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Sunday, May 8, 2011

The Girl in the Steel Corset - Signed ARC Giveaway


The Girl in the Steel Corset
by Kady Cross
The Steampunk Chronicles, book one

In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one…except the "thing" inside her. When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But 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, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in from the gaslit streets against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own special abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a shadowy secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help—and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's little company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on—even if it seems no one believes her.

As I posted earlier this week, I attended the Connecticut Library Association annual conference on Monday and Tuesday. As one of the Young Adult section co-chairs, I organized a program called the "Teen Romance Panel," that featured authors Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Cara Lynn Shultz and Kady Cross (Kathryn Smith), as well as Simon Pulse representative, Jennifer Klonsky. I was honored to be able to meet them all and to participate in the program, kind of by accident. I'm hoping to post some pictures soon!

Anyway, as I mentioned Kady Cross, author of The Girl in the Steel Corset, was there and discussed her new series and how romance is part of it. After the panel, we were lucky enough to have arranged with Harlequin Teen to have signed ARCs for all the attendees. Since I loved this book so much, I got an extra signed ARC to giveaway on my blog (I won't part with mine!!).

Here's what I thought - This is steampunk to crow about! Huzzah! I loved it...breezed right throught it, in that fashion when you start a book and just can't put it down. Finley Jayne is a great character. The supporting cast all have dimension and balance one another, as well. A personal favorite of mine was a shady character named "Jack Dandy."

The storyline was totally intriguing and felt very plausible, surprisingly enough! I love a good automaton adventure. I cannot wait to see what happens in book two when the intrepid group heads across the pond to New York City. Should be a whirlwind of fun.

Full of cool inventions, nefarious plots, heros and heroines that are plucky, intelligent and unswervingly loyal, this is the start of a great new series. And, as Kady said...this one's all about the girl!

If you want to enter for a chance to win the signed ARC, leave a comment telling me what you favorite steampunk invention, story or character might be...If you've never tried steampunk before, tell me why you want to try it. Don't forget to leave me an email address where I can contact you if you are the winner!! I will randomly pick a winner on Friday, May 13th and they will have until the following Wed to get in touch with me to claim their prize. Good luck!!

Full disclosure: ARC received from publisher then signed by author at CLA event

21 comments:

  1. The only other steampunk I've read aside from the prequel of this book is Clockwork Angel by Cassie Clare and Dru Pagliassotti's Clockwork Heart, both of which I loved. I want to try other books, like Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series.

    I'm definitely looking forward to reading The Girl In The Steel Corset, so thanks for the giveaway! :)

    amaterasureads AT gmail DOT com

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  2. I love Alexia's parasol of doom in Soulless. It's a pretty cool invention. I haven't found a lot of Steampunk novels that I've really loved, but I'm hoping The Girl in the Steel Corset will win over my heart because I have enjoyed all of the Harlequin Teen novels I've read so far. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Sara M
    sara_UFblog [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  3. I've actually never read Steampunk. Why? Well, I have a terrible habit of reading from the same genre all the time. I trap myself with one and forget all about the others. At the beginning of this year, I promised myself I would try out other genres, and Steampunk is next on my list. I've heard great things about this book, so I'd love a chance to read it!

    Cyndi
    bettyluvsbooks(at)gmail(dot)(com)

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  4. Great review! I'd love to enter, this book sounds awesome! I haven't read too much steampunk, but I love Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare :) I also like Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

    aprilxu2222@gmail.com

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  5. I've never tried steampunk before, but I'd love to look into it because I'm already a big sci-fi and fantasy fan. I also love historical romances, and am an avid reader of action/adventure novels.

