Though the middle is maybe a little slack, this is an excellent bildungsroman in the alt-history suggested by The Man in the High Castle, run half a century later and into the life of one small boy who aims to pilot one big ass robot. 

Alternate Side by Anna Quindlen tells the story of marriage and life through Charlie and Nora Nolan, who live ensconced in a clannish, small street of stately homes in New York cities. The book is a slow burn. It takes a while to realize that this book is more about the city and the characters than a plot. I go from not being sure I am enjoying the book to crying by the end because the emotion creeps up on me.

Reviewed for NetGalley

The Sunday Street Team is a group of bloggers led by the marvelous Nori @ ReadWriteLove28 who aim to bring well-deserved attention to new and upcoming books and their authors. 

This month's post is featuring Tara Sim and her steampunk debut novel, Timekeeper. 

I would recommend Timekeeper to fans of historical fiction and steampunk, especially if you are looking for a new take on the genre. I would also recommend Danny's story to anyone looking for a diverse novel that does not shy away from the tough questions. Even though the middle was a little bit slow, anyone who enjoys a good steampunk will enjoy Timekeeper.

If you want to hear more of my thoughts about the book and enter in the giveaway, then click on the original link.

Might I begin by saying that Booklikes not having a cover for this novel is weak as fuck. I've recently been assigned a bunch of Jewish science fiction to read for my B&N gig, partially because of my own interest, certainly. It's been an illuminating couple of books, grounding myself in the terminology and world view of a real world people set into fictional worlds.

Judenstaat is an alternate history in which Israel does not exist. Instead the Jewish state encompasses Saxony in Germany, bordered between East and West. It's a murder mystery of sorts (and writ large), beginning with the almost long ago murder of a Saxon conductor. Slow moving and (honestly) hard to get into, Judenstaat eventually rewards the patient. But you're going to have to do a dozen googles and struggle to remember your hazy Soviet history, because the author is not going to fuck around and hold your hand. Good. The way it should be. 

Deadlands Ghostwalkers Book Giveaway

We are giving away a Trade Paperback copy of DEADLANDS: GHOSTWALKERS by Jonathan Maberry and a *signed* bookplate to one lucky winner!

Visit From the Shadows 10/29-11/12 to enter. This giveaway is open to mailing addresses in the US and Canada. Giveaway ends November 12, 2015 midnight EST.

http://www.fromtheshadows.info/2015/10/book-giveaway-deadlands-ghostwalkers-jonathan-maberry.html

#steampunk #fantasy #deadlands #urbanfantasy #alternatehistory