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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
I was prepared to love this just as much as Carriger's Parisol Protectorate series but I just... didn't. It felt like a poor imitation of what could have been. The main character, Sophronia wasn't as likeable and her wit fell flat.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This review was originally published at thegirlsinplaidskirts.com
Carriger does an excellent job at building a fascinating world that is a mix between the Victorian era with some more advanced technology. Not only is her world-building fantastic, but so is her writing style. I take notes as I read, marking down my favorite lines, and I had a lot for this one, so I simply must include a few of my favorite quotes, which fellow Gallagher Girls (and non-Gallagher Girls, of course) will appreciate and enjoy:
This book didn’t exactly keep me on the edge of my seat, but that’s not a bad thing. I wasn’t rushing to read it to find out what happens next, but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of getting to know Sophronia and explore Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. The school is such a fascinating thing in and of itself, with lots of interesting teachers and staff and rooms (which Sophronia finds herself in even during non-class hours). Mademoiselle Geraldine’s truly has character, with teachers who care equally about one’s ability to perfect a curtsy as they do one’s knowledge of poisons. It is a finishing school in every sense—of girls, of lives.
There were a lot of lovely characters, but I sometimes had trouble telling them apart, because I kept forgetting their names. (They tend to have really strange names, like Mrs. Barnaclegoose, but they aren’t regarded as strange in this world.) However, the little team that Sophronia winds up with with is an entertaining bunch who find themselves in some very interesting situations. Entertainment abounds. There is also a very classy werewolf who fastens his top hat to his head so when he morphs into his wolf form, he is still impeccably dressed. (something to note: If he is not extremely well-dressed, he is not a werewolf.)
One thing I liked very much about this book was its lack of romance. Now don’t get me wrong—I love a good romance, but it was quite refreshing to read a book that focused more on friendship. Though there isn’t a romantic relationship, the book is set up so that there could possibly be one in future books. I would very much like to see how that plays out.
I enjoyed this book very much and will absolutely be reading Curtsies and Conspiracies
Carriger does an excellent job at building a fascinating world that is a mix between the Victorian era with some more advanced technology. Not only is her world-building fantastic, but so is her writing style. I take notes as I read, marking down my favorite lines, and I had a lot for this one, so I simply must include a few of my favorite quotes, which fellow Gallagher Girls (and non-Gallagher Girls, of course) will appreciate and enjoy:
“If we have time, I will move us on how to properly judge a gentleman by the color and knot of his cravat. Believe you me, ladies, the two subjects are far more intimately entangled than you might first suppose.”
“Perhaps, Miss Pelouse, as you know everything so well, you would like to demonstrate fainting in a crowded ballroom in a manner that might attract only the attention of a specific gentleman? Without wrinkling your dress.”
“It’s no good choosing your first husband from a school for evil geniuses. Much too difficult to kill.”
This book didn’t exactly keep me on the edge of my seat, but that’s not a bad thing. I wasn’t rushing to read it to find out what happens next, but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of getting to know Sophronia and explore Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. The school is such a fascinating thing in and of itself, with lots of interesting teachers and staff and rooms (which Sophronia finds herself in even during non-class hours). Mademoiselle Geraldine’s truly has character, with teachers who care equally about one’s ability to perfect a curtsy as they do one’s knowledge of poisons. It is a finishing school in every sense—of girls, of lives.
There were a lot of lovely characters, but I sometimes had trouble telling them apart, because I kept forgetting their names. (They tend to have really strange names, like Mrs. Barnaclegoose, but they aren’t regarded as strange in this world.) However, the little team that Sophronia winds up with with is an entertaining bunch who find themselves in some very interesting situations. Entertainment abounds. There is also a very classy werewolf who fastens his top hat to his head so when he morphs into his wolf form, he is still impeccably dressed. (something to note: If he is not extremely well-dressed, he is not a werewolf.)
One thing I liked very much about this book was its lack of romance. Now don’t get me wrong—I love a good romance, but it was quite refreshing to read a book that focused more on friendship. Though there isn’t a romantic relationship, the book is set up so that there could possibly be one in future books. I would very much like to see how that plays out.
I enjoyed this book very much and will absolutely be reading Curtsies and Conspiracies
Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners--and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality...But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped.
It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.
3.5 stars. Reading Gail Carriger is always a delightful experience. Her characters are charmingly quirky and just plain fun. I love the funny and absurd names she gives her characters too. There is Mrs Barnaclegoose, Frowbritcher the butler, and Lord Dingleproops to name a few. Not only are the characters funny and quirky but her descriptions can be too. This paragraph is a good example:
"He was very pale and boasted an unassuming mustache, which was perched atop his upper lip cautiously, as though it were slightly embarrassed to be there and would like to slide away and become a sideburn or something more fashionable."
