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    The Girl in the Steel Corset
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    The Girl in the Steel Corset
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    The Girl in the Steel Corset
    Ebook452 pages7 hours

    The Girl in the Steel Corset

    By Kady Cross

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook



    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. And Finley thinks she might finally be a part of something, finally fit inuntil a criminal mastermind known as the Machinist threatens to tear the group apart .

    Included for the first time in print, meet Finley in her first adventure The Strange Case of Finley Jayne the novella prequel to The Girl in the Steel Corset!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarlequin
    Release dateMay 1, 2012
    ISBN9781459227057
    Unavailable
    The Girl in the Steel Corset
    Author

    Kady Cross

    Kady Cross, publishing under various names, is a USA TODAY bestselling author of more than twenty books, including Harlequin TEEN's Steampunk Chronicles. She is lucky enough to have a husband who shares her love for the slightly twisted and all things geek, and a houseful of cats with whom she shares her darkest secrets. Her love of books and makeup borders on addiction—of which she never, ever wants to be cured. Visit her on the web at www.alterkate.com or on Twitter: @AlterKates.

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    Reviews for The Girl in the Steel Corset

    4/5

    105 ratings56 reviews

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    • 5/5
      I really loved this first edition in the Steampunk Chronicles. The MCs (Finley, Jack and Griffin) were really well developed and I loved the love-triangle between them focusing on Finley's good side (Griff) and evil side (Jack). The writer also wove in classic stories in the book like Frankenstein, Jekyll and Hyde and Journey to the Center of the Earth. There was also some reference to a very vicious true crime of the period (Jack the Ripper). I absolutely loved this story and have marked it as one of my favorites. I hope the rest of the series stands up!
    • 4/5
      q
    • 4/5
      This novel uses bits of steampunk and different classics to mold an all together original novel. The main character, who has aspects of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, encounters different clockwork machines and tries to discover who is trying to take over London along with a group of friends.
    • 3/5
      Rating is 3.5

      Great start, draggy middle and good end. Full review to come.
    • 2/5
      Had some good bits, especially where the heroine ripped the head off the Queen Victoria robot, but not my favourite overall. Would be better for a teen, as it was intended.
    • 4/5
      With a cover like this, how can you not judge a book by its cover? Along with the illustrated chapter pages, this is a beautifully constructed book. The Girl in the Steel Corset is volume 1 in the Steampunk Chronicles.
      The Girl in the Steel Corset is Finley Jayne, a young women with exceptional powers. After being attacked by the son of her employer, she lands in the hands of young Griffin King, a fairly mysterious nobleman with powers of his own. He takes her home, where along with his friends Sam and Emily, both with gifts of their own. Add to this group Griffin's friend Jasper, and American cowboy, and Jack Dandy, a lord of underground London--a character who is a charming rogue. Together, they must find the villain, the Machinist & foil his evil plans before its too late.
      I look forward to more of Finley and her friends. I especially liked Emily, an Irishwoman with an affinity for machines (and Sam), who I hope will play a larger part in future stories.
      I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys steampunk. I will say, though, that I think this might be a hard sell to the boys in the crowd. Also, download the prequel novella from Harlequin Teen--The Strange Case of Finley Jayne.
      I received a copy of this title via NetGally.
    • 3/5
      First of all, THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET wasn't so much steampunk as it was, say, an episode of The Jetsons set in an Anthropologie store. I don't mind some high-tech gizmos in a re-imagined Victorian England but these people have phones, the internet, flashlights, motorcycles, laser guns, homing beacons and tracking devices, advanced medicine, robot servants with advanced artificial intelligence...there was a thin veneer of old-timey stuff, like Finley's corset and Griff's three-piece suits, but that's about it.

      The nominal plot of GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET has to do with foiling The Machinist's nefarious plot, but the real story here is about a group of friends bonding into a crime-fighting coalition. It can be really fun to read along as characters meet cute and form friendships, but Kady Cross takes a different route. She seems to want to skip the whole getting-to-know-you phase, so instead we get an awkward transition from "perfect strangers" to "BFFs forever!"

      The moment the leader of the group, Griffin King, lays eyes on the heroine, Finley, he decides that she'll be "one of the gang." He has a hunch, and that's all it takes. Griffin is a duke and Finley is a lady's maid from a middle-class background, which I'd imagine would lead to some awkwardness. Nope. Griffin is an egalitarian (What's the point of an egalitarian duke? Argh!) and Finley's main worry is that Griffin will ultimately marry someone from his own class which...call me crazy...is a little premature while they're still at the flirting stage.

