In general I find the whole idea of the steampunk genre ridiculous. Here's the problem: fantasy novels work because the reader accepts that there's some alternate universe where magic exists. Thus, fantastical events and happenings are acceptable. 
 Sci-Fi works because the reader accepts that there will be some sort of scientific discovery in the future that will make fantastical events and happenings possible in our existing universe. 
 Steampunk falls in the crack between these two genres. For example, this story takes place in in an 1860s world where steam powered dirigibles are somehow possible. Oh also there's a mysterious gas that turns people in to zombies. 
 How can I be expected to suspend my disbelief for this? 
 The good news is that the story is fun and the characters are ok, so it all generally works ok.