Review: The Girl in the Steel Corset

The Girl in the Steel Corset

By Kady Cross

Publication date: May 24, 2011

My review:

There is something different about Finley Jayne. It is more than her inability to hold on to a job or her attitude. Her latest job as a maid to the August-Raynes family comes to an abrupt end when their son Felix tries to take advantage of her. Finley fights back spectacularly with inhuman strength and runs off into the night, certain she'd be arrested otherwise. What is this monster lurking inside her that breaks free when she is angry or in danger? She can hear its dark thoughts and knows they are not her own. Thankfully for Finley, she runs into Griffin King, the young Duke of Greythorne. If there is anyone who can help her find the answers she seeks about herself, it is Griffin. Like Griffin, Emily and Sam, the other members of his household, have special abilities such as the ability to heal quickly and supernatural strength. Finley fits in with Griffin's makeshift family though Sam does not trust her. Griffin has enough to worry about with mysterious thefts and the British government hounding him for answers. With a powerful automaton wreaking havoc and the appearance of a sinister enemy, Griffin must discover the truth about his family and Finley Jayne before it is too late.

The Girl in the Steel Corset is an entertaining steampunk novel set in an alternate Victorian London. Finley Jayne is not always a likeable character. She can be kind and she can also be a rebellious "bad girl". There is a reason behind this that is explored in the story and most of the time I did like her. Sam on the other hand really got on my nerves. He has an excuse for being mistrustful but he makes some really dumb mistakes and hurts his friends in the process. Griffin is a good hero but he lacks the charisma that his foil Jack Dandy has in spades. Jack Dandy reminded me of what Jack Sparrow would have been like if he was the educated but illegitimate son of a gentleman. He is a criminal with a heart of gold.  Jack certainly brought some fun to the story and I can see why a part of Finley was drawn to him. Sadly this does lead to a slight love triangle but to me it is clear which person she will choose in the end. The other main character is the villain, The Machinist, and I thought this character was suitably slightly mad but not as intelligent as someone like Moriarty or as frightening as Lord Voldemort.

Steampunk novels usually incorporate technology into the story and here there are unusual gadgets such as velocycles, automatons, and the Aether engine. There are also the Organites, life-giving creatures found in the Cradle of Life that promote healing and give off energy. I've only read a few steampunk books but they also did not go in-depth into the workings of the technology. Instead the gadgets were used as plot devices but I didn't mind that very much. I thought the Organites were interesting and I look forward to learning more about them in the next book.

The Girl in the Steel Corset is a decent first effort though some of the characters could be annoying. I do think that the characters will improve as the series goes on and there were signs of this by the end of the first book. If you like light steampunk (it is more of a Victorian mystery with steampunk elements) then you might enjoy The Girl in the Steel Corset.

Readalikes: The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede, The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman (writing style is different but similar feel with the gadgets and "Dust"),  Fire by Kristin Cashore (Fire's struggle with the monster aspect of her personality reminds me of Finley's similar problems)

In My Mailbox (57)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to share what books you received for review, purchased, or checked out from the library during the past week.

For review:

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa

I was going to give up on this series until I read The Iron Queen. I thought that book was so much better than its predecessors that it redeemed the series for me and I've decided to give this one a try. 

Vanish by Sophie Jordan

I am a fan of Firelight so I was thrilled to see Vanished on offer from NetGalley. I hope it will be as good as the first book.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

I hadn't heard of this one but found it when I was browsing the NetGalley catalog. I am intrigued by it and the comparison to Graceling.

Forever by Maggie Stiefvater

I received this one courtesy of I Read Banned Books as part of an ARC tour. I have to admit that I am quite disappointed by Forever so far. I have gotten to the point where I no longer care what happens to the characters, even Grace and Sam. Maybe they'll get eaten by water horses...

Purchased:

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

I couldn't resist getting my own copy of this one. Last year when I read The Red Pyramid I kept thinking that I should buy it because it is the kind of book I'd reread and enjoy. When I started reading the library book I enjoyed it so much that I decided to get the Kindle version. Now I have to buy The Red Pyramid-but I will make myself wait a few months. I've been spending too much on books lately!

