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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
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
I just couldn't get into this book... It was a really cute story line, but I just couldn't get into it... Maybe it was just too young for me...
Review Taken From The Pewter Wolf
Set around 25 years prior to the Parasols Protectorate, this new series follows Sophronia who is forced, by her mother, to enroll in Madamoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. But this finishing school isn't exactly what Sophronia's mother thinks it is. For this finishing school teaches these young ladies how to finish... well, everything. They learn to curtsy, dance and etiquette. But they also learn diversion, how to use a weapon and espionage. All in the politest way possible, of course.
But something is happening. Something Sophronia might be able to help. That is... if she figure out where exactly the "prototype" is...
This was fun! I like my fun reads at the moment (not sure why. Because Summer is here... kinda...) so this was nice fit for me. And it was steampunk, something I want to read more of, so it felt a perfect fit. And this story had a feel to it that reminded me of the first Harry Potter book, and that's rare! I enjoyed how the mystery of the prototype wasn't the main focal point of the story and I enjoyed slowly slipping into this new world that Sophronia had found herself in. Also, there are tiny nods to the Parasol Protectorate series which fans of Gail Carriger will spot and smile at.
But, this does feel like a first book in the series so there are things when you feel that Gail is setting things up for later books or she was writing this book to make us get use to the setting, characters and situations. And, while I enjoyed the day-to-day life at this school, I know some of you guys will read this and go "There's no plot!". This might be same with fans of the Parasol Protectorate.
But I really enjoyed it, and I will be waiting to see what happens next in the Finishing School series. Or maybe I should just read [b:Changeless|6933876|Changeless (Parasol Protectorate, #2)|Gail Carriger|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1292566141s/6933876.jpg|7165488]...
Set around 25 years prior to the Parasols Protectorate, this new series follows Sophronia who is forced, by her mother, to enroll in Madamoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. But this finishing school isn't exactly what Sophronia's mother thinks it is. For this finishing school teaches these young ladies how to finish... well, everything. They learn to curtsy, dance and etiquette. But they also learn diversion, how to use a weapon and espionage. All in the politest way possible, of course.
But something is happening. Something Sophronia might be able to help. That is... if she figure out where exactly the "prototype" is...
This was fun! I like my fun reads at the moment (not sure why. Because Summer is here... kinda...) so this was nice fit for me. And it was steampunk, something I want to read more of, so it felt a perfect fit. And this story had a feel to it that reminded me of the first Harry Potter book, and that's rare! I enjoyed how the mystery of the prototype wasn't the main focal point of the story and I enjoyed slowly slipping into this new world that Sophronia had found herself in. Also, there are tiny nods to the Parasol Protectorate series which fans of Gail Carriger will spot and smile at.
But, this does feel like a first book in the series so there are things when you feel that Gail is setting things up for later books or she was writing this book to make us get use to the setting, characters and situations. And, while I enjoyed the day-to-day life at this school, I know some of you guys will read this and go "There's no plot!". This might be same with fans of the Parasol Protectorate.
But I really enjoyed it, and I will be waiting to see what happens next in the Finishing School series. Or maybe I should just read [b:Changeless|6933876|Changeless (Parasol Protectorate, #2)|Gail Carriger|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1292566141s/6933876.jpg|7165488]...
fun, light read. i always enjoy Gail's style of writing.
me gusto mucho el libro, aunque lo sentí un poco lento en algunas partes fue muy interesante espero que traduzcan en resto pronto :D
