Carnal Machines is marketed as "steampunk erotica," but I think it would appeal to anyone who likes historical fiction and erotica. The settings and themes are varied, but all of the stories are based in the steampunk era (around the turn of the 20th century?), but DEFINITELY have enough kinkiness to appeal to anyone who likes a little sexy sex! There is, of course, the required Victorian-era hysteria treatment, (I'm feeling a little hysterical myself...can anybody cure me with an orgasm, please?!)but that's not all. These stories of sex-machine inventors, their willing and not-so-willing subjects, along with a little domination and bondage, and lots of lubrication are likely to get anyone's engine fired up!

There are 14 stories in these 198 pages. They average about 15 pages each. Carnal Machines really does have something for everyone. There is FemDom, light bondage, anal, oral, gay and lesbian sex, and more! Really -- something for everyone! The stories are all well-written and engaging. When I pick this up to read one story, I usually end up reading three or four!

As always with Cleis Press books, this one is a high-quality trade paperback. The cover, however, is a little more discreet than some of the other titles. There is a very sexy picture of a woman in steampunk attire on the cover. She is fully clothed, with a little underbreast cleavage showing. The subtitle is "steampunk erotica" but unless someone is looking rather closely, it's not super-noticeable. I would definitely take this book out in public.

I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I liked the period references as a change of pace from standard "sex in the boardroom or bedroom" stories of modern erotica.