      The author sets up a love triangle for Finley, with Griffin on one side and underworld crime boss Jack Dandy on the other. The problem? We never see Jack Dandy do anything underworldy or criminal. The first time he meets Finley he's really nice and helpful and extends an unconditional offer of friendship. He showers her with gifts and doesn't even try to kiss her. He wears black and has a cockney accent, that's about the extent of his bad-boy behavior. And, look, it's just not fun for the hot, morally ambiguous bad boy to act like a perfect gentleman all the time.

      I found the whole book pretty frustrating. I think it might be one of those YA titles that's really ONLY meant for young adults. All this fussing about "Am I part of the group?" "How can I be part of the group?" "What if they don't want me in the group?" drove me batty, but probably would work well for teens.
    • 4/5
      Kady Cross is a good example of how the free novella to introduce a new series and author can really work. I read The Strange Case of Finley Jayne (reviewed) a while back when it was offered by eHarlequin and enjoyed it enough to put Kady Cross in my head. Then I saw The Girl in the Steel Corset when I was making a purchase on eHarlequin, and something clicked. Next thing I knew, it was in my cart and added to my TBR pile.However, I have a lot of things in my TBR pile, more now that I get titles through NetGalley with dates attached. I knew it was there, and I knew I wanted to read it, but it wasn’t until the third book (which I thought was the next at the time) showed up on NetGalley that I pulled it from one of the many book piles and settled in.I’m kicking myself that I waited so long.The Girl in the Steel Corset delivers on the promise of the novella admirably (by the way, they did the kindness of including the novella as well). It took me a sec to orient because while the end of the novella might have seemed the beginning of something new, in reality, she went back to her normal life once her adventure had ended, a normal live that never quite fit this extraordinary girl.In Steel Corset, Finley learns she’s not the only one a little beyond normal, and even discovers the reason behind their state along with her new friends (though not all are friendly toward her): Griffin, Max, Emily, and Jasper.What unfolds is a daring steampunk mystery blended with complex and compelling characters who each have their own reasons for loyalty to Griffin, their de facto leader, and their own troubles or fears. This is not a light and cheery book, though it has its moments, and neither is it all dark and gloom. It’s an adventure with real consequences where a group of young people and their associates must put the pieces together before the Machinist, a character known only by his apparently random acts of havoc, completes his nefarious plan.That might sound melodramatic and over-blown, but you’ll have to trust me that it fits in with the late-1900s setting. This novel brings in social commentary, a real sense of place, and the mad inventor/Wild West adventurer feel that exists in my favorites in the steampunk genre. I liken it to Gail Carriger’s Soulless, which pulled me back into steampunk with a vengeance.There are a few minor flaws, not enough to spoil my enjoyment, but the kind of thing I’ll be looking to see if Cross improves in book two (which I’m in the process of obtaining because I have time before the NetGalley review is due). The treatment of her characters as adults (which they are by behavior and timeframe) then the description of them as “boys” (I noticed it more with the boys than girls) was jarring at times. However, young adults didn’t quite exist in the 1900s by our standards either. The only other issue was the tone of dialogue sometimes, mostly with Emily and her “lad”s.I only mention the flaws so if you trip over them as well, you’ll know I didn’t gloss over them. They are growth points in an author, and certainly not of enough significance to spoil my enjoyment, or my plan to continue in the series and infect my son with them. Another series for him to steel when it comes in the door on the pretense (accurate as it is) that he reads faster than I do.
    • 5/5
      Finley Jane is not like other girls. She has a dark side, that comes out when she is scared or threatened, that she can't control. In the first book of the Steampunk chronicles Finley finds a place she may be accepted, learns her history, and starts to take control of her "other" side. This is a great read. It seems long, but the story is very engaging and I couldn't put it down.
    • 4/5
      This one kept me page turning at a very quick pace. I loved the writing, loved the characters, and loved the story. The really nice looking cover is also a bonus. I’d have to say it’s really Finley who was the most interesting and delightful read. She’s got quite a personality that is unforgettable, and added to that is other ‘dark’ side which not only is exciting and fun to read but the consequences can get rather drastic. (It’s fun when she loses her temper) (Or where she fights with Sam bwahaha). She’s certainly a tough one and that makes her one of the most likable heroines I have seen and read.The story is told in different points of view so it keeps the plot going and more interesting. I liked Finley’s point of view the best, of course. Griffin’s is interesting as it dabbles into the paranormal side of things. I liked the balance of paranormal and technological aspects of the story. It’s an interesting mix, but it sure works well, especially with a Victorian London setting. There’s quite a bit of descriptions in this book, but it helps visualize everything and it’s not over done. (Finlay’s dress for example. Wow, that was superb!). The action in this book was well done and the plot was easy to follow, and it flows through. The characters in the book are memorable enough and likable. Although Sam rather got on my nerves as he complained and whined too much, needed a good beating (which was entertaining), and eventually as he smartened up he wasn’t so bad. Jasper was a charmer and you couldn’t help but like him, and Jack Dandy had his charming moments as well although he can be rather slimy and swarmy (depending on how you see him). Steampunk readers will enjoy this book. YA lovers who are new to the Steampunk genre will enjoy this one as it has all the YA characteristics and more. I fully enjoyed this book and am looking forward to its’ sequel!
