Stay tuned for the video giveaway of A Red Sun Also Rises, which should be up in the next day or so!
We’re not stopping the giveaways until the shelf is clear, and this week’s giveaway is The Steam Mole by Dave Freer.
The Steam Mole follows the adventures of Tim Barnabas and Clara Calland through a world ravaged by climate change and political intrigue. In Cuttlefish, the first book in the series, Clara and her mother escaped the British imperial forces by means of the submersible Cuttlefish, which took them from a drowned London and, after several escapades, to Australia. Here, the people are nocturnal due to the intense heat and travel by underground machines called steam moles.
With the imperial forces still in hot pursuit and internal factions fighting within the continent, The Steam Mole takes readers all over Australia as well as the society in which Tim and Clara live. The characters do battle not only with political forces but also racism, sexism, and the searing desert environment. There’s romance, machinery, and standout characters – a perfect recipe for young adult steampunk!
We have two copies of The Steam Mole to give away! To enter the contest, post a comment below and tell us what you would bring if you had to cross a desert – but only what you can carry (i.e. no “air-conditioned cars” or “unlimited gallons of water”). The deadline for entries is Sunday, February 17th. Good luck!
More information on The Steam Mole is available at Pyr’s website.
More information on author Dave Freer is available at his website and his Facebook page.
If I were crossing a desert, besides a steampunked means of transportation I don't know that I would want much from the genre in the desert. Looking to other sources I would probably take a solar-powered laptop with internet, music, movies, games and books to start. While not pleasant, a working stillsuit would be nice to have. As to food, it would depend on the length of the journey. Some milk and BooBerry cereal would be nice to have, if possible.
Posted by: Alden Ash | February 12, 2013 at 01:39 PM
A solar powered still to reclaim water, perhaps like the Fremen Stillsuit.
Posted by: UnitPrime | February 12, 2013 at 03:27 PM
Being the practical & boring sort.. I'd choose to bring a fairly large umbrella (going to need shade in that desert)and some sort of hand tool to dig or plant if need be. :)
Posted by: Readsalot81 | February 12, 2013 at 03:42 PM
Assuming I have the means of transport (ie, I'm not walking), I would bring poles and fabric (silk, canvas?) to make a large tent to sleep under and wrap me and the transport to protect during a sand storm.
Posted by: Jp Carney | February 12, 2013 at 04:14 PM
A solar-powered desert bike....with ample supplies of water and sunscreen and a hat and umbrella (all in it's saddlebags). :)
Or maybe just a satellite phone to call for a cab.
Posted by: Seanna | February 13, 2013 at 01:10 PM
Oh, but instead of carrying something, I'd let myself be carried by a sandworm, of course!
OK, so I've already won one book, but I want The Steam Mole so I have an excuse to buy Cuttlefish too. No shame, I'm afraid.
Good luck to everyone.
Posted by: Soundofthunder | February 13, 2013 at 06:35 PM
I'd bring a fully stocked Bag of Holding. Don't leave home without it!
Posted by: Eldritch Monkey | February 16, 2013 at 09:49 PM
A notebook.
Posted by: Danielle Stewart | February 17, 2013 at 11:46 PM
Dave Freer always delivers compelling, fast-moving, and addictive fantasy adventures. Write more, Dave.
Posted by: Movers San Antonio | February 19, 2013 at 08:01 PM