Review: The Girl with the Iron Touch by Kady Cross

The Girl with the Iron Touch
(Steampunk Chronicles #3)

Author: Kady Cross

Publication Date: May 28, 2013

Publisher: HarperTEEN

Genre: Steampunk

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Synopsis:

In 1897 London, something not quite human is about to awaken

When mechanical genius Emily is kidnapped by rogue automatons, Finley Jayne and her fellow misfits fear the worst. What's left of their archenemy, The Machinist, hungers to be resurrected, and Emily must transplant his consciousness into one of his automatons—or forfeit her friends' lives.

With Griffin being mysteriously tormented by the Aether, the young duke's sanity is close to the breaking point. Seeking help, Finley turns to Jack Dandy, but trusting the master criminal is as dangerous as controlling her dark side. When Jack kisses her, Finley must finally confront her true feelings for him...and for Griffin.

Meanwhile, Sam is searching everywhere for Emily, from Whitechapel's desolate alleyways to Mayfair's elegant mansions. He would walk into hell for her, but the choice she must make will test them more than they could imagine.

To save those she cares about, Emily must confront The Machinist's ultimate creation—an automaton more human than machine. And if she's to have any chance at triumphing, she must summon a strength even she doesn't know she has....

My Thoughts: Oh my gosh! I was so excited to read this book because I love Emily! She has always been one of my favourite characters in the series, so having a book that is more focused on her was awesome! I was not at all disappointed by The Girl with the Iron Touch. It is another great addition to the Steampunk Chronicles. There is so much that's going on and it really wrapped things up nicely in the end, although there was still a little bit of a question since The Machinist still hasn't really been beaten forever.

All of my favourite characters are there, along with a new one to join the team. Finley and Griffin are working more on their relationship (since she picked him, I don't know what the synopsis is talking about because I don't remember a kiss between Jack and Finley in this book). Sam had something important to tell Emily, but she was kidnapped. She's being forced to do something evil for The Machinist, and she would rather die. Dandy finally gets someone too, much to Finley's jealousy, even though she picked Griffin.

There is quite a bit going on and more on the romance side of things, since everything has to be wrapped up in the end. There is still a lot of action though, so don't worry if you're not a fan of a lot of romance. I really enjoyed almost everything about this book and I'm a bit sad that it's supposed to be the last one. I could always use more Dandy, he's just awesome and we still don't really know much about him, luckily there is a novella about him that is supposed to be out soon. So I'll have to look forward to that.

The book is well written, it's very easy to lose yourself in the story. I really like Kady Cross' writing style and the multiple narrators so the reader isn't left in the dark about half of what goes on. I'm going to be looking forward to more from her!

*A copy was provided for review by the publisher and NetGalley*

Review: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publication Date: March 19th, 2013

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Genre: YA/Paranormal/Romance

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Synopsis:

Tessa Gray should be happy - aren't all brides happy? Yet as she prepares for her wedding, a net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. A new demon appears, one linked by blood and secrecy to Mortmain, the man who plans to use his army of pitiless automatons, the Infernal Devices, to destroy the Shadowhunters. Mortmain needs only one last item to complete his plan. He needs Tessa. And Jem and Will, the boys who lay equal claim to Tessa's heart, will do anything to save her.

My Thoughts: The day this book arrived in the mail for me was one of the most exciting days ever! I have fallen so deeply in love with this series since I discovered it about a year ago. Since then I have devoured these books as well as The Mortal Instrument Books and I have adored every single page within. Cassandra Clare is the author to one of my most favorite series' and I just can't ever get enough.

I feel like I had to wait forever for Clockwork Princess to get here and luckily when it did arrive it was a busy time for me so I wasn't able to plow right through it like I usually would. So I did get to savor it a little bit before the heartache of not having any more in the series to read set in. Of course, that's where I am now, and the next Mortal Instrument Book isn't due for about another year. That's a painful thought.

So I am usually prepared to be emotional whilst reading these books. I've come to expect the cracks in my heart and emotional blows, but this book knocked me right off my feet. I cried so many times while reading this book. I can't believe how attached I've become to these characters. There is just no way you can read these books and not become hopelessly lost within and completely immersed with no sign of surfacing any time soon. And you won't want it any other way either. You won't want to be pulled away from this book. You will love every minute spent within their world.

