Review: Waistcoats & Weaponry (Gail Carriger)

Title: Waistcoats & Weaponry
Series: Finishing School, Book the Third
Author: Gail Carriger
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Initial Edition Read: Atom Books)
Release Date: November 4, 2014
Genre: Young Adult Alternate Historical Paranormal Steampunk
Content Rating: Older Teen (violence, seduction, sensual conversation, men in states of undress)
Format Read: Atom Paperback (author), Paperback (purchased)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

Class is back in session...

Sophronia continues her second year at finishing school in style--with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown, of course. Such a fashionable choice of weapon comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and the charming Lord Felix Mersey stowaway on a train to return their classmate Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland. No one suspected what--or who--they would find aboard that suspiciously empty train. Sophronia uncovers a plot that threatens to throw all of London into chaos and she must decide where her loyalties lie, once and for all.

*          *          *

This is the third book in the four-book Finishing School series. 

See titles for links to my reviews of Book the First, Etiquette & Espionage, 

and Book the Second, Curtsies & Conspiracies.

In a Sentence: Sophronia and team become embroiled in another grand adventure with even grander consequences, romance, and thrills that I was delighted to read - twice!

Three Words: Fun. Flirty. Fantastic.

As always with Gail Carriger's books, two reads were required to produce this review. I tend to enjoy the first read so much that I am incapable of putting my enjoyment into words, and have to wait and read the book again to produce any sort of objective review. As also per usual I enjoyed the second read even more than the first, and now await the final installment in the Finishing School series with great anticipation and excitement!

Miss Gail's stories are a pure joy to read, her writing witty and fun and delightfully British (especially since I read the British edition the first time). She is a mistress of description but also especially of dialogue and had me in stitches on many occasions. One of my innumerable favorite bits:

...Pillover pulled up, panting. ‘Oh, Sophronia, thank goodness. Save me? Please? All those young girls, in pastels, talking about the weather. I shall go and jump off a bridge, I swear I shall. Do you have bridges in Wiltshire? They chatter, they chatter worse than Dimity ever did. Oh, the chattering! The chattering, it haunts me.’

Main character Sophronia continues to gain confidence and thrive as an intelligencer-in-training, but the more powerful she becomes, the greater the risk - and the graver the consequences. In this book, Sophronia and team end up on a grand adventure traipsing about the countryside in less than conventional attire via several modes of transportation obtained by less than conventional methods. They of course become entangled ever deeper in the escalating Picklemen-Supernatural conflict, and after much internal and external struggle Sophronia finally takes a side - and a patron! The story was a mad dash with lots of close calls and deadly encounters that made for a quick and thrilling read, and all the players were transformed in some manner by the end - a few in rather drastic ways - which shall see that nothing will be the same in the final book.

On the romantic front, Soap and Felix returned to vie for Sophronia's affections, and Pillover finally (albeit accidentally and to his chagrin) threw his hat in the ring. While I will always root for Soap over Felix (I never thought Felix particularly suitable), I've really been Team Pillover from Book 1, Page 1 (or, more precisely, Page 18) and believe he would make the perfect husband figurehead for dear Sophronia and her schemes. But despite the romantic headway made by any of the boys in this book, who Sophronia will end up with in the final chapter is still with Professor Braithwope (that is to say, up in the air, whot? ;).

Conclusion: Yet another thoroughly entertaining read from Miss Gail! Delightful writing, thrilling story, and with the exciting twists at the end I'm anxious to get my hands on the final installment in the series, Manners & Mutiny, out November 3, 2015!

For Fans Of: alternate histories, steampunk, tea

Rating:

5 of 5 Scribbles

The #FridayReads Review (11/21/14)

Welcome to The Friday Reads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own Friday Reads Review on your blog, and then leave the link in the Comments below!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Inherit Midnight by Kate Kae Myers (ARC)

I couldn't resist any longer! Just started it this morning so only about 10 pages in. It's a bit more violent than I expected, but that's never stopped me before.


