Author: Kady Cross
Publisher/Year: Harlequin Teen / 2011
Date Finished: 31 May 2011
Source/Format: B&N / ebook
Buy | Borrow | Accept | Avoid
Challenges: Steampunk Challenge, Gothic Reading,
The Short and Sweet of It
When a governess hits a child, Finley Jayne reacts. A normal girl may have shouted or drug the child away. Finley is not a normal girl; she punches the governess straight in the mouth. Fired and back at home, she worries what will happen to her, but then Lady Morton offers her a job as a companion to her daughter Phoebe. Finley is suspicious at first, and soon it seems like she may have been hired because she is not normal.
A Bit of a Ramble
I have Cross' The Girl in the Steel Corset on my nook, waiting to be read; but Rachel over at Fiktshun suggested I read The Strange Case of Finley Jayne first. I had never even heard of the novella; thank heavens for book bloggers! The novella introduces readers to the protagonist of The Steampunk Chronicles and functions as a prequel to The Girl in the Steel Corset.
The story in SCoFJ is fast-paced, complex enough to hold my interest but simple enough to satisfyingly wrap up in 78 short pages. The characterization of Finley and the steampunkish gadgetry has me excited to read the full-length novel. Finley is one tough cookie, and I am interested to discover how she came to possess her particular fighting skills.
I've heard the Steampunk Chronicles features a love triangle, and I must admit that I am not excited at all, at all for that. I am rather bored and frustrated with the two boys-one girl love triangle. I am hopeful, however, that the action and the setting will overcome the boy-girl-boy drama.
Question: Is anyone else sick of the love triangle?
I hope your next read of this genre lives upto your expectations. I haven't read anything from this genre so far though.
ReplyDeleteI have not yet read any steampunk, so I definitely have to do that. I don't know how I feel about being sick of the triangle since there are only so many plots in the world. But I do think a creative author can make an old used plot device more interesting.
ReplyDeleteI have read very little steampunk, but am excited by the genre as a whole. I want to dip into it more extensively at some point. And to answer your question, yes, I am sort of tied of the love triangle plot device. It seems to be more prevalent in YA, but I have come across it in some adult novels as well. This sounds like a great novella, and like something that I should check out. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI'm a little sick of the love triangle too -- it's possible to make it a non-lame plot device, but frankly it tends to make me think the girls are wishy-washy. Pick a side, girls!
ReplyDeleteMysteriousbooks was kind enough to bestow upon me the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award, and I'd love to show my appreciation by passing it on to you.
ReplyDeleteI know we don't all collect awards, but if that's the case I'll still take the opportunity to say 'thanks' for such a lovely blog, and to wish you a wonderful weekend. :)
It caught my eye that this is from Harlequin Teen. Harlequin????? like the romance Harlequin???? This is not the Harlequin I remember!
ReplyDeleteI know you've already seen that I closed down The Zen Leaf but I didn't know if you saw I'm moving the 52-52-52 Challenge to my Tumblr account? I'm touching base with all the participants to let them know. :)
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize this was a prequel -- I think I passed up on a free copy recently -- but I have GitSC in my review queue.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be more prevalent in YA, but I have come across it in some adult novels as well. This sounds like a great novella, and like something that I should check out.
ReplyDeleteI just read your review of The Girl in the Steel Corset before I scrolled down and I was a little dismayed that I just downloaded Finley Jayne and may be reading out of order. Now I can be relieved that I may be better off reading this one first. I have never read any steampunk. I am looking forward to checking it out. :)
ReplyDelete-jehara