The Girl With the Iron Touch by Kady Cross

The Girl With the Iron Touch by Kady Cross
Release Date: May 28, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 384
Series: The Steampunk Chronicles #3
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
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:
If I’m being totally honest, books with romance are my favourite type. But steampunk adventures? Also pretty awesome. So what I love about these books is that they are adventurous and full of action, but they’re such kissing books as well. Finley and Griffin are definitely my favourites. They’re so swoony, even though their relationship is complicated. I loved seeing them admit their feelings for one another and having their relationship progress in different ways.

Finley is my favourite character, so I liked her perspective the most, but especially as the book went on I was intrigued by every viewpoint and the story as a whole. Emily is such a kickass character, and I loved seeing both her tough side and her relationship with Sam. Those two have such friendship and respect, so seeing how they wanted to save one another was a great part of this book.

This volume features the continued traps of the evil Garibaldi, who returns in a crazy and unexpected way. What’s interesting in this volume, like in the past, is how the author delves into issues of humanity when referencing automatons and the placing of mechanical parts into humans. Really, with all these things how could you go wrong with this series? When you can include both ethical issues and swoons in your steampunk romp, you’ve got a winner in my book. The Steampunk Chronicles is a series filled with characters who I enjoy reading about tremendously, and I can’t wait for the fourth book to be announced officially.

The Cover:
The girl looks a bit old, but besides that it's gorgeous!

Rating:
[4/5]

Find The Girl With the Iron Touch by Kady Cross on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

The Warlock's Curse by M.K. Hobson (Tour Review + Giveaway)

M.K. Hobson’s debut novel, The Native Star—the first book in her Veneficas Americana series—was nominated for a Nebula award in 2010. She lives in the first city in the United States incorporated west of the Rockies. Her favorite writers are Theodore Dreiser, Sinclair Lewis, Booth Tarkington, Gore Vidal, and William S. Burroughs. The Warlock’s Curse is her third novel. You can find out more at her website, www.demimonde.com.




Website: http://www.thewarlockscurse.com/
Twitter: @mkhobson
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mkhobson
Book trailer: http://youtu.be/oyrYAfu8IMg

Release Date: October 31, 2012
Publisher: Demimonde
Pages: 390
Series: Veneficas American #3
Review Source: eBook via CBB Book Promotions for tour review

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
THE YEAR IS 1910. Eighteen-year-old Will Edwards has landed a prestigious apprenticeship at Detroit’s Tesla Industries, the most advanced scientific research center in the United States. It’s a plum prize for a young man who dreams of a career in the new science of Otherwhere Engineering.

But his father doesn’t want him to go. And he won’t tell him why.

Determined to get there by any means necessary, Will finds unexpected support along the way. His old friend Jenny Hansen—daughter of a San Francisco timber baron—is eager to help him for reasons of her own. And so is his estranged brother Ben, who he hasn’t seen in over ten years.

But running away turns out to be the easy part. On the first full moon after his eighteenth birthday, Will is stricken by a powerful magic—a devastating curse laid upon his ancestors by the malevolent sangrimancer Aebedel Cowdray. Will must find a way to control the magic that possesses him—or the vengeful warlock’s spirit will destroy everything and everyone he loves.

My Thoughts:
The first thing that intrigued me about this book was the fact that it’s a steampunk set in the United States. It’s not often that I’ve seen a steampunk title set outside of England, so that immediately made me take notice. Once I started reading I was impressed with the fabulous world building. There’s a whole alternate history in this book, filled with science, steampunk, and magic. The book features such a dense setting, which at times was daunting, but overall really added to the richness of the narrative.

‘The Warlock’s Curse’ isn’t necessarily an easy book to read. It requires a certain commitment, because of all the characters and details about the science and magic. However, if steampunk science fiction is your preferred genre, then this is definitely one worth reading. What was unique about it, to me, was that while the characters were upper-YA age, it definitely had more of the feel of an adult book. It was more serious and focused on the plot, rather than the character-driven journey that most YA books feature. I actually would have liked to have explored Will’s relationships more, especially with Jenny, as I felt like we never got to fully understand her actions, despite learning a bit about her motivations.

