The Girl in the Steel Corset
by
Kady Cross
Part 1:
Reflect: I like the plot of this book. The plot instantly grabbed me and took me away. The plot starts off fast sucking you into the world of 1897 but a very different one to what you'll read about in the history books. It's a world full of automatons, organites and other fun technology that I'm looking forward to exploring more. It was an interesting plot indeed but a little slow to get started and I did feel that the author gave too many hints about the mystery meaning I had worked out all of the twists long before the characters did. But anyway, I loved Finley; she was strong and independent and takes an active role in protecting both herself and others. I really liked her dual personality which keeps me interested in reading the book. She has good and bad side. Her bad side, which is like a beast, allows her to overcome impossible feats and has saved her many a time from injury or even death and the way she gradually starts to bring the two sides of herself together as the story progresses.
Connect: The connection I had with this story is that when I am trying to fit in into a circle of friends. Even though I am new in their group, they accepted me with who I am. They didn’t hesitate to help me when I’m in trouble and they’re always there for me. But just like Finley, there are times that I feel insecure of myself because of the fact that I am new in their group. I am afraid that there comes a time when they can’t understand me and kick me out of their group but as time goes on, I realized that no matter what happens they will always be there by my side.
Question: Did Jack really kill Felix? Finley told him that Felix tried to take advantage of her and Jack seems to be angry but after Felix was killed, Finley asked him if it was him but he said he didn’t killed him. If it was him who killed Felix, did he only do it for Finley’s sake? What does Jack really feel towards Finley? There are times that he’s so sweet to her but why didn’t he pursue Finley, knowing that Finley has feelings for him?
Prediction: I think in the sequel of the book, they will all go to New York. They will save Jasper from being imprisoned. And while they’re trying to save him, they will uncover the truth about Jasper and meet more enemy while saving Jasper.
Part 2:
#5 Reflective comments: Refer back to the text to identify developments and changes in action and characterization and reflect on how they changed your thinking about what was happening in the novel. Comment also on the author’s purpose for using that development to build conflict or tension in the novel.
The Girl in the Steel Corset starts at a point where a lot is happening, and nothing is really being explained. I am a quiet lost in the beginning of the story, but after a while I started to get a grasp on what was happening. I also think some things happen a little abruptly and something are sometimes left unexplained. There are those parts when how did they managed to save Sam from death and why did Sam the only one who fight against the machines but despite those flaws, I did find myself being submerged in this novel, and by the time I started to really love it, I didn’t want it to end.
I was confused because the story is frequently switching perspectives. But as I reread it, I actually understood on what was happening. The development was a bit slow and it takes a chapter to find just a small clue. But anyway, I have enjoyed on how they fit all the pieces in a puzzle. Finley plays the role of the strong heroine that can do take care of herself. You can’t really get to see into her thoughts that often because there are times she was hot and then cold. When she meets up with Griffin and the gang, she finally finds a place where she may belong but at times she felt like she belonged, the next she didn’t. But at the end of the story, she finds herself too attached in the group and finally she let herself trust others again. Griffin plays the accepting friend role allowing Finley to stay at his house while Sam on the other hand was against it and he has always doubted Finley. This doubt leads Sam to get into a fight with Finley which tangled their group but at the end, they find themselves trusting each other.
