13 Steampunk Retellings That Will Absolutely Sweep You Away

Don’t you just love retellings? I know I do, and a nice steampunk twist always, always, always hits.

If you’re not in the know, Steampunk is a sub-genre that combines steam-powered technology with historical settings.

Retellings in this sub-genre always feel fresh and innovative, and it’s a wonderful break from many of the offerings in the market.

In this article, I’ll introduce you to 13 steampunk retellings that are so good, they’re almost better than the originals.

1. Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell.

In this amazing steampunk retelling of Cinderella, Nicolette is an inventor, but her cruel stepsisters mock her as Mechanica, and they make her work like a slave in her own home.

One day, she finds a hidden workshop with amazing books, tools, and a mechanical horse named Jules.

She dreams of a new life and a chance to show her skills at a big expo and ball, but she doesn’t need a prince to save her, as she wants to create her own happy ending with her wit and courage.

2. Everland by Wendy Spinale.

Bombs and viruses have left London in ruins, and only children have survived. Gwen and her siblings are among them, but they face a new threat: Captain Hook and his Marauders, who capture kids for horrible experiments.

When Joanna, Gwen’s sister, is taken by them, Gwen joins forces with Pete, a brave boy who has a gang of Lost Boys and a sharpshooter girl named Bella.

They want to save Joanna and get out of the city. But will they be able to defeat Hook and his army?

This clever steampunk retelling of the Peter Pan fairytale will have you on the edge of your seat – you absolutely do not want to miss it!

3. The Lady in the Coppergate Tower by Nancy Campbell Allen.

Hazel Hughes is a medium-in-training who wants nothing more than to talk to ghosts, but her gift remains elusive, except for a haunting dream of a lookalike in peril.

Sam MacInnes is a dashing surgeon who hires Hazel for his medical practice. He is smitten by her intelligence and beauty, but their budding romance is cut short by a startling revelation – A mysterious count arrives in London and tells Hazel she has a twin sister who is dying in Romania.

Hazel agrees to go with the count and Sam to rescue her sister, but the trip is full of dangers and secrets.

On the way, they face dark magic, clockwork beasts, and their own insecurities as they race to reach the impenetrable Coppergate Tower.

Also See: 10 Charming Small Town Romance Books That’ll Warm Your Heart

4. This Monstrous Thing by Mackenzi Lee.

Alasdair Finch is a Shadow Boy – an illegal mechanic who fixes clockwork men in 1818 Geneva. He lost everything two years ago: his brother Oliver, his love Mary, and his chance to escape.

In despair, he resurrects Oliver with clockwork parts, but the result is a monstrous and estranged sibling.

And when this Frankenstein stirs up a hunt for Shadow Boys and their creations, Alasdair seeks help from his idol, Dr. Geisler, who offers him a way out, but at a terrible cost that only Oliver can pay.

This is another brilliant steampunk retelling (this time of Frankenstein) that you should add to your reading list as soon as you can.

5. The Girl in the Clockwork Tower by Lou Wilham.

In a world where magic is dangerous, Persinette is a lavender-haired seer who dreams of adventure.

She serves MOTHER, a tyrannical force that hunts down and enslaves the Enchanted.

But when she gets a chance to go on a mission, she decides to defy her cruel handler, Gothel.

Manu Kelii is a dashing airship captain and a rebel with a cause. He wants to overthrow MOTHER and the queen of Daiwynn with his band of misfits.

When he crosses paths with Persinette, he discovers a new ally and a new challenge.

6. Curiouser and Curiouser by Melanie Karsak.

Alice is done with the criminal underworld. That’s to say, she’s quit working for the wicked Jabberwocky, cut ties with the cruel Queen of Hearts, and she has escaped the dark alleys of London where danger lurks at every corner.

But her past comes back to haunt her when Hatter needs her help.

