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In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling—or dangerous
Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper from the clutches of a devious criminal 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.
From the rough streets of lower Manhattan to elegant Fifth Avenue, the motley crew of teens follows Jasper's elusive trail. And they're about to discover how far they'll go for friendship.
More than ever, Finley must rely on powerful English duke Griffin King to balance her dark magic with her good side. Yet Griffin is at war with himself over his secret attraction to Finley and will risk his life and reputation to save her. Now, to help those she's come to care for so deeply, Finley must infiltrate the criminal gang. Only problem is, she might like the dark side a little too much .
"Teens will enjoy the fast-paced action ." — VOYA
High above the Atlantic Ocean
July 1897
"What are you doing?"
Finley Jayne smiled in the darkness. She should have known Griffin would come looking for her. Gripping the slender prow with both hands, she glanced over her shoulder and saw him standing just inside the dirigible's softly lighted observation deck. The wind blew strands of hair into her face. "Finding out how it feels to fly," she replied.
"You're over three thousand feet in the air." His gravelly voice carried over the sound of the airship's engines. "Flying might prove fatal."
Finley laughed. That was his way of scolding her for having ignored the signs that warned passengers not to climb out the windows or over the protective railings. Griffin King was the Duke of Greythorne, and sometimes he carried the weight of the entire world on his shoulders. That he was worried about her was sweet.
"We're going to be landing soon," he called, trying another tactic. "Why don't you come in and make sure you have all your things?"
"I'm packed and ready," she called back. "Why don't you come out here and see how beautiful New York City is at night?"
She didn't expect him to take her up on the dare. It wasn't that he was a coward—he was anything but. However, as a duke and an only child, it would be irresponsible of him to risk his life for no reason but a pretty view, just because she asked. No, Griffin wouldn't be so foolish, but Jack would.
Finley pushed the thought of the notorious criminal Jack Dandy from her mind. Jack was in London, and it wasn't fair of her to compare Griffin to him when neither of the young men had an equal.
There was a faint noise behind her, and the next thing she knew, Griffin was there, sitting with her on this narrow shaft. All that was below them was the ship's figurehead—a robust blonde woman of dubious virtue carved from wood—and thousands of miles of night.
"What are you doing?" Finley demanded, her tone a reflection of what his own had been—only slightly more panicked. She wasn't that breakable, but Griffin was. "You shouldn't be out here."
One of his legs brushed the back of hers. Beneath her striped stocking, her skin prickled. "I know, but I hear it's the only way to experience the sensation of flying." She could tell he was smiling without being able to see his handsome face. "It is magnificent, isn't it? Look, there's the Statue of Liberty."
It was magnificent, so much so that Finley couldn't find words to reply. Spread out before them—just beyond the ship's lanterns—was a blanket of lights. It looked like stars covered the ground, and set a short distance from it all was the largest lady she'd ever seen, the glow from her torch illuminating from her raised hand to just the top of her crowned head. The lights of the dirigible brought the rest of her into view.
"I asked the pilot to fly by her so we can have a better look," Griff said.
"Asked or told?" she teased. This was Griffin's private airship—the Helena, named after his mother. Someone else might fly it for him, but he was the one in charge.
He smiled. "Asked. What do you think of America so far?"
"It's grand." It came out a little more exuberant than she'd planned. She had never been outside England—never been outside London—so this was already the adventure of a lifetime for her. Never mind that only a fortnight ago, she'd been battling for the safety of all the world against a madman. That had been terrible and frightening and not really a proper adventure at all. But this—soaring above the vast Atlantic Ocean with the night wind in her hair and Griffin sitting behind her—was amazing.
She felt close to him, enough that it scared her a little. She didn't even know who she was inside, and he was a duke who could bring down buildings from the inside out by controlling the Aether. There could never be anything but friendship between them, but that didn't stop her from the occasional daydream. He made her feel like she could do anything she set her mind to—what girl wouldn't have a bit of a crush?
"Would you like to know how it really feels to fly?" he asked her.
Finley turned her head. Their perch was precarious at best.