    • 4/5
      In 1897, Finley Jayne has just lost her third position in as many months when she literally crashes into Griffin King, the Duke of Greythorne. Always feeling as though she is fighting with two parts of herself, she finds a place in Griffin's small group who work to ensure London's safety. But Griffin's band may be up against more than they can handle as they struggle to unravel the plot of the Machinist which threatens the safety of the entire British empire.A thoroughly enjoyable mix of teen romance, steampunk, and superhero-esque abilities, the novel is entertaining throughout. The entire cast of characters are wonderful creations that I was thrilled to meet, and the plot had just enough twists to keep the pages passing quickly. Absolutely enjoyable from start to finish.
    • 4/5
      Finley knows she's different from other people: she's stronger, faster, and when she's angry it's like she turns into someone else altogether. Can she learn to trust a group of strangers who are also different, when she doesn't even trust herself?Not the best steampunk fantasy I've ever read, but a fun story with fun characters. I'll definitely check out the sequel.
    • 4/5
      I’ve always loved steampunk, but it was only in recent years that I realized that the thing I love has a name, so when I came across Kady Cross’s Girl with the Steel Corset, I knew I had to read it. Not only are there awesome machines and great costumes, but I loved the references to other stories that ran through the story. Finley is a girl who, quite literally, has two distinct sides. Generally, Finley’s lighter side is dominant, but when she is threatened, her darker side activates (for loss of a better word). As our story begins, Finley gets into an alteration with her former employer and finds herself running into Griffin – the Duke of Greythorne – in the middle of the night.At his home she meets Sam and Emily who work alongside Griffin and seem to have powers of their own. She is welcomed into their little family like a band of misfit heroes reminiscent of the X-Men. Add Griffin’s family history and you have a bit of Batman thrown in. With so many great parallels The Girl with the Steel Corset does not disappoint; there is enough action and twists to keep you on your toes. As the story progresses the reader learns about the experiments that made Finley into the person she is – very reminiscent of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I found the characters to be well developed and even found myself curious about the shadier characters and what lead them to the lives they chose. My one complaint about this story was varying points of view. Sometimes it was a little confusing when the narrative moved from character to character, thankfully it’s in the third person so we have a better idea as to who we are following, but I wonder if it was necessary to see so many character views. Overall I loved the story! If you love steampunk, super heroes and villains that tread grey areas in their villainy, then this is a book for you.
    • 4/5
      Before I get into the actual review, can I mention real quick how much I love and hate this cover? Love because it’s gorgeous.Hate because the girl on the cover doesn’t at all resemble the actual main character of the book, who she’s supposed to represent. Come on, cover people. How hard is it to hire a blonde girl with dark streaks in her hair to portray a blonde girl with dark streaks in her hair? I’m pretty sure even some decent photoshopping skills could have fixed this.Also, the dress is the wrong color.Anyway. Cover rant over.The PlotThe Girl in the Steel Corset opens as Finley Jayne, a serving girl in the house of the scoundrel Lord Felix, escapes an assault from her employer, runs into the park, and is promptly nearly run over by two men on “velocycles,” which are basically steampunked-up motorcycles.The man who hit her is Griffin King, a duke and one of the most powerful men in London. He takes her back to his house where he and his group of oddly talented misfit friends reside. As Finley slowly assimilates into their group and begins to trust them, she also battles to control the two halves of her personality warring inside her: the sweet and demure serving girl, and the wild and violent “other” side.Her two personalities frighten and mystify her, but strangely enough, Griffin may be the one to provide answers.Meanwhile, Griffin & Co. are hot on the trail of The Machinist, a mysterious criminal on a bizarre crime spree in London. Finley, in an effort to uncover the truth, tries to help by joining forces with the dastardly Jack Dandy, lord of the seedy underbelly of London.My Thoughts[Warning: there is a minor Buffy spoiler below. Yes, I said Buffy. It's relevant. I promise.]As you can probably tell from my plot summary, there’s a lot going on in this book. Maybe too much. We have the plot of Finley’s dual personalities, the overarching mystery of The Machinist, the weird love triangle between Finley, Jack Dandy, and Griffin, another love triangle between Griffin’s other three housemates, a murder