I just can't find a single reason for anyone not to like these books.  I don't have a single negative word to say. This book was a phenomenal addition to the series. Finally getting the answers to Tessa's history and watching her face her truths and battle them was nothing short of amazing. Everything was wrapped up so nicely but even still I would do unspeakable things to  read more into the series.

I don't believe I will ever find a love triangle to rival the one between Tessa, Will and Jem. Never before has my heart been so torn and confused. I am definitely team Will, but that doesn't mean I don't also love Jem immensely.  I hope everyone loves the ending as much as I did. I can see why some might have found it catered to the fans a bit much to please everyone. But what's so wrong about everyone  finding what they were hoping to find? I thought it was perfect and  I wouldn't have changed a single thing.

If you are still on the fence about this series, or you are sitting there thinking about how you've been meaning to read this series and you should soon. Please just do it now. Do yourself the biggest favor ever and pick up these books! Just don't forget to bring some tissues ;).

Review: Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

Etiquette & Espionage
(Finishing School #1)

Author: Gail Carriger

Publication Date: February 5th 2013

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Genre: Steampunk / Paranormal

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Synopsis:

It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to finishing school.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea--and god forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. She enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right--but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school.

My Thoughts: Steampunk? Paranormal? Assassins in training? Yes please! I knew after reading the synopsis for Etiquette & Espionage that I had to read it. I happen to be a huge fan of boarding school settings, as well as steampunk (Victorian Era?! Yay!). So having two of these things was a definite must read for me. Having the vampire and werewolf thrown in there was an added bonus. Now I have actually not read any of Gail Carriger's other works. You can bet I will be now though!

The protagonist, Sophronia, is a girl that just wants to have a little bit of fun. Mostly in ways that girls shouldn't be having fun, but fun for her nonetheless. She has many siblings and she drives her mother crazy. So when given the chance to send her daughter to finishing school, she hops on the chance. Sophronia is not at all pleased with this decision, that is until she learns that Mademoiselle Geraldine's is not your ordinary finishing school. Here they are teaching girls to become intellegencers and assassins. Sophronia decides that this won't be too bad after all.

Sophronia is a very like able character. She seems to be very open minded to everything and quite quick to come up with a plan to solve any problems. She asks a lot of questions and her curiosity for the way things work never seems to run out. She doesn't care about the colour of your skin or if you are a creature of the night, she won't judge you based off of that. A lot of the time I forgot she was only 14 years old, she seems a bit older most of the time. Although, she would sometimes do something that reminded you that she is still only young. She seems to have a knack for making both friends and enemies. Rarely follows the rules (it seems she believes that rules are there to be broken) and is just overall an interesting character.

As for the school, it seems like a fun enough place to go. It floats and travels around. There are tons of very interesting classes and it seems to run on the type of schedule that I'd like (I'm a night owl). I found it very amusing that the only one who didn't know what was actually being taught at the school was Mademoiselle Geraldine, the headmistress, who is under the impression that it is just a regular finishing school. If only she knew..

There is a fair amount of action going on in this book, not as much as some might like, but some. There is an prototype that one of the students (Monique) has hidden off campus. An item that she was supposed to be retrieving for the school. Because she failed to bring it in, she is demoted to a debut again and despises Sophronia. She is someone that Sophronia really has to watch out for since she is out to get her.

All in all, it's a very enjoyable read and I'm very much looking forward to reading the next one. It was a bit slow in places, which made it a bit harder to get through for me, but I can understand that these things needed to happen. If you are a fan of Gail Carriger, boarding school settings or steampunk, I highly recommend you check this one out. It's a fun read!

Review: The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann

The Peculiar

Author: Stefan Bachmann

Publication Date: September 1st 2012

Publisher: Greenwillow Books

Genre: Fantasy

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Synopsis:

Don't get yourself noticed and you won't get yourself hanged.

In the faery slums of Bath, Bartholomew Kettle and his sister Hettie live by these words. Bartholomew and Hettie are changelings--Peculiars--and neither faeries nor humans want anything to do with them.