One wrong move, and one, if not both, of them could tumble to their very death. Part of her was terrified at the thought and another part was thrilled by the danger. Recently, she'd started trying to reconcile the two very distinct halves of herself, and with Griffin's help she'd made incredible progress. But now she was left trying to ascertain just what sort of girl she was. Was she the sort of girl who truly wanted to know what it felt like to fly?
"I "
"Oy!" cried a strange voice from behind. "What in the blazes is you two up to? You're not allowed out there!"
"Caught." Griffin's voice held a trace of regret. "Let's go in before Emily and Sam come looking for us."
Finley waited until he'd slid away before inching along the polished wood. Griffin was waiting for her on the narrow expanse of deck to give her a hand up. Then he helped her through the window before easing his own body through.
A man in uniform stood on the glossy wood of the viewing gallery floor, a frown on his face. The man glared at her, then turned his attention to the young man beside her, who stood tall and lean in a dark gray suit, his reddish-brown hair mussed by the wind. A lopsided smile curved his lips as his stormy blue gaze settled on the officer. The man paled.
"Your Grace." His voice was hoarse.
Griffin's grin broadened. "Apologies, my good man. You were right to scold us. We'll give you no more worry." Then he turned to Finley. "Want to watch the landing?"
He offered her his arm, and she took it, allowing him to draw her toward the large glass window next to the one they'd just crawled through. It was so amazing that he owned all of this.
"You know, if you weren't a duke and this was a public ship, we'd be in a terrible spot of bother right now."
Griff made a scoffing noise. "If I weren't a duke and this were public, we wouldn't have been able to afford passage. Honestly, what they charge for a transatlantic voyage on these contraptions is akin to highway robbery."
"So you thought buying your own was the more economical choice?" She managed to keep a straight face but not the laughter out of her voice.
He shrugged, but she caught the smile he tried to hide. "They gave me a very good price. Besides, it was the only way I could make Sam fly. He has Emily check the mechanical parts before every voyage."
"Sam's a baby," she remarked, thinking the comparison fit. She didn't mean any insult—well, not much. Sam Morgan was Griff's best friend. He was also part machine, moody and the biggest lout she'd ever met. Still, he had a way of growing on a person, like mold on cheese.
She kind of liked knowing he was afraid of air travel. He was even harder to hurt than she was and wasn't afraid of much.
"Speak of the devil," Griff murmured, looking over the top of her head.
Finley turned and saw Sam and Emily walking toward them, both dressed for dinner. Sam looked uncomfortable in his black-and-white evening attire, though he looked decent enough with his long dark hair smoothed back. There seemed to be nothing that could be done for his perpetual frown. Emily, on the other hand, was like a ray of sunshine. Ropes of copper hair were wound into a loose bun on the back of her head, and her blue-green eyes were brightened by the russet-colored gown she wore. The four of them looked as though they were going to a ball rather than following a suspected murderer to a strange country.
Their friend Jasper Renn had been accused of murder and taken from Griff's house by bounty hunters five days earlier. They would have followed immediately after him if they could have, but despite having his own airship, it took Griffin almost a day to make preparations and get everything ready.
"Been sucking lemons again, Sam?" Finley asked when the other couple joined them.
The big lad arched a dark eyebrow at her but didn't speak. Since she'd saved his life—after him trying to kill her—he had been almost nice to her, which made her try to bait him all the harder.
"We came to watch the landing," Emily told them in her Irish lilt. "We heard that there were a couple of idiots out on the prow. Did you see them?" A slow smile curved her lips.
Finley and Griff laughed in unison, which made Sam's scowl deepen. "Idiots indeed," he said drily.
Emily started to roll her eyes, but then her head whipped toward the window. "Oh! There's the Statue of Liberty! Isn't she grand?"
Her excitement was contagious, and the four of them went to the glass to watch the Helena glide by the statue that Griffin had pointed out to her earlier. It was so big. So beautiful. They would set down on the island of Manhattan, on the landing field in Central Park, and from there, on to their hotel. Tomorrow morning they'd begin looking for Jasper. Surely it wouldn't be difficult, given that he'd been brought back to face criminal charges.
Finley couldn't believe Jasper would kill anyone—not in cold blood. There had to be some kind of mistake. Griffin was convinced he could fix this, but this wasn't England, and Americans might not be so impressed by his title and his fortune. And though each of them had their own unique abilities—evolutions, Emily had taken to calling them—they weren't above the law.
