The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross

Release Date: Out now!

Publisher: Harlequin

Pages: 416pgs

The Story

In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling - or dangerous.

Sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper, hauled off by bounty hunters. But Jasper is in the clutches of a devious former friend demanding a trade-the dangerous device Jasper stole from him . . . for the life of a girl Jasper loves.

One false move from Jasper and the strange clockwork collar around Mei's neck tightens. And tightens.

The Review

A big thanks to the publisher on netGalley for accepting my request in reading this book early!

THE GIRL IN THE CLOCKWORK COLLAR is the second installment of the young adult series Steampunk Chronicles that features the fiesty heroine Finley and her gang of misfit friends. Unlike what happened in the previous book, The Girl in the Steel Corset, this time round the characters find themselves travelling across over to New York to rescue their beloved friend, Jasper, whom was hauled away on murder charges the last time we'd seen him.

Just like in the first novel of this steampunk YA series, the main character Finley remains to be that "I'll-do-what-I-want" and that same old kickass girl we know her to be. In fact, many readers will be really impressed by the maturity Finley has developed from books one and two, and even though for the majority of this book she's struggling against her two personalities as seen in the previous novel, but in the end of this sequel, she's still that girl we love and adore. Only she relies more on her brain cells rather than her fists. And for those hearting over Finley and Griffin, readers will be grateful to see there's also less awkward scenes going on between these two characters and there's far more chemistry sizzling between them which was great to read about!

With that said, while I thought this sequel was a pleasantly enjoyable one and entertaining in its own right just as I expected from Kady Cross's writing, however I still firmly believe the first book was slightly better than this one especially since it had more steampunk elements which I loved, and which this sequel did not have as much. Also, there was another aspect I was disappointed by such as things like the new character Mei and her relationship with Jasper, which wasn't really my cup of tea and I couldn't really warm up to either of those two characters, the ending where there was lack of a I-want-more-of-this-series kind of ending, and also I thought many of the events featured in this novel were a bit too predictable for my taste. And as for those fans of Jack Dandy such as myself, unfortunately for us there is no appearance from him whatsoever in this new sequel which was really, really disappointing for me because I completely and wholeheartedly adored his character from the first book. But regardless of those few downers, I still enjoyed this book and everything it offered up onto the plate.

Overall, Kady Cross's sequel THE GIRL IN THE CLOCKWORK COLLAR was an easy-to-read and flowing novel. With the main heroine, Finley, still remaining on top compared to the other supporting characters and still continuing to be that kickass chick we love her for, I think many readers of this series will find the sequel another great installment and will certainly help gear you up for the third and final book in the series!

The Rating 3 1/2 / 5 stars

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

Release Date: 24th May, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 473pgs

The Story

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one except the thing inside her.

When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking a full-grown man with one punch.

Only Griffin King sees the magicial darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits. Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help and finally be apart of something, finally fit in.

But the Machinist wants to tear Griffin's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows who side she's on, even if it seems no one believes her.

The Review

First things first, I LOVE steampunk and it's become one of my favourite genres in young adult books! We need more of them! While other readers remain unaware of what 'steampunk' actually is, I can definitely say once you read this book . . . you'll understand.

"I like a little fight in my girls."

She grinned at him, causing blood to drip down her chin.

"Then you're going to love me."

Judging by this quote, you can already see Finley Jayne isn't your ordinary, lady-like victorian girl. Nor does she have manners. But she does have an unexplainable power: whenever she feels angry or sad, an odd surge of power courses through her that is almost like another side to her. A darker side. After being harassed by a young Lord who tried to force himself on her, Finley fought against him and ends up knocking him unconscious . . . pretty badly. And yes . . . she's clearly in trouble now. Forced to flee her masters home, Finley finds herself running into and meeting a young, handsome (of course he has to be handsome) Duke, Griffin King, whom takes it upon himself to invite her into his home and offers safety and protection despite the fact that Finley's power - or rather this rage - is both dark and dangerous.

THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET drew me straight away - from its cover to its first chapter! I just loved every moment of it! The thing that really had it going for it was the main herione, Finley Jayne. In the book, she's what you call your own Jekyll and Hyde. She has a good and bad side to her. She can be sensitive and she can be badass. I loved these two sides of her, although it would be best to keep on her good side as you wouldn't want to mess with her (it would involve breaking necks trust me). The main thing you'll read in THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET is about Finley's struggles to control her darker side, which is hard considering she's always being threatened, feared, and attacked. But she's gaining better control when she's with the likes of Griffin and his band of followers.

Griffin and his friends were a pretty awesome bunch of characters, all armed with their own abilities, talents, and personalities. Griffin, Duke of Greythorne, has the fascinating ability to tap into the Aether which was again awesome considering I have a high interest in spirits, realms, and aura-like things. And then you Emily, Sam, Jasper . . . but I won't tell you their abilities since it will ruin your own experience. But I will talk about Jack Dandy! Unlike the sophisticated Griffin, the rich boy, Jack is one of England's best unground criminals, and one that you're bound to love like most bad boys of the fictional world. To me, Jack was the only entertaining character throughout the entire novel and it came no surprise that I would fall for him and his Cockney accent cause it's sooooooo London. However, it was a pity that we didn't see more of him. I was like, "Griffin get off your high horse and bring Jack over here!" Anyway, all of the characters mentioned in this book are characters that are loveable, funny, and perfect in every way . . . despite their "issues". What's a character without issues, right?

Despite everything I love, I had a couple of my own issues with the book. With all the action and addictive page-turners, I just didn't like the romance between Finley and Griffin, or even the light-romance-and-possibly-love-triangle with Finley, Griffin, and Jack. Whenever I hear about Victorian-esque novels with a bit of steampunk, I expect adventure and so deep-and-perhaps a little cliche romance that you go, "Awwwwwww." Sadly there was hardly any romance. *bows down head* I get the whole Mr. Darcy act when it comes to Griffin and how he can't exactly makeout with Finley since he's a rich gentleman and all, but really???? At least Jack - a possible love interest - had the sense to pay Finley some attention, even if he's the kind you shouldn't trust but I loved him anyway. Another small issue is when the book smally mentioned rune tattoos and whenever I think about rune tattoos I imagine Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series. So as it's a very popular and a best-selling series, it's probably best to leave the runes out because - like me - a lot of readers (well, maybe some) will end up comparing the two. While this isn't a hater comment, it's just a little peeve of mine.

Over all, THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET was pretty freakin' awesome. The action, the faint romance, the technology, the weird-but-wonderful inventions, the world, the power . . . it's everything a steampunk book should have! Even with a predictable ending and a predictable villian, I was glad to have picked up a copy of this book! If you love the likes of Caitlin Kittredge's The Iron Thorn and/or Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel book, then as Finley quoted in the book, "Then you're going to love me."

The Rating

4/5 stars