>> JUST FINISHED <<

Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger (Pbk)

Yet another thoroughly entertaining read from Ms. Carriger! This time Sophronia takes her team on a grand adventure where on their travels they get up to even greater mischief with even graver consequences - and some exciting twists at the end that have me positively vibrating with anticipation for the final installment in the series! Review to come.

>> READING NEXT <<

Pawn by Aimee Carter (ARC)
Another re-read, prepping for the sequel! And I owe you guys a review.

So what are you reading this week?

The Friday Reads Review (10/3/14)

Welcome to The Friday Reads Review, a regular Friday segment where I share what I've been reading the past week! Want to join the Friday fun? Post your own Friday Reads Review on your blog, and then leave the link in the Comments below!

>> CURRENTLY READING <<

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger (Pbk)

Reading this for the fourth time with the Gail Carriger Fan Group, in prep for Book the Third's release in November, and no matter how many times I read it (or any of Gail's books), they are always a delight. Want to join the readalong? Check it out here! 

>> JUST FINISHED <<

Otherbound by Corinne Duyvis (ARC)

Wow. Stellar writing, interesting diverse characters, engrossing story, excellent climax and satisfying ending. Had a problem with the romances but otherwise a very good read. Review to come.

>> READING NEXT <<

Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger (ARC)
After Book the First comes Book the Second in the re-read. This will be my third read of this one. (C'mon, you know you want to - join the readalong here!) 

So what are you reading this week?

Finishing School Re-Read, An Invitation

You are cordially invited to join the Finishing School Re-Read, taking place this month of October on the Gail Carriger Fan Group! We will be re-reading the first two books in the Finishing School series (Etiquette & Espionage and Curtsies & Conspiracies) in preparation for the release of Book the Third, Waistcoats & Weaponry, on November 4th. If you have yet to indulge in the series, this is also the perfect opportunity to finally get around to an amazing read. Join us!

Click here for more information!

Waiting On Wednesday: Waistcoats & Weaponry (Gail Carriger)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blogging event hosted by Breaking the Spine, in which one spotlights an upcoming release they are eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Title: Waistcoats & Weaponry (Finishing School, Book the Third)

Author: Gail Carriger

Release Date: November 4, 2014
Publisher: Little, Brown BYR

Summary:

Sophronia continues her second year at finishing school in style--with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown, of course. Such a fashionable choice of weapon comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and the charming Lord Felix Mersey stowaway on a train to return their classmate Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland. No one suspected what--or who--they would find aboard that suspiciously empty train. Sophronia uncovers a plot that threatens to throw all of London into chaos and she must decide where her loyalties lie, once and for all.

Add to Goodreads

Why I'm Looking Forward To It: With the release of the stunning cover last week I am excited to finally make this a WoW pick! For anyone who doesn't know, Ms. Carriger is one of my favorite authors, so the simple fact that she wrote it is reason enough for my wanting to get my hands on it. Don't get me started about how original and imaginative her paranormal steampunk world is, or how fun and snarky her characters are, or...

So what book are you waiting on?

Cover Revealed: Waistcoats & Weaponry (Gail Carriger)

After many months of waiting and guessing, the cover for Waistcoats & Weaponry, Book the Third in the Finishing School series by Gail Carriger, was revealed tonight on the Finishing School tumblr! Behold:

Release Date: 

November 4, 2014

Publisher: 

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Summary: 

Sophronia continues her second year at finishing school in style--with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown, of course. Such a fashionable choice of weapon comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and the charming Lord Felix Mersey stowaway on a train to return their classmate Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland. No one suspected what--or who--they would find aboard that suspiciously empty train. Sophronia uncovers a plot that threatens to throw all of London into chaos and she must decide where her loyalties lie, once and for all.

~     ~     ~

Seriously loving that fan! And the train motif wallpaper!

Check out the original post here to like and reblog and whatever else one does to posts they love on tumblr (I'm not a member, if you couldn't guess ;), and if you haven't already be sure to add it to your Goodreads To-Read and Wishlist shelves!