What if they couldn't save Jasper?
As far as prisons went, this one wasn't so bad. Jasper had certainly seen worse—been held in worse.
There were bars on the windows, but his understanding was that those were normally employed to keep folks out rather than in, as the case may be. Still, the bed was big and comfortable—an old four-poster monstrosity—and the room was big enough that he could walk around a bit and exercise.
Dalton—the fella in whose house he was now a "guest"—was an old "friend." Jasper fell in with his gang almost two years ago, when he was too young and stupid to know better. Dalton was a couple of years older and had spouted the usual romantic nonsense about being an outlaw, which sounded good to penniless boys.
Obviously Dalton had done well for himself, if this house was any indication. It was nice—nicer than anything Jasper had seen during his time in the gang. Did Dalton think of himself as some kind of gentleman now? Was he rubbin' elbows with the same kind of people from whom he stole? The Bowery neighborhood was close enough to Five Points to give him an in with the criminal set, but removed just enough to have a little respectability.
Respectable, however, Dalton was not. And it was painfully apparent that his old boss hadn't forgiven him for running off. The tender bruises that covered Jasper from face to hip were proof of that. He had a perfect impression of the sole of someone's boot on his left side. Must've been Little Hank—he was the only varmint in Dalton's outfit with feet that big.
If he had some of Miss Emily's salve, he'd be set to rights; but he didn't, and so he had to heal the old-fashioned way instead of letting her "beasties" do it for him.
He thought of his new friends often since he'd been forcibly taken from Griffin's mansion by men claiming they were going to bring him to America to face murder charges.
Jasper went willingly, almost eager to face his past, maybe clear his name in the process. It wasn't until he was on the airship, without any chance of escape, that he discovered the men worked for Dalton.
Once they'd landed, he had tried to run. It had been stupid, but he had to try. They caught him, beat him, trussed him up and brought him here, where'd he'd been for more than twenty-four hours.
Finally there came the sound of a key in the lock. Jasper moved to the dresser, a heavy piece of furniture he could dive behind if someone started shooting.
It was Little Hank's huge form that filled the doorway. Over six and a half feet tall and as wide as a bull through the chest, Little Hank was Dalton's chief muscle. He was strong and surprisingly fast. Jasper's only advantage came in being faster, but he didn't want Dalton to know just how fast he had gotten.
Little Hank ducked his head into the room. "Boss wants to see you."
"Now's not a good time for me," Jasper replied, words as stiff as his jaw. "Come back later."
The behemoth hesitated, clearly uncertain of what to do. Jasper would have smiled if he thought it wouldn't hurt so much. Then a scowl settled over Hank's heavy-boned face and he glared at him. "Still a jackass."
Jasper shrugged. "Sometimes a fella has to live up to expectations." He moved stiffly toward the door. Dread twisted in his belly, but he refused to let it show.
Little Hank seized him by the back of the neck, practically dragged him out of the room, along the hall and down the scuffed staircase. From there they took a right turn and ended up in a parlor, where Jasper was finally released. He might not exactly like Griff's friend Sam Morgan, but he wished the large fellow was there at the moment. He'd teach Little Hank a lesson in manners.
Then again, Morgan was just as likely to sit back and smile while Jasper was pounded senseless. Miss Finley, then. She'd knock Hank on his gigantic backside. Jasper would have no problem letting a girl rescue him, but Finley was in London. They thought he'd been taken in by the law and had no idea that it was just the opposite.
Reno Dalton stood at the window, puffing on a cigarillo. He was a little shorter than Jasper's height of six feet. Leaner, too. He was what in a woman might be called pretty, with longish dark brown hair and ice-blue eyes. He wore a perfectly tailored gray suit that made him appear a gentleman.
In truth he was more like a sleeping rattlesnake. There was just as much chance that Dalton would leave you alone as there was that he'd kill you—and with very little thought to, either.
"Ah, Jasper." A cold smile curved Dalton's lips. He was around twenty, but lines fanned out from his eyes—a sign of time spent out of doors. "Looking none the worse for wear, see."
If Jasper had been wearing his hat he would have tipped it. "I look good in black and blue."