    Thanks for the awesome contest!

    mizzbookworm@gmail.com

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  6. I've never read any steampunk before, but lately it's been coming up a lot in YA and I've been hearing tons of amazing things.
    As for why I want to try it out: I love that steampunk generally puts a twist on history, especially when it's something we've recently covered in class; I can instantly make a simple connection and get all excited about it. Also, I'm really starting to like the fact that so many strange and wonderful inventions pop up throughout steampunk novels. Based on what I've read, anyways.
    I'm hoping that once I DO read the proper steampunk novel, the genre will be added to my list of favorites. But we can only hope, right?
    =)

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  7. Oops! I forgot to leave my email address, sorry! It's: jdvillagrana(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  8. I saw a Steampunk Dr X (X Men) at DragonCon in 2009. He had the best wheelchair with functional levers and everything! It was really inspired.

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  9. I've only read one book w/steampunk in it, Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare. I really loved the steampunk aspect & would love to read this book. Thanks!

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  10. To be honest, I've never read Steam punk before but I have heard awesome things about it.... any book that involves a world where steam power is still widely used and its during the Victorian era, is kick ass my by measures! Thanks so much for hosting this giveaway! here's to hoping :) *crosses fingers*

    Diana
    lovelygetaway@gmail.com

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  11. Great Review and thanks for the giveaway!
    My favourite steampunk story would have to be Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare because I liked it and also because I'm not sure if I've read any other steampunk novels. The Girl in the Steel Corset sounds interesting though and you gotta love anything to with Vicotian London.
    Not sure if this is international but please count me in if it is :)
    Gabbie-ethela AT hotmail DOT com
    Gabbie

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  12. I've never tried steampunk before, but I want to know what all the fuss is about and this book sounds intriguing.

    Margay1122ATaolDOTcom

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  13. I dont think I ever read a steampunk novel, but I would love to, I have heard so many things about them.

    bookworm1494@aol.com

    -Alyssa

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  14. I haven't read a steampunk novel but i love the gaslamp webcomic Girl Genius :)

    elizabeth (at) thegarvinfamily (dot) com

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  15. The only steampunk I've read is Clockwork Angel which is the prequel to The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare. I loved it and made me want to read more steampunk books.
    Thanks for the chance!

    sauvadeavelle @ yahoo dot com

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  16. I love love love Steampunk! I loved Clockwork Angels and I thought the automatons, while really really mean (because they were programmed to be) were really intriguing. I adore Scott Also, interestingly, I read recently that the Lemony Snicket books are also considered steampunk as well...anyone else heard that?

    I would love to win this book because I am working on The Strange Case of Finley Jayne, and this book is where I need to go for my next read!

    Thanks for the opportunity for the giveaway, and thanks for your thoughts above! You can find me at asheley(dot)tart(at)gmail(dot)com. Thanks so much!

    asheley.tart@gmail.com

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  17. @Kai - You definitely need to read Gail Carriger's books...as Sara mentions Alexia (the main character) has the most awesome parasol ever!!
    @Cyndi - Take the plunge. I love steampunk!
    @April - Leviathan is one of my favorites, but I still have to read Clockwork Angel (shame, shame, I know!! I have it on my bookshelf and just haven't had time to read it!)

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  18. @Zareen - Steampunk combines all the things you love...I think you'll really enjoy it. :)
    @juanvillagrana - The inventions are almost always my favorite parts.
    @Anni - OMG. That wheelchair sounds soooo cool.
    @Andrea/@Diana - This is a really great book to get into steampunk with!
    @axisor - I just recently learned the difference between steampunk and gaslamp and now I'm really excited to go read some of the gaslamp things...more magic!

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  19. @SweetestLittleBookworm - I got The Strange Case of Finley Jayne, too, and plan to read it ASAP! :)

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  20. Woot, thanks for the awesome giveaway! My favorite steampunk book is Soulless by Gail Carriger. Alexia is just so kickass with that parasol of hers, though that reminds me I need to buy the third book soon, hm.

    booksatmidnight(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. Well I didn't even know what steampunk was until I came across this website. But now I know that the Mortal Instrument series from cassandra clare is also considered this. so why do I love it well I loved the mortal instruments series enough to get all of the tattoos that they use in the books. I also really really want a copy of this book.

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