The Girl In The Steel Corset (The Steampunk Chronicles #1)

Novel, Kady Cross

Young Adult

There are two sides to Finley Jayne's personality. One is sweet and meek, like a good Victorian girl shoudl be. The other is fast and strong and enjoys violence. It is this part that protects her when her employer's son tries to force his unwanted attentions on her. Terrified of what will happen to her for hurting a rich and important young man, Finley flees. Which is the best thing that could have happened to her. Knocked down Duke Griffin King's velocycle, she soon finds herself part of his team...

The Girl in the Steel Corset was enjoyable and difficult to put down. It has good pacing and action, strong female characters that are likeable and somewhat relatable, and smouldering young men who make you weak at the knees.

Finley is a great character because she is not passive. She doesn't just let things happen to her, she fights back. I like proactive heroines who don't just wait around for men to rescue them. I also love Emily who is an inventor, wonderfully intelligent and very spunky.

I also enjoyed the references to Jekyll and Hyde, A Journey to the Centre of the Earth and the descriptions of the Aether. I've always loved Victorian mysteries and horror stories, and science fiction of the past, such as HG Wells. I enjoyed the loving friendship between Griff and Sam, it's nice to see a friendship like that portrayed between men.

I enjoyed this book completely, it had all the elements I love: A Victorian setting but with strong, modern, intelligent women who can take care of themselves; supernatural/ mystical elements (the Aether) and cool technology.