This was definitely an interesting book, and I think that if you’re a big fan of the genre then you might enjoy it even more than I did. Also please note that while this is part of a larger series, it is the first book set in a different time period and with different characters, so you do not need to read any previous books to understand what is happening in this one.

The Cover:
I like it, although having Will as the main image on the cover would've made more sense, I think.

Rating:
[3/5]

Find The Warlock's Curse by M.K. Hobson on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

As part of the blog tour, M.K. Hobson is giving away some great prizes.

US Only
Prize package of *signed* copies of The Native Star, The Hidden Goddess and The Warlock's Curse as well as a swag pack of a Tesla Industries pin, magnets and a sticker *not shown*.

International
13 ebooks of The Warlock's Curse


The giveaways ends 12/30/12. Please see the Rafflecopter for full terms & conditions, and fill it out to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The full tour schedule can be found here.

The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress

Release Date: December 6, 2012
Publisher: Dial (Penguin)
Pages: 440
Series: n/a
Review Source: ARC from Razorbill Canada for blog tour

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
An action-packed tale of gowns, guys, guns –and the heroines who use them all.

Set in turn of the century London, The Friday Society follows the stories of three very intelligent and talented young women, all of whom are assistants to powerful men: Cora, lab assistant; Michiko, Japanese fight assistant; and Nellie, magician's assistant. The three young women's lives become inexorably intertwined after a chance meeting at a ball that ends with the discovery of a murdered mystery man.

It's up to these three, in their own charming but bold way, to solve the murder–and the crimes they believe may be connected to it–without calling too much attention to themselves.

Set in the past but with a modern irreverent flare, this Steampunk whodunit introduces three unforgettable and very ladylike–well, relatively ladylike–heroines poised for more dangerous adventures.

My Thoughts:
‘The Friday Society’ is a real treat for those who enjoy books featuring strong female characters and friendship. I loved how each of the three girls (Cora, Nellie, & Michiko) had distinct personalities and specific goals, but that each of them wanted to be something more. They yearned to show their own strength and capability to a society (London, 1900) which largely ignored them. There was great chemistry between the girls, and how their stories intersected was interesting.

This book is a historical mystery with a dash of steampunk to it. It’s “steampunky” without being over the top. There are inventions and science and other aspects, but nothing too technical that would scare off readers new to the genre. ‘The Friday Society’ also features a quite humourous tone. Despite the fact that the book deals with murder and danger there was always a lightness to it. The chapter headings were amusing, and the style of narration helped establish this.

I’m a big fan of romance, yet I’m glad to say that ‘The Friday Society’ works well without romance as a main plot line. There’s a teensy bit of romantic potential, but it’s more just the inclusion of a couple of cute guys. I’m particularly a fan of a certain rookie cop who was quite adorable in his shy admiration of Nellie. I’m glad that an “epic romance” wasn't included in this book, because it allowed the book to focus on its heart: female friendship and solving the mystery.

My one tiny annoyance with this book was how modern the language was at times, with the girls using phrases or words that didn’t fit the time period at all. I'm not sure if this will be cleaned up in the finished copy, or if it was supposed to be part of the narrative voice, but it was really jarring in a couple of places. This definitely didn't stop me from enjoying the book, though, and I found ‘The Friday Society’ to be a very enjoyable read on the whole. I especially appreciated how the mystery was solved at the end. It's great to see a book that works completely as a standalone and yet has series potential as well.

The Cover:
So much fun!

Rating:
[3.5/5]

Find The Friday Society by Adrienne Kress on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

Your Thoughts on Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff

A DYING LAND
The Shima Imperium verges on the brink of environmental collapse; an island nation once rich in tradition and myth, now decimated by clockwork industrialization and the machine-worshipers of the Lotus Guild. The skies are red as blood, the land is choked with toxic pollution, and the great spirit animals that once roamed its wilds have departed forever.

AN IMPOSSIBLE QUEST
The hunters of Shima’s imperial court are charged by their Shōgun to capture a thunder tiger—a legendary creature, half-eagle, half-tiger. But any fool knows the beasts have been extinct for more than a century, and the price of failing the Shōgun is death.

