My first encounter with this author and series, and it just happens to be the conclusion. Sometimes things just work out that way – and you have all the answers before you knew the questions existed. But, in this case – I am thrilled to have a new series to read from book one, and won’t worry about my knowledge of what is resolved when I get into them. Kady Cross has developed a lovely world where an automaton girl, Mila, is completing her transformation to human. Her refreshing excitement, very childlike and innocent, with all that she is learning and experiencing is wonderfully depicted, and her burgeoning relationship with Jack Dandy and the emotional development in that connection is apparent and palpable. For his part, Jack is starting to share more of his history and secrets, and those all help to present interesting interactions and depth to his character for me. It isn’t all about Mila and Jack though: we do see Finley and Griffin strengthen their relationship. Griffin was trapped in the Aether, and Finley is to the rescue: a wonderful adventure as the gang is working to stop the villain’s despicable deeds. The gang, as it were, are cleverly presented and described: their adventure allows each member to show some strength and skill as they work together to solve the mystery. And the gadgets! Oh my goodness, it is obvious that Cross enjoys and dreams in steampunk with several unique accessories designed with flair and style: surely destined to make every gadget geek drool. Who knew that there were so many ways to reimagine something so simple?I really did enjoy these characters, and the strong women were wonderful and heartening. Mila with her childlike approach and naiveté that contrasts with her apparent age, but is wholly in keeping with her humanization. Finley with her headstrong and bossy stubbornness that could be wholly annoying if it weren’t contrasted with the real depth of feeling and care she has for both Griffin and the gang. While the general storyline was not particularly original, Cross did imbue it with the world she has reimagined, added in some wonderful characters and given us all a reason to smile at the end: and that is exactly what I would look for in a series conclusion. Now I’m off to get the earlier books in the series and plan a steampunk only weekend of reading.I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility. *Digital Galley provided by NetgalleyI have been so excited to see how Cross would end this series! Mila has grown beyond her Machinist roots and matured as a real woman who has developed deep feelings for the disreputable Jack Dandy. However, when she feels like Jack will never be able to see her truly as the woman she has become, she decides to strike off on her own. While Mila is learning to live independently, her friends at Griffin Manor are fighting their own battle. Griffin has been kidnapped and imprisoned in the Aether by the Machinist. When Finley enters the Aether to save him, she finds herself fighting a frightening enemy from her past, and Griffin will find that in order to finally triumph over The Machinist, he will have to face his darkest fears as well. Will they be able to conquer their pasts and secure a future together?Spoilers:Jack Dandy fans will love this last installment of the series since we get to find out about his past and see him get his happily-ever-after. It actually felt to me like there was more of the Jack and Mila storyline than there was of Griffin and Finley and made me wonder if there might be a Jack and Mila spin-off possibly in the future? I have really loved Kady Cross' characters and the world that she has created and am so glad to have been able to finish out the series.
Do You like book The Girl With The Windup Heart (2014)?
Such an amazing read that I wouldn't mind rereading this series so many times in the future.
—Seanaydiansmom
I liked Mila and Dandy's story more than Finley and Griffin's.
—angie5519