One day a mysterious lady in a plum-colored dress comes gliding down Old Crow Alley. Bartholomew watches her through his window. Who is she? What does she want? And when Bartholomew witnesses the lady whisking away, in a whirling ring of feathers, the boy who lives across the alley--Bartholomew forgets the rules and gets himself noticed.

First he's noticed by the lady in plum herself, then by something darkly magical and mysterious, by Jack Box and the Raggedy Man, by the powerful Mr. Lickerish . . . and by Arthur Jelliby, a young man trying to slip through the world unnoticed, too, and who, against all odds, offers Bartholomew friendship and a way to belong.

My Thoughts: The Peculiar was one of the books that I was really looking forward to reading ever since I saw the cover and read the synopsis. I love the cover of this book! Unfortunately, it took me a long time to even get into this book. It's a fast read, but I just wasn't loving it as much as I had hoped I would until about the last 100 pages. So it did pick up and redeem itself for me, but still very hard for me to get into. I don't even know why. The writing was good so I think it might have just had a hard time connecting with the main characters. There were some points where it might have been a bit too descriptive, but I've read much more descriptive books and not had trouble with them. So it was a bit of a disappointment, but like I said, it picked up in the end.

There are two protagonists in this one. Bartholomew Kettle, who is a peculiar (changeling, half fay, half human). Then there is Arthur Jelliby, a high ranking young man in London who for some reason feels compelled to help Bartholomew find his sister who was kidnapped. I didn't really connect with either character, but will say that I liked Arthur more of the two. You kind of always know who the bad guy is, so it doesn't even keep you guessing with that.

Once the story picked up, it finished off as a good read. I do want to know what happened next though. So I will be reading the next book, The Whatnot, to see what happens. So this is a good read, but not as good as I had hoped, for me that is. Still a good middle grade read and I would probably recommend it still!

Review: Dearly, Beloved by Lia Habel

Dearly, Beloved
(Gone With the Respiration #2)

Author: Lia Habel

Publication Date: September 25th, 2012

Publisher: Del Ray

Genre: Science Fiction / Steampunk / Zombies

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Synopsis:

Can the living coexist with the living dead?

That’s the question that has New Victorian society fiercely divided ever since the mysterious plague known as “The Laz” hit the city of New London and turned thousands into walking corpses. But while some of these zombies are mindless monsters, hungry for human flesh, others can still think, speak, reason, and control their ravenous new appetites.

Just ask Nora Dearly, the young lady of means who was nearly kidnapped by a band of sinister zombies but valiantly rescued by a dashing young man . . . of the dead variety.

Nora and her savior, the young zombie soldier Bram Griswold, fell hopelessly in love. But others feel only fear and loathing for the reanimated dead. Now, as tensions grow between pro- and anti-zombie factions, battle lines are being drawn in the streets. And though Bram is no longer in the New Victorian army, he and his ex-commando zombie comrades are determined to help keep the peace. That means taking a dangerous stand between The Changed, a radical group of sentient zombies fighting for survival, and The Murder, a masked squad of urban guerrillas hellbent on destroying the living dead. But zombies aren’t the only ones in danger: Their living allies are also in The Murder’s crosshairs, and for one vengeful zealot, Nora Dearly is the number one target.

As paranoia, prejudice, and terrorist attacks threaten to plunge the city into full-scale war, Nora’s scientist father and his team continue their desperate race to unlock the secrets of “The Laz” and find a cure. But their efforts may be doomed when a mysterious zombie appears bearing an entirely new strain of the virus—and the nation of New Victoria braces for a new wave of the apocalypse.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed Dearly, Beloved a bit more than Dearly, Departed. I will admit that I'm still grossed out by Nora and Bram's relationship. I can't get past the fact that he is slowly rotting. That being said, I do enjoy both of their characters. I am really enjoying Lia Habel's writing style, even though I know it's futuristic and Victorian at the same time, I can perfectly imagine the Victorian aspects of it, then someone will say something, like "trolling" and I'm confused, only to remember that this is the future. She does a great job creating the setting and characters. I will definitely be reading more by her.

