Review: The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar

(Steampunk Chronicles # 2)

By: Kady Cross

Pub. Date: May 22, 2012

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Pages: 304

Source: Netgalley

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.

The Girl in the Steel Corset was one of my favorite books of 2011, and it's wonderful follow up, The Girl in the Clockwork Collar did not disappoint! Set in an alternate steampunk 1897 New York City, this book has action, romance, awesome characters, and a fast-paced plot!

The book picks up right where the first one left off-with the gang heading to NYC to save their friend, Jasper. One of my favorite things about this book was the change in setting. Don't get me wrong, I loved London, but New York is my hometown, and I am always excited when books are set there! While in New York, we get to meet a few new characters, including bad boy, Dalton and Jasper's love, Mei.

We didn't get to learn that much about Jasper in the first book, but I was always intrigued by him. After Clockwork Collar,  I feel like I know him a lot more and I loved learning his backstory! I always had a special place for Jasper, but now I love him even more.

Finley, Griffin, Sam and Emily are also there, but I felt that there stories took a back seat to the Jasper and Mei plot. I would have loved to see more scenes of Sam and Emily. Griffin, who I absolutely adored in the first book, is a little bit more guarded and insecure in this one. He comes to terms with his feelings for Finley, but she keeps putting herself in these dangerous situations, causing Griffin to freak out, which was always cute and kind of funny.

Finley was still as kick-ass as she has always been but she is still dealing with the two different sides of her. I think she figures out a way to merge the two by the end. She really has a sense of who she is now and I love that!

Overall, a really awesome read! I can't wait to see what situations these characters can get into next!