Add to Goodreads

(If you don't already know, I'm a huge fan of this series and highly recommend it! See my reviews of the first two books for further proof, Book the First: Etiquette & Espionage and Book the Second: Curtsies & Conspiracies.)

Curtsies & Conspiracies Twitter Giveaway (#CCinthewild)

In case you haven't heard, Curtsies & Conspiracies, Book the Second of the Finishing School Series by Gail Carriger, released this week!!

Goodreads

In honor of its formal entrance into society, I wanted to do something extra-special to celebrate and decided to hold a giveaway - on Twitter!

I love seeing a book I love out in the world on store shelves or newly arrived in someone's possession, and one of my favorite features on Twitter is the ability to attach pictures. So, I thought, why not put them together? And thus, my #CCinthewild giveaway:

HOW TO ENTER

1. Snap a picture of a copy of Curtsies & Conspiracies in one of two situations - either:

     > Copies on your local bookstore shelf, or
     > Your own copy (physical, electronic, or copy you snagged from the library).

Please note that you must be in the picture so I know you actually took it! I would love you to be in the picture, but as it is almost impossible for ebooks (and proved a problem for some more private people), it is no longer required.

2. Tweet the picture using the hashtag #CCinthewild. Example tweet: "Here I am with my shiny new copy of Curtsies & Conspiracies! #CCinthewild" or "Look what I found at my bookstore - Curtsies & Conspiracies in the house! #CCinthewild" No matter what the actual tweet, be sure to use the hashtag #CCinthewild, or I won't see your entry.

3. Spread the word about the giveaway! Example tweet: "I just entered to win jewelry inspired by Curtsies & Conspiracies from @skyelyte, and you can to! Find out how here: http://scribblerskye.blogspot.com/2013/11/curtsies-conspiracies-twitter-giveaway.html"

And you're entered - it's that simple! :)

RULES

• You can enter twice - once for each situation listed in #1 above.
• Each tweet must include a picture of a copy of Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger, and the hashtag #CCinthewild.
• The giveaway runs Thursday, November 7th through Saturday, November 30th. A winner will be randomly chosen December 1st - I will tweet the winner, so be sure to check your Twitter account!
• This giveaway is International!!
• PLEASE NOTE: I am doing this giveaway on my own - the author, Gail Carriger, has graciously given her permission to hold it but is not involved. Please direct any questions you have about this giveaway to me on Twitter (@skyelyte) or here in the comments. Thank you!

WHAT YOU WIN

I personally put together a charm bracelet featuring important items in Curtsies & Conspiracies!

Shiny, yes? Each charm has some significance in C&C, and will help you recall crucial scenes from the book when you're telling everyone who admires it how they should go out and pick up a copy!


So that's the giveaway! Now go forth, snap your pictures of C&C in the wild, and I'll see you on Twitter!

Curtsies & Conspiracies, The Release!

Book the Second of the Finishing School Series, 

Curtsies & Conspiracies, 

finally releases today!!!

It's no secret that I absolutely adored this book (you can find my raving review here), so I most assuredly encourage absolutely everyone to add it to their Goodreads To-Read shelf here (if you haven't already, that is) and then go forth to purchase a copy (or three, they make wonderful Christmas gifts) this week from your local bookstore or any of these fine online retailers!

Barnes & Noble     Amazon     Book Depository

If you find yourself a little short on cash at the moment, snag it from your local library! And if they don't have a copy, send them a kind missive and suggest they purchase one. The library will thank you for bringing such a wonderful read to their attention, and their collection.

In honor of C&C's release, I shall be hosting a special Twitter giveaway starting this Thursday, so be sure to watch for it and be ready to enter! Until then, get your hands on this book, posthaste!

Review: Curtsies & Conspiracies (Gail Carriger)

If you're a fan of Ms. Carriger, be sure not to miss the 

special announcements at the end of this review!

