Title: The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Published : May 24, 2011
Format : Arc
Source: Netgalley
Pages: 336
In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one…except the “thing” inside her.
Review
I have to admit that Steam punk is not a genre I’m familiar with what made me gravitate to this book was the cover, but be that as it may I know a good story when I see it. After reading the synopsis it made me curious. This is a good story with a twist I hadn’t seen before. Now wait a minute hear me out if you don’t get steam punk or think it’s all sci-fi and Scott Westerfield terrority. The Girl in the Steel Corset will change your mind. Not only did Kady Cross build this incredible world she managed to keep it realistic. The steam punk aspect to the story was blended so well that is was just a component that didn’t dominate the story turning it into a walk down star-trek lane. Once I got into the book I enjoyed the ride though it took about one hundred pages in to get me there.
But I’m afraid I’m not all gush as much as I liked this book I had issues with Finely’s character. I get what Ms Cross was doing establishing a pattern of behavior that makes Finley’s changes noticeable. I get it I really do but it was bloody annoying reading, as she took chances that to me didn’t speak to her bravery but stupidity. My love hate relationship with Finely continued. That was my only real gripe I disliked the main character (bummer) but at the end of the book we came to an understanding. One thing I have to gush about the characters (except Finely) in this book were interesting and well developed – my favorite character was Jack Dandy he reminds me of Jack Sparrow but more laid back and you can see his intelligence even though he tries to hide under a cockney english accent it’s there. The love triangle come on you knew there had to be one. Hasn’t heated up yet, just established. At the end I found myself wanting to read the next book which is always cool when a book surprises you. So guys I’ve written a lot and I hope it helps cause even though I don’t go into the plot in detail I figured the synopsis gave you enough of an outline to get a sense of the plot. With that mouthful I gave The Girl in the Steel Corset a four out of five. Lets hope it just keeps getting better from here on.
Other reviews of this book:
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.
I have to admit that Steam punk is not a genre I’m familiar with what made me gravitate to this book was the cover, but be that as it may I know a good story when I see it. After reading the synopsis it made me curious. This is a good story with a twist I hadn’t seen before. Now wait a minute hear me out if you don’t get steam punk or think it’s all sci-fi and Scott Westerfield terrority. The Girl in the Steel Corset will change your mind. Not only did Kady Cross build this incredible world she managed to keep it realistic. The steam punk aspect to the story was blended so well that is was just a component that didn’t dominate the story turning it into a walk down star-trek lane. Once I got into the book I enjoyed the ride though it took about one hundred pages in to get me there.
But I’m afraid I’m not all gush as much as I liked this book I had issues with Finely’s character. I get what Ms Cross was doing establishing a pattern of behavior that makes Finley’s changes noticeable. I get it I really do but it was bloody annoying reading, as she took chances that to me didn’t speak to her bravery but stupidity. My love hate relationship with Finely continued. That was my only real gripe I disliked the main character (bummer) but at the end of the book we came to an understanding. One thing I have to gush about the characters (except Finely) in this book were interesting and well developed – my favorite character was Jack Dandy he reminds me of Jack Sparrow but more laid back and you can see his intelligence even though he tries to hide under a cockney english accent it’s there. The love triangle come on you knew there had to be one. Hasn’t heated up yet, just established. At the end I found myself wanting to read the next book which is always cool when a book surprises you. So guys I’ve written a lot and I hope it helps cause even though I don’t go into the plot in detail I figured the synopsis gave you enough of an outline to get a sense of the plot. With that mouthful I gave The Girl in the Steel Corset a four out of five. Lets hope it just keeps getting better from here on.
Other reviews of this book:
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….
Steam Punk? How long has that been out? is that a real genre or a slang genre? i spotted this on other blogs and i did take to that book cover, that dress i like.
ReplyDeleteSteampunk is definitely a real genre, and it's gaining in popularity. It's basically a cross between Victorian England and scifi -- so there's "technology," but it's got a really industrial feel. (Like helium balloons instead of airplanes, for ex.)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, glad to hear that, for the most part, you enjoyed the story. We read the free prequel and we liked the Dr. Jekyll vs. Mr. Hyde element of Finley's personality. BUT we agree that sometimes she did dumb things in the name of bravery. Don't most protagonists, though? :P