mystery, some supernatural craziness, and — oh yes — another murder mystery.It’s a lot to fit into one book. I was able to keep up with it, but it felt kind of cluttered to me.I liked the characters. Griffin in particular was very appealing to me. The other housemates – Emily, Sam and Jasper – were also fun, and each certainly had their own distinctive voice and personality. No character was perfect, but their motivations were all (mostly) understandable.Finley was a bit harder to relate to, because of her two “selves” battling for dominance à la Jekyll and Hyde. Jack Dandy was the hardest for me to grasp, partially because while he was supposed to be a criminal mastermind, he never came across as particularly dangerous. And also, the description of him as young, dashing, roguish, and educated with a thick Cockney accent never really gelled for me.My biggest issue with the writing was there was quite a lot of telling instead of showing. I didn’t feel like I was experiencing events with the characters; instead, it felt like I was being filled in on what happened and told how to react after the fact. The attempt at world-building also felt a bit forced: lots of time is spent on describing exactly what everyone is wearing, and all the various technologies present in each scene, but rarely do the descriptions actually serve the plot. It’s funny, although I absolutely love the imagery of steampunk, I wasn’t a big fan of how it felt a little bit shoehorned into the story. It felt like a lot of scenes were trying to scream, “Remember! This story is STEAMPUNK! Don’t forget the STEAMPUNK!“ And I’d rather it just was steampunk. If that makes any sense.There were also several occasions when there was a bit of a disconnect between the characters’ actions and what they were supposedly feeling. One scene that comes to mind is when Finley and Sam wind up fighting for their lives. They are both described as being terrified, yet outwardly, they are exchanging witty banter. I know that outward expressions of bravado can be a defense mechanism, but it didn’t ring true for me.The story itself was interesting, but I felt it could have been pared down significantly to help with the flow. I think one of the murder mysteries could have been cut out entirely without hurting the story. The Machinist plot was fine (although I totally guessed the Machinist’s endgame very early in the game, and it’s actually extremely reminiscent of a certain ’80s Disney animated movie that my kids have forced me to watch about 100 times). I do wish the culmination of that particular storyline had been a bit more…challenging.You know how in Buffy, there’s that one episode where Buffy fights the über-vamp in the gladiatorial-type setting, and it nearly kills her and is like the hardest thing ever, then by the finale she’s somehow dusting them left and right without breaking much of a sweat? Well, it’s kind of like that. But I forgave the writers of Buffy for that little discrepancy, so I can forgive Kady Cross for essentially doing the same thing.However, although I obviously had several points of contention with this book, I still ultimately enjoyed it. The story is interesting (if not entirely unique – there are elements of Sherlock Holmes, Jekyll and Hyde, and the aforementioned Disney movie sprinkled in all throughout) and the world intriguing. The characters are fun and distinctive, and while I don’t think the book was entirely cohesive, it worked well enough to keep my attention.And as for the ending, most of the main plot points are tied up neatly by the end of Girl in the Steel Corset. The last few pages introduce a new conflict, which is the setup for the sequel, but I still felt ultimately satisfied by the conclusion of this book. Endings for series books are always tricky. It’s easy to feel frustrated if not many questions are answered, or too satisfied if there aren’t enough loose ends (thus making you lose interest in the next book). I think this book handled that balance nicely.Overall, I thought this was an enjoyable inaugural excursion into the world of steampunk fiction, and I’m looking forward to revisiting this world (hopefully with a more streamlined plot) in the sequel.
    • 3/5
      Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick and Dirty: A girl with a Jekyll & Hyde personality bands together with a group of paranormal teens to defeat a crazy automaton mechanic/expert.Opening Sentence: The moment she saw the young man walking toward her in the darkened hall, twirling his walking stick, Finley Jayne knew she’d be unemployed before the sun rose.The Review:Finley Jayne is trying to be independent from her family — not because she doesn’t like them, but because her actions cause destruction everywhere she goes. She is trying to make a better reputation for herself, which means working as a maid for a very rude, touchy-feely (in a bad way), and rich gentleman that is high on the social ladder. So when she ends up beating the dude half to death and runs across the street, she doesn’t expect to run into yet another aristocrat. Although crashing into Griffin King is the least of her worries. A madman is becoming bolder, determined to use his automatons to disband Griffin’s group. To make matters worse the evil half of her personality is growing stronger — and Griffin may be the only person able to help.This book definitely has potential. This was an amazing read once you get into it, but there were some parts that were predictable. After the first few chapters, the story never slows down. Twists? Yeah. Cliffhangers? Definitely. Victorian England makes the story even more complicated with status problems, balls, and the annoying social rules.And what’s a great book without romance? Cross had the perfect amount of action and romance in the story. The