Title: Curtsies & Conspiracies
Series: Finishing School, Book the Second
Author: Gail Carriger
Publisher: Little, Brown Books For Young Readers
Release Date: November 5, 2013
Genre: Young Adult Alternate Historical Paranormal Steampunk
Rating: Teen (some violence, scary situations, scandalous flirting, vampire feeding, character assassination, espionage)
Told: Third Person Singular (Sophronia), Past Tense
Format Read: ARC
Find It On: Goodreads

Summary:

Does one need four fully grown foxgloves for decorating a dinner table for six guests? Or is it six foxgloves to kill four fully grown guests?

Sophronia's first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing! For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy (won't Mumsy be surprised?). Furthermore, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners.

Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers' quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship's boiler room, she learns that there may be more to a school trip to London than is apparent at first. A conspiracy is afoot--one with dire implications for both supernaturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot-and survive the London Season with a full dance card.

*          *          *

Three Words: Historically authentic fun.

Writing: Pure wit with an authentic historical voice.

Setting: We return to Ms. Carriger's alternate paranormal steampunk world with its vampires and werewolves living amongst the more common folk (and scheming scientists) of Victorian England. We spend most of our time on the floating school, but we stop off in London for some shopping, dancing, and infiltration.

Story: After only six months at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality, Sophronia is excelling above all the other girls in her class. While this doesn't prove too good for her social life, it comes in handy in all other areas as she quickly embroils herself in quite the jar of pickled gherkins. It seems that everywhere she turns, mystery and danger lurk in the form of unusual visitors, peculiar mechanical objects, and a batch of heavily-guarded throw cushions. But Sophronia certainly doesn't let a little danger get in the way of her curiosity, and by the time she is done sorting it all out chaos quite literally ensues involving Picklemen, costumed excursions, young gentlemen of the evil genius variety, and more than a few vampires. All in all, Sophronia's training is put to the literal test - but it's all in a day's work for a lady in training. 

Characters: The magnificent cast is back and even better than before! Sophronia is at the top of her game, and considering she's only six months into her training I fear the unstoppable intelligencer she will be when fully finished. Highly resourceful and completely in her element, she rarely needs help from anyone to get the job done (especially anyone of the male persuasion). At times Sophronia performs a little too well, but she learns that this can make the consequences that much more momentous - for everyone involved. All in all, there is never a dull moment to be had with Sophronia. The usual suspects return as well, all in rare form and, in the case of Sophronia's friends, growing more skilled with each passing bit of espionage she wrangles them into. We are also introduced to a few new characters, one of which presents Sophronia with a few new feelings (and a new love interest).

Romantic Relationship: While there are some romantic overtures, they don't come close to any sort of "relationship." By the end of the book, however, she ends up with two romantic interests - and one of them gets a kiss.

Favorite Bit: Lord Akeldama makes a hackneyed cameo!!! And there are hints of more of him to come. As one of my favorite characters ever in literature, I swoon at the prospect.

Series: This is Book the Second in the Finishing School Series. While Curtsies & Conspiracies has a complete plot arc, I most definitely recommend reading Book the First, Etiquette & Espionage, before reading this one. My review of Book the First can be found here.

Conclusion: It was such fun to be back with Sophronia and her friends! Ms. Carriger's writing and storytelling only improve with each passing book, and this was a pure delight. I recommend this book (and the series) to anyone and everyone.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

Giveaway: To celebrate the release of Curtsies & Conspiracies, I will be holding a special Twitter giveaway in November! Check back next week for all the details on how you can win!

Fan Group: If you love Ms. Carriger's books as much as I do, be sure to join the Gail Carriger Fan Group on Goodreads here!

Interview with Author Gail Carriger

As promised at the end of my gushing review of Etiquette & Espionage last week (which you can find here), the amazing and talented Gail Carriger has graced me with an interview! Read on to discover how she compares writing young adult to adult, her favorite (and least favorite) character to write, her Love List Top 3, and a sneak peek at Finishing School Book the Second, Curtsies & Conspiracies! 