From the library:

Trial By Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I only read Raised By Wolves a few months ago. I saw it on a display shelf at the library and decided to give it a try. I'm really glad I did because it was a well written werewolf paranormal and I am excited to read the sequel. I am cutting back on the number of paranormal series I read but I think this is one I will keep up with.

Overbite by Meg Cabot

I am curious about Overbite. I liked Insatiable with some reservations and there is a development I thought had happened in Insatiable that I was wrong about. Will I still like Overbite? I am not sure. What do you do when you want the heroine to end up with the other guy because her love interest is a jerk? At least the books are funny...

Review: Divergent

Divergent

By Veronica Roth

Publication date: May 3, 2011

My review:

Sixteen year old Beatrice Prior is about to make the biggest decision of her life so far-which faction she will belong to. In futuristic Chicago, the city is divided into five factions that value a single virtue: Abnegation (selflessness), Erudite (knowledge), Candor (truth), Amity (peace), and Dauntless (courage). The factions were created in an attempt to prevent future wars. A test determines the factions that the initiates can choose from. Beatrice's family belongs to the Abnegation faction and her dad is one of its leaders. It should be easy for her to make her choice but it isn't. She has never felt selfless enough to belong there but if she doesn't pick Abnegation, she'll have to leave her family for good. Her choice is only the beginning-there is a difficult initiation to get through and those that don't make it into the top ten will be Factionless, cut apart from society. The day of her test brings complications that could prove dangerous for Tris. On top of that, there is animosity building between some of the factions and war may be on the horizon.

What makes Divergent stand out from the crowd of YA dystopian fiction is the conflicted heroine Tris. Veronica Roth could have easily made her a super strong character like Katniss Everdeen of The Hunger Games but instead Tris is not very strong physically and quite realistically unsure of herself and the decision she makes. She is torn between what is expected of her as Abegnation and the kind of person she is on the inside. Tris has a lot to learn about the world she lives in and what she is capable of. I think Tris's weaknesses and struggles make her a more relatable character.

Tris's Chicago is divided into factions because it is supposed to be better for society, a way to eliminate what causes people to harm each other. The system has been in place for years and people thought it worked but Tris can see the cracks in the infrastructure. This is the kind of dystopian world seen in The Giver or Matched-people have accepted a certain way of life and its rules and regulations because they buy into the belief that it is what is best for them. The factions were created with a noble intent but greed, corruption, and complacency have caused people to lose sight of the original aims. Dauntless used to be about bravery and protecting people but now it has become a faction of cruelty. Erudite's search for knowledge and desire for intelligence has been turned into a hunger for power. Even Abnegation which is supposed to be all about selflessness and helping others has become a Puritanical group which controls its members with guilt. 

There are deeper themes that are explored in the novel but Divergent is also filled with action and violence. There is a bit of romance as well between Tris and her mentor Four but I was glad it didn't overshadow the plot and there was no love triangle. For all its many positive attributes, I had some minor issues with the book. I didn't quite buy the reasoning behind why people went along with dividing into factions or believed that members of Candor wouldn't lie for example (they can lie just like members of Abnegation can be selfish). It just seems really naive of that society. I had some questions that went unanswered and I think the back story of why the factions exist could have been more developed but perhaps that will come in the sequel, Insurgent. Overall I thought Divergent was a well written page turner that would please fans of The Hunger Games trilogy and Delirium by Lauren Oliver. It is certainly my favorite book of 2011 so far.

Readalikes: The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, Delirium by Lauren Oliver, Across the Universe by Beth Revis, Matched by Ally Condie

Waiting on Wednesday (61)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme to discuss upcoming books we can't wait to get our hands on. Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week, I'm waiting on:

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Publication date: February 2012

I can't wait to read this one because I loved Delirium and what an ending! I am definitely going to be picking this up when it is published (or maybe I'll luck out and get my hands on an ARC). I chose to hide the description because it has major spoilers for Delirium. 

Synopsis from Goodreads (if you've read Delirium or just want to be spoiled, highlight and read):

Lauren Oliver captivated readers with Delirium, the first book in a thrilling dystopian trilogy in which Lena Haloway dared to fall in love with Alex and escape the cure, the government-mandated procedure that renders a person immune to the disease of love. Lena and Alex staked their lives on leaving their oppressive society, but only Lena broke free.

