Whine: What I'm about to say may shock you but I think the prequel (The Strange Case of Finley Jayne) sort of ruined me for The Girl in the Steel Corset. Wild right? That has never happened to me before. You see I fell in love with the pace and fluidity of The Strange Case of Finley Jayne. So I immediately purchased The Girl in the Steel Corset. But when The Girl in the Steel Corset took her time developing, I got bored.
Wooed: While the pace wasn't for me, I wholeheartedly admit the detailed descriptions of the automatons and garments were exquisite. Kady Cross brings the romanticism and machines of steampunk to life. I have never enjoyed reading about machines this much. Plus, I loved the romantic tension between Finley's two equally sexy and intriguing suitors.
Word to the wise: Don't let my review sway you. Try this series.
Wrapping: While there is no denying the cover gown is gorgeous, it doesn't match the gown in the book.
What's what:
- Did you know the original novella that first introduced Jekyll & Hyde was called the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and was first published in 1886?
- Automatons (from the Greek word meaning "acting of one's own will") is an old term for a robot or machine. Click here to learn more about automatons.
Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com
I have picked up this book twice now and can't get into it. Does the story pick up later in the book? Thanks for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteGreat honest review, JuJu. I am still undecided about this book. I like the steampunk aspect though, so perhaps I will still check it out. Don't you hate when other books in the series ruin it for you? That's the worst!
ReplyDeleteI get so annoyed when a prequel spoils a sequel for me.
ReplyDeleteI love that cover!! But Ive noticed lately that many...MANY...of these ya books are all cover eye candy and the character does not match what the cover is giving us.....
ReplyDeleteThe book Im reading now The Girl of Fire and Thorns, yeah total misleading cover with a skinny white girl in a flowing dress!!! The character is middle-eastern!!!!
I really want to read this!!!
ReplyDeleteThe cover is gorgeous, but I'm not sure it's for me.
ReplyDeleteoh no! I don't want to get bored!
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time with steampunk. Don't even know exactly why... that said, I would trust your review of the Finely Jane novel.
ReplyDeleteI was thisclose to buying this book last week b/c I heard such awesome reviews about it. But I had no idea it was the second in a series. If I had read it without reading Finley Jane, would I be lost?
ReplyDeleteGreat Review and I didn't even know that there is a prequel to this! So I might read the prequel later... It is sad when you expect a book to be super great and than being disappointed.. (
ReplyDeleteInteresting review. I've never read Steampunk before but I've been hearing good things about this title. I'm sorry the prequal kind of ruined it for you.
ReplyDeleteI thought this book was really great. It was my first experience with Steampunk. I have not read the prequel yet.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading this one right now and I'm really enjoying it! Although my least favorite part is the love triangle - boo for two suitors :P But I like that, for a Harlequin novel, the romance part of the story isn't the most important part. Kady actually has some other really interesting stuff going on, too! And I absolutely love the way she incorporated steampunk elements :)
ReplyDeleteI felt pretty much the same as you on this one, Juju! I thought the beginning was good and the ending was good, but for about 200 pages in the middle I kept debating whether to continue.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know I wasn't the only one! :D
The pace can be a make or break for a book. I found that to be very true this week as well.
ReplyDeleteThing is I have heard what you are saying from others. So now with another review saying this then I just think it might not be for me
ReplyDeleteBummer with such a awesome cover and great sounding premist. I think I might read the book before the novella.
ReplyDeleteGoing by your review, this book probably would not make it to my to-buy list given that there are soooo many out there which are awesome... and many more to be published!
ReplyDeleteI've heard mixed reviews on this - might be something I pick up at a later date. And I hate it when another book is so good that it spoils another book!
ReplyDeleteThat cover is gorgeous. I think and say that every time I see it. Sorry that the pacing was disappointing.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this is for me. It bothers me when the cover doesn't match the story, so odd, does the author have no say.
ReplyDeleteHmm, slow development. I think I will hold off for a bit.
ReplyDeleteHmm I actually didn't know that the 2 books went together! Is it OK to just read - The Strange Case of Finley Jayne? Or should you really read both?
ReplyDeleteThe cover is gorgeous, even though it's not entirely correct. Maybe I will read this before the prequel....
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review!