Ms. Carriger's Obligatory Bio

New York Times Bestselling author Gail Carriger writes to cope with being raised in obscurity by an expatriate Brit and an incurable curmudgeon. She survived her early years by reading most of her local library and memorizing Greek battles. Eventually, she escaped small town life and inadvertently acquired several degrees in Higher Learning. In pursuit of further finishing, Ms. Carriger traveled the historic cities of Europe, subsisting entirely on biscuits secreted in her handbag. She now resides in the Colonies, surrounded by fantastic shoes, where she insists on tea imported from London.

Ms. Carriger's Books

Ms. Carriger made her debut with the 5-book adult paranormal steampunk Parasol Protectorate series (Orbit), an alternate history that incorporates vampires, werewolves, and ghosts into Victorian England (a series I highly recommend, by the way). Her latest release, Etiquette & Espionage, the first book in the Finishing School series (due out February 5, 2013 from Little, Brown) is her first jaunt into young adult, and I for one am very glad she made the trip! It is set in the same world, although about 25 years before the Parasol Protectorate series. To my elation she is also working on another adult series, The Parasol Protectorate Abroad (the first book's release date TBD), also set in the same world but several decades after the first series. The Parasol Protectorate series has also been turned into a Manga series (and a rather steamy one at that) from Yen Press.

You can find Ms. Carriger online at any of these lovely locations:

Website   Blogger   LiveJournal   Twitter   Goodreads

As this interview is mainly about the Finishing School series, I offer you the summary for Book the First, Etiquette & Espionage:

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.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence, more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea -- and God forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady, Mrs. Temminnick enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right -- but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school.

Again, you can find my raving review of this book here, 
and links to purchase Etiquette & Espionage are at the bottom of this post!

And now...
THE INTERVIEW!

1. What differences did you find in writing young adult as compared to adult?

I worked to create a more youthful and accessible voice, and characters who would grow and change with the books. Sophronia has a different world view than Alexia [Main Character of The Parasol Protectorate series]. She's private and introverted and must become more self actualized along the way by making new friends and discoveries. Her focus is on her immediate environment, less political, more personal.
 
2. You are currently writing books in both the young adult Finishing School series and adult The Parasol Protectorate Abroad series. On average, which have you found you prefer writing, young adult or adult, and why?

They both have advantages and disadvantages. I like the almost breezy sensation writing YA, and it suits my style as I tend to comfortably finish a story at right about 75k ~ which is YA length. Although I'm finding my YA stuff requires more edit passes than my adult stuff, so it's more back end work. Also, it's harder for me to get into that voice, I'm rather old for it. Alexia and Prudence [Main Character of The Parasol Protectorate Abroad series] are more me as I am now, which is easy to draw on. Sophronia is more me as I was in high school, which is sometimes hard to recall accurately. 
 
3. Is there anything that you get to do or explore in the young adult series that you can't in your adult series?

Everything about being a teenager is fair game, from first love to a girls first close friendships to the silliness of giddy youth to the hijinks of an individual who believes she is indestructible. 
 
4. Who was your favorite character to write in Etiquette & Espionage, and why? Who was your least favorite?

Bumbersnoot is a joy to write, as is Dimity. Soap is a challenge as is Monique, for exactly the opposite reason, but also because of Sophronia's ambiguous feelings toward both of them.
 
5. What is your Love List Top 3 for Etiquette & Espionage? 

1. Flying trifle
2. Flying mechanimal sausage dogs
3. Flying cheese pie

6. What are three things we can look forward to in Finishing School Book the Second, Curtsies & Conspiracies?

Travel, romantic travails, and infiltration operations.

