Expected publication: May 22nd 2012 by Harlequin
Hardcover, 304 pages
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.
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Posted up!: Advance Review of The Girl In The Clockwork Collar (The Steampunk Chronicles #2) by Kady Cross
[Readers this is a post for those of you who have read The Girl in the Steel Corset and The Girl in the Clockwork Collar for the reason it contains would be spoilers and free talk of opinion of events that happened in those novels. If you're ok, with seeing quite a few spoilers then, read on! If not wait for An Advance Reader Review of The Girl in the Clockwork Collar. Thanks to the e-book copy provided by Netgalley for review.]
In the The Girl In the Clockwork Collar, we got a continuation of The Steampunk Chronicles where there are more alluring but dangerous adventures from Griffin's group of strays with interesting evolutions (abilities-referenced from The Girl In the Clockwork Collar by Emily-). When reading got the sense that new relationships were on the horizon and that more than a few of the characters we love from the The Steampunk Chronicles are looking to what may be in store for their futures and themselves as individuals. Including the emergence of new villains as well as allies. And what's fast becoming obvious an increase in the characters powers connected to Organites and The Aether.
The Story in The Girl In the Clockwork Collar
Jasper knows that though he thought he'd had stopped loving her since he hadn't seen her for a while he's wrong he still loves her.
New Villains/Allies
Dalton is pictured in the novel as a very beautiful man but behind that hides the potential for being very vicious. As soon, as Griffin, Finley, Sam, and Emily find out about Jasper's predicament thanks to the help of a new, mysterious ally in Whip Kirby (some police marshall looking for Jasper too) they try to infiltrate Dalton's gang to which Finley has an easier time doing due to her Jekyll & Hyde dual personality. She can just be herself around Dalton who is on par in aggressive character. Griffin though doesn't like Finley having to be involved in the mess with Dalton because he knows that she likes the exhilaration she gets from doing dangerous and violent acts in situations. Noticing how she is full of joy when she's experiencing that and even when she's with him she's not as full of happiness. Another villain was a malignat ghost encountered in The Aether by Griffin that really believe to be The Machinist. Surely it must be his unrestful spirit.
This is only speculative foreshadowing though. What are your ideas?
Relationships
The Girl In the Clockwork Collar was hugely character-driven. There were minor references that Kady Cross chose to make that very much sent signals as a reader.
- Mei Xing: The girl was someone from Jasper's past that of Jasper 's point of view in the story is told to us was they were romantically involved. As the novel continued though got the sense that for some reason she wasn't the victim. Especially foreshadowed by the way Finley disliked her so far as to call her "cow". Jasper mentions to Mei why there would be problems between her and Finley. After all he himself never disliked her even when he had first met her dual personality and finds it strange that Mei would really not like Finley at all.
- Jasper Renn: Jasper is throughout the novel mistrusted by his English friends and possibly believed to be responsible of cold-blooded murder. It's not believed completely because Griffin and his friends obviously do care for him, so Jasper isn't entirely alone. What is really noticeable in The Girl In the Clockwork Collar is that while he loves Mei. Its also put out in the story that he's very much attracted to Emily. Although while reading noticed something that was interesting. With The Girl In the Clockwork Collar this a lot more of centrally surrounded by Jasper's dilemma , so it didn't come as a surprise when Findley and Jasper had to grow closer with Finley trying to help Jasper and Mei escape Dalton. What was surprising though was that it really appears like Jasper might have feelings -romantic ones- for Finley. Not sure if that's the correct vibe. Although it came to me each time such as when Jasper comments on how she obviously can keep Griffin on his toes (in a look into their romantic involvement). Findley feels that he isn't probably thinking that but he reassures her still. Then again we see Findley mention to Jasper that they can simply dazzle Dalton to surrendering and he is at once surprised by her. And later at a party at The Museum of Science and Invention she notices him as to how good-looking he looks in dressy attire. Is there something here? Which found intriguing for the fact that they both are very similar in personalities such as being outgoing and free-spoken and honestly get along great. Would love to see them together. As readers did you get a similar suspicion too? Or maybe I'm possibly making more to it than it is?
- Griffin King (The Duke of Greythorne): He really doesn't want to lose Findley to her base nature that's becoming quickly and obviously more dominant. In the The Girl In the Clockwork Collar, he mentions if it comes to it he'd have to stop her from doing a murderous act much like her own father modeled after Jekyll & Hyde even if it meant losing her forever. It was so immensely sad to hear that! Truly believe that if they are ever to have a future, Finley and Griffin, it won't last long. Finley's perspective reveals though Griffin and her have a little contentment it feels like it won't last. It's obviously foreshadowed doomed romance between them in The Steampunk Chronicles, right? Really need the next book now!
- Findley Jayne: Finley is very much warming up to her new friends but she is fast becoming aware of her romantic feelings for Griffin. She feels that they could never be really involved because of their differing social circles which is truly sad. There was a lot of arguing from Finley and Griffin this time around. Especially with the fact that Finley is drawn to danger and she doesn't want to like it but she does. This actually revealed to us from Griffin and Finley having one of their few calm conversations. Griffin definitely feels he can never give her the danger some part of her personality craves, so disapproves of her a lot. Finley really is having a hard time trying to sort out her dual personalities connected with Organites from the Earth that have caused evolutions in Griffin, Finley, Sam, and Emily. Finley knows much like Griffin that her dark side is dominant over the light but is willing to fight with herself to try to keep herself in check. That way she can truly find who she is since she doesn't truly know herself yet as an individual (strengths & weaknesses) but hopes to the way she sees in Griffin, which is the reason she finds him so attractive besides being rather pretty to look at. His way being confidence with himself.
Evolutions
Lots of the characters had a hard time keeping there abilities in control. Griffin and Finley the most.
- Griffin King (The Duke of Greythorne): His powers are increasing immensely. With stress over Finley he had times when he couldn't control it. Maybe we'll, get to see more of his powers evolve which if Kady delved into would be very interesting.
- Finley Jayne: Toward the conclusion of the novel, I, felt could possibly have a connection in future novels to The Aether especially when she mentions she felt a disturbance in The Aether when at the exact moment Griffin uses it. And The Organites having worked through her system since birth could possibly mean she has some more abilities to later present.
Many things happened in The Girl In the Clockwork Collar that didn't even breach here but wanted to share thoughts about the novel. Hopefully as readers you came to a similar conclusion.
Will soon have an Advance Reader Review of the The Girl In the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross at the blog. Just wanted to hopefully get some feedback on what everyone thought. This has to be the most emotionally as well as eye-opening Steampunk Young Adult romance novel have read as of right now. There is a giddy excitement for me present whenever there's a Steampunk Chronicle to be unveiled. Really recommend for Science Fiction, Steampunk readers.
If you want to know what the review rating for The Girl In the Clockwork Collar, then,
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Posted up!: Advance Review of The Girl In The Clockwork Collar (The Steampunk Chronicles #2) by Kady Cross
