Book Review: The Strange Case of Finley Jayne

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne
(The Steampunk Chronicles #0.5)
by Kady Cross
Kindle Edition
Published May 1st 2011 by HarlequinTeen
Source: Free from Harlequin Teen eBooks

Summary:

Finley Jayne knows she's not 'normal'. Normal girls don't lose time, or have something inside them that makes them capable of remarkably violent things. Her behavior has already cost her one job, so when she's offered the lofty position of companion to Phoebe, a debutante recently engaged to Lord Vincent, she accepts, despite having no experience. Lord Vincent is a man of science with his automatons and inventions, but Finley is suspicious of his motives where Phoebe is concerned. She will do anything to protect her new friend, but what she discovers is even more monstrous than anything she could have imagined…

An ebook exclusive prequel to The Steampunk Chronicles.

Review:

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne is the prequel to the upcoming steampunk novel, The Girl in the Steel Corset, the first book in The Steampunk Chronicles, by Kady Cross. The book begins with Finley Jayne being thrown out by her employer for punching a governess. I am in love with Finley’s character. She reminds me of Vampire Academy’s Rose Hathaway. An independent, sarcastic badass who doesn’t give a damn about people. She's a good daughter and a friend, and will do everything to keep her loved ones safe.

The side characters in this prequel are very likable too. It's only a novella but it's easy to get attached to them. I was attached the moment they were mentioned in the book. Her mother and stepfather are lovely! You'd wish you have someone like them too. Lady Morton and Phoebe as well. I also like how Cross kept the Duke of Greythorne's face and identity a mystery. It doesn't take a genius to figure that he's about to have a major role in the upcoming first book.

The only other steampunk novel I have ever read was Cassandra Clare's Clockwork Angel which I hold very close to my heart. But only in this book did I really appreciate Steampunk. Cross's writing is compelling and elaborate. Her imagination is wide and complicated but she managed to put those into words with what seemed like little to no effort. I am currently reading The Girl in the Steel Corset (courtesy of NetGalley) and I am happy to say that the excitement I felt for this novella doubled in TGitSC.

Rating: 5/5 stars!

You may also get this free prequel novella HERE!

29 comments:

  1. I'm not sure about reading a short novella, but I love that cover. Awesome review!

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  2. I haven't heard of this one before but it certainly sounds good!

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  3. I didn't know there was a prequel to Girl in the Steel Corset (which I'm hoping to start reading next week).

    I've never read a steampunk novel before so I'm super excited about getting introduced to the genre. I really like the fact that the MC reminds you of Rose since I love Rose.

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  4. Hi, Chel. Thanks for stopping by my blog. I'm so glad to see a good review of this novella. I'm looking forward to reading it, as well as Girl in the Steel Corset. Have a great evening!

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  5. Okay, what the heck am I waiting for? I should already have read THE GIRL IN THE STEEL CORSET by the looks of this review. I noticed many have said that they absolutely love Finley. Now, I'm dying to find out. Thanks for the review!

    Love the blog name and layout. New follower!
    And thanks for stopping by for In My Mailbox last week.

    Asher K.

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  6. I just read and reviewed this one too today. I was really pleasantly surprised. Great review!

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  7. Sounds like another one to be put on my TBR list!! :)

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  8. I have this one on my Kindle and will be reading it soon! I love steampunk! :)

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  9. I always enjoy a decent novella. It just gets your blood warmed and ready to jump into the story full swing. Plus, you can't go wrong with steampunk.

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  10. I like novellas, but I tend to wish they were longer!!

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  11. I have already read The Girl in the Steel Corset and I am excited to go back and read this prequel. I am excited that their are hints of the Duke in there ;). Great review!

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  12. Looks like a very interesting book!! The only Steampunk book I have read so far is also Clockwork Angel. I really liked it and plan on reading many more of the Steampunk genre. I will put this on my list.

    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

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  13. New follower here. I just finished this one and really enjoyed it. This is my second foray into steam punk, as well, my first being Clockwork Angel, which I loved to no end. I really enjoyed Finley as a character and can't wait to read The Girl in the Steel Corset. I want to know more about her!

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  14. Great review :) I definitely need to check this out, it sounds awesome!

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  15. Great review and thanks for the link to the free prequel.

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  16. I read this after I read The Girl in the Steel Corset. Loved it!

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  17. Steampunk is a new genre for me, after your review though I might have to put this on my to-read list on Good Reads :)

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  18. good review iver been hearing alot bout this book thanks for sharing with us

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  19. Thanks I am working on getting it now from the website

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  20. Looking forward to reading both this novella and the first story!

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  21. Great review! I will definitely be reading this novella!! Thank you for sharing!

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  22. I hadn't heard too much of using short novellas to serve as prequels and intermediary stories until I read The Iron Fey series and saw how powerfully they can be used. I'm going to start with this and see where it goes. :)

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  23. Oh wow! I've got this on my Kindle. Thanks for the review. I'll have to move it up on my TRB list.

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  24. I have this on my Kindle but I never knew it was a prequel. I love steampunk so that's why I got it.

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  25. I'm downloading this as we speak. If it's anywhere near as good as tGitSC looks (and I'm guessing it is, from your review) I can't wait to read it.

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  26. This series sounds really interesting. I have yet to read any Steampunk novel but I think this just might be the series that sucks me in. Great review - if you gave it 5/5 stars it must be good.

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  27. I love novellas! Quick reads as prequels is a great way to add some back story without getting too involved, so I can't wait to read both of these stories :)
    jwitt33 at live dot com

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  28. I downloaded this off Sony Reader two weeks back, not knowing anything about it besides the synopsis. It wasn't until just the other day that I found out it was a prequel to The Girl in the Steel Corset. Your review is the second one I have read where they give it high praise, so now I know it must be great. I love novellas, and will have to get my ball rolling with reading this steampunk story.

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  29. Thank you for the review! I haven't read this series yet... I hope I can do it soon.

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