowering, and filled with clever inventions and class rebellion. Perfect for fans of Gail Carriger’s Soulless.

14. The Steampunk Bible by Jeff VanderMeer

While not fiction, this is an essential companion for any steampunk lover. It dives into the history, culture, fashion, and storytelling of the genre. Great for inspiration, reference, or just geeky eye-candy.

15. The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley

A beautifully written, atmospheric tale set in Victorian London with time-traveling watchmakers, Japanese anarchists, and mysterious mechanical devices. It’s more literary and slow-burning than action-packed—but incredibly rewarding.

16. Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

Set in a steampunk version of feudal Japan, this book stands out for its unique setting, strong female protagonist, and sky tiger (yes, sky tiger). It blends mythology, steampunk tech, and environmental themes into an intense, emotional ride.

17. Infernal Devices by K.W. Jeter

Let’s go back to the roots—K.W. Jeter actually coined the term “steampunk”! This book is classic Victoriana with bizarre machines, alchemical science, and eccentric inventors. A great pick for those curious about the genre’s foundations.

18. The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials Series) by Philip Pullman

Not always labeled steampunk, but it’s got all the vibes: alternate worlds, daemons, airships, and strange tech. It’s rich in philosophy, adventure, and world-building, making it a worthy honourary member of the steampunk club.

Why These Books Matter

Steampunk isn’t just pretty goggles and gears. These books crack open the genre and show you what it can be—rebellious, weird, thoughtful, funny, and wildly creative. They push boundaries and ask “What if?” in the most unexpected ways.

Whether you’re here for the alt-history, the aesthetics, the tech, or the storytelling, this list is your launchpad. You’ll meet mad scientists, clockwork monsters, punk rebels, and airship captains—and trust me, you won’t want to leave.

RELATED:

20 Best Classic Science Fiction Books That Shaped the Genre

Conclusion

If you’ve never dipped a toe into steampunk before, now’s the time. And if you’re already a fan? Consider this your essential reading checklist. These books don’t just define the genre—they expand it, twist it, and make it impossible to ignore. So grab a cup of tea, put on your goggles, and get ready to dive headfirst into a world where steam reigns and imagination has no brakes.

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