Exciting steampunk m/m romance, but it would have benefited from being longer. I liked both main characters and was invested in them, but I would love to see this expanded into a full novel, with time for character development rather than just scenes playing out.

Spoilery:

I found the automaton that was made of Flynn to be a rather uncomfortable part of the story, especially once it is made clear that Flynn is still alive, and the automaton is just dismissed, despite seemingly being fully sentient and involved in a relationship with Donovan. I think if the book had explored this it would have been super interesting from a person-hood point of view, but it again comes down to the fact that this is too short.

** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley

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Hope, Tears, Steam, Gears by Gregory L. Norris
★★★☆☆
40 Pages
POV: 1st, one character POV
Content Warning: attempted rape


I've been on a steampunk kick lately, and this one was...interesting. I loved the concept and the writing style. The plot was clever and original. But...I had a few problems with the execution. Namely, there was a huge leap in timeline that wasn't really explained – no labelling of timeline, in terms of days or weeks later, and no chapters to break up the timeline, just scene breaks that didn't help to navigate my way through the shifting timeline.

I feel like the story needed to be twice as long, if only because I needed more of it. I needed and wanted to see Donovan revert from gentleman to thief, to see him infiltrate the enemy's ranks and slip away. I wanted to see him being caught, feel that concern for his safety. But it all happened so suddenly that, while I liked the characters and the writing style, I didn't really get a chance to feel connected to either. I was just starting to get intrigued by the chemistry between Donovan and Flynn when suddenly, in the space of a single scene change, Flynn had been missing for weeks and all they'd shared was a kiss.

In all honesty, I feel like the story is a beginning and an ending, but lacking that so-important middle that lets us connect to the characters and feel for them. I didn't worry about Donovan's safety, because it all happened so fast. I didn't wonder what had happened to Flynn, because I barely got to know him. And I wasn't sucked into the relationship, because it was so sudden.

I'm giving it a 3* rating for three reasons: 1) the writing style was completely up my alley 2) I liked the characters and their journey, even if I wish there was more of it, and 3) because I enjoyed it. While it didn't blow me away, it *could* have. It had interesting characters who I wanted to read more about, it had excellent worldbuilding that promised a place where many adventures could take place. If it had been a little longer, with some more exploration of the characters, I could have happily counted it as a favourite, a re-read, and one that I'd buy in paperback. The potential is there in spades, it just fell a little short.

A very quick read I didn't know its was going to be so short . I cant put my finger on its there was something about this book that wasn't for me I read a real variety of books I love a good steampunk story but i felt there was something missing from this book.

Very short and fast paced. It was all action with very little character development. Minimal character development happens in short stories, of course, but this seemed extreme. Could have benefited from being a bit longer with a few more details. Writing was good and would liked it to have been longer.

Alright, so I wasn't aware that it was a short story when I started reading it. However, it was a quick read, there was so much potential to actually realise the world that the author had created but it was not quite enough. The writing is good if a bit hurried. I just wished the characters were more fleshed out and the plot was given more room to grow and just overall, it lacked the length to fully enjoy the story the author was trying to tell. It's too bad because as I said, it does have potential to be a good novel.

Hope, Tears, Steam Gears
Gregory L Norris

A sexy, lustful adventure
Slightly steampunk, and a little political .
Romance is a little rushed, but normal for Gregory Noris Fans . Interesting dialogue. A fun read !

Thanks NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book for an honest review.

The short blurb bit: This is a steampunk-feeling short story with a M/M love interest. It’s a short piece of prose that is very well written. Norris’ writing is fluid and poetic.

The descriptive bit: When Donovan Tisdale goes to a presentation about trips to the moon and mechanical humans, he finds himself instantly drawn the presenter. Richard Sandominus Flynn, Minister of Steam-based Research and Technology catches Donovan’s eye across the room and there are sparks. They arrange to meet and Flynn offers Donovan a life-changing mission. Then things go awry. Donovan is kidnapped and suddenly finds himself in mortal danger.

My thoughts bit: This was far too short! My sense is that Norris is absolutely capable of the world-building it would take to make Hope, Tears, Steam, Gears into a novel. Norris packs this small piece of writing with a sense of intrigue, desire, and fear.

"AROUND US, THE city steamed. The gears of the city’s giant clocks turned, their hands tolling the seconds and minutes of a long, moonless night. Most of my fellow Londoners slumbered, oblivious to the murder about to be committed. Mine." - a gorgeous excerpt from "Hope, Tears, Steam, Gears"

SPOILER: The connection between Donovan and Flynn happens quickly and the progression is a bit quick, but it’s a short story. The description of the clockwork version of Flynn was beautiful. Again, I would love to read more from Norris on this story. I feel like there was a lot that was left unsaid.

The warnings bit: violence, attempted sexual assault, homophobia