Dalton waved a negligent hand. "The ladies will be back to swooning over you soon enough. Have a seat."
"I'd rather stand."
The smile vanished. Finally the rattler revealed himself.
"Sit."
Little Hank shoved him into a nearby chair before Jasper could reply. It was spindly and felt as though it might split apart if he sneezed. He jerked free of Hank's hand—flinching at the pain that followed—and fixed his gaze on the man before him.
"All right, I'm sitting."
Dalton was back to looking pleasant. "Good." His voice had a slight Southern accent. Years of living in San Francisco had almost erased all traces of the poor kid from Virginia Territory. "We have business to discuss, you and I."
Cold—heavy and menacing—settled in Jasper's stomach. He ignored it. "'Fraid I don't know what you're talking about."
When I read Kady Cross’s first novel in her Steampunk Chronicles The Girl in the Steel Corset I wasn’t impressed, simply because I felt the Steampunk elements far outweighed the romance. And I wanted more romance to balance out the heavy plot. But I did love the six characters in the Steampunk Chronicles. Now with that said, I really enjoyed Kady Cross' sequel The Girl in the Clockwork Collar . So I would like to give Kady Cross praise on this second novel. I love the Steampunk storyline, her talent as a writing, and some much loved, swoon-worthy moments.
Finley is off to America with Griffin and the rest of Griffin's crew to rescue Jasper from the bounty hunters that came to England to arrest him for a murder that they claim he did back in America. When Finley and Griffin arrive in New York, they find out what Jasper was hiding from them in England, and murder is the least of Jasper's problems.
Jasper, who I loved so much in the first book, with his fun attitude, he's hilarious sense of humor was the comic relief. But this time, he brought me tears instead of laughs. Mei is the girl Jasper left behind in America when he went to hide out in England. He thought this would protect Mei from his criminal past that he was running away from. Jasper is going to find out love is blind and even when you see the truth you can't tell your heart to stop loving.
Jack Dandy was the only character not in this sequel novel. I really missed Jack. He's the cool bad/good guy. I hope he will be in the next novel. The rest are all here: Finley, Griffin, Sam, Emily and Jasper. Even though this was Jasper’s story, Finley and Griffin finally did acknowledge their feelings for each other and I would love to see their romance go deeper in the next novel.
If you enjoy Steampunk, you will not want to miss out on The Girl in the Clockwork Collar. I recommend as fantastic Steampunk read.
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.booksonmynook
Posted June 2, 2012
I Also Recommend:
I loved this book. very well written. It has a story I couldn't put down.
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.NightwingWhitehead
Posted May 22, 2012
I was hesitant to read Kady Cross' latest book in her Steampunk Chronicles series, The Girl In the Clockwork Collar. Her first one, The Girl In the Steel Corset, was so well written and engaging that I did not think she could do it again. I was wrong. This one is even better. From the first paragraph, the reader is swept into the world of the “strange band of Mysfits” as they take over a New York that did not actually exist in 1897, but should have.
Those who have read the first book are already familiar with Finley Jayne and her compatriots, a crew of people with talents most people don't suspect even exist. Those who are new to the series are in for a treat as they meet the group for the first time. In either case, set some time aside and stock up on snacks, because you're not going to put this book down until the oh-my-goodness-how-did-that-happen ending.
The surface plot revolves around proving the innocence of one of their team, Jasper Renn. To do so, first they must rescue him from the men who abducted him while he was visiting them in England. Along the way, Finley falls in love, or does she, with a rogue named Dalton, leading Griffin King, the leader of the group, to outlandish feats of bravery, or perhaps he would have done them anyway, to show his love for Finley, a love he cannot confess anymore than she can confess that she loves him. Then there's the tumultuous relationship between Emily, who can communicate with machines, and Sam, who she turned into a part-machine. And, just for spice, add a touch of lying female assassin and help from Tesla himself. This is all melded seamlessly into a tale that will leaving you regretfully turning the last page, hoping for more.
