The Girl in the Steel Corset (Steampunk Chronicles Book 1) by Kady Cross

About

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 in—until 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

My Thoughts
I really liked this book. It definitely drew me in from the very beginning. Finley is an extremely strong girl. Like unusually strong. And she has black outs. It’s interesting because she knows there’s a darkness inside that she could easily give in to but she doesn’t want to. She fights so hard not to give in but sometimes it’s so hard and her dark side comes out. It’s amazing how strong she is not only physically but mentally. If I thought I was a monster I would not be so inclined to be a ‘good’ person like her. I would give in..because being bad feels good. Finley is a good person when you get right down to it. Yes, she has the darkness but you see how hard she tries to not let it control her. I also really like her name Finley Jayne. That’s such a great name! Maybe it’s because I’m pregnant but that would be such a cool, badass name.

I like Griffin King too. But there’s something about Jack Dandy that makes me kind of wish she would be with him. But I guess the story wouldn’t work out the same if she chose Jack over Griffin. Don’t get me wrong, Griffin is swoon-worthy but like I said, being bad, bad boys…I mean there’s just something about it. Especially in books. I loved Jack’s character because he’s real. He tells it like it is, he looks out for numero uno, and he’s funny. But more than all that, he’s loyal even though he’s a high time thief, he’s loyal to Finley.

I think my main problem with Griffin is that he won’t acknowledge the fact that he’s in love with Finley. Like straight away that was obvious and I’m just all, KISS HER!! But he doesn’t. Men. He’s also very ‘oh whoa is me’ at times because he’s the Duke and has responsibilities. Like his friends don’t. I mean, STOP IT GRIFFIN. Which is where Finley comes in and tells him like it is. It’s refreshing to see a couple that is honest with each other (even before they are technically a couple). He does have a cool ‘power’. He can use the aether to contact and see spirits. Which would freak me the eff out but you know, it’s cool. He can help calm people and their aura’s. I mean his power is something new to me.

Sam. Oh Sam. I’m pretty much in love with Sam. He’s so stupid though for someone who’s smart, handsome and incredibly strong. He’s a bufoon for trusting someone at a bar who gets him drunk but you know, we all do stupid shit. He’s madly in love with Emily but won’t admit it- which makes me want to smack him. He’s also half machine- which is pretty awesome, although he wouldn’t agree. His fight with Finley that almost kills him makes me a little mad because he’s such an idiot sometimes. But you know, when he’s needed most he pulls through and helps his friends.

Emily is such a sweetheart and SCARY smart. Like it’s crazy how her mind works. But she’s brilliant! She creates all these gadgets and gizmos and knows how to save people’s lives. It’s incredible. She also has what she calls ‘her beasties’ that helps people heal.

“The Beasties” are these organites that help heal and make a person more. It’s because of them that all 4 of the characters are how they are. The 4 are up against someone called The Machinist- a mad scientist who seems to want to take over the world with his creations. He’s crazy, certifiable. They finally come face to face with him, and they over power him…or so they think!

READ THIS BOOK! I swear it’s good. I thought it was a great read and an easy read. You get sucked in. IF I had one critic it’s that some parts get bogged down with info about all the machines and science that goes on- but I can see the need so you can understand how and why it’s around and needed.

Up next on reviews are book 2 and book 3 in this series. I haven’t gotten book 4 yet but don’t worry, I will!

4 out of 5 stars!