Review: The Girl in the Clockwork Collar - Kady Cross

Author: Kady Cross
Series: Steampunk Chronicles #2
Pages: 416
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Release Date: 5/22/12
ISBN-10: 0373210531

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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 the girl Jasper loves.

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

This series has solidified my love of the steam punk genre. There is something about these books don't intimidate me like most other steam punks do. I'm not sure what it is that has me hooked but I am.


Finley and the gang are an awesome group of characters. They remind me of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen which I loved. Finley is my kinda girl she will run off half coked to try to help the people she cares about. She is also pretty kick ass, if I was in a tight spot and needed some muscle I would call her. Griffin, Emily, Sam and jasper all have there own strengths an weaknesses and they all work so well together. Part of what makes them so special is that they are like a family and all care about each other.


This story picked up where the other ended, the gang is coming from London to America to help jasper. It isn't until they get there that they find out that jasper isn't with the police. From there they enter a world of scientists, gangs, social events, and criminals. There is always something happening here. It was impossible to get bored with this book. My favorite part though was getting to know jasper, and his past. I was also happy to find out who the chick on the cover was and where this clockwork collar came into play.


This was definitely a great installment in this series, and really as long as these books keep coming out I will keep reading them. This is a great intro into the team punk genre and I would suggest these books to anyone who is on the fence with it. I give this one 4 stars!

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne Review (Book 0.5)

The Girl in the Steel Corset Review (Book 01)

Review: The Girl in the Steel Corset - Kady Cross

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin; Original edition (May 24, 2011)

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...

It took me forever to finish this book, but really that isn't a reflection of the book, I was jut very busy and had no time to read.  I really really love Finley!  She is fantastic.  I loved the move the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, I've watched it a countless number of times (Sean Connery *swoon*) this story and group of characters had the same feel to them.  I really wasn't excited about the steampunk aspect of this book at first, but I was quickly sucked in, and it changed my thoughts on steampunk as a genre.  While I did enjoy the story I did feel that parts were a little predicable.  My favorite thing here had to be the characters, there interactions were fun and at times had me grinning or chuckling.  I also liked the direction that was taken with Finley's character.  That was something I really wasn't expecting.  Overall I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more books in this series.  I give this one 4 stars. 

Review: The Strange Case of Finley Jayne - Kady Cross

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 251 KB
• Publisher: Harlequin Teen (May 1, 2011)

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…

An ebook exclusive prequel to The Steampunk Chronicles.

My Thoughts...

I think I might be in love. Finley is awesome, I have been putting off reading The Girl in the Steel Corset for a while because my first try with steampunk ended badly.  So I was a little nervous but when I saw the prequel I said what the heck give them a shot.  I now have a new love and appreciation for steampunk, and I loved this story.  Kady Cross did an excellent job and I really enjoyed all the characters even the bad ones. I really can't wait to start The Girl in the Steel Corset and see what else happen to Finley.  I think this was a 5 star novella and I hope that all of you enjoy it as well!