Dearly, Beloved  begins about 4 months after the December events. Humans and Undead are attempting to coexist, for the most part it's going well, until there is a riot and a couple of people get bit and turn, even though they are vaccinated. There is a new strain of Laz. People start freaking out and zombies are disappearing, there are people who want them gone and will harm others to get to them. Of course it's up to Dr. Dearly to figure it out and while he's doing that, Bram and Nora are off doing what they do best, getting into trouble.

Once again there are a lot of different PoVs. Nora, Bram, Pamela, Michael, Vespertine and Laura. Laura being the only new character to the story, she's a zombie who plants flowers and other plants in herself. She's quite a peaceful character and more than once I found myself sympathizing with her. Pamela is just trying to hold herself together after the events of December, she pretty much has post-traumatic stress. Of course, being Pam, she puts everyone else first. Vespertine really steps up, it's hard to hate her as much as I did in the first book. Michael... he needs help. Nora makes me mad a few times when she doesn't believe that someone  who hates her would actually try to help her. Overall she is pretty awesome again though and her unladylike behaviours make me laugh. As for Bram, it might be weird, but I don't really connect with him at all as a character, everyone else I can understand why they make certain decisions, but not Bram. I mean he seems like a great guy and always tries to do the right thing, but I don't really know what it is.

So a lot of characters, but again, not at all confusing with them all. The plot was quite good, although some of the foreshadowing has made it a bit predictable. I've guess who is behind the Laz, even if it hasn't been confirmed. It totally makes sense though. I am looking forward to reading the next book because I must know what happens to certain characters. It's a very enjoyable read and a great step into the zombie genre for me. I might even brave looking into more zombie books. It's one that I will definitely be recommending!

A copy was provided by the publisher for review purposes*

Review: Cannibal Island by Cornell DeVille

Cannibal Island

Author: Cornell DeVille

Publication Date: March 16th, 2012

Publisher: Musa Publishing

Genre: YA/Adventure/Steampunk/Mystery

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Synopsis:

Young Adult steampunk adventure involving the search for the mysterious and legendary Golden Disk. This is the first installment in The Golden Disk time-travel series. It is an especially good choice for teen boys who crave adventure, danger, and mystery.

My Thoughts: This is the second book I've read by Cornell. The first one I read was "Lost in the Bayou" Which I really enjoyed and you can find the review here. I was really looking forward to reading more of his work and started off this book rather excited.

Unfortunately, my excitement slowly dwindled. Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad book, but it's not really a great one either. It landed in  the "I could take it or leave it" area. My reasons for feeling that way are my lack of attachment to the characters. I didn't feel any real connection or attraction to the characters involved. I didn't really either like or dislike them I just felt rather indifferent about them. It was definitely adventurous, but maybe just not the kind for me. I found it  a little slow paced. At times I felt like there was too much detail where it wasn't really needed. I also found myself putting the pieces of mysteries together long before the main character, and watching him come slowly to the conclusion I had already made was kind of a boring process.

It wasn't all bad though. It had it moments where I was turning pages anxious to see what happened next. And I do like reading some YA that takes a break from making sure there is a major romance role going on. As much as I'm a sucker for romance, it's good to take a break from it now and then and just focus on a story line without that factor. I also like that it's YA that doesn't seemed aimed at the female population like most of it seems to be. I beleive I said that about his last book as well. I see in the synopsis that it's a perfect read for a teenage boy, maybe that's why it didn't quite reel me in. But I don't think you have to be a boy to enjoy it either.

Would I continue to read the series? Probably not. Would I recommend it? Maybe  like the synopsis says, to younger boys. I'm sure they'd love the sea faring adventure full of steampunk inventions, treasure, and cannibals. But for me it was to much steampunk and nautical detail, not enough adventure and cannibalism.

Review: Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Dearly, Departed
(Gone With the Respiration #1)

Author: Lia Habel

Publication Date: September 29th, 2011

Publisher: Del Rey

Genre: Science Fiction / Steampunk / Zombies

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Synopsis:

Love can never die.

Love conquers all, so they say. But can Cupid’s arrow pierce the hearts of the living and the dead—or rather, the undead? Can a proper young Victorian lady find true love in the arms of a dashing zombie?

