Lovin' los libros

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

Publication Date: May 28, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genre: Steampunk
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: e-ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 384 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars

                                                               -goodreads.com description

The ending! The ending! THAT ending!!!! *fangirling* Ok, so obviously, I loved the ending. And now I cannot wait for the fourth (and final?) book to the series. There is not a cliffhanger thank goodness, but Cross does a wonderful job of setting us up for the next book.

This is the third book in the Steampunk Chronicles and I really liked it. I LOVED the first book The Girl in the Steel Corset and I liked the second, The Girl in the Clockwork Cellar, ok. I have heard from so many people that they have had bad experiences with the steampunk genre, but I have not found that to be the case in this series.

We spend the first two books really getting to know our characters, and being introduced to the steampunk aspect of the series. While this book still gives us an inside view of Cross's Victorian London, I really feel that this book gets more into developing the character's relationships with each other. I won't lie. The relationships and romance really made me LOVE this book. I guess after you've read two books where it's RIGHT THERE and the characters are too oblivious or too afraid, that when it finally happens you're cheering and squealing for joy. Or, maybe it's just me.

The story starts not too long after the previous book left off. The crew is back in London after their trip to NYC to help Jasper take care of the situation he had landed himself in. This book primarily has to do with Emily and we actually learn a bit more about her. She has a gift of working with automatons, which is why she is so instrumental in resurrecting the Machinist (Garibaldi). However, her friends will stop at nothing to come to her aid and hopefully stop the madness that is Garibaldi. Emily isn't the only one in trouble, however. Griffin has been acting quite strange and secretive- he is worn down, exhausted, and rather aloof. I do love how Finley calls him out on his crap. She cares for him and won't let him pull away from her, even though she is afraid that maybe she isn't good enough for him to tell his secrets to.

Once Emily is kidnapped by automatons, it is up to her group of friends to locate and rescue her before time runs out. However, it is easier said than done, especially with Griffin not acting like his usual self.

I love how close knit this group is. They will go to excessive lengths to protect one another and it's so refreshing to see how strongly banded together they are. Finley and Sam, who have both been at each other's throats constantly, are starting to respect each other and realize that Emily is their common link. Both love and want to protect her and watching them interact and start to overcome their strained relationship is a positive step forward.

Which brings me to the romance. As I said, these relationships have been forming since the first book and to now see them finally happen, is so exciting. Emily and Sam are precious. Sam has really struggled with who he is in the past and is now starting to really realize that Emily loves him despite everything. She loves him for him, not what he is made of or capable of. Their relationship is sweet beyond sweet.

"My heart might be metal, but it's yours, Em. It always has been and always will be yours."

And then we have the whole Finley-Jack-Griffin triangle. Except, I wouldn't really say it's a triangle at all. Finley has made her choice and made the right one, as far as I'm concerned. I do love reading about Jack though, so I'm glad we got to see him a bit in this book. Finley and Griffin, still battle their insecurities about being together but at least now they are a bit more open about discussing their feelings with one another. Watching them banter is probably one of my favorite parts of their relationship. They are both stubborn and hard-headed, so it makes it even more difficult for one of them to give in. But oh the fireworks between these two. If you have been disappointed by the lack of romance in the first two books- YOU WON'T BE HERE! :D  There were quite a few scenes I had to reread......

Overall, Cross did a great job with her third novel in the series. You'll get a bit of everything: steampunk, intrigue, mystery, romance, action, and humor. Definitely a great addition to the Steampunk Chronicles!