Book Review

Review: The Girl in the Clockwork Collar

Goodreads synopsis: In New York City, 1897, life has never been more thrilling – or dangerous.
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.

Oh how I love Finley Jayne. This installment of Kady Cross’s Steampunk Chronicles sees our intrepid hero adventuring in New York City in an attempt to free the cowboy-esque Jasper from Dalton, resident bad-boy. Unlike the dangerous yet alluring Jack Dandy, Dalton is a wildly unlikable character, though he is devilishly handsome. While Jack does not appear in this episode aside from a few passing comments, Griffin, Sam, and Emily are along for the adventure.

Jasper has been taken hostage by the nefarious Dalton, who wants his mysterious device returned to him. He is holding Mei, the love of Jasper’s life, hostage as collateral. Mei is collared by a necklace of gears that Jasper can control, one misstep could be asphyxiation by accessory. Despite Mei’s predicament, Finley has a hard time sympathizing with the girl, and this allows for some great snarky commentary.

“Mei Xing? As in a-mazing? Poor girl getting stuck with such an unfortunate name. Or perhaps she thought it was cute,” Finley muses upon being introduced to Dalton’s hostage. 

Is it romance you are looking for? There is plenty of that. Sam and Emily’s relationship continues to evolve as Griffin and Finley continue to dance around their feelings. There is enough romantic tension to keep things interesting, without becoming tedious.

Perhaps adventure is more your style? Of course there are many bold undertakings to keep readers turning pages. From carriage chases to heists, break-ins to fist fights, Finley and her crew find themselves in a good bit of trouble from the moment they arrive in the glittery city of New Amsterdam.

In short, Kady Cross has heaped upon us another serving of Steampunk goodness guaranteed to entertain and leave readers asking for more.

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