The year is 2195. The place is New Victoria—a high-tech nation modeled on the manners, mores, and fashions of an antique era. A teenager in high society, Nora Dearly is far more interested in military history and her country’s political unrest than in tea parties and debutante balls. But after her beloved parents die, Nora is left at the mercy of her domineering aunt, a social-climbing spendthrift who has squandered the family fortune and now plans to marry her niece off for money. For Nora, no fate could be more horrible—until she’s nearly kidnapped by an army of walking corpses.

But fate is just getting started with Nora. Catapulted from her world of drawing-room civility, she’s suddenly gunning down ravenous zombies alongside mysterious black-clad commandos and confronting “The Laz,” a fatal virus that raises the dead—and hell along with them. Hardly ideal circumstances. Then Nora meets Bram Griswold, a young soldier who is brave, handsome, noble . . . and dead. But as is the case with the rest of his special undead unit, luck and modern science have enabled Bram to hold on to his mind, his manners, and his body parts. And when his bond of trust with Nora turns to tenderness, there’s no turning back. Eventually, they know, the disease will win, separating the star-crossed lovers forever. But until then, beating or not, their hearts will have what they desire.

My Thoughts: I actually really liked this  book. I had a friend who asked me what genre is was and I described it as a "futuristic sci-fi, based in a Victorian era with zombies and romance". I really like sci-fi and the Victorian era. The only thing I had no experience with was zombies, but they turned out to be pretty ok. I really like the world that Lia Habel created. It's like nothing I've read before. She actually did really good mashing the different elements together to form a great story.  The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the romance. I guess I was just a little grossed out by the fact that Nora was kissing someone who was dead? I mean, I understand that Bram is a nice guy and all, but he's dead. There is just no way to get around that for me. Every time there was anything intimate I was slightly disgusted.

The setting for the book is in New Victoria and the government has been hiding the fact that there are walking dead out there. Nora is kidnapped from her home and then suddenly there is an outbreak in New London, the capitol and things just get crazy from there.

Dearly, Departed is told from a few different PoVs. There is Nora, Bram, Pamela, Wolfe and Victor (I think that's all of them). My favorite character by far was Pamela. She is the scholarship girl, who is also Nora's best friend, and she turns out to be pretty kick ass in the end. She's pretty tough and takes things as they come to her. She knows she can't really take anything for granted.

Other than the queasiness from the romance, I really enjoyed reading this  book and am looking forward to reading the next (which I actually already started) and finding out what happens next. It should be pretty interesting to see how New London copes with the knowledge that there are walking dead. It was a great intro into zombie books because it's not too scary, and the zombies aren't too disgusting (well the civilized ones anyways). I would definitely recommend this one!

Review: The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar
(Steampunk Chronicles #2)

Author: Kady Cross

Publication Date: May 22nd 2012

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Genre: Steampunk / Paranormal

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Synopsis:

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.

My Thoughts: The Girl in the Clockwork Collar starts up almost exactly where Steel Corset leaves off. I really like that it does that because then you're not playing catch up and haven't really missed any of the story. I once again really loved the world and characters that Kady Cross has created. I also really like the cover of this book because it actually is related to the story and was basically how I imagined Mei to look. It took me a lot longer to read than the last book but it had nothing to do with the writing or story, I was just really sick and didn't even have the energy to read.

Clockwork Collar begins with Finley, Griffin, Emily and Sam travelling by airship to New York to get Jasper back and out of trouble. They don't believe he's a murderer and want to help him however they can. Once they get to New York, Griffin and Sam head to the jail to talk to Jasper, but he's not there. He was not brought back by the authorities, so something is up and they plan to find out. There is a lot that happens in Clockwork Collar, including Finley inflitrating a criminal's gang. Regardless, I didn't find that there were really any dull parts and am anxious to find out what's been happening with Griffin in the Aether. Some parts of the plot were a bit predictable, but it didn't affect my opinion any. Since it really seemed the only way to bring it all together.

Once again, Finley Jayne is pretty kick ass. She infiltrates a criminals gang, pretending that she is meant for a life of crime. Which maybe in some ways she is. I think she is incredibly brave and selfless because she is always putting others welfare before herself. Also, she may be strong and a quick healer, but she's not invincible, so there is a risk to her life in what she does. 

