In "Etiquette & Espionage" by Gail Carriger, readers are transported to a steampunk-style Victorian England where young Sophronia Temminnick finds herself at Madame Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality, which is actually a school for espionage on a giant airborn dirigible. As Sophronia navigates through her training, she faces sticky situations, solves mysteries, and thwarts evil geniuses' plans, all while showcasing her precociousness and curiosity. The book is filled with wit, humor, and an engaging plot that keeps readers entertained from start to finish, making it a delightful read for fans of Harry Potter and Series of Unfortunate Events.
The book introduces a cast of interesting characters, a quirky setting, and a light-hearted tone that makes it a fun and engaging read. Carriger's writing style shines through, offering a blend of humor, sophistication, and social progressiveness that appeals to both young adult and adult readers. The story unfolds in a world where espionage meets Victorian manners, creating a unique and imaginative setting that sets the stage for a promising series filled with mystery and adventure.
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From The Publisher:
This young adult steampunk series debut set in the same world as the New York Times bestselling Parasol Protectorate is filled with all the saucy adventure and droll humor Gail Carriger's legions of fans have come to adore.
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. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish…everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage-in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.
Ratings (31)
Incredible (10) | |
Loved It (14) | |
Liked It (3) | |
It Was OK (3) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (72):
Read It (34) | |
Want To Read (25) | |
Not Interested (13) |
2 comment(s)
Ahhhh, this book was so much fun! I can see why my mutuals recommend it. The cast absolutely shines, and they feel so authentic for their time period of the 1850's. Sophronia had the potential to be obnoxious, a know-it-all, impossibly clever, or insufferably whiny and argumentative, but she was none of that; she was a fun, inquisitive main character who understood her faults, leaned into her strengths, and knew how to rely on other people for help. I loved her to bits. The rest of the characters were just as colorful and came together to create a delightful story that never let up. Y'all weren't kidding, this was an absolute treat! I will definitely be recommending this one.
Also, the narrator was
perfect. She nailed the dialogue. Only complaint: she didn’t pronounce “Sidheag” correctly. I actually thought it was Sidhe until I read some reviews. (Which, upon reflection, wouldn't entirely make sense as a name. I've just read a lot of stories with faeries lately.)
Such an entertaining, creative, read. I really enjoyed this book and all of its characters! I especially love Soap, and I look forward to seeing how Sophronia's relationship with him progresses.
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