love triangle between Finley, Griffin, and Jack Dandy was somewhat predictable and a tad slow. Emily’s love triangle between Sam and Jasper was minor but still intriguing nonetheless.Then there was Finely Jayne, multi-personality extraordinaire. Cross delivered a new take on Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and had me begging for more. This independent, lower-class girl struggles controlling her “other half” throughout the book. She had me laughing and crying with every epiphany.And then there was Griffin King, who had me yelling “Go after her!” and the like. His power to control the Aether (the force between the dead and living) is unusual and useful. His way of controlling people’s emotions is perfect in helping Finley control her other personality. Plus, not only is he rich and handsome, he’s the leader of the ragtag group of superpower people. Of course he has his flaws, but what good hero doesn’t?The rest of his group make the story full and rounded. His team consists of Sam (part robot), Emily (automaton genius), and Jasper (the American cowboy). There’s also Jack Dandy, infamous criminal and as rich as Griffin (well, maybe a little less). These characters all have a big part to play in the story, even if their part is short. Jasper may only be in half the book, but his character leads us to the next book in the series.Overall, this story was worth the slow beginning. Once you get past that, you won’t be able to put it down. The next book, The Girl in the Clockwork Collar is already out and picks up right at the end of Steel Corset. But you’ll have to read the book to find out where the story ends.Notable Scene:“There’s something not right about her,” Griff said finally, frowning as he studied the girl.“She’s come to the right place then,” the redhead replied with a touch of a smile as she pushed her ropey hair out of her face. “There’s not one ‘right’ amongst us the lot of us.” And then, “She must of jumped out of your way and struck her head on the ground. If you had hit her, she’d be more seriously injured.”Griff kept frowning. “I did hit her. That’s part of what’s not right.” The girl had practically leaped onto his cycle, hadn’t she? He shook his head, uncertain whether his memories were real or his imaginings.Other than remaining unconscious and the gash on her head, there was nothing wrong with the girl. Nothing at all–except the bruise on her face, which he could now see bore the imprint of a signet ring.“Someone beat her,” Emily said. “You probably saved her.”“Or saved whoever was after her,” Sam commented from the doorway.The Steampunk Chronicles:0.5. The Strange Case of Finley Jayne1. The Girl in the Steel Corset2. The Girl in the Clockwork CollarFTC Advisory: Harlequin Teen provided me with a copy of The Girl in the Steel Corset. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
    • 3/5
      The author's note at the end mentions that she wanted to write League of Extraordinary Gentlemen meets teen X-men. That's an apt comparison for this young adult book.Finley has a Jekyll and Hyde personality disorder, and the inspiring work by that name is also mentioned within Steel Corset. The others in the team also have extraordinary powers, all because of their exposure to Organites that Griffin's parents accessed in the center of the Earth. The Organites come across as almost magical in how they work--causing rapid healing and other mutations--but are hidden from society at large because Queen Victoria was concerned about their abuse and how they supported the theory of evolution. There is also the Aether, a sort of spiritual other-world that can be accessed through Organites or specialized machinery.Sam is the part-machine thug of the party, whereas Em is the girl-genius mechanist. Em easily steals the show with her Irish accent and quick wit. She reminded me a lot of Lucca from the game Chrono Trigger. Jasper is just kind of... there in this book, though he promises to have a greater role in the second.The book gets off to a quick start as Finley's "monster" is unleashed as she defends herself from rape. Finley as a character felt uneven to me; she bounces a lot between both halves of her personality, but there wasn't real depth to who she is. Instead, it focused on the developing love triangle between her, Griffin, and a third, rascally character. This and other plot elements felt rather contrived and cliche, especially the identity of the villain (obvious at first appearance) and Sam's issues.Another annoyance was bouncing points of view. Within the same scene, the POV would switch without breaks, making transitions extremely confusing.Despite these issues, the book was a quick read and did present a few nice twists and turns. It does utilize steampunk elements well: the advanced technology, the whimsy, the extraordinary clothes. However, I probably wouldn't continue with the series except that the publisher has provided me a gratis copy of the second book. Therefore, I'll be reading on and hoping for a second, stronger volume.
    • 5/5
