Karen Memory by Elizabeth Bear

Karen Memory

by Elizabeth Bear

Trouble erupts one night when a badly injured girl arrives at their door, begging sanctuary, followed by the man who holds her indenture, and who has a machine that can take over anyone's mind and control their actions. As if that wasn't bad enough, the next night brings a body dumped in their rubbish heap - a streetwalker who has been brutally murdered. Hard on the heels of that horrifying discovery comes a lawman who has been chasing this killer for months. Marshal Bass Reeves is closing in on his man, and he's not about to reject any help he can get, even if it comes from a girl who works in the Hotel Mon Cheri. Bear brings alive this Jack-the-Ripper yarn of the Old Steampunk West with a light touch in Karen's own memorable voice, and a mesmerizing evocation of classic steam-powered science.

Reviewed by celinenyx on

2 of 5 stars

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I don't know how a lesbian sex worker steampunk Western can be a slog, but it turned out to be one. The novel is written in a very unconventional voice, which was fine to me personally. The characters, however, were very thin, and not even constant peril could keep me interested in what was actually going on. More of an action novel than anything else - which isn't really my thing.

Content warnings: underage sex trafficking, rape, torture, gore, death of parent, racism & racist language.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 22 March, 2020: Finished reading
  • 22 March, 2020: Reviewed