Review: The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


Source: Publisher via Netgalley


Synopsis from Goodreads:
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.

Book 2 in the Steampunk Chronicles
I absolutely adored the first book in this series The Girl in the Steel Corset (read my review of it here) and Kady Cross has done it again with The Girl in the Clockwork Collar. These books are just so much fun! I think I have a grin on my face the whole time I am reading it- it's quirky and endearing and just so cool! I want to live in this steampunk work she has created!

Griffin, Finley and the gang, have dashed off to New York city to rescue their friend Jasper, who is being held by a gangster and who is holding him there by keeping as hostage Jasper's ex-girlfriend Mei, and threatening her with a un-removable clockwork collar. This will tighten if she tries to escape, or if either she or Jasper don't do as they're told. All throughout there is a threat of danger, of not knowing who can be trusted, and all sorts of clues and revelations.

I just love Griffin and Finley together. Their relationship is a constant backwards and forwards where they obviously both really like each other, but neither one is going to do anything about it.  I like that he will tell her to stay put and stay safe, and she will go off and do the exact opposite! They are written as teenagers- Finley is sixteen and Griffin is eighteen- but they come across as so much older and more worldly experienced.

I did miss the roguish Jack Dandy from the first book in this sequel. I like that he acts all dangerous, but is really a gentleman to Finley. His only appearance in this book is to send Finley flowers and really wind up Griffin! But I adore the other charatcers- smart scientist Emily, and gruff Sam, and there is a real bond of camaraderie between these main four characters that I enjoyed.

I cannot get enough of the amazing mechanical/ steampunk/ Victorian world that they live in- really, I really do want to live there! This book is exciting, sweet and cleverly brilliant, with a hint of magic, a hint of danger and a dash of romance. The characters are like Victorian era superheroes, and I love the unexpected twists and turns in the plot, that kept me glued to my book. Steampunk-tastic! Next one please!

Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for my review copy.