Pandemonium continues Lena’s gripping story. After escaping from Portland, Maine, Lena makes it to the Wilds and becomes part of an Invalid community, where she transforms herself into a warrior for the resistance. A future without Alex is unimaginable, but Lena pushes forward and fights, both for him and for a world in which love is no longer considered a disease. Swept up in a volatile mix of revolutionaries and counterinsurgents, Lena struggles to survive—and wonders if she may be falling in love again.

Full of danger, forbidden romance, and exquisite writing, Lauren Oliver’s sequel to Delirium races forward at a breathtaking pace and is sure to appeal to fans who crave the high-stakes action of The Hunger Games and the bittersweet love story of Romeo & Juliet.

What are you waiting on this week?

Top Ten Authors I'm Dying to Meet

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. There is a new subject each week and this week's topic is "Top Ten Authors I'm Dying to Meet".


I've never met a famous author before or even just an author I really admire. I have a feeling that if I did, I'd be tongue-tied (especially with the first three authors on my list!). Still, here are some authors I am dying to meet:

1. J.K. Rowling


I would love to meet J.K. Rowling but if I did I have a feeling I would not be able to utter a coherent sentence. Or I would go all fangirl and shriek about how much I love her books, how they've changed my life, will she write more about the world of HP, etc. and annoy her. Probably a good thing that I won't be meeting her any time soon...

2. Gail Carriger


I was so disappointed that I wasn't able to go to ALA this year and even more disappointed because I knew that Gail Carriger was going to be there! Of course if I had the opportunity to meet her, I'd likely sound like a blithering idiot. If an author is witty enough to create a character like Alexia Tarabotti, she is likely really intelligent, fashionable, and bitingly funny herself. If I did meet Gail, I'd hopefully be able to thank her for introducing the world to such fun characters and making me give steampunk another chance.

3. Rick Riordan


I have heard that Rick Riordan is funny in real life and his books certainly suggest that. I always find myself laughing out loud when I read-even the chapter names amuse me. I'd like to meet this creative and funny writer who sneaks educational stuff into his entertaining books. I know I'd act like an idiotic fangirl if I met him but I'd love to hear him discuss his books and research. Oh and I'd ask him if he can give us any hints about The Son of Neptune or if he will ever write a series about Hindu gods or Norse mythology.

4. Deanna Raybourn


I am a recent devotee of the Lady Julia Gray mysteries but I'd be delighted to meet Deanna Raybourn. Even if I guess who the killer is there are always unexpected twists and her main characters Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane are so much fun to read about. So are the eccentric members of the March family! I don't know what I'd ask her if I met her but I bet she'd have interesting things to say.

5. Ally Carter


I want to meet Ally Carter because her books are so much fun and from reading her blog and her tweets I have a feeling she has a great sense of humor too. I'd want to ask her how she does her research for her books, especially the Gallagher Girls series. 

6. Veronica Roth


I was blown away by Divergent when I read it recently and I'd love to meet Veronica Roth before she becomes as famous as Suzanne Collins or J.K. Rowling. I'd ask her which faction she'd choose and see if she'd share any tidbits of what to expect from Insurgent.

7.  Maggie Stiefvater


Maggie Stiefvater is such a creative and talented author, artist, and musician. Truthfully her next series kind of creeps me out but it sounds fascinating and will probably be just as good as The Wolves of Mercy Falls. If I met her, I'd just thank her for writing such beautiful books.




8. Sophie Kinsella/Madeleine Wickham 


I love the Becky Bloomwood books and not just because Becky reminds me a little of my former shopaholic sister. They aren't literary or groundbreaking but they are fun books that epitomize "beach read". Anyone who can write such a fun character like Becky is someone I'd like to meet. I'd ask Sophie/Madeleine if she plans to keep writing Becky Bloomwood books and if Becky will ever be "cured" of her shopping addiction.