      "There's a darkness within me something I can't always control.If you like a girl with a secret side, you're gonna love me..." There's something special about a book that can fulfill the declaration made on its back (or inside) cover. Kady Cross' The Girl in the Steel Corset does just that and more.Finley Jayne, just sixteen, is already convinced that she's a freak and that there's no one else in London - or, likely, the world - like her. After all, no one else has two sides to themselves: one that is their normal everyday self and another that is darker, stronger. One that takes over and does things Finley shouldn't be able to do - shouldn't want to do and leaves her with no real memory of what exactly happens.Then she finds Griffin King. Their encounter happens quite by accident and Finley is, at first, unsure as to his motives - he's a Duke and she's far from high society, to say the least. But Griffin insists she's one of 'them,' his band of friends and introduces Finley to a whole new world. One where she just may fit in.The Girl in the Steel Corset just may be the first steampunk book I've read (Masque of the Red Death had some steampunk elements but . . .) and I loved it. The blend of the Victorian era with the instruments that would normally be considered more modern was brilliant. I loved the way things that could have been too modern for the period - and the story - were brought in but they fit because of the way in which they were presented and/or said to be invented/produced.The steampunk brought a whole new layer of enjoyment and awesomeness to TGitSC.The robots could have made it all just too insane but somehow it made it all fit and work even more for me. They weren't using the latest update from some company's server or using someone's wifi to control them, so it actually didn't seem out of place or date. It as an extra thing for Finley and the other characters to have to face.I was intrigued by Finley from the very beginning. It was great to see all that she learned about herself and all that she gained in this first book in the series. I liked the other characters as well - some quite a bit more than others - but do admit that I liked them more as their relationships grew as the book progressed.I am hoping the relationship between Finley and Griffin gets more play (or gets deeper) in the second book. I wasn't feeling it as much as I was about every other relationship in the book. Which isn't to say I didn't like it, I just thought the other characters' relationships were stronger, better written.It's a fantastic book and with The Girl in the Clockwork Collar out today (review soon!) you'll want to read it soon!
    • 4/5
      I loved this book! It was an exciting read. I do want to say.....I would love to have a steel corset! Being set in the late 1800s this book was a must read for me. An included perk is a beautiful cover!Finley is attacked by her employers son, and after escaping from him she meets Griffin. He takes her in and thus begins the friendship among Griffin and his friends with Finley. Griff and his friends learn that Finley has a dark side to her. Maybe with the help of her new friends she can find what the cause is of this dark side, and maybe even change it. Action, adventure, awesome inventions, friendship, arguements....you find all this in The Girl in the Steel Corset. A fantastic read! I love the different abilities each of the characters have.
    • 5/5
      I finally got around to buying this book and I'm SO glad I did!! I absolutely loved it! I flew right through it because the writing was so smooth. The characters were very well written, the plot kept me interested from start to finish, and the action was awesome. I'm starting immediately on The Girl in the Clockwork Collar and can only hope that it is half as good as this one, because I honestly couldn't find anything to complain about at all :) I highly recommend it to fans of steampunk, fantasy and historical fiction, and I give it a very enthusiastic 5 stars!
    • 4/5
      Finley Jayne is my hero. Man I wish my name was Finley Jayne. Not that I’m not a wee bit bipolar on my own but it would be really nice if one of my mood swings involved turning into a bad ass, butt-kicking, Miss. Hyde. It’s rare that I’m more into fight scenes than I am love scenes but we could have spent the entire book watching Finley beat the snot of bad guys and I would have kept cheering. This was my first taste of “steampunk” and I rather liked the idea of industrial paranormal. It made for a wild fancy dress party- one where everyone speaks very formally but carries cool batmanesque type toys. I can forgive the love triangle, since it isn’t very developed and has the potential to turn into something of real interest. I’m 100% team Jack Dandy though.
    • 4/5
      Set in Victorian England, Finley finds herself yet with another employer but this time an abusive one. After a near disastrous encounter, she finds herself once again destitute until the orphaned duke, Griffin King, found and took her in. Finley found herself among equals and people of more or less the same kind of uniqueness that she possess. Little does she know that Griffin will open the doors to her past and help her merge her warring selves.Kady Cross tied some lose ends at the end of the first novel in her series but opened up something exciting for book 2, The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (May 22, 2012). In May, Ms. Cross will take us to Wild West as Finley and friends come to the aid of their American cowboy friend Jasper.
    • 5/5
      Finley knows that she's not your average girl. For she knows that she has a darker side, one that is so powerful that it can knock a man out in one punch. She knows the darkness overtakes her when she gets upset or mad. After a particularly dreadful situation, one where she almost gets killed, she finds herself among strangers that may hold the answers she's been seeking.Switching point-of-views between Finley Jayne, Griffin King - the Duke of Graythorne; and Sam - a human-robot hybrid we learn that Finley is not the only one with secrets. They are each on a journey of discovery to find out what exactly caused them to have the powers they have. Finley is a wonderful heroine. Right from the first sentence I knew I was hooked. I especially like both sides of Finley and the fact that each one is attracted to a different love interest - both completely opposite - making this reader very attracted to the whole scenario. It was clear from the start that I would love this story and Ms. Cross did not disappoint thoughout. There was plenty of mystery, action and even some romance. I loved the steampunk aspect and loved even more that it was set in a historical time instead of in the future. Through the varios points-of-view we see how each character matures and develops and each storyline comes together. All in all, this was a fabulous start to what looks to be a promising series. I cannot wait to get my hands on The Girl in the Clockwork Collar.