Huh! Wow. I never actually had a chance to read the prequel yet. Since I read an egalley of this book, the prequel came out AFTER I had finished reading it. I do love the cover though even if it doesn't match the description in the book.
ReplyDeleteYour reviews are always so very enjoyable - and I love how to-the-point it is, but still says so much! I haven't read the prequel short story, and I am curious to see if I feel the same way as you did with it! This book felt a little slow, but I am hoping that it will pick up pace if it continues onward!
ReplyDeleteLove the cover! I guess I will wait on the prequel and try this one first.
ReplyDeleteI just love that cover!
ReplyDeleteDude, I really love this. Glad to hear you didn't hate it completely! :P
ReplyDeletei've heard other mixed reviews for this one, i think i will read it thought just b/c it's steampunk ya!
ReplyDeleteHuh, that's too bad that the prequel worked so much better for you than the actual book! Maybe I'll read this first and then go back and read the prequel, that might work better:) Thanks for the review Juju!
ReplyDeleteAw, that's too bad the pacing was different than the prequel. I think I'll read this first then, and then read the prequel. Hopefully I'll like it! Thanks for the honest review!
ReplyDeleteI remember downloading Finley Jayne after your wee-view, but perhaps I should read Steel Corset before FJ. That might make a difference.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your honest thoughts. Very helpful.
Great review! I downloaded Finely Janye, too. I haven't read either books yet. Well, that's not true...I started to read Girl and became confused and bored. I guess for me, the descriptions of fight scenes bored me to no end. I plan on definitely going back and trying the series again because I love steampunk. I like your honesty!
ReplyDeletei liked your what's what tidbits. interesting jekyll and hyde reference.
ReplyDeleteI've had a hard time getting into steampunk. I do like the cover though, and I might try to the prequel.
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame! Well regardless I will still give this one a try. Haven't too much steampunk, but my experiences have been good. Thanks for the review :)
ReplyDeleteGrace: Good question. Honestly, not really. That's why I gave it 3 stars. But you should SO read the prequel. Now that was good with a great pace.
ReplyDeleteTina: Yes! What gives? A middle eastern character with a skinny white girl cover? Argh! That would so annoy me.
Catherine: I think Finley Jayne would be a great place for you to start.
Joy: So technically this is the first one and the other is a prequel (not necessary to read this one). But I seriously liked the prequel better.
Gina: I sort of wonder if I would have liked it more had I not tried the prequel. Then again it was the prequel that got me to spend the money on this one.
Amelia: I liked the triangle but you are so right the steampunk elements are the best part.
Little Miss Becky: OMG yes! If I hadn't paid for it, I might have given up. Thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one too! *high five*
BookBelle: Amen. I'm a slave to pace these days.
Marce: I don't think they do in many cases. Sadly.
Walltowall: Yes definitely. But I must admit, Finley Jayne will leave you craving more of her story. My suggestion: Pick up the freebie prequel and then get Steel Corset from the library.
Epic: Thanks pumpkin! I look forward to your thoughts on it too.
Julie: Oh see! That was a bit boring for me too *wink wink*
VV: Thanks for noticing babe!
JessicaBookLover: I feel ya. It's an acquired taste.
All: Thanks ladies for all your thoughts and comments :)
That is pretty strange that the prequel ruined you, as ideally they're supposed to have the opposite effect. Still, I want to read both, just not sure which order I should read them in!
ReplyDeleteSorry this didn’t live up to its prequel :( & boo to the cover dress not matching the one in the book!
ReplyDeleteI haven’t read this one a go just yet because I’m still a little hesitant to jump on the Steampunk bandwagon LOL
Aylee: I know? Very weird. Try the Steel Corset first :)
ReplyDeleteChristie: Really? It's quite a fun bandwagon ;) *teasing wink*
I've definitely been scoping this one out. I've heard that it has as interesting assortment of characters. Plus, I'm not gonna lie, steampunk is a bit of a turn on for me, lol. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm absolutely diggin' your layout.
I'll be stalking. ;)
Marg: LOL I feel ya. It's pretty sexy.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE your layout and style. So fresh and different.
Stalk away ;)
The first thing that brought my attention to this one was, yes, the cover. It's just beautiful. To be frank I wasn't even sure what it was about. Fantastic honest review, Juju. I might check this one out but I'll hold off for a bit. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBere: Good point. The cover doesn't give any hints :)
ReplyDelete