And yes, this book *can* stand on its own, you don't need to have already read The Girl In the Steel Corset. But, if you have not read the first book yet, you are very lucky. You will have something to occupy your time while the rest of us are whining and begging for the next book in the series. Though, now I think on it, mayhaps a re-reading of both books would be an admirable idea while waiting for Kady Cross' next masterpiece in the Steampunk Chronicles series.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 5, 2012
Yeah, I know the cover says it but it's true! I am just truly in love with Kady Cross's writing. These characters are amazing & I absolutely adore Steampunk b/c of Kady. This book picks up only days after The Girl In The Steel Corset ends with Jasper being taken away back to America! I fell a little bit in love with Jasper while learning his story! I also really loved seeing some of the other relationships develop! Can't wait for more in the series!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The year is 1897, and the tale picks up right where the Girl in the Steel Corset ended. Finley Jane our sixteen year old protagonist is traveling to America via air. Along with her are Griffin, Sam and Emily. In the last novel Jasper was arrested for murder and taken to America. The gang is headed there to clear his name. When they arrive Finley is in awe of their living accommodations. Griffin has secured them each a room at the Waldorf-Astoria. When they arrive at the tomes, they discover Jasper hasn't been arrested. They meet a lawman from San Francisco who searching for Jasper and learn that he may be involved with a shady character named Dalton. As the team searches for Dalton and Jasper they discover he is in serious trouble. He seems to be protecting a girl in a clockwork collar named Mei. Finley manages to get herself caught up in the thick of things, and Griffin may just lose it. A side plot has a dark entity warning Griffin and I look forward to seeing that plot progress. The tale kept me on edge as they worked to solve the mystery, stop Dalton, and save Jasper. I adore the characters Cross has created. While I didn’t see a lot of character growth, I did feel Cross did a great job of fleshing them out more and bringing them to life. I connected with all of them on some level. Jasper has a lot on his plate, and the go lucky, fun loving personality I’d come to love didn’t present itself as much. His relationship with Griffin, Sam, Emily and Finley grew as he realized they believed in him. Emily loves Sam but is jealous of anyone who pays attention to Jasper and I found it hilarious. She’s like a kid in a playroom hoarding toys and yelling mine. Griffin has a lot to deal with and almost faces death in this novel. He is evaluating his feelings for Finley and trying to determine if he can trust her. I laughed as it’s so obvious he cannot live without her. Finley adores Griffin, wants Griffin, and needs Griffin, but thinks herself beneath him socially and as a person. While the romance between them didn’t progress much, the dance was still fun and I look forward to seeing what happens next. The new characters we meet made the plot feel genuine and added to my overall enjoyment of the tale. I loved Cross's use of historical figure Nickola Tesela as the inventor residing in the Gerlach Hotel. Sadly, Jack was not present in this novel although he still managed to create a wedge in Griffin and Finley’s relationship.*giggles* The world-building was amazing-tasitc! (Yep, I know it’s not a real word) I loved her use of multiple POV's and found it helped me connect with the characters and tale. Cross combines historical facts and characters, while weaving the Victorian era through her plot keeping me enthralled. From the Waldorf to the Points Five neighborhood this novel is steeped in history. While she herself admits she has taken liberty with the timeline, the actual descriptions were delightfully accurate. The steampunk gadgetry was stunning and I gobbled it up. I am looking forward to the next installment of this series.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Finley and her "strange band of mysfits" are back, and this time they're headed for America.
Their team is headed for the states to save Jasper, who has found himself in the hands of an old,
dangerous friend. Jasper was one of my favorites because he was always the light hearted and
comical friend. The deeper the story goes the more we find out about his troubled past. While digging
into his past we find out about Mei. She was the girl he left behind and the person being used as
leverage against him.
Coming to the USA is just another playing field for Finley. New faces, new enemies, and new territories.
She’s the same strong headed girl but now with even more drive behind her from her new friends. In
order to help find Jasper, Finley sacrafices herself by joining the very group that kidnapped him. Finley
playing the bad guy could only make this more interesting.
There is so much tension between Grffin and Finley. It's quite amusing seeing these two pining for
each other but neither willing to admit it. Jack Dandy isn’t mentioned as often, but he's always be in the
back of Griffin's mind. There's a silent competition between Jack and him for Finley.