    • 3/5
      This book is nowhere near as good as the first book in the series. It is long and drawn out and lacks the twists of the first book.
    • 5/5
      I LOVED this book. Despite the rocky start to the novel I feel that it recovered and wiped out any recollection of any fallacies with the twists prevalent through out the book. Once someone were to dive in to this book they would definitely love the ride. Finely, the heroine, is torn by two conflicting personalities that brings her both love and danger. While she stands out in a crowd she has always felt out of place. Cross crafts this strong heroine from the start only to make her stronger through friendships and her budding romance. Cross elicits heavy thoughts by her highly metaphorical title, and weaves in the plot of a lifetime to match. This novel carefully meanders through a combination of stunning imagery, barrels of wit, and humor to ultimately make the reader beg for more! Cross brings her fun style to the table to make a fabulous story. You won't be disappointed. I bought this book on a whim, and it was money well spent. The Girl In The Steel Corset has gotten me hooked! I would definitely recommend this to my friends!
    • 5/5
      This is only the third book i've read in the steampunk genre and i gotta say i'm lovin it, ALMOST as much as i loved this book. Finley Jayne is a welcome change to the landscape of damsels in distress. The girl is Bad Ass, she fights like a bare knuckle boxer on super-steroids then transforms to a shy girl trying to find herself in the blink of an eye. The supporting cast is full of equally entertaining and unique character, I especially enjoyed the six gun slinging cowboy Jasper with his american accent. The mystery part of the plot wasn't as hard to unravel as i like them, but it was cool to see how the characters lives and their current dilemma all wound itself together forming an even tighter bond amongst the group of lovable outcasts. This story was fun to read and kept me interested, and i'm hoping since their didn't seem to be an inescapable close to the storyline in the future this is one of those series that could go on for at least 5 more books. As long as Finley and her friends stay interesting and new mysteries pop up i could read about these guys for a long time to come. This book gets 5 out of 5.
    • 3/5
      Steampunk literature is not something with which I am very familiar. It is something I have read about quite a bit on blogs and Twitter and literary review magazines. I was a little afraid to dip my toe into this genre. I didn’t feel I fully understood what the genre was and so I stayed away.When The Girl in the Steel Corset was available on NetGalley, I decided I wanted to finally try out this genre. I am glad I did. I really enjoyed this story. It was a very different kind of story from what I would normally read. But it was different in a good way.I enjoyed Cross’ writing! She definitely knows how to craft a story that the reader can become lost in. I loved the detail that she included in the novel. I would say this novel was very atmospheric. Cross adeptly created the Victorian area in which the story was set. She also created a creepy, thrilling feel throughout the novel that kept me reading. I truly enjoyed Cross’ ability to craft a “real” environment because it is so important to a story.I liked the characters. It was hard to understand Finley Jane in the beginning of the novel, but I came to very much like her. I found her and the other characters to be unique and engaging. I also found their interactions to be quite good. the dialogue could have been a tiny bit better, but overall it was very well crafted.I very much enjoyed this book and I will definitely check out the next installment in this series.
    • 4/5
      Finley Jayne isn’t what she looks like. She doesn’t even know what she is herself, but she knows that a girl her age shouldn’t have the strength to take out a nobleman. And even if she could, she absolutely shouldn’t. In 1897 England, there are certain things ladies just don’t do. Unfortunately, when Lord Felix August-Raynes puts Finley in a compromising position, her dark side takes over, and she commits an unspeakable act. So she does what any sensible girl would do: she runs. Of course, it would come to pass that the young duke Griffin King hits Finley on his velocycle in Hyde Park. He and his band of misfits take her in, and it’s not long before Finley finds herself a member of a team of vigilantes, harnessing both science and the paranormal to work against the mysterious Machinist: the man who killed Griffin’s parents and who almost killed his best friend Sam. However, Finley is deeply troubled by the two sides of herself — the good girl who wants to befriend these people and help them toward their goal, and the rage-filled monster who sneaks off in the middle of the night to consort with the handsome criminal Jack Dandey. THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET is Finley’s story of growth and redemption, but it is also the story of a group of teenagers determined to fight for justice in the name of their country and their loved ones. Sort of a steampunk X-Men, Kady Cross‘ unique world will draw readers in and the action and intrigue will keep them hooked. A great new addition to the steampunk cannon, this new series is a must-read for fans of Gail Carriger’s Alexia Tarabotti series.