A SIXTEEN YEAR OLD GIRL
Yukiko is a child of the Fox clan, possessed of a talent that if discovered, would see her executed by the Lotus Guild. Accompanying her father on the Shōgun’s hunt, she finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in Shima’s last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled thunder tiger for company. Even though she can hear his thoughts, even though she saved his life, all she knows for certain is he’d rather see her dead than help her.

But together, the pair will form an indomitable friendship, and rise to challenge the might of an empire.

Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff seems to have taken the book blogging world by storm. It's being released in North America as an adult title, but it's definitely one of those crossover books.

I haven't had a chance to finish 'Stormdancer', so I thought I would take a look at what some of my fellow bloggers have been saying about the book:

Yukkiko can definitely give any strong female character a run for their money. The girl is strong, resilient, beautiful, and can wield a weapon like no one else. Love her. ... This is one of those fast paced books that kept me up late to finish reading it. So freaking great! Stunning novel. I am in awe of the world Jay Kristoff built. A must-read y’all seriously.

-- Giselle from Book Nerd (Giselle also has a giveaway running until the 17th)

Kristoff’s writing is very descriptive with a lot of adjectives. It is very easy to picture the world created by the author. Stormdancer is not the sort of book you should expect to tear through, but the type of book one savors and takes time with. If you are an impatient reader, straight up you will not like this book. ... If you like sophisticated storytelling, tough as nails main characters, revolutions and Eastern based fantasy, Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff is worth a few days of your reading time.

-- April from Good Books & Good Wine

Jay Kristoff's writing is Whedonesque. This is one of the highest compliments I can pay because I think Joss Whedon is absolutely brilliant. He writes beautifully complex female characters living in gorgeously imagined worlds where no one is safe and anything can happen. And you know what? Jay Kristoff does, too.

-- Jenn from Tynga's Reviews

Unfortunately for this book, I did find the beginning rather slow to start. It stemmed from the combination of elaborate description and establishing the setting and its residents, customs, and culture. Once the book got into the main story, the main plot, it moved along at a much faster pace. ... Even though the book was slow to start and rather heavy with world-building backstory, I believe that fans of epic fantasy will enjoy it, especially those looking for an Asian twist on the standard epic fantasy that often has British roots.

-- Lindsay from Me On Books

Be sure to check out the kind of epic and definitely hilarious book trailer as well:



Stormdancer will be released on September 18 (this Tuesday!), and is already released in Australia and the UK.

The Unnaturalists by Tiffany Trent

Release Date: August 14, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
Pages: 320
Series: The Unnaturalists #1
Review Source: ARC from S&S Canada

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
In an alternate London where magical creatures are preserved in a museum, two teens find themselves caught in a web of intrigue, deception, and danger.

Vespa Nyx wants nothing more than to spend the rest of her life cataloging Unnatural creatures in her father’s museum, but as she gets older, the requirement to become a lady and find a husband is looming large. Syrus Reed’s Tinker family has always served and revered the Unnaturals from afar, but when his family is captured to be refinery slaves, he finds that his fate may be bound up with Vespa’s—and with the Unnaturals.

As the danger grows, Vespa and Syrus find themselves in a tightening web of deception and intrigue. At stake may be the fate of New London—and the world.

My Thoughts:
Liked:
- I loved the idea of the museum of Unnaturals (mythical creatures), and I actually wish more time had been spent in that location
- There’s something very imaginative about the whole concept, with all of “Old” London having been sucked into this parallel faery world
- The differences between our history and the world of the book really interested me; I loved how the religious zeal of the past was reformed into this scientific fervour where everything was based on science and logic
- The style of narrative interested me: it was a dual narrative with first person, present tense from Vespa and third person, past tense from Syrus; it actually worked quite well in keeping the voices separate, and yet they complimented each other as well: it wasn’t jarring to go between chapters

Not so much:
- I would have liked to have known Vespa better as a character; we get her inner thoughts, and yet I don’t feel like her showed herself that much; I would have expected more emotional reactions in certain situations (e.g. more of a struggle in her as she discovers things about magic, considering she was supposed to be very scientific and entrenched in that world)
- The bit of romance was pretty stale; I like the idea of those characters together, but the depth of Vespa’s feelings came about rather suddenly, and it almost wasn’t necessary for the book
- While I was intrigued by the world building, it almost felt too busy; there was information overload at times, and yet also a lot of potential for ideas and plots that didn’t get fleshed out

Conclusion:
I definitely recommend that you check this one out for yourself because I liked it, I just found it a bit slow and hard to get into in certain places.

