emilygaynier's review against another edition
5.0