I can't even begin to describe how much more I love Emily in this book. She is just such an awesome character AND is a redhead! She is also incredibly brave, she is probably the most fragile of the group, but she doesn't let that get her down or stop her. She can definitely hold her own. 

As for the guys of the group, both have done a lot of growing as characters. Griffin is finally realizing how much he cares for Finley and learning to trust her more. He does need to get over feeling guilty every time someone gets hurt, because it's not his fault. Sam is starting to grow on me, now that he's less of a jerk. He really has feelings for Emily and I hope for the best for them! Jasper is a lot more prominent than he was in the last book. He's actually a pretty great character and I feel for him so much. Everything that seems to happen to him breaks my heart, he's really grown as a character and I hope we see more of him in the next book. 

So overall, I really liked Clockwork Collar. It's a really great Steampunk series and is making me really enjoy the genre. Everything just seems to flow so nicely in Kady Cross' writing style and she makes you really love her characters. I'm definitely looking forward to the next book. If you're wondering if I would recommend this book, the answer is yes! These are great for someone who enjoys paranormal as well as historical fiction since they are based in the Victorian Era. Mix in a bit of science fiction and a great author, then you have a really great read. 

Review: The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

The Girl in the Steel Corset
(Steampunk Chronicles #1)

Author: Kady Cross

Publication Date: May 24th, 2011

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Genre: Steampunk / Paranormal

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Synopsis:

In 1897 England, 16-year-old Finley Jayne is convinced she's a freak. No normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man with one punch. Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special . . . that she's one of "them."

My Thoughts: I had a lot of fun reading this book. I haven't really read much steampunk, but I'm going to have to say it's something that I'm so far really enjoying. The story is told in a third person point of view and mostly tends to revolve around the actions of Finley Jayne, Griffin King and Samuel Morgan. Basically, there is a bad person out there who is preforming random crimes. Griffin is convinced they are related and are being preformed by someone refered to as The Machinist. Griffin's team (which consists of Finley, Sam, Emily and Jasper) sets out to discover The Machinist's plot and save the country. This story takes place in a Victorian London setting (of course!) and was a quick, fun read. It was full of mystery, romance and some great paranormal aspects.

I really enjoyed the characters in this novel. Finley would have to be my favorite and is a kick butt girl, with two personalities. Literally! She is fighting to keep control of her dark side constantly. But Griffin is trying to her learn to control that side better. Griffin has some pretty mysterious powers of his own, and is a duke to boot. He can basically get away with most things. One of my other favorite characters was Emily. She is absolutely brilliant! She has an understanding of machines and I might be a little biased in liking her because she is a red head and Irish! Sam is a bit of a grumpy character. He despises Finley and is repeatedly trying to get Griffin to give her the boot. He's a bit stubborn and is basically indestructible (for the most part). Jasper is an American cowboy, he's a pretty sharp shooter and is great guy, very honourable. One character I haven't mentioned yet is Jack Dandy. He is pretty much a crime lord in London, but can be pretty helpful in his own ways. Still a great character.

So with lots of characters there has to be some romance right? Of course! We actually are treated to TWO love triangles in this book. No, they aren't over bearing and in your face, screaming at you to acknowledge them. They are actually worked into the story very well.  The main one isn't even a love triangle at first. It's between Finley, Griffin and Jack. But it seems Finley's good side is attracted to Griffin and her darkside is attracted to Jack. So technically there are four people in the love triangle at first because Finley's two personalities are very different people. So who knows who she will pick after the personalities are joined as one. Thus Love Triangle #1 is created. The second love triangle is between Emily, Sam and Jasper. Sam has always been there for Emily, but he's a bit cranky. So insert the polite and flirty Jasper and who knows who Emily will choose. She has feelings for both guys, but it's definitely going to be a hard descision for her.

Overall this is a great read and I really, really liked it. I would recommend it to readers who like steampunk with a mix of paranormal and mystery. I would probably compare this to the Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare. So if you liked that, you will probably enjoy this as well. If' you've never read steampunk and are looking for a book to venture into the genre, this would be a great place to start!