~       ~       ~       ~       ~

And there you have it! I want to thank Ms. Carriger for doing this interview for me - she took time out of her horribly busy schedule to answer my questions, and I greatly appreciate it. I end with one final resounding recommendation that you pick up Etiquette & Espionage tomorrow from your local independent bookstore, or order it from one of these lovely distributors:

Barnes & Noble   The Book Depository   Amazon   Changing Hands

Enjoy! :}

Cover Revealed: Curtsies & Conspiracies (Gail Carriger)

It was just so gorgeous, I couldn't help sharing it! On her blog (here), author Gail Carriger just revealed the cover of Finishing School Book the Second, Curtsies & Conspiracies, and it's even prettier than Book the First! Check it out:

Isn't it gorgeous?! And it's BLUE!!! *pets*

Book the First, Etiquette & Espionage (which I recently reviewed here), releases THIS TUESDAY, so be sure to pick up a copy next week at your local independent bookstore! And don't forget to add Curtsies & Conspiracies, due out this winter, to your To-Read list! Your bookshelf deserves this kind of pretty.

Review: Etiquette & Espionage (Gail Carriger)

Title: Etiquette & Espionage
Series: Finishing School Book the First
Author: Gail Carriger
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Steampunk
Content Rating: Teen (some violence, rule-breaking throughout, the viscous mauling of both an undergarment and an outer-garment, implied tipsiness, several instances of assault by food, and Pickelmen)
Format Read: ARC (2nd Read)
Find It On: Goodreads
Summary:

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.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence, more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea -- and God forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady, Mrs. Temminnick enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right -- but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school.

*          *          *

I describe it as... Harry Potter meets Jeeves & Wooster. Or, if Jane Austen wrote Harry Potter after apprenticing under P.G. Wodehouse and H.G. Wells.

Writing: Ms. Carriger's style is easy to read and highly engaging - both times I read this book I breezed through it. She has a prim wit and a deft hand for excavating levity from the formal dialect of Victorian English. Her skill especially shines in dialogue:

"What's that?"

"Oh, that? That's just Pillover."

"And what is a pillover, when it's at home?"

"My little brother."

She also has a comical way with names, from places to people (Lord Dingleproops) to things (the "Depraved Lens of Crispy Magnification," for example). In this area she really reminds me of a female P.G. Wodehouse, which makes sense as she claims the author as an influence.

Setting: Ms. Carriger's world is an altered version of our history that runs with the question of, "What would things have been like if there really had been supernatural beings living among us?" With her knowledge well grounded in actual history (in her former life she was an archaeologist), she effortlessly explains how vampires would've obviously had a hand in this or that fashion craze, and werewolves most certainly would've been a pivotal aspect of the British military. While adding supernatural creatures into the mix may sound like a vast alteration, Ms. Carriger's world is still so very familiar that you can't help but wonder if perhaps it might really true after all...

Characters: Sophronia is highly inquisitive and not unlike a sponge in the way she soaks up information, secret or otherwise. While her feminine ways are in desperate need of refining, it's obvious from the start that she has a bright (and rather unladylike) future ahead of her. She is one of the strongest, most unflinching and capable female characters I have come across in a long while - she makes her own questions, roots out her own answers, and doesn't look to a boy or an adult to save her (unless it's her idea, of course).

As for the supporting cast, Sophronia's best friend Dimity, with her love of shiny things and propensity to faint at the most inappropriate moments, is the perfect companion, confidante, and conspirator. And one cannot help but fall in love with Sophronia's "pet" Bumbersnoot, although I still suspect him of ulterior motives of espionage. The other girls in her study group (elegant and inelegant alike) round off the cast nicely, as do Sophronia's "unseemly" companions belowdecks, and an assortment of eccentric teachers.

Ms. Carriger has a delightful way of describing, and especially introducing, characters. All are colorful and highly entertaining - not a boring one in the bunch. Not even the lowliest character goes forgotten once Ms. Carriger gets done with them.

