13 Must-Read Steampunk Fantasy Novels for Beginners

The Emperor’s Edge by Lindsay Buroker

Adept imperial law enforcer Amaranthe Lokdon faces a daunting challenge in this steampunk fantasy. Ravaged bodies appear on the waterfront, human sacrifices are masked by arson, and a business coalition conspires to assassinate the emperor. Notorious assassin Sicarius is implicated in the chaos, and Amaranthe is tasked with tracking him down. She navigates a dangerous web of intrigue and danger as the stakes are raised.

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

In the thrilling Leviathan trilogy, destiny intertwines with history as World War I looms. The Austro-Hungarians and Germans use Clankers, steam-driven iron machines, while the British deploy genetically fabricated animals as their formidable weaponry. Their ultimate creation is the Leviathan, a magnificent whale airship.

In this captivating alternate past, machines clash with genetically engineered beasts. Aleksandar Ferdinand, a loyal Clanker, and Deryn Sharp, a dedicated Darwinist, find themselves on opposing sides of the First World War. Yet, fate unexpectedly brings them together, leading them on a thrilling global adventure that forever alters the course of their lives.

Retribution Falls by Chris Wooding

Darian Frey, captain of the airship Ketty Jay, is not cut out for sky piracy. With a crew of misfits, they embark on a daring heist to steal a chest of precious gems. But their plans go awry, making Frey the most wanted man in Vardia.

Relentless bounty hunters and the formidable Trinica Dracken pursue Frey and his crew. As they navigate the treacherous skies, they realize they’ve been set up. Their only hope may lie in the legendary pirate haven, Retribution Falls—if they can reach it without being shot down.

Boneshaker by Cherie Priest

In the early days of the Civil War, the Klondike gold rush lured adventurers to the Pacific Northwest. Among them, inventor Leviticus Blue created the disastrous Boneshaker drill engine, which unearthed a deadly blight gas that turned people into the living dead.

Sixteen years later, the city is enclosed by a wall, and Blue’s widow, Briar Wilkes, struggles to make a living. When her son, Ezekiel, embarks on a dangerous mission to rewrite history, Briar must venture into a city overrun by undead, air pirates, and danger to save him.

Boneshaker is a thrilling steampunk adventure in Cherie Priest’s Clockwork Century series.

The Aeronaut’s Windlass by Jim Butcher

In the Spires, Captain Grimm commands the airship Predator, loyal to Spire Albion. When the Predator is damaged, Grimm agrees to join an Albion mission to restore his ship. But he soon discovers that the Spires’ conflict is just a precursor to a much greater danger: humanity’s ancient enemy, long dormant, is awakening.

Grimm must race against time to stop this enemy from destroying humanity. Along the way, he will face airship battles, ancient creatures, and epic dangers.

The Aeronaut’s Windlass is a thrilling steampunk fantasy that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

A Master of Djinn by P Djèlí Clark

In 1912 Cairo, Agent Fatma el-Sha’arawi is a seasoned Ministry of Alchemy, Enchantments, and Supernatural Entities member. When a secret brotherhood devoted to the enigmatic al-Jahiz is murdered, Fatma is tasked with investigating.

The imposter al-Jahiz claims to be the legendary figure and seeks to challenge the modern age and its social injustices with dangerous magical powers. As unrest spreads through Cairo, Fatma, aided by her Ministry colleagues and a familiar face from her past, must uncover the truth behind this imposter and restore peace to the city before the chaos escalates further.

A Master of Djinn is a captivating steampunk fantasy, blending historical intrigue with magical elements and thrilling mystery.

Senlin Ascends by Josiah Bancroft

Senlin Ascends is an enthralling steampunk fantasy book that transports readers to a world of immense wonder and danger. When mild-mannered headmaster Thomas Senlin becomes separated from his wife, Marya, in the labyrinthine Tower, he embarks on a daring quest to find her.

Navigating through madhouses, ballrooms, and more, Senlin must transform into a man of action to survive betrayal, assassins, and illusions. If he ever hopes to be reunited with his beloved wife, he must use all of his wits and courage to unravel the Tower’s mysteries.

This captivating tale blends literary charm with thrilling adventure in a mesmerizing steampunk setting.

The Falconer by Elizabeth May

In 1844 Edinburgh, Aileana Kameron appears to be an aristocratic young lady, but she harbors a secret: she can sense Sithichean, a faery race hell-bent on slaughtering humans. Aileana has honed her ability to sense Sithichean since her mother’s death, and her hidden mission is to avenge her mother’s murder by destroying the faery responsible.

However, everything changes when Aileana discovers she is a Falconer, the last of a line of female warriors destined to protect humanity from a devastating faery onslaught. Blending elements of steampunk, Scottish lore, romance, and action, The Falconer trilogy promises an electrifying and addictive read.

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

In this thrilling young adult steampunk series debut, set in the same world as the bestselling Parasol Protectorate, readers are introduced to fourteen-year-old Sophronia Temminnick, a tomboyish girl who prefers tinkering with clocks and climbing trees to practicing proper manners. Desperate to transform her daughter into a proper lady, Mrs. Temminnick enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

However, the school is not quite what it seems. The young ladies learn not only the arts of dance, dress, and etiquette but also the skills of espionage, diversion, and even dealing out death—all in the most refined manner possible.

Sophronia quickly discovers that she has a knack for espionage and soon finds herself caught up in a dangerous adventure. Get ready for a saucy adventure filled with droll humor that Gail Carriger’s fans will adore.

Shadows of Self by Brandon Sanderson

Scadrial is modernizing with railroads, electric lighting, and skyscrapers. Waxillium Ladrian, a Twinborn with Allomancy and Feruchemy, returns to the metropolis to fulfill his family duties. He uses his crime-fighting skills to fight terrorism and assassination to ignite labor strife and religious conflict. With the help of his sidekick Wayne and the constabulary’s Marasi, they must unravel the conspiracy threatening Scadrial’s progress. To fully enjoy this thrilling adventure, read the first trilogy and explore the Cosmere reading order.

Cold Magic by Kate Elliot

In a bold new epic fantasy, science, and magic clash in a deadly struggle. Cat and Bee, two young women at college, are about to encounter a world of danger and hidden threats when the Cold Mages come for Cat. She must navigate treacherous waters where trust is scarce and danger lurks at every turn.

This book is a must-read for fans of steampunk fantasy and epic adventure. It’s full of action, suspense, and romance, sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

I highly recommend checking it out! You won’t be disappointed.

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

The Goblin Emperor is a captivating tale of a young half-goblin who must navigate the treacherous world of court politics after his father and brothers are killed. Unprepared for his new role, he must find allies and friends among those who would see him fail, all while safeguarding his throne and his life.

This book is a must-read for fans of political intrigue, fantasy, and coming-of-age stories. It’s full of memorable characters, exciting plot twists, and a heartwarming message of hope.

Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve

Mortal Engines is a post-apocalyptic steampunk fantasy novel that’s full of action, adventure, and suspense. In a world where cities have become mobile machines known as Traction Cities, Tom Natsworthy, a young historian from London, is flung from the city during an attack and meets Hester Shaw, a scar-faced girl seeking revenge against London’s powerful ruler. Together, they navigate dangerous wastelands, uncover dark secrets, and confront a deadly weapon that threatens the world’s future.

This book is a must-read for fans of steampunk fantasy and post-apocalyptic fiction. It’s full of memorable characters, exciting plot twists, and a thought-provoking message about the dangers of war and the importance of peace.