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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
3.5
At times delightful, but also felt rather overcrowded. It was like the author had taken every possible element that she thought would make a successful early-YA novel and jammed them all in, when half would have done just a good of a job.
At times delightful, but also felt rather overcrowded. It was like the author had taken every possible element that she thought would make a successful early-YA novel and jammed them all in, when half would have done just a good of a job.
A very good book, especially entertaining for older teens or young adults
Originally reviewed at wrapped up in books
I’m a fan of Gail Carriger’s adult series The Parasol Protectorate series, which is set in this same world as The Finishing School series. It’s the only paranormal mystery/urban fantasy series that has come close to bringing me the delightfully fun reading experience that I’ve had with the Southern Vampire Mysteries (Sookie Stackhouse series). Carriger’s refreshing world-building, well developed characters, and distinct voice have made the Parasol Protectorate series one of my favorites, and I am very picky about my genre fiction. When I discovered Gail Carriger was writing a young adult series, I was pumped. I thought her voice was well-suited to a teen audience and that there were a lot of directions that she could take this world. Plus, the concept rocked! A finishing school that taught etiquette and espionage! My excitement could not be contained.
Maybe because I had such high expectations, I was disappointed.
This novel skews much younger than I would have anticipated, which is fine. I’ll recommend it to a lot of tween patrons who are ready for YA books. Personally, I would have enjoyed a much more mature storyline. To me, this just felt like a very watered down version of everything I had loved about the Parasol Protectorate series.
There was a lot of cute going on in this book—I mean, what’s not to love about a coal-powered metal dachshund? Flywaymen—like highwaymen, but you know, they fly in dirigibles rather than driving coaches drawn by horses—are very clever. The steampunk elements are light enough to not overwhelm the story but descriptive enough to give the reader a feel for the genre. The language wasn’t as antiquated as that Carriger employed in the Parasol Protectorate series, so despite the historical fantasy setting it is still accessible to younger readers.
Sophronia was a plucky girl, but we only saw the story from her perspective, so Etiquette & Espionage lacked the richness of the Parasol Protectorate books, where the third person narration followed around side characters and developed their subplots. The secondary characters here had little depth. Though it was fun to see the younger versions some of my favorite characters from the Parasol Protectorate series, I wanted more! A lot of the supporting cast felt like cliques–there was the ditzy sidekick obsessed with clothes and the older, mean girl nemesis, etc., etc.
While I think it’s great that there is young adult fiction that contains very little romance, I personally like at least a romantic subplot (but hate when in overwhelms the core conflict). Though there was a hint of a romance (and with a colored boy, at that!) it was too little for my taste.
This is a great series for fans of spy mysteries or young readers. Those who enjoyed Ally Carter’s Gallagher Girls or Heist Society novels and are looking to try historical/steampunk should check this out.
I’m a fan of Gail Carriger’s adult series The Parasol Protectorate series, which is set in this same world as The Finishing School series. It’s the only paranormal mystery/urban fantasy series that has come close to bringing me the delightfully fun reading experience that I’ve had with the Southern Vampire Mysteries (Sookie Stackhouse series). Carriger’s refreshing world-building, well developed characters, and distinct voice have made the Parasol Protectorate series one of my favorites, and I am very picky about my genre fiction. When I discovered Gail Carriger was writing a young adult series, I was pumped. I thought her voice was well-suited to a teen audience and that there were a lot of directions that she could take this world. Plus, the concept rocked! A finishing school that taught etiquette and espionage! My excitement could not be contained.
Maybe because I had such high expectations, I was disappointed.
This novel skews much younger than I would have anticipated, which is fine. I’ll recommend it to a lot of tween patrons who are ready for YA books. Personally, I would have enjoyed a much more mature storyline. To me, this just felt like a very watered down version of everything I had loved about the Parasol Protectorate series.
There was a lot of cute going on in this book—I mean, what’s not to love about a coal-powered metal dachshund? Flywaymen—like highwaymen, but you know, they fly in dirigibles rather than driving coaches drawn by horses—are very clever. The steampunk elements are light enough to not overwhelm the story but descriptive enough to give the reader a feel for the genre. The language wasn’t as antiquated as that Carriger employed in the Parasol Protectorate series, so despite the historical fantasy setting it is still accessible to younger readers.
Sophronia was a plucky girl, but we only saw the story from her perspective, so Etiquette & Espionage lacked the richness of the Parasol Protectorate books, where the third person narration followed around side characters and developed their subplots. The secondary characters here had little depth. Though it was fun to see the younger versions some of my favorite characters from the Parasol Protectorate series, I wanted more! A lot of the supporting cast felt like cliques–there was the ditzy sidekick obsessed with clothes and the older, mean girl nemesis, etc., etc.
While I think it’s great that there is young adult fiction that contains very little romance, I personally like at least a romantic subplot (but hate when in overwhelms the core conflict). Though there was a hint of a romance (and with a colored boy, at that!) it was too little for my taste.
This is a great series for fans of spy mysteries or young readers. Those who enjoyed Ally Carter’s Gallagher Girls or Heist Society novels and are looking to try historical/steampunk should check this out.
Very enjoyable overall, I gobbled it up like a box of girl scout cookies, and the was sad it was gone.
Just what I needed after 3 realistic and sad books. Can't wait for book 2!
I adore Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series and this series is something of a prequel/companion to it. Etiquette & Espionage is a fun, fast read that's spunky enough to appeal to both boys and girls. I'd recommend it to folks who enjoyed Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series, Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan series, and anyone who loves a good spunky heroine.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A very fun reread of a favorite from my middle school days :)
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
I only used the good bookshelves for this book :)
Here's a list of things I loved about this: Soap (the person, not the object for cleanliness), Bumbersnoot, mechanicals who can figure out if you're a boy or a girl (but can be fooled by gyrating dancing of pantsed individuals, comedic timing, and awesome vampire professors. ALL THINGS THAT ARE YOURS WHEN READING THIS BOOK.
Seriously, this book is so delightful that I am chomping at the bit for the next one. Steam punk is usually a genre that is just too daunting for me. However, after initial set up confusion, I was on board and fully engaged in this fun spy finishing school adventure.
I think this book will win 0 awards, but it will live on in my hand selling and shouting-from-the-rooftops crush I have on it. Thank God the next one is coming out this year-I hope it comes right when I need some fun because this one was undiluted in this nature! I am so pleasantly surprised and pleased with this book that I can't stop smiling when I think about it!
Here's a list of things I loved about this: Soap (the person, not the object for cleanliness), Bumbersnoot, mechanicals who can figure out if you're a boy or a girl (but can be fooled by gyrating dancing of pantsed individuals, comedic timing, and awesome vampire professors. ALL THINGS THAT ARE YOURS WHEN READING THIS BOOK.
Seriously, this book is so delightful that I am chomping at the bit for the next one. Steam punk is usually a genre that is just too daunting for me. However, after initial set up confusion, I was on board and fully engaged in this fun spy finishing school adventure.
I think this book will win 0 awards, but it will live on in my hand selling and shouting-from-the-rooftops crush I have on it. Thank God the next one is coming out this year-I hope it comes right when I need some fun because this one was undiluted in this nature! I am so pleasantly surprised and pleased with this book that I can't stop smiling when I think about it!