Story: This is truly a tale of etiquette and espionage - and the hijinks that ensue from both. It's a classic "first year at boarding school" story, with all the intrigue of making new friends, new enemies, and the constant investigation to discover the mysteries of the school itself. The plot is fun and engaging and a journey of a mystery that Sophronia is more than willing to take. She bravely powers through every obstacle and roots out the answers through newly-endowed stealth, the right (and wrong) kind of acquaintances, and a great deal of climbing. Think of her as Harry Potter, but with more social restrictions and gobs more spunk and gumption.

Genre: I'm not usually much for steampunk (typically too technical for my palette), and my love affair with the paranormal wore off a while ago. But Ms. Carriger's fresh take on both is such that even the likes of me can be engaged and entertained. Her steampunk feels natural, not a showy spectacle but an everyday part of the setting. And the supernatural beings are not fearful creatures that stalk the night, but just another, albeit unusual, ethnic group one stumbles across in evening society.

My Only Complaint: The opening scene (aka "The Incident with the Dumbwaiter (and the Trifle)") was rather a disaster. I couldn't follow it at all, it was so choppy and confusing. I didn't even realize Sophronia was actually in the dumbwaiter until she launched herself out of it! This is the sixth book I have read by Ms. Carriger, and her other five opening scenes were stellar, so I honestly have no idea what happened here. Whatever you do, DO NOT judge this book by its opening scene. Because you will miss out on an absolutely wonderful book if you do.

Three things to expect: Traversing, transformations, and transmitters.

My Etiquette & Espionage Love List (in no particular order)

• Bumbersnoot (but of course!). For who couldn't love a small mechanical weiner dog?
• The Depraved Lens of Crispy Magnification.
• Professor Brainthorpe's moustache, and the description thereof (see below).
• The abundance of cravats. So much fun to read and say and such a dashing addition to a man's ensemble. I wish they would come back in style.
• Vieve. Because I have always adored her - why not now?
• Cheese pies. Although quite messy, they are a must at any ball worth attending.
• A werewolf in a top hat.
• The "light" repast that is Mademoiselle Geraldine's breakfast. Brunch. Lunch?
• Pillover. I really don't know why, but I hope there are great things in store for him. One of which being, possibly, Sophronia's hand?
• Using "stoat" as a descriptive word for a person.
• Because of course, "Who doesn't want an exploding wicker chicken?"

Favorite Lines (because with Ms. Carriger there can never be just one)*

"A headmistress isn't interested in education."

"He...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."

"No, dear, don't curtsy. I couldn't bear it - not twice in one night."

"It'll all end in tears and oil."

*All quotes were taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and are not final proof.

I'm still wondering... What is dangerous about a robin in a bowler?

Lesson Learned: Like a man and his towel, a woman should never be without a handkerchief.

Conclusion: Etiquette & Espionage is a highly entertaining read that I shall recommend to anyone and everyone for years to come. I look forward to Book the Second, Curtsies & Conspiracies, later this year with immense anticipation!

Recommend?: But of course!

Scribble Rating: 

5 of 5 Scribbles

Book Website: www.finishingschoolbooks.com

Etiquette & Espionage releases February 5th (next Tuesday!), and I highly recommend you pre-order your copy today at your local independent bookstore or any of these fine establishments:

Barnes & Noble   The Book Depository   Amazon   Changing Hands

ANNOUNCEMENT
Be sure to check back Monday, February 4th for an exclusive interview with the author herself, Gail Carriger! She will discuss her transition into Young Adult and even give a sneak peek of sorts into Book 2!

Welcome to Finishing School!

Gail Carriger's young adult debut, Etiquette & Espionage, releases in less than two weeks, and yesterday publisher Little, Brown launched the official Finishing School webiste HERE - check it out!

Also released yesterday was the book's trailer! I'm not one for book trailers (at all, actually), but this one is just too much fun not to enjoy, so do take a second to watch it! They did a splendid job.

I will be posting my review of Finishing School Book the 1st, Etiquette & Espionage, this Tuesday, January 29th, so be sure to keep an eye out for it (especially since I will be announcing a special post to come Monday, February 4th)!