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Showing posts with label Kady Cross. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kady Cross. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 26, 2014

The Girl In The Steel Corset by Kady Cross

I've heard so much about The Girl In The Steel Corset and for the most part, my friends had pretty mixed reactions to this book. I honestly didn't think I would enjoy this book and I expected to abandon it early on. Don't expect The Girl In The Steel Corset to be extremely serious, this is an extremely light-hearted, fun novel. This book was just what I needed to read and I am very excited to continue this series!

Finley Jayne has a dark "Mr. Hyde"-esque side to her and she is a danger to all those around her. When Griffin King hears about Finley Jayne, he figures out that she is special and he urges her to join his little rag-tag band of friends. Griffin and his friends are investigating a series of crimes committed by a mastermind called "The Machinist" and he needs Finley's help if he wants to stop The Machinist.

Finley Jayne isn't your average YA protagonist, she's far more tortured and conflicted than most main characters. She literally has dark side to her that makes her do horrible things and yet readers won't ever hold that against her. Instead readers will fall in love with the compassionate, bad-ass and strong-willed Finley who's not afraid to fight for her friends. I absolutely loved Finley and all of the other magnetic characters.

The romance in The Girl In The Steel Corset is simple and sweet. There's so much chemistry between Finley and Griffin, but I just hope that their romance doesn't overshadow their friendship. There's definitely a love triangle in this book, but surprisingly I was fine with it. I am definitely intrigued by Jack Dandy's relationship with Finley and I'm curious to see where Cross takes their relationship next. Dandy may be a criminal, but there's something so alluring about him. I really want to know more about Dandy and how he became the despicable man he is today.

I haven't read too many steampunk novels, but The Girl In The Steel Corset is one of the superior steampunk novels that I've read. I loved all of the zany and quirky inventions that fill this book and I loved reading about the uses of each of these wonderful creations. Though these inventions aren't always so relevant to the plot, they were extremely engaging to read about and the science nerd in me really appreciated all of the countless inventions.

One of my few complaints regarding The Girl In The Steel Corset is the plot and it's lack of momentum. I really enjoyed The Girl In The Steel Corset, but I feel as if there was so much character development and setting of the scene that the plot got neglected. Very few substantial plot events occur throughout the novel and even though, this book is extremely enjoyable I felt as if barely anything was accomplished. I really hoped that the next book is more action-packed and is more eventful.

The Girl In The Steel Corset is a bit ridiculous at times, but I had so much fun reading this novel. I'm extremely excited to read the following book in this series and I hope that the next book explores more of Jack Dandy's past. This book helped me get out of my reading slump and I would definitely recommend this book! Kady Cross is definitely a promising author and I have a feeling that her Steampunk Chronicles is going to become one of my favorite series.

jonsig

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Daring You To Read… The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

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This week, I’m daring you to read a book I’ve recently discovered myself. THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET by Kady Cross is without a doubt an interesting book that can’t be overlooked. As the first book of the Steampunk Chronicles, it starts off with quite a bang. Even thought this is the first full book of the series, a prequel called THE STRANGE CASE OF FINLEY JANE is also available and should probably be read first.

I’m not sure what I liked the most about the series but one thing’s for sure, both the characters and the steampunk setting are impressive. Finley Jane is such a great protagonist. Despite her mysterious abilities, she’s not overly confident. On the contrary, she’s simply trying to fit into a society that expects young women to be pretty, dull and submissive. However, when she gets the strange urges to use her abilities (superstrength and speed among them), she does the complete opposite of what society might expect—like punch a sleazy lord in the face. Since puberty, she’s been dealing with her ever increasing abilities and until the beginning of THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET, she thought she was the only one with strange abilities. So when she meets a gang a misfits that have their own special talents, the real adventures begins.

London 1897 is the setting of the book but it’s unlike the London we know today or back then. Automatons are everywhere, clockwork gadgets are being created daily and most importantly, the steampunk fashion is not to be missed.

If you’re a fan of the genre, this book will surely please. The only thing is, I feel guilty for recommending this series even if I haven’t read past book 1. However, since I enjoyed both the prequel and the first book so much, I’m sure the rest of the series is as entertaining as these two.

Here’s a bit more about THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET:

kady cross 1In 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 out a full-grown man with one punch....

Only Griffin King sees the magical 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 a part of something, finally fit in.

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

Read an excerpt

Purchase: Amazon | Book Depository

The series in order, so far:

kady cross 0,5 kady cross 1 The Girl in the Clockwork Collar kady cross 2.5 kady cross 3

Daring You To Read is a weekly feature here on Tynga’s Reviews where we dare you to read some of our favorite older releases (at least 6 months old). All the books/series we choose to feature are titles we adored and think you should give them a shot! We think it’s a super awesome way to discover that special book who might have slipped off your radar!

You’ve already read the book? Let’s us know what you thought!
You are accepting the dare? We’d love to know!
Have a dare of your own? Leave a comment ^^

What do you think? Have you read this series?

Monday, May 23, 2011

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross

Book Stats:
Genre: Steampunk Young Adult
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 251 KB
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: May 1, 2011

Series: The Steampunk Chronicles prequel

Reviewed by: Tynga

Finley Jayne knows she's not 'normal'. Normal girls don't lose time, or have something inside them that makes them capable of remarkably violent things. Her behavior has already cost her one job, so when she's offered the lofty position of companion to Phoebe, a debutante recently engaged to Lord Vincent, she accepts, despite having no experience. Lord Vincent is a man of science with his automatons and inventions, but Finley is suspicious of his motives where Phoebe is concerned. She will do anything to protect her new friend, but what she discovers is even more monstrous than anything she could have imagined…

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne is such a great prequel! We are introduced to an amazing steampunk world in which Finley sticks out like a sore thumb. Something is wrong with her, she knows it, but has no idea what it is. And it’s growing, getting stronger, taking over her body and accomplishing violent deeds. She is strong and fast, more than any full grown man. She’s trying so hard to keep her abilities hidden and under control but she might have to use them to save her new friend, Phoebe.

I really enjoyed this prequel, Kady did a great job of introducing her world and leave you craving for more. The Girl in the Steel Corset releases tomorrow and I really need to read it! Everything is so mysterious in this setup and I’m expecting answers in the first book. Don’t get me wrong though, the prequel has a story that stands on it’s own, with a satisfying conclusion.

Finley is a great character. She knows she’s different, but she tries so hard to fit in. She has a big mouth in a culture where girls are only suppose to look pretty and it’s refreshing. You she her struggle, wondering if she should speak her mind or not, it’s great.

This is a fairly quick read, and it’s currently available for free so I strongly suggest you get your hands on it and give it a try =)

The Girl in a Steel Corset Trailer


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