    • 5/5
      I read The Girl in the Steel Corset months ago. In fact, I read it as soon as it came out. That cover mesmerized me. I loved that metal glove on Finley's hand. I want one. I want that dress and a steel corset! And I really want a Griffin King after me! Or just subtly pursuing me. And I promise not to be as ignorant as she is of his interests. But that Finley Jane, she is so uniquely her own self, she defies category, definition even. I loved her character. Tough as nails when she felt her self preservation kick in, but ladylike when the case called for it. But what I loved most about Finley Jane and her personality was that she had this inner dialogue going on that never stopped, but was right on when it came to assessing a situation, a person, or a need. The only thing she never guessed right was everyone's regard for her and that was because she felt so beneath all of them and so bad about herself, she could never see what others truly felt about her. Except for the criminal element, Jack Dandy for whom she has an unnatural attraction. But then she thinks, she's common so why not? But Griff has other plans for her.Sam was a character I never got around to liking. I know he'd had a hard time previous to the novel and he was part machine, part of what had almost killed him and he hated that. He hated Emily and Griff for saving him that way and he hated Finley. But Finley's only crime was that she was new to the group. He just needed a scapegoat. I really hated Sam throughout the book and that was hard, because Emily liked him and somewhere in all the hatred and anger, he liked Emily.Emily was a sweetheart. I pictured her as a Pippi Longstocking kind of looking girl because she was always described with ropey braids. And she didn't seem to have time for fashion as she was always working on something in her laboratory. I liked her because she was the first to make Finley feel welcome at the house. She healed her wounds and Finley thought of her as her first real friend.And then there was Griffin. Griffin the richest man in England. Richer than the Queen. An orphan at a young age, able to tap into the Aether, the spirit world, whenever he wanted or needed to see disturbances and try to track down the Machinist, the thing that had tried to kill Sam, had killed others and he suspected had something to do with the deaths of his parents. And he's met his match with Finley. She thinks her station so beneath him, that they are actually able to be friends. And his pursuit of her is taken very lightly by her. Because a man of his wealth and breeding could never be with a girl like her.Oh these characters are so richly woven into the story with some additional side characters and the plot, to find the Machinist, is driven with the force of two very powerful beings, Sam with his anger and hatred and Finley with her strength and love to protect her new friends. The two clash on the battlefield and then find themselves up against a truly unbeatable force.There is a cliffhanger ending on two counts and I cannot wait to read the next installment of the Steampunk Chronicles. Kady Cross weaves several different story lines together intricately never quite losing the thread of one for another so that they are all there being woven together loosely, but present. Her characters are full and colorful and some of my favorites in YA. Read it if you haven't! Even if you think you don't like Steampunk, there is no way you can't love this one! Highly recommended!
    • 5/5
      After losing her last two jobs Finley Jayne just wants to keep her head down and stay employed. Nevertheless, when forced into a bad situation she defends herself in the only way she can and has to run. Griffin is a young Duke who is determined to solve a brewing mystery and protect his friends and his country. Their worlds collide – literally – and they quickly become tangled up in solving a mystery that has them in over their heads. They, along with their companions, will have to use all of their resources and special abilities to stop The Machinist in a race against time. I loved this book! The story pulled me in from the first page and didn’t let go. It starts off racing and never stops. I loved the steampunk elements! I always find the blending of historical and machinery elements fascinating. Finley was a strong lead and I enjoyed watching her develop and change over the book. However, she wasn’t the only strong lead character – each one (Griffin, Emily, Sam, Jack Dandy, Jasper, etc...) had depth and were well developed. I think each character could lead their own novel and to mix them all in here together makes for a great read. I really liked getting to know each character and their unique histories. It was easy to connect emotionally with them and that enhanced the already intriguing plot. The story was told through multiple perspectives that flowed well and didn’t feel disjointed. I liked reading the story in alternate points of view. The subplots didn’t detract from the story, but added to the overall mysteries of The Machinist and of what exactly was wrong with Finley. The romance elements felt real, weren’t rushed, and weren’t the main plot points. It was a steampunk adventure with romance on the side – perfect! I was happy with how the overall story ended but it definitely left me wanting more! I can’t wait to pick up the next novel. The Girl in the Steel Corset is a great blend of mystery, adventure, steampunkery and romance that I highly recommend picking up!
    • 4/5
      This book was pretty good but i thought it could be longer. It is everything i like and i can keep reading it and reading it over and over and never get tired of it