Lexicon: Steampunk

Steampunk: a subgenre of historical fiction and science fiction that takes place surrounding the industrial age (mostly the turn of 18th century to the 19th). Often it is part alternate history so a mix of technology (real and imagined) can be intermixed with real events or people from the time period.

Two primary focuses are prevalent:
- inventions and how the rise of technology effects everyday life (leans toward science fiction ideals),
- emphasis on how the main characters band together for a purpose even though they generally would not be friends (leans towards a fantasy quest).

Examples: Lady of Devices by Shelley Adina, Mainspring by Jay Lake, and The Affinity Bridge by George Mann.