Thursday, July 14, 2011

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross with Giveaway!

The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles)Description:
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.
Okay, should we first discuss this cover? I have to admit I do love it, but the description of the steel corset is what I would have loved to have seen. It was set with small gears and was actually designed to not only be protection but also movement! That I would have LOVED to have seen though an artist eyes. But... I get ahead of myself... *clears throat*

This YA steampunk world is wonderfully dark and even though it is set in the 1890s, it would be a place I would have loved to visit because of all the technology. Even though I obviously loved and was fascinated by this world, it did not take away from the characters in this book. Developed from other characters like Jekyll and Hyde and a dash of the League of Extraordinary Men, you find yourself interested and compelled to know them more. Actually, I felt she improved on the character of Jekyll and Hyde since I never could buy that one side could be wholly evil/good and I can't fathom such a black and white vision of humanity... of a human. I even enjoyed the character of the Machinist who is a true villan. In fact at one point in the book Griffin is warned that a man who believes in the righteousness of their acts and beliefs can be more dangerous than one who is just insane. I agree.

Ah, but I couldn't do this book justice without mentioning Jack Dandy. In a way he is a side character I believe we will see more of in the series. I just loved him. He was the most mysterious of all and the most charismatic. Is he good? Is he bad? Just what IS this man hiding? Oh what a delicious character. I just enjoyed him so!

However, with all these accolades, I must say the one part that I didn't like was the wrap up of the mystery. It all came together way to easy and it was just too convient. The action was fine, but I would have preferred the identity to have been more of a surprise or perhaps the ending itself to be harder won. In either case, this did not detract too much from the whole of the book.

I give this book 4 stars. It is a wonderful steampunk YA novel and I think adults will enjoy it as well.
I received this eARC from Harlequin Teen and NetGalley and no compensation was given.

Giveaway!!!
The publisher has offered an ARC of this book to one person. It is limited to the US/Can only. All you have to do is leave a comment and an e-mail addy if there is not one in your profile. I will end the giveaway on the 19th.
Good luck!
Giveaway has ended.

68 comments:

  1. Ohhh! Sounds like a great book! I've seen lots of good reviews for it, and would love to read it.

    Thank you for the giveaway!

    ceeenndee at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great review! I bought this book the other day so I'll definitely have to read it soon! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fantastic review! I have been hearing so much about this book. You have made me so curious about the mysterious Jack Dandy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. This book didn't really work for me. I actually found the characters to be kind of bland, even though they should have been really interesting. Jack Dandy was also one of my favorites though he too was disappointingly tame. We keep being told that he's so dangerous and immoral but he doesn't actually do anything in the book to live up to his reputation. I ended pretty disappointed with the book as a whole.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I want to meet this Jack Dandy. I love characters who have an air of mystery around them. Definitely can't wait to read this. Great review Melissa.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I know what you mean writing about a mystery solved too easily. It was the same in the novella I reviewed not so long ago by the same author. Otherwise I am still interested and...right...you can accept a book on my behalf can't you? Although I live in Europe?

    *Batting her eyelashes furiously...*

    ReplyDelete
  7. An interesting review, I love your insight into Jekyll and Hyde. A great cover I agree but to me there is something quite Spanish about it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I, oh pooh, I read this other review and reached the conclusion that the book is not for me but now that conclusion is exploding to a million little pieces ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for the review and giveaway! This looks like an interesting read, though I'm not much into steampunk.

    susanna DOT pyatt AT student DOT rcsnc DOT org

    ReplyDelete
  10. (not entering) I totally loved Jack Dandy and really wished he was in the book more. I liked the book but like you felt that the mystery was wrapped up a little to nicely. I am looking forward to the rest of the series...

    Emily rocked! I love that the techie was a chick!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I am loving steampunk & can't wait to read this book. Amy at
    bookgoonie at yahoo

    ReplyDelete
  12. I read the novella that came before the book. It was so good! Now I can't wait for this one.

    ajiehuang1997 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is my favorite time period!
    rickimc[at]aol[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks for the giveaway!

    beths0103 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oooh... I want to read this book! : ) Thanks for the giveaway!
    ambience.of.rain {at} gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Don't enter me in the contest, I'm international - I'm just commenting :). I love the sound of this, I don't usually like Steampunk that much but I've heard a lot of good things about this one and I really want to give it a go! I love the cover too :).

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have read every review on this book and I want it baddd! thanks for the opportunity ,,
    Jennifer

    westtexasjen at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. OMG! I must win! Loved this book!

    bwithbite (at) gmail (dot) com

    Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks for your honest review. I would love to read the book.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thanks for the giveaway!
    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. OOOHHH!!! I really want to read this!!! Thanks!!!

    Margaret
    singitm@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I've had this one on my list for a while, thank so much for the opportunity to win Melissa! I've very interested in Jack, I love characters who keep you guessing as to their motives and you never know if you should be rooting for or against them:)

    supernaturalsnark(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I really want to read this, heard such great things about this book.

    emiliasherman@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. I have lots of good things about this book and would love to read it. Thanks for the chance to win!

