Tales from the Gunpowder Chronicles: A collection of Opium War steampunk novellas - Paperback

Tales from the Gunpowder Chronicles: Asian Steampunk Novellas

This collection brings together three standalone novellas from bestselling author Jeannie Lin's Gunpowder Chronicles series. Set during the Opium War era, these stories blend historical fiction with steampunk elements, creating a unique fusion where Eastern tradition collides with Western steam technology.

Three Complete Stories in One Collection

Each novella stands alone as a complete adventure, featuring distinct characters and settings within the Gunpowder Chronicles universe:

Big Trouble in Old Shanghai follows Ming-fen as rebellion erupts across the city. With her brother trapped on the wrong side of the conflict and gangs controlling the streets, she must use her combat skills and form an unlikely alliance with a foreign stranger to survive the chaos and prevent civil war.

The Island of the Opium-Eaters pairs Sagara Satomi, exiled from Nippon and living aboard a rebel ship, with rogue alchemist Yang Hanzhu. Together they navigate toward an unmarked island shrouded in dark rumors and mysterious history, where secrets—and danger—await.

Love in the Time of Engines serves as a prequel to Gunpowder Alchemy. As the Ministry of Science recruits talent amid rumors of Western steam engine development, golden boy Jin Zhi-fu befriends mathematics prodigy Shi Anlei at the Academy. He doesn't realize Anlei is a woman disguised as a man—the only way she could take the imperial examination. When her identity is revealed, they face a test that challenges duty, friendship, and love.

Gunpowder Technology Meets Steam Power

The Gunpowder Chronicles series depicts a world where East meets West through technological conflict. Traditional gunpowder weapons clash with emerging steam technology, creating richly-detailed settings that blend historical accuracy with speculative fiction elements.

About Author Jeannie Lin

USA TODAY bestselling author Jeannie Lin is recognized for groundbreaking historical fiction including Butterfly Swords and The Lotus Palace. She began writing while teaching high school science in South Central Los Angeles. Her work combines historical research with wuxia adventure traditions, earning multiple awards including the Golden Heart for her debut novel. Beyond the Gunpowder Chronicles steampunk series, she writes Tang Dynasty historical romances and the Princess Shanyin erotica series under the pen name Liliana Lee.

This collection delivers three complete adventures for readers seeking Asian-inspired steampunk, historical fiction with speculative elements, or character-driven stories set during the Opium War period.