The story is fast paced and filled with the same entertainment and fun from the first novel. The action
is even more intense and the mystery continues to runs after the pages end.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Kady Cross made me fall in love with the whole Steampunk genre with her first book in the Steampunk Chronicles, and the second does not disappoint. I love all the fantastic contraptions and the suspense in this book really keeps you interested. The best thing is that you dont have to have read the first book in the series to understand this sequel, it stands on its own merits, but if you have read it, you understand the dynamics of the group better. I cant wait to see what happens to Finley next when they get back to England.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted October 8, 2012
Enjoyed this one! Felt the plot got rushed at the end, though.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 29, 2012
It was very good i throughly enjoied the fact that finley and griffin finally got together. The only thing i eish is that jasper would have had someone to set his heart on now that he has lost his only love. I am looking forward to a sequel.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ToReadPerchancetoDream
Posted September 20, 2012
This is the second in the Steampunk Chronicle series by Kady Cross. This series is some of the best steampunk that I have ever read. It's got the clever machinery, some magic, great heroes, very evil villains - and a little romance!
Finley, the heroine, is more secure in herself than she was in the first novel, The Girl in the Steel Corset. She seems less afraid to get out there and kick some evil-doer's butt, yet she is still learning how to work her "talent." She is a character that is very easy to like and root for throughout the story. And of course, the book would be nothing without her gang, who are right there to help out... or make fun of her, whichever is more appropriate at the time.
The Girl in the Clockwork Collar is a fun romp through New York City at the turn of the 19th century. If you like steampunk, you'll definitely want to read this, but start with the first book. If you've never read any steampunk, start out with this series!
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.wasn't sure if I was going to read this. I had a hard time with the first in the series but not for reasons most people would think. I strictly had an issue with the steam punk aspect of the story. I was beginning to think that the genre wasn't for me. But, I decided to give it one more shot.
Maybe it's because there's a little less steam punk elements in this book, or maybe it's something else. Either way, I liked this book way more than the first. I liked that Jasper gets a lot of mention in this book. He's got a really interesting past and we really get to see that. The people he used to associate with in the US compared to the people he came to associate with in England show the difference in his values and what was important to him. I like to see that kind of change in a character. His devotion to Mei is also sweet and the fact that he is willing to go to such lows to keep her safe shows how much she meant to him.
I love the development of the relationships of the other characters. I sometimes wanted to bop Griffin and Finley on the head. They are both too stubborn and refuse to recognize how they feel about each other. But, it also makes for excellent tension in the book. Sam and Emily are also very sweet. The gang as a whole is becoming more comfortable together. I love that.
The action of the story is really interesting. Dalton is a great villain. I love how he pushes the others because it makes for some great scenes. I love the part in 5 points were Jasper has to take on a gang and then the leader (who is a scorned ex). It's just exciting.
After this installment, I will be reading the next. I'm so glad I decided to give this series another try!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Ever since I began reading Kady Cross's work I know very well I will be
entertained. The plot pulses with action, mystery, romance, and above
all, there is fluidity. I am pleased to see this awesome adventure
continues in the US. Griffin, Finley, Emily and Sam take of to the
Americas in search of their friend Jasper. Being the loyal bunch that
they are, they trust in Jasper's innocence and work to save and clear
his name. In the America's Jasper reunites with an old flame and
friend, Mei, who is held hostage by Dalton. Dalton is a criminal at
best and a creep every other day. The entire Griffin gang scouts the
dangerous streets looking for any information that will lead them to
Jasper. Finley and Sam joins an underground fighting ring just so that
they could have an inside man. As twists occur in the plot, true
motives and feelings become known. For instance, Griffin and Finley
still have the chemistry in which draws me and has me screaming.....
"Kiss already!" Emily and Sam are an interesting read as
well. But what is surprising is the re-visit of what Jasper and Mei had
in the past. More so, what's most interesting is the betrayal that is
soon discovered between the two. I am thoroughly pleased with Kady
Cross's Steampunk Chronicles. So far, the prequel, book one and this
book has been well worth a read. Those who enjoy romance, mystery,
action with a tough of humor are in for a treat with this series.
Highly recommend this YA series!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I just love steampunk. I can't get enough of the genre, and Kady Cross is a master of the gadgetry and the atmosphere that makes it so wonderful. I loved The Girl in the Steel Corset (I've read it three times), so I was ridiculously excited to get this one and it did not in any way whatsoever disappoint.
