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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
I ended up REALLY enjoying this book, even though I actually got it for my 14 year old daughter. It felt like a Terry Pratchett book in tone-you know, social commentary and all that, with clever humour and winks to the audience. The main character is a young girl (Sophronia) from a family with good social standing and money, who is just too interested in climbing and running and machinery and not interested enough in clothes and gems and polite society. She gets recruited to go to Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. But this is no regular finishing school. Here, one learns the gentle art of espionage, assassination and information collection, as well as the use of fans, bags and gloves as weapons. oh yeah, and how to curtsy and flutter one's eyelashes.
The book has hints of the paranormal (vampires and werewolves exist, but are just some of the background characters, part of normal society), and hints of steampunk (clockwork machines acting as servants, dirigible-driving highwaymen, Victorian sensibilities in both dress and behaviour).
I have read a lot of teen books in recent years to make sure they are ok for Morgan. Now that she is older and I trust her judgment in appropriate books, I still give many teen books a chance, because they seem fun, but usually don't go past the first in a series. This is one series I will continue to read-very enjoyable and much smarter than one would think given the cover and location in the bookstore.
The book has hints of the paranormal (vampires and werewolves exist, but are just some of the background characters, part of normal society), and hints of steampunk (clockwork machines acting as servants, dirigible-driving highwaymen, Victorian sensibilities in both dress and behaviour).
I have read a lot of teen books in recent years to make sure they are ok for Morgan. Now that she is older and I trust her judgment in appropriate books, I still give many teen books a chance, because they seem fun, but usually don't go past the first in a series. This is one series I will continue to read-very enjoyable and much smarter than one would think given the cover and location in the bookstore.
Etiquette & Espionage is the first book in Gail Carriger's new young adult series, The Finishing School. Quirky and full of adventure, with the same humorous spirit as the much beloved Parasol Protectorate series, E&E is a fun book that leaves room for the series to grow. The overall tone seemed to me a bit more juvenile than what I'd expect in a young adult -- rather than middle grade -- novel, but I assume that as the main character grows up over the remainder of the series, so too will the maturity level of the books. Fans of Ms. Carriger's works will of course want to check this one out, and I hope new readers also discover the delights of her world.
(Full review appears on my blog.)
(Full review appears on my blog.)
Etiquette & Espionage is adorable as an audiobook!
Clever, witty, sneaky, and cheeky. A delightful treat of a read.
I have remind myself first that this is a Young Adult Novel. I have read the 1st Book (and going to read the rest) in The Parasol Protectorate and really enjoyed it. The world is not as fleshed out as it is in TPP series, but the story is intriguing and any Young Adult will enjoy the story. It does have a Harry Potter/Hogwarts feel in regards to recruitment, boarding school atmosphere, quirky teachers and adventures. The book also does not feel like the ending is the ending and you know there will be others books to follow. I also felt the ending was quick, it was really the last twenty pages and could have been more drawn out. But it was a fun read. I will read the rest of the series, but I much prefer TPP series.
Rated 3 stars because it was good in regards to YA genre, story/plot was decent. Characters are quirky and more than likely will be fleshed out more in the series.
Rated 3 stars because it was good in regards to YA genre, story/plot was decent. Characters are quirky and more than likely will be fleshed out more in the series.
i wish secret finishing schools for spies existed irl
It grieves me dearly to say I do not have plans to continue with this series. I tried very hard to like it as much as I do the Parasol Protectorate series but this one just seems way to ridiculous just to be ridiculous. :( It was difficult to finish but I kept at it just in case. It's amusing when one or two characters in a story have silly names, but when every single one has a bizarre name it's just way too overdone. Alas.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It is impossible to not compare this to Harry Potter. But I enjoyed it far more. Some of it was a bit over the top, but what fun to learn of the early lives of some of my favorite Parasol Protectorate characters. And I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
Quick and funny YA set in a very strange steam punkish England. There is a mechanical Dachshund named Bandersnoot. Did not realize the author had already finished another series set in the same world.