    Peggy
    pawingthroughbooks@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Shhhyea! Awesomeness!!
    thebookishbrunette@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have read so many good reviews for this book. I'd love to get my hands on a copy! Thanks for the chance :)

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  27. Okay, I just finished reading Felicia's review of this earlier and as I said over there I'm really curious about this Jekyll and Hyde thing. It sounds like such a unique take on a 'love triangle.'

    Thanks so much for the giveaway! Very exciting.

    missie at theunreadreader.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Interesting! Thank you!

    mcrs_venin(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. great giveaway
    follow via gfc
    drakebdog@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I've been hearing a lot of good things about this book and would love a chance to read it. I've yet attempted a steampunk book and am curious.

    Jen K
    admin.bookblog AT gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I would love to read this book thanks for the great giveaway!

    myra0502 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great review. I've wanted to read this book since it came out and I want to read it ever more after your review!

    twilightforever.edward at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm reading this and loving it too. I'll have to see about the ending!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'd love to read this one. Thanks for the giveaway.

    erinberry12 at charter dot net

    ReplyDelete
  35. Sounds like a good one. please enter me for it.

    follow on gfc

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  36. This one keeps getting pushed to the back of the TBR list. It's just not grabbing me from the description, but I like that it's a mystery. Or at least, mysterious.

    loganeturnerblog[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  37. I've heard quite a lot about this book and I'm really looking forward to reading it. It sounds like a fabulous story.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. great review. thanks for the giveaway!!

    vidishamun@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Wonderful Review!!! I have been wanting to read this one for a while! I have heard so many wonderful things!

    Thank you for this amazing opportunity<3

    moonlightgleam(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. YEAH! nice giveaway!

    you-know-i-dont-know(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  41. I have heard only good things for this book. Thanks for the contest.
    Jennifer K Jovus
    kjovus at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Ooh, I wanna win! (: Thanks for the giveaway!

    blissfulrains(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. I found the free e-novella by chance, and I absolutely love it. It was a great introduction to the series. I haven't yet read The Girl in the Steel Corset, so I'd love to win it. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Alison Matesi

    paper_flowers5295 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh I so want to read this book! I love steampunk and the cover is so gorgeous and the descriptoons are interesting and the reviews make me want to read it even more. :) Thank you!

    liedermadchen(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. This sounds awesome!

    wade2121ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  46. Great giveaway! Thanks!

    Zona716(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Awesome giveaway! Thank you!

    gomezrose61@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Great giveaway. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. I really have to read this book ASAP! I have heard such great things about it! And I completely agree Melissa, it would have been great to have seen the cover artists rendition of it!

    Avery
    averys.book.nook@hotmail.ca

    ReplyDelete
  50. I haven't read much steampunk, but this one sounds wonderful! Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

    findjessyhere at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  51. OOOh... this is a very purdy cover! I've been eyeing this book for a while, it's on my wishlist! Thanks for a wonderful review!

    efender1@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. great contest! i have been wanting to read this book for forever! It would be great to win it!

    spicedice45@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. I've been wanted to read this for some time, so enter me!

    jtheunkown{at}gmail{dot}com

    The title is really what intrigues me about the book...okay, that and the synopsis. Kind of cool to have evil inside you that can totally kick ass.

    Jen
    In the Closet With a Bibliophile

    ReplyDelete
  54. This was one of my favorite S.P. books! I loved the novella and the book!

    Very nice review, Melissa!

    Kristi
    dearkristi@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  55. I've seen this book around and have wanted to read it!
    littlesproutgrowing{at}gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  56. I am definitely getting more interested about this book!

    melora brock


    melorabrock {at} gmail {dot} com

    ReplyDelete
  57. Thanks so much! This one has been on my to read list for so long!

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  58. yes yes yes! oh joy what fun! - sign me up!
    email addy in my profile! g'luck folks!

    ReplyDelete
  59. I really can't wait to read this one! It sounds like a great story.

    Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  60. OMG! I want this book!!! I am going to keep my fingers crossed on this giveaway:)

    jwitt33 at live dot com

    ReplyDelete
  61. Oh enter me please! :) I love the sounds of this one. It sounds amazing! :)


    Thank you thank you!

    MyWorldinwordsandpages{at}gmail{dot}com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Thanks so much!
    texas_gal45(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I have heard so many great things about this book!

    TaraTagli at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  64. This book sounds really good! I would love to read it! Thank you for the giveaway!
    mittens0831 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  65. This book sounded interesting, so I added the title to my TBR List. Then I saw a free ebook prequel (The Strange Case of Finley Jayne) and downloaded it. I haven't read it yet, and I haven't got the funds to buy this book yet, either. So it would be super-fantastic to win it!
    ***crosses fingers madly***

    Thanks for the giveaway chance!

    rissatoo ATgmail DOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  66. Jane Finley is an awesome character. I'd love to win a copy of this book.

    (\___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com
    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  67. Hope it's not too late seeing as it technically is the 19th right now (at least it is for me!) I really want to read this one! Thanks for the giveaway!

    mmashura93 AT gmail DOT come

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting! I ❤ comments!