All of the characters from the first book were as wonderful as ever, and it was so much fun to see more of Jasper. Finley gets to let her wild side out, Griffin gets to work a little bit of romance on her... ;) You also get to meet some marvelous new characters from Jasper's past. The lovely, endangered Mei who carries a bad attitude and many secrets.Wildcat, whose heart was broken by Jasper (I really, really want to see more of her). Then you've got Whip Kirby, the lawman who may not be entirely what he seems.
The story was fantastic, full of blackmail and intrigue and, of course, it wouldn't be steampunk without a hefty dose of peculiar gadgets. These books make me happy. :)
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.p3pp3rp0t
Posted July 23, 2012
Isn't It Grand? 4.25stars
I liked this installment more than the last. Possibly because now I know that it’s the (Steam)Punk-Men instead of just Finley or maybe because this story picks up immediately after and I was enjoying that storyline. Whatever the reason this entry of Finley and her pals find them crossing the pond on a mission to save Jasper.
Cynic that I am, some of the elements seemed telegraphed – but I am a cynic. Either way it did not stop the enjoyment of this fast paced read. The characters were so well defined they were visual, they stayed true to the established character traits and the storyline framed well against their strengths. There was a promise of more to come but I appreciated not being left with a bold cliffhanger. One thing that really got under my skin was the transition. It was rattling that as we switched from character POV to character POV there was no break or signal. The first few times I thought something was wrong with my copy.
I don’t think you’d be too badly off if this series isn’t read in strict order but it would make more sense and you would be able to see a lot of growth in the characters. As a stand-alone this book could work if hard pressed but would present difficulty in a couple of places
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Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Perfect Blend of Fantasy, Action, Romance & History
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Angie
I have never read a “steampunk” novel and truthfully I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. To be honest, I was a little surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It took a few chapters for me to suspend my conventional understanding of the Victorian era and accept the strange machinery and fantasy in this ‘alternate universe.’ What struck me first was the excellent writing in the book. The characters are well developed and the relationships between them are deep and thorough.
I enjoyed seeing Finley’s struggle to be the powerful woman she wants to be with the more delicate intricacies of a girl in love.
I didn’t have the benefit of reading the first book in the series before reading this one (something I’ve NEVER done) so I felt a little at a disadvantage. Cross adequately explained events in the first book throughout the story so that, although I hadn’t read it for myself, I felt as if I understood the gist of what was going on. I loved that she included factual characters, places, and events to provide more realism to the story.
This story had a perfect blend of fantasy, action, romance and history. I LOVED it and I look forward to exploring the steampunk world a little deeper.
This review and more at openbooksociety dot com
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Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Novelsontherun
Posted July 7, 2012
This book was a whole pile of kick ass Finley. The girl has summoned her inner fight club self and taken to the streets of New York in her endeavour to go undercover and get Jasper out of his pickle he has got himself in. Finley eventually winds up under the roof of Dalton , the villain of the story, proving herself the bad girl, ready to ride with his gang, whilst hatching a plan with Griffin and the crew to get Jasper out from Dalton’s clutches.
Mei...errrr....Xing...yes ! That put a stop to me throwing that name around in my head on how to pronounce it. Amazing...get it...bahhahahaaa!!
Anyhoo this innocent looking young asian lovely ( yes ,she is the covergirl) , is the reason Jasper will not leave the clutches of Dalton. He is being rather chivalrous in his endeavour to keep her safe, even though that darn clockwork collar is causing a spanner in the works.
Mei ...errr...Xing and Jasper have a bit of history. Jasper, we thought he was falling for young Emily in the first book , that seems to have gone a float like a dirigible. ( an airship or dirigible is a type of aerostat or "lighter-than-air aircraft" that can be steered and propelled through the air using rudders and propellers or other thrust mechanisms) Yes, I have learnt some big words since embarking on my love of Steampunk genre.
For that matter, the Emily and Sam type courting thing from the first book seems to have turned into a dirigible too.
