i highly recommend The Girl in the Steel Corset. 
 ***** 
 PURE AWESOMENESS. 
 I never thought i'd love the steampunk genre this much, because of this book. the prequel The Strange Case of Finley Jane solidly built this first book into stardom! 
 if you've been reading my reviews, then by now you know i crave for action on the books that i read. lots and lots of action. and The Girl in the Steel Corset has lots of it! Hand-to-hand combat, man-vs-machine combat, girl-vs-guy combat. man, oh man it was delicious! 
 i find the story easy to grasp, easy to follow. there are a lot of unique elements that made me think, this author is good! 
 FINLEY JANE is one kick-ass chick. Literally. i love her! 
 Finley is a female version of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde. Two personalities in one female body is taking a toll on Finley. she can't hold a job, she can't run back to her family. when she was taken in by Griffin, it is understandable why she is suspicious of his intent. having her share of malicious men pawing on her, it's not hard to mistrust Griffin. But powerful Griffin slowly breaks her wall.. and into her heart. wee! 
 i didn't mind the constant push/pull of Finley's and Griffin's relationship. i figured i can wait til the next installment for their budding romance. 
 everything a heroine should be, i found in Finley. she takes care of herself, doesn't want to be a burden to anyone, gets defensive when she feels threatened. and yet, she longs for friendship, for family, and maybe, for love. she is such an enticing character! the conflict between her normal self and her darker self is entertaining. 
 i adore Griffin, he is really fitted to be a duke. i hate Sam, such a loser and a whiner (ungrateful bastard). i envied Emily, with her intelligence and loyalty to her friends. i like Jasper! he should be emily's partner. he's much more charming than that bloke. Jack - he is that one character i can't quite figure out. is he a friend or foe? i admit his bad boy appeal is more attractive than Griffin's aristocratic redheadedness (lol), but i am rooting for Griffin. C'mon Griff, let's take it up a notch with Finley! Jack is nothing but a criminal. But you, oh you are so, so much more than a duke. 
 i was left hanging in the end! but in a good way. this time, i can't wait for their adventure outside of London. 
 i was always fascinated with Victorian setting, and add to that world a bunch of automatons, telekinesis, access to the nether world, and a little bit of romance - it makes an astounding story for a girl who came into terms with merging herself to a whole new person and became a strong woman (inside and out) of her time.