The Cover:
Super pretty! Love the lettering and the whole feel of the cover.

Rating:
[3/5]

Find The Unnaturalists by Tiffany Trent on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross

Release Date: May 22, 2012
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 416
Series: Steampunk Chronicles #2
Review Source: Netgalley

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
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:
I really liked ‘The Girl in the Steel Corset’ and its sequel does not disappoint. ‘The Girl in the Clockwork Collar’ was a fun and adventurous ride from beginning to end. The writing is entertaining and keeps your interest, but the best part of these books are the characters. Finley is such an interesting and layered character, and I liked the continued examination of both sides of her personality. I also loved all the side characters, but I especially love the Duke of Greythorne, Griffin King. And most of all I love the interaction between Finley and Griff. I mean, sa-woon! The book is full of both of them reiterating how confusing their relationship is, and how Finley knows it can’t ever happen, but those two have chemistry like woah. I love it when books can bring on the swoon just with lingering glances and meaningful hand contact.

I did miss the London setting from the first book, but New York in that time period is pretty cool as well. I also think having Nikola Tesla show up in every steampunk type of book imaginable gets a little bit tired, but the way he was presented was still interesting.

One thing I really liked was the villain and his part in the story. A lot of times the bad guy can get cartoonish, so I liked how Dalton just seemed like a criminal. He was a bad guy and he was nasty and greedy, but he had different sides to him. He wasn’t just this diabolical presence: he seemed like a person too.

Overall I just really enjoy these books. The characters, the story, and the style of writing are all great, and I’d highly recommend them, especially to fans of The Infernal Devices series.

The Cover:
Hey look, a POC character actually shown as a POC! (In other words, A+) Actual cover design = pretty good.

Rating:
[4/5]

Find The Girl in the Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin

Release Date: April 24, 2012
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 320
Series: Masque #1
Review Source: Edelweiss

Synopsis: (from Goodreads)
Everything is in ruins.

A devastating plague has decimated the population. And those who are left live in fear of catching it as the city crumbles to pieces around them.

So what does Araby Worth have to live for?

Nights in the Debauchery Club, beautiful dresses, glittery make-up . . . and tantalizing ways to forget it all.

But in the depths of the club—in the depths of her own despair—Araby will find more than oblivion. She will find Will, the terribly handsome proprietor of the club. And Elliott, the wickedly smart aristocrat. Neither boy is what he seems. Both have secrets. Everyone does.

And Araby may find something not just to live for, but to fight for—no matter what it costs her.

My Thoughts:
I liked this one well enough, I suppose, but I just didn't feel that connected to it like a lot of other people seem to be. See, a self-medicated heroine isn't really my cup of tea. I really hated how Araby refused to experience things her brother wouldn't experience. It just felt so weak, and I hated her lack of will. I understand that this was part of her character progression, but I also hated that it took a boy for her to see her worth.

Another thing that was a bit difficult with this book is that so much was going on. There was the old plague, the new plague, the clubs, political conspiracy, etc... there was so much all at once and it all kind of flowed together. I also felt like the characters were poorly defined. They also flowed together, in that it felt like they had different personalities at different times. There was also a lack of motivation going on with the prince. He was psycho and power hungry, wanting to control everything, even treating his family in a terrible way, but why? I didn't see any reason beyond the fact that he's the big bad.

Despite these complaints I didn't mind this book for the most part. It had a great visceral setting that I thought was one of the main strong points. In the end, though, I found it a bit forgettable, and not really for me. I'd definitely recommend you check out some other reviews, though, because a lot of people seem to be in love with this one.

The Cover:
Um yes, it's pretty awesome!

Rating:
[3/5]

Find Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin on Goodreads, Book Depository, & Amazon.