The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

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Title: The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles #1)
Author: Kady Cross
Release Date: May 24, 2011 (hardcover)
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 477
Source: Bought

Overall: 5 Stars

Summary:
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 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.
 

My Thoughts: 
I picked up The Girl in the Steel Corset thinking I would just start the first few chapters, when the next thing I knew, I had already reached the halfway mark. I simply couldn't put it down! I fell in love with every aspect of the novel, from the characters and the storyline... to the gorgeous cover that is just so stunning that I have to force myself to tear my eyes away from it.

When I first started reading, I had no idea what to expect. I guess you could say that I'm still rather inexperienced with the steampunk genre and it was this fact which was one of the main reasons why I really wanted to read The Girl in the Steel Corset. I wanted a novel that could offer intrigue, suspense, and a smattering of romance alongside a beautiful historical setting... and The Girl in the Steel Corset delivered in every way. The machinery and new inventions that Kady Cross has created within the beautifully described Victorian England, which really set the novel in the steampunk genre, left me ever so curious as well!

Finley Jayne is my kind of heroine! She's independent, kind and certainly knows how to take care of herself while letting loose some awesome kicks and punches. But at the same time, she does have her vulnerable moments which leave you wishing you could step into the pages and give her a hug. And then there's the sweet, intelligent and tech-savvy Emily and Sam, who proves that just because you can seem strong in appearance, it doesn't mean you can't also be a weak link. I couldn't possibly forget to mention the two romantic interests either: Griffin, a young, charismatic Duke with an open heart... and flirtatious Jack, a young man who appealed to Finley's darker side. You might want to watch out because they are two very different boys who will try to steal your own heart!

When I finished the novel, I couldn't believe the story was over because I wasn't ready to say goodbye just yet! I can't wait to read the second novel in the Steampunk Chronicles. I need it. Right. Now. If you haven't guessed it by now, I absolutely enjoyed Kady Cross' debut novel and I'll be eager to recommend the novel to anyone looking for a fresh, exciting story that will be sure to keep you entertained the entire time!

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10 comments

  1. Great review! This one looks really good. I haven't read it yet but I'll have to get it soon :)

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  2. Oooh this one sounds soo good! Love love triangles and strong, independent heroines so I need to get this one!

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  3. Sounds great, and I love the cover.

    I have never tried speakpunk but it seems like a good introduction to it.

    Thanks for the review.

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  4. I've heard great things about this one! I really enjoyed Scott Westerfeld's steampunk books so I have a good feeling about The Girl in the Steel Corset. The characters all sound wonderful and the premise is interesting too. Can't wait to read it!

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  5. awesome review :) I saw this on goodreads and thought it sounded interesting and i saw so many good reviews on it I think I might get it right after I finished the books I have

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  6. Great review! The book sounds great! I am going to add this into my to-read list!

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  7. Sounds great! Of the few steampunk books I've read, I've loved so The Girl in the Steel Corset is definitely on my to read list.

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  8. Really liked this review of yours! I'm pretty new to the steampunk genre as well, but this one looks like it should be going on my list to try :D

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  9. I loved this one too. I liked Jack better but am pretty sure I won't get my wish which I'm okay with because I liked Griffin too. Most of the time, I have very clear-cut preferences about the romance in a love triangle and am always left wondering why the underdog never wins.

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  10. I started with the Strange Case Of Finley Jane and was immediately hooked with this author. It has you on the edge of your seat and keeps you thinking. Great mystery book with a steampunk twist. I cant wait until the next one comes out!

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