9. Cassandra Clare


 In spite of my disappointment with City of Fallen Angels I am still a huge fan of The Mortal Instruments. I am also excited to read Clockwork Prince. I would love to meet Cassandra Clare to tell her how much I adore the fictional world she has created and its characters. I also love the humor in her books. I'm glad the first book is being made into a movie though not sure if Hollywood will get it right...

10. Julia Quinn


I am a new fan of Julia Quinn. I never thought that I'd be a fan of mainstream historical romance but I make an exception for her writing because it is so funny and I like her characters. I also like that there is usually an entertaining plot (in the three books I've read anyway). If I met her, I'd ask her if she (or her fictional character who wrote it) will ever publish Miss Butterworth and the Mad Baron.

11. Cindy Pon


Silver Phoenix and Fury of the Phoenix are two of my favorite fantasy books. If I met Cindy, I'd thank her for writing such fantastic stories featuring a POC heroine. I'd ask her what kind of book she is working on next. I also admire Cindy for her work with Diversity in YA (along with Malinda Lo and other authors).

12. John Granger "The Hogwarts Professor"


You may not have heard of John Granger before but he is a Harry Potter expert who has written several books on the symbolism and deeper meaning in the books. I read Looking For God in Harry Potter (an excellent book on the religious significance/themes of the Harry Potter books and why they are not evil) and it really increased my appreciation for J.K. Rowling's writing and research she put into the books.  I also had the opportunity to participate in an online book discussion of Half Blood Prince that he moderated. Most interesting is that someone guessed correctly a lot of the secrets from Deathly Hallows (Snape's connection to Lily, Horcrux Harry, the theory of Dumbledore's "stoppered death"). It made me wonder if it was J.K. Rowling herself posting in disguise! Anyway, I digress. If I met John Granger, I'd thank him for his illuminating books. 

13. Diana Gabaldon

I have not yet caught up on the series but I loved Outlander. It is set in Scotland, involves history, romance, and time travel, and I love the characters of Jamie and Claire. The book is detailed and a lot goes on but I thought it was fantastic. It isn't for everyone (there are some explicit and rather violent parts) and it is incredibly long-I read it as an e-book which saved my poor wrists. I would love to meet Diana Gabaldon to learn more about the series and the research involved in writing the books. I think she'd have a lot of fascinating things to say!

Other authors I'd be delighted to meet (but didn't feel like writing in depth about why I'd love to meet them):

Sarah Dessen

Lauren Oliver

Alison Goodman

Y.S. Lee

So that is my list though truthfully there are several more authors I'd love to meet. 

Did any of these authors make your list?

Teaser Tuesdays (57)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly meme hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read 

Open to a random page 

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page 

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) 

Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teasers this week:

"People clogged the streets, gawking up at the blazing rooftops. Helicopters circled with searchlights. If that wasn't exciting enough, my brother was wrangling a griffin, trying to untie a fishing boat from around its neck and keep the beast from eating our trainees." p. 31

"My mind was just beginning to process a thought-I am in danger-when the front door slammed shut behind me. I spun, grabbing for my wand, which I didn't have. Above me, at the top of the dark stairwell, a voice that was definitely not human hissed, 'Welcome home, Sadie Kane.'" p.67

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

Two things I've come to expect from Rick Riordan's books: adventure and laugh out loud humor. Both are definitely present in The Throne of Fire!

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister Sadie have been in trouble. As descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command, but the devious gods haven't given them much time to master their skills at Brooklyn House, which has become a training ground for young magicians.

And now their most threatening enemy yet - the chaos snake Apophis - is rising. If they don't prevent him from breaking free in a few days' time, the world will come to an end. In other words, it's a typical week for the Kane family.

To have any chance of battling the Forces of Chaos, the Kanes must revive the sun god Ra. But that would be a feat more powerful than any magician has ever accomplished.

First they have to search the world for the three sections of the Book of Ra, then they have to learn how to chant its spells. Oh, and did we mention that no one knows where Ra is exactly?

Narrated in two different wisecracking voices, featuring a large cast of new and unforgettable characters, and with adventures spanning the globe, this second installment in the Kane Chronicles is nothing short of a thrill ride.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading (71)

It's Monday What Are You Reading? is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. I always enjoy seeing what other people have read and reviewed over the past week. It is also a great way to find new books to add to that ever-growing TBR list!


