You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
mysterious
fast-paced
2.5 stars.
When I first bought this book I did not think it would revolve around 14 year old girls. So I was quite disappointed about how young the characters and the story felt all together. Another thing that bothered me throughout the book was the way it was written. Some of the conversations in the book as quite hard to understand as it was being written in some kind of dialect. Not sure if that’s just me since English is my second language, but I found that quite hard to understand some parts.
But it was quite an interesting read, I don’t think I’ve heard about anything kind of similar regarding the plot. I do think the storyline about finishing school (in both remarks) is quite a good one, and I would love to see something alike with older characters.
I don’t think I’ll continue to read the rest of the series, but I do understand why some people compare it with the first Harry Potter books.
Who knows, maybe they all will grow in the next couple of books.
When I first bought this book I did not think it would revolve around 14 year old girls. So I was quite disappointed about how young the characters and the story felt all together. Another thing that bothered me throughout the book was the way it was written. Some of the conversations in the book as quite hard to understand as it was being written in some kind of dialect. Not sure if that’s just me since English is my second language, but I found that quite hard to understand some parts.
But it was quite an interesting read, I don’t think I’ve heard about anything kind of similar regarding the plot. I do think the storyline about finishing school (in both remarks) is quite a good one, and I would love to see something alike with older characters.
I don’t think I’ll continue to read the rest of the series, but I do understand why some people compare it with the first Harry Potter books.
Who knows, maybe they all will grow in the next couple of books.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
This book has everything- espionage, werewolves, vampires, evil geniuses...you name it! The characters are very well written and there's hilarity at every turn. Be warned: You won't be able to put it down. Nor will you want to.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this book. Carringer had me during her Parasol Protectorate series and although not as absurd, I still love the voice and the steampunk setting. Can't wait to read book 2.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Class I'd want to take: Sister Mattie's. Favorite characters: Dimity, Agatha, Sidheag, Soap (definitely "Team Soap").
This is another book or series where I don't really "get"/connect to the main character. I think her constant climbing about on the outside of the ship is a bit nonsensical - but then I'm not a big adventure reader/watcher, and yet I like and reread these series.
I get a little annoyed with all the focus on the highest echelons of society - the other girls' surprise at Sidheag for dressing like a governess or housekeeper (but she's allowed to be eccentric because she's a Lady) and pitying those who don't have the very latest fashion - but I expect it's easier and more fun to be able to describe the finest dresses that survived history (and I do appreciate when an existing garment, etc, is described and can be found in museum collections). Also, the nice girls vs. the mean girls, and yet the nice girls talk or feel pretty disparagingly about those who are awkward, and talk behind their backs. It may be a teen girl/young adult novel thing, of which I don't read many (and have long since not been the target audience - but then I would always have been that awkward one, too).
Uncomfortable/don't like: how Soap is introduced, described, named. Now, I didn't see it the first time(s) I read the book, not until I saw a random comment on GC's racism, and now it does feel like a distant, but overdone attempt at addressing a black character in a world where he's rare. Maybe Sophronia, not having gone beyond the wealthy, rural world of her family and neighbors, had never seen a black person, and that they were figures almost of fantasy - and on first reading I thought Soap's joke about being from "darkest Africa...No, miss. Tooting Bec, South London." was at sheltered Sophronia's expense, and funny. I still think it is a bit, but also his name, nickname, and discussion of his color is overdone, especially for an "enlightened" 21st century book. As others have said when you're definitely a sci fi/fantasy with steampunk and immortals, do you have to be so "realistic" about a (isolated) black character, that the writing sounds like it might be from 19th or early 20th century?
my Pinterest board of references
This is another book or series where I don't really "get"/connect to the main character. I think her constant climbing about on the outside of the ship is a bit nonsensical - but then I'm not a big adventure reader/watcher, and yet I like and reread these series.
I get a little annoyed with all the focus on the highest echelons of society - the other girls' surprise at Sidheag for dressing like a governess or housekeeper (but she's allowed to be eccentric because she's a Lady) and pitying those who don't have the very latest fashion - but I expect it's easier and more fun to be able to describe the finest dresses that survived history (and I do appreciate when an existing garment, etc, is described and can be found in museum collections). Also, the nice girls vs. the mean girls, and yet the nice girls talk or feel pretty disparagingly about those who are awkward, and talk behind their backs. It may be a teen girl/young adult novel thing, of which I don't read many (and have long since not been the target audience - but then I would always have been that awkward one, too).
Uncomfortable/don't like: how Soap is introduced, described, named. Now, I didn't see it the first time(s) I read the book, not until I saw a random comment on GC's racism, and now it does feel like a distant, but overdone attempt at addressing a black character in a world where he's rare. Maybe Sophronia, not having gone beyond the wealthy, rural world of her family and neighbors, had never seen a black person, and that they were figures almost of fantasy - and on first reading I thought Soap's joke about being from "darkest Africa...No, miss. Tooting Bec, South London." was at sheltered Sophronia's expense, and funny. I still think it is a bit, but also his name, nickname, and discussion of his color is overdone, especially for an "enlightened" 21st century book. As others have said when you're definitely a sci fi/fantasy with steampunk and immortals, do you have to be so "realistic" about a (isolated) black character, that the writing sounds like it might be from 19th or early 20th century?
my Pinterest board of references
An excellent world set before the "Parasol Protectorate" series by Gail Carriger. We find Sophronia Temminnick sent away to finishing school aboard a giant dirigible. And that is not the only thing that sets this finishing school apart from all the others. What sets this one apart is the fact that this finishing school is one where girls not only learn how to curtsy, the fine art of dressing, dancing, and all things etiquette, but they learn how to finish everything and everyone. They learn how to divert, be covert, and they learn the delicate art of espionage.
While learning all of this, Sophronia learns that she not only likes finishing school, but that she actually may be cut out for this particular type. But in the process of learning this, she learns that there is more going on at this school than she previously thought. Much more than just learning how to finish, but she gets a first-hand experience at espionage.
While learning all of this, Sophronia learns that she not only likes finishing school, but that she actually may be cut out for this particular type. But in the process of learning this, she learns that there is more going on at this school than she previously thought. Much more than just learning how to finish, but she gets a first-hand experience at espionage.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No