The Girl in the Clockwork Collar
The Steampunk Chronicles, Book #2
By Kady Cross
ISBN# 9780373210534 
Author’s Website: http://www.kadycross.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Angie

Synopsis:

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.

From the rough streets of lower Manhattan to elegant Fifth Avenue, the motley crew of teens with supernatural abilities is on Jasper’s elusive trail. And they’re about to discover how far they’ll go for friendship.

More than ever, Finley Jayne will 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. Sam, more machine than man, finds his moody heart tested by Irish lass Emily—whose own special abilities are no match for the darkness she discovers on the streets.

Now, to help those she’s come to care for so deeply, Finley Jayne must infiltrate a criminal gang. Only problem is, she might like the dark side a little too much….(Barnes & Noble)

Review:

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.