To rescue him, Alice must join forces with the one man she can’t stand: Caterpillar. He has a plan to steal a massive diamond from a royal target and needs someone who can do that.

Alice is a skilled Bandersnatch, but risking her heart for the man who broke it proves difficult.

If you’re in the mood for a steampunk retelling, then this superb book puts an exciting spin on Alice In Wonderland, and it’s simply amazing.

7. Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin.

A plague has wiped out most of the population and left the city in ruins. Araby Worth finds solace in the Debauchery Club, where she can dress up and forget her troubles.

But her life changes when she crosses paths with two mysterious men: Will, the handsome club owner, and Elliott, the smart aristocrat.

They both have secrets and agendas. Araby discovers that she has a cause worth fighting for, even at a great cost.

8. Mission Nutcracker by Cecilia Dominic.

When Fiona Telfair’s father and fellow inventors are abducted by nutcracker automatons, she teams up with Devon Meriweather, a rail baron who needs to marry into high society.

As they track down the aether-powered machines and their magical mice, they face danger, mystery, and forbidden romance.

Nutcracker is a steampunk romance with a spunky heroine, a dashing hero, and a Christmas fairytale spin. If you love steampunk retellings, this unputdownable book will thrill you!

9. A Rose of Steel by Katherine MacDonald.

In this steampunk retelling of Beauty and the Beast, when Dr. Asami Thorne is targeted by the government for her research, a mysterious beast comes to her rescue.

He is a former soldier who was turned into a monster by the same experiments that threatened her life.

They escape to the underground world beneath the mechanical city of Petragrad, where they discover shocking truths and face terrifying dangers.

Along the way, Asami falls in love with her beastly protector, but their budding romance is threatened by deception and danger.

10. Of Metal and Wishes by Sarah Fine.

In a slaughterhouse where a ghost lurks, Wen helps her father heal the sick. She wishes harm on a rude Noor worker, and the Ghost obliges.

Soon, she regrets it and tries to make amends with the Noor, especially their charismatic leader Melik.

She also discovers that the Ghost has been watching her for a long time. Wen is torn between Melik, who resents her people, and the Ghost, who will do anything for her.

As the factory turns into a nightmare, Wen has to decide who to believe and who to save.

Also See: 15 Stunning Grumpy & Sunshine Books To Add To Your TBR ASAP

11. The Pig Keeper’s Assistant by E. Long.

Georgina is a practical and cool-headed woman who works for Mr. Haven, a messy and eccentric inventor. She secretly loves him, but he doesn’t notice her.

Instead, he disguises himself as a poor swineherd to woo a snobbish lady. Georgina tries to hide her feelings and act professionally, but she can’t help being jealous and hurt.

The Pig Keeper’s Assistant is a fantastic steampunk retelling of Hans Christan Anderson’s classic tale of The Swineherd.

If you’re in the mood for a clever retelling that will make your heart sing, then this might be the one for you.

12. Wolves and Daggers by Melanie Karsak.

When London’s brightest minds vanish, Red Cape Society Agent Clemeny Louvel must solve the mystery.

Her only ally is a charming werewolf knight with a hidden agenda. Together, they face a deadly threat that lurks in the shadows.

This thrilling adventure comes with a dash of romance and a clever steampunk retelling of Little Red Riding Hood.

13. Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by A. B. Keuser.

Isabelle Marchant escapes her aunt and a cruel fiancé by wandering into an enchanted forest. There, she finds a castle with a clockwork prince and his orphaned friends.

Arthur Velois is trapped by a dark fairy who only leaves at full moon. He wants to protect Isabelle from her minions, but he also wants to keep her by his side.

Now, they must break the curse and somehow keep their feelings for each other intact.

This is another interesting steampunk romance inspired by the Beauty and the Beast story that will thrill you if you’re in the mood for a good retelling.

There are so many good retellings out there, and in the world of steampunk, you’ll be spoiled for choice. So, grab any of these books on the list and start reading!