Hullaba Lulu: A #DieselPunk Adventure by Teagan Riordain Geneviene #bookreview #fantasy #TuesdayBookBlog

On By Teri PolenIn Book Reviews

Hullaba Lulu, a Dieselpunk Adventure is a wild and wooly 1920s fantasy story. Lulu, the heroine is inspired by the song, “Don’t Bring Lulu,” from 1925 ― so are her pals, Pearl and Rose. My Lulu loves to dance, and freely indulges in giggle water. She snores and burps and says whatever she wants. Lulu is a snarky but good-hearted flapper. The song’s inspiration stops there, but the story is just beginning.Travel with Lulu and her friends on a magical, dieselpunk train that belongs to the smolderingly handsome and enigmatic man known only as Valentino. They get into all sorts of trouble, usually due to Lulu’s clumsiness. It’s an intense ride through a number of pos-i-lutely creepy settings, including “sideways” versions of Atlantic City and the Cotton Club. At every stop and in between, Lulu ends up creating chaos. There’s no telling where they’ll end up. No, Lulu! Don’t touch that! Lulu’s the kind of smarty, breaks up every party,Hullabaloo loo, don’t bring Lulu,I’ll bring her myself!

I’ve read steampunk before and loved the era, but diesel punk is new to me. Knowing how much I’ve enjoyed this author’s other books, I didn’t expect this one to be any different.

Snarky characters steal my heart every time, so I took to Lulu right away. She’s not afraid to speak her mind and is a bit unconventional for the 1920’s – which made me like her even more. Her love of giggle water may occasionally contribute to the chaos she seems to attract/cause. Using 20’s vernacular, which can be quite amusing, it’s clear the author did extensive research of that time period. She’s even published a another book about slang from the 20’s. Visiting “sideways” versions of different places is fascinating and made me think of the TV show Lost with their forward, backward, and sideways flashes.

This short novel is full of whimsical creations (some based on real inventions) – angelbots, a time traveling train, and futuristic technology – and features an appearance by Nikola Tesla. Lulu and her friends are delightful, and this is a fun tale filled with action and humor. Guess I’m now a diesel punk fan.

69 thoughts on “Hullaba Lulu: A #DieselPunk Adventure by Teagan Riordain Geneviene #bookreview #fantasy #TuesdayBookBlog”

  6. I love stories set in the 20s. It seems like such a fun era. And, like you, the genre is one I’m not familiar with but this story and Lulu sound wonderful ❤️. Great review!

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  7. Teri, I’m glad to introduce you to diesel-punk! I’m zozzled with delight that you enjoyed Hullaba Lulu enough to share it here. Thanks so much! It’s always fun to get Lulu in my head. When I image the *freedom* of being like her…
    Thanks for mentioning “Speak Flapper, a Dictionary of 1920s Slang” too. I’m gradually finishing a similar dictionary of Victorian & steampunk slang as well.
    I have a health appointment in a moment, but I will be back to chat in comments soon. You’ve turned around a week that started in a difficult way, and I appreciate it.
    You’re the cat’s pajamas!

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  12. Pingback: #bookreview Hullaba Lulu: A #DieselPunk Adventure — Teri Polen at Books and Such – Teagan's Books

    2. Lulu is almost a lusher. She would have it no matter what the 1920s name, Jacquie. Alky, Hooch, Giggle water, a Jorum of skee, a quilt… after all, “She’s the kind of smarty, who breaks up every party. Hullaba Lulu, don’t bring Lulu, I’ll bring her myself.”
      Thanks for visiting. You’re the kitten’s ankles!

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  20. Great review!
    I’m still working on Dead of Winter, although I’ve only read 1.
    I’m on the Delta Pearl every weekend, and have enjoyed a couple of Teagan’s novelettes.
    She’s a wonderful writer!

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    1. Thank you kindly Mark. Writing about Lulu, and so, vicariously sharing her inhibitions… It was a great way to blow off steam. She quickly became on of my favorite characters. I’m happy you could visit here. Don’t take any wooden nickels. You’re the cat’s pajamas!

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  22. Pingback: May is Get Caught Reading Month – Teagan's Books

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