I am not sure what I feel like reading this week yet. I do have some library books I need to get to (don't I always?) but I have to be in the right mood. I am feeling a little blah at the moment so I want to read some entertaining or absorbing books. One good thing coming up soon: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part Two. Will you be going to the theater to see it this week?

Books read:

Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger

I thought this was a really good book and I'm glad I finally read it. Sam is a great character and I liked learning about the Sikh religion and way of life. I think the book covered important topics without being preachy.

The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn

This may be my favorite book in the series so far. I liked that we get to know even more about Brisbane and his past and some interesting new characters/developments are introduced too.

Books reviewed:

The Violets of March by Sarah Jio

Currently reading:

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

I've only read a few chapters so far but I am enjoying this sequel to The Red Pyramid. It certainly makes me laugh and it is entertaining. I hope I'll learn some more about Egyptian mythology too!

What I might read next:

The Girl in the Garden by Kamala Nair

I was drawn to this book by the cover and the name of the author (Kamala is my mom's name too). I have started reading it already and it is good so far but then my library copy of The Throne of Fire arrived so I set this aside. I look forward to digging back in to the story soon.

Heartless by Gail Carriger

I have this one on my Kindle. I know that Heartless will be a fun story and I will hopefully get to it this week.

Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

I really liked the first book, Once a Witch, when I read it last year. I hope I will like the sequel too.

Ruby Red by Kersten Gier

I am excited to finally read this. I like the time travel theme and the premise of Ruby Red reminds me of Once a Witch.

This is what I'm planning to read this week (subject to change according to my whims). 

What does your reading week look like?

In My Mailbox (56)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren to share what books you received for review, purchased, or checked out from the library during the past week.

For review:

Tris and Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison

I have read some of Mette Ivie Harrison's other books (The Princess and the Hound, The Princess and the Bear) an this one is different from her usual magical fantasy. I am only familiar with the story of Tristan and Isolde from the film so I have no idea how accurate my knowledge is. I hopefully will like this modern retelling anyway!

Always a Witch by Carolyn McCullough

Once a Witch was the first Kindle e-book I bought (and read on my iPhone) and I was pleasantly surprised by it. I was thrilled to receive a copy of the sequel for review from Amazon Vine.

The Girl in the Garden by Kamala Nair

I wanted to read this book because it is set in India and it is partly inspired by The Secret Garden, a childhood favorite of mine. I've heard really good things about it. 

Purchased:

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

I liked Heist Society though I prefer the Gallagher Girls series to this one. I bought Uncommon Criminals so I can donate it to my library after I finish with it.

Heartless by Gail Carriger

Anyone who has been reading this blog for awhile knows of my love for the Parasol Protectorate series but this is the first book in the series that I've purchased. I am sure it will live up to the rest and I can't wait to read it.

Jazz in Love by Neesha Meminger

I have been wanting to read this ever since I read a review of it on Reading in Color. I also got Shine, Coconut Moon from the library recently (and loved it!). This is another book that I plan to donate to my library eventually.

Won:

Ruby Red by Kersten Gier

I won this in a giveaway at The Little Bookworm. I am excited to give it a try. The premise reminds me a little of Once a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough.

From the library:

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

I am excited to finally read this one though I kind of wish it was Son of Neptune instead. I liked The Red Pyramid and look forward to learning more Egyptian mythology and laughing out loud while I read.

Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger

I've already finished this one and I thought it was fantastic! It is set in 2001 and early 2002 in the weeks and months following September 11th. With the ten year anniversary looming I thought it was the perfect time to pick up this moving story about racism, family, and personal/cultural identity.

Miss New India by Bharati Mukherjee

The title makes this look like it is a book about a beauty pageant contestant (it is not) but I think this story sounds really interesting. I like that it is about a young woman breaking away from the traditional mold of what is expected for her and finding her own way. 

The Summer We Came to Life by Deborah Cloyed

This sounds like a really sad story so I am not sure if I will read it at this time. I do like that it is set in Honduras and is about friendships.