Overall Etiquette & Espionage is a very fun, lighthearted read that is set in the same alternate Victorian steampunk world as the Parasol Protectorate series. Time-wise this one is set before The Parasol Protectorate and we get to meet Genevieve Lefoux as a 9 year old and Sidheag Macon as a 14 year old. The setting works well in a YA novel, although this novel did feel somewhat more like a middle grade novel at times.
While I find certain aspects of Carriger's writing delightful, there is something that doesn't pull me in as much as I would like and I never really feel compelled to move onto the next book. Sadly that is again the case here. I'm not sure if I will ever read further into this series, but this book was fun and it did make me laugh which is always a plus.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.
3.5 stars. Reading Gail Carriger is always a delightful experience. Her characters are charmingly quirky and just plain fun. I love the funny and absurd names she gives her characters too. There is Mrs Barnaclegoose, Frowbritcher the butler, and Lord Dingleproops to name a few. Not only are the characters funny and quirky but her descriptions can be too. This paragraph is a good example:
"He was very pale and boasted an unassuming mustache, which was perched atop his upper lip cautiously, as though it were slightly embarrassed to be there and would like to slide away and become a sideburn or something more fashionable."
Overall Etiquette & Espionage is a very fun, lighthearted read that is set in the same alternate Victorian steampunk world as the Parasol Protectorate series. Time-wise this one is set before The Parasol Protectorate and we get to meet Genevieve Lefoux as a 9 year old and Sidheag Macon as a 14 year old. The setting works well in a YA novel, although this novel did feel somewhat more like a middle grade novel at times.
While I find certain aspects of Carriger's writing delightful, there is something that doesn't pull me in as much as I would like and I never really feel compelled to move onto the next book. Sadly that is again the case here. I'm not sure if I will ever read further into this series, but this book was fun and it did make me laugh which is always a plus.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
About halfway through I realized this was for a YA audience. Yes, I know, a 14 year old whippersnapper of a girl should have given it away, but she didn't talk like someone 14, even at that age. Since I'm not a fan of YA, I stopped reading this half way. I'm disappointed, and hope that she goes back to writing adult novels - although I know YA is THE market now-a-days.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The school and world details are charming and often well done, but the adventure/mystery plot is barely an afterthought. As a result, the whole thing feels slow and meandering.
How was this book so good?
Okay, this was another read outside my wheelhouse on purpose. Come on? A 19th century steampunk story about a group of girls shipped off to boarding school to (auspiciously) perfect their manners and fashion sense. When, in fact, they are learning deception, assassination, theft, poison, etc. . . how could this be bad?! Well, it wasn't. It was wicked good fun.
The principle character is a 14-year-old girl with more to offer than even she knows. The setting and plot were entirely age appropriate. The fact that it's set in the late 1800's only adds to the skillful layer of censorship the author achieves for the audience. The most offensive term I heard was "cleavage" and it was only used once or twice. Typically, the euphamism of choice was "decolletage." That lind of thing happened all the time and was totally impressive.
I would recommend this widely. Especially to the YA/Pre-teen female reader who wants a classy, fun, and strong female lead experience.
Okay, this was another read outside my wheelhouse on purpose. Come on? A 19th century steampunk story about a group of girls shipped off to boarding school to (auspiciously) perfect their manners and fashion sense. When, in fact, they are learning deception, assassination, theft, poison, etc. . . how could this be bad?! Well, it wasn't. It was wicked good fun.
The principle character is a 14-year-old girl with more to offer than even she knows. The setting and plot were entirely age appropriate. The fact that it's set in the late 1800's only adds to the skillful layer of censorship the author achieves for the audience. The most offensive term I heard was "cleavage" and it was only used once or twice. Typically, the euphamism of choice was "decolletage." That lind of thing happened all the time and was totally impressive.
I would recommend this widely. Especially to the YA/Pre-teen female reader who wants a classy, fun, and strong female lead experience.
It was an entertaining read but not much happened. It was entertaining because it was a bunch of girls learning to be proper and ladylike and how they can rebel against that idea in a way. Also, the girls learn how to kill their husbands should they need to and such things like that. On the other hand, I wouldn't read it again and I didn't feel like I got much out of the read. I feel that there could have been so much more to the plot and I was hoping more would happen, but it didn't.