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The Strange Case of Finley Jayne The Steampunk Chronicles eBook Kady Cross

Download As PDF : The Strange Case of Finley Jayne The Steampunk Chronicles eBook Kady Cross

The Strange Case of Finley Jayne The Steampunk Chronicles eBook Kady Cross

It was short and diverting, which was why I bought it. So I can't complain too much. But it was awkwardly written and the plot was kind of silly. Maybe the author's other books are better; I haven't read any. This reads like a first novel by a young adult who hasn't practiced enough yet. I'm sure she'll eventually grow into a competent style, but the author's development seems still at early stages in this work. It's a laudable effort all the same, and promises better things to come.


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The Strange Case of Finley Jayne The Steampunk Chronicles eBook Kady Cross Reviews

The main character is similar to one from a Georgette Heyer novel---a plucky and intelligent young lady, one who is willing (eventually) to overlook class and wealth in a man. Coming of age stories can be interesting, and with young Finley Jayne there is an overarching realization that she is coming into unexpected abilities which neither she nor the reader comprehend. The problems come when there are plot elements (the sabotaged mechanical horses for example) which defy logic, or when word choice is inelegant (she might feel "pissed" by something, but would not use that term). Steampunk at its best examines how technology and society interact, but in this book this is really glossed over. Hopefully, the author will use an experienced editor in the future; it would be worthwhile to read a later book and see if the rough edges are smoothed. Two and a half stars.
Book Review- The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross

Finley Jayne was just fired from her current position. She punched the governess that was being horrible to the young boy in her charge. She couldn’t help her strength when she knocked out the woman’s teeth. So she finds herself at her mother’s house trying to decide what to do. She is surprised when Silas announces that Lady Morton is there to see her.
Lady Morton is there to hire her as a companion for her daughter Phoebe. Finley has never heard of such a thing but agrees after hearing her duties and wages. Once Finley assumes her duties, she learns of Phoebe’s engagement to an Earl. Something else is going on. Finley is sure of it. Lady Morton has entrusted her with finding out the truth before Phoebe’s wedding. Her dark side will definitely come in handy.
This steampunk story is about a commoner who is paid to mix with members of Society. It is a fascinating idea where Finley has these super-like powers. Her speed and strength come into play in suspenseful parts of the story. They are a complete mystery. Finley has no idea how she has them or why. The author didn’t reveal it to the reader, so I assume it will be learned in a later book. I am interested in what the cause is. The author seems to just give you enough to hook you.
This book really took off once Finley started working for the Mortons. The reason behind her hire was a bit more morbid and completely gothic in nature. Definitely a crazy spin to the story. I was a bit surprised at what the Earl was doing. It was an interesting turn of events as the story evolved. I wasn’t expecting it at all. The author’s creativity shines through in a Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, type theme. I’m glad that Finley figured it out. Cool Story overall. I give it a 3.5 out of 5.
In case you're wondering, Kady Cross' "The Strange Case of Finley Jayne" is apparently a prequel to the forthcoming novel "The Girl in the Steel Corset." But this little steampunk novella stands pretty well on its own -- it has a sensible butt-kicking heroine, a dash of classic horror, and some decent writing (albeit with some anachronisms).

Only a few hours after being fired from her job (for punching a governess), Finley Jayne is offered a new position companion to Lady Morton's teenage daughter Phoebe. The job seems too good to be true -- she gets a beautiful room, Phoebe's old clothes, and even is brought to balls and parties under the pretense of being a distant relation.

However, she is uneasy about Phoebe's older fiancee, Lord Vincent. Not only is Lord Vincent creepy and twice her age, but he is also still obsessed with his dead wife, Cassandra... who looked exactly like Phoebe. Finley sets out to find out what devious plans he may have for Phoebe, and her greatest ally may be her secret, superhuman dark side.

There is honestly not enough steampunk in the world, and "The Strange Case of Finley Jayne" is a decent example of the genre -- we've got clockwork automatons, steam carriages, robotic horses and a bit of "Frankensteinian" mad science. There are still some unanswered questions (Finley's dark side and superhuman strength), but presumably the full-length novel will explain that.

Cross' prose is fairly good -- it's not exceptional, but it's solid enough, albeit with some comments that sound a little too modern (Finley refers to Lord Vincent's plans as "icky"). And while the first couple chapters feel a little fluffy, the story tightens up and becomes much darker with the introduction of Lord Vincent, although the subplot about Phoebe's boyfriend seemed extraneous.

And Finley is a very, very likable heroine -- she's strong, self-reliant, sensible and intelligent. She also has a Hyde side (see, I can reference 19th-century horror too!), which allows her incredible strength and almost gleeful aggression that she has to keep bottled up. And I can't help but hope that we'll see more of Lady Morton, a clever noblewoman who recognizes a good bodyguard for her daughter when she sees one.

"The Strange Case of Finley Jayne" is a solid introduction to the world of Kady Cross' Victorian steampunk/urban-fantasy series, and leaves me anticipating whatever comes next for Finley Jayne.
It was short and diverting, which was why I bought it. So I can't complain too much. But it was awkwardly written and the plot was kind of silly. Maybe the author's other books are better; I haven't read any. This reads like a first novel by a young adult who hasn't practiced enough yet. I'm sure she'll eventually grow into a competent style, but the author's development seems still at early stages in this work. It's a laudable effort all the same, and promises better things to come.