The Girl with the Iron Touch (Steampunk Chronicles #3), by Kady Cross

Title: The Girl with the Iron Touch (Steampunk Chronicles #3)
Author: Kady Cross
Format: ebook
Source: NetGalley

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 Opinion: I was so excited when I got to read this book because Steampunk Chronicles is one of my favorite series, and I love Kady Cross's writing. I thought it tied things up nicely in most cases, but I felt bad for poor Jasper, one of my fave characters, who really didn't have much to do in this book and was just kind of hanging around. Fortunately, I got to see lots of Finley and Griffin, and Emily and Sam, with some awesome Jack Dandy thrown in for good measure, so I was a happy camper!

The gang has returned to England from their trip to and adventures in America, and everybody's trying to recuperate from that. Unfortunately, Griffin isn't doing too well, but he won't share what's going on with any of them, which really irks Finley. Emily and Sam are getting closer and are finally going to admit how they feel to one another when Emily is kidnapped, and the rest of them have to find her and bring her back, while keeping Sam under some control because he's totally losing it. 

Since I already told you how much I love this series, it's not surprising that I loved all of the characters, and enjoyed going back and visiting them again. The writing was, as usual, exciting and the pacing was perfect. I have to say that I am going to miss these guys a lot! 

I thought this was a good conclusion to the Steampunk Chronicles series and I give it an enthusiastic 5 stars. I  highly recommend it to fans of YA steampunk :D

I received a copy of this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2), by Kady Cross

Title: The Girl in the Clockwork Collar (Steampunk Chronicles #2)
Author: Kady Cross
Format: eGalley
Source: I received a copy of this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion

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 Opinion: When I read The Girl in the Steel Corset I loved it so much I was a bit nervous about reading The Girl in the Clockwork Collar because the second book in a series is rarely as good as the first book. I am very, very happy to say that I was wrong to be nervous!! I absolutely LOVED this book! I was also a bit nervous about changing the setting from England to the US as I was afraid this move might change the group's dynamics, but again ... totally wrong! It worked wonderfully!

Finley is finally combining both sides of her personality and is learning how to control her more aggressive side, which was really nice to see and very well done. All of the characters stayed true to themselves, even though they were in a very strange location for them. In England Griffin was a  big deal because of his title and could do pretty much anything he wanted and get away with it, but in the US, especially during that time period, things were completely different, so the group has to be extra sneaky to get away with anything, which was a lot of fun  for me as the reader! We got to know Jasper Renn better, which was a definite plus, and all of the characters had their own moments to shine, just as they did in The Girl in the Steel Corset. 

In summary, I completely and totally loved this installment in the Steampunk Chronicles, which is fast becoming one of my favorite series, and I will be waiting anxiously for the next book to come out! Hurry Kady! I'm on the edge of my seat here! I wholeheartedly recommend this book for all fans of steampunk:D