Kady has kept us entertained in this instalment while I was looking under all things for Jack....my dark Dandy where are you? I realise this is a ploy for Finley to spend time with Griffin, for the reader to get comfy with Griffin and Finley, and for the next instalment to throw us about when Jack reappears. I am thinking aloud here.....hehe! Or hoping and wishing.
I must admit I missed Jack terribly. Dalton was no match for Finley’s feelings and not a good sparring match for Griffin and his affections for Finley. Sure Dalton was all things villain and murderous and gang leader and after power..... but, my Jack, who we were left rather unsure of how dark he really was at the end of The Girl In The Steel Corset was nowhere....*pout*
Reno Dalton’s character is kind of leeching that dark side out of Finley, bringing it more to the surface. She quite appears to be enjoying herself playing the part of a would be gang member.
I love how fast paced this story is. Kady really lets us visually see Finley in our mind all dressed in her attire fighting away and being kind of scary. She does show some weakness and some femininity but she has become a force to be reckoned with. I am not sure how I feel about this? I like a woman who can handle herself...but.......
Griffin is going through some discovery himself. He is still this guy that would make me swoon...if I was a swooner. I am still trying to figure out how the emotions changed in this book between Emily and Sam, and Jasper and Emily, and Griffin and Finley. They are still there but.......
Finley and Griffin are still verbally sparring, but there is a slight shift. Finley is strong and making her own calls in this book. Griffin is having trouble keeping up with her where-a-bouts.
Is it just me, or does everybody else forget that Finley is only sixteen?
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Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.jwitt33
Posted June 20, 2012
When I read The Girl in the Steel Corset I loved it so much I was a bit nervous about reading The Girl in the Clockwork Collar because the second book in a series is rarely as good as the first book. I am very, very happy to say that I was wrong to be nervous!! I absolutely LOVED this book! I was also a bit nervous about changing the setting from England to the US as I was afraid this move might change the group's dynamics, but again ... totally wrong! It worked wonderfully!
Finley is finally combining both sides of her personality and is learning how to control her more aggressive side, which was really nice to see and very well done. All of the characters stayed true to themselves, even though they were in a very strange location for them. In England Griffin was a big deal because of his title and could do pretty much anything he wanted and get away with it, but in the US, especially during that time period, things were completely different, so the group has to be extra sneaky to get away with anything, which was a lot of fun for me as the reader! We got to know Jasper Renn better, which was a definite plus, and all of the characters had their own moments to shine, just as they did in The Girl in the Steel Corset.
In summary, I completely and totally loved this installment in the Steampunk Chronicles, which is fast becoming one of my favorite series, and I will be waiting anxiously for the next book to come out! Hurry Kady! I'm on the edge of my seat here! I wholeheartedly recommend this book for all fans of steampunk:D
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Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 9, 2012
Awesome second book....! Kady Cross its one of the best new writter out there now!
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Posted June 4, 2012
There were so many different things going on in the book it never got boring. I kept reading till i had read the whole book cover to cover.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This interesting group of friends travels abroad to America and continue to be intriguing even in the new setting. The story doesn’t take long to jump into the action and I was swept up into the events immediately. There are plenty of fights and touches of romance that weave their way in and out of the tale.
While most of the story features Jasper being apart from the rest of the gang, he’s still pulled into the story when Finley comes to help him. There are new characters introduced, but none of them fill the void left by Jack Dandy. While I realize the story wouldn’t have worked with his inclusion as they left London, and there were a number of mentions of him, it wasn’t enough to fully satisfy my need of Jack. He was the most wonderfully complex character in the first book and I hope he returns for more.
The new bad guy in this book wasn’t as despicable as he could have been and not enough time was spent building up the hate I should have felt for his character. I felt as if Jasper or Finley should have been able to brush him aside at any time. Mei, the girl in the clockwork collar, had more to her than he did…actually she was a pretty kick butt kind of character.
Seeing a number of Jasper’s old acquaintances and learning more of his background was charming and made me like Jasper even more. Maybe Kady Cross will give Jack Dandy the same treatment in the future. I can hope!
Reviewed by Jessica for Book Sake.
Overview
In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling—or dangerous
Finley Jayne and her "straynge band of mysfits" have journeyed from London to America to rescue their friend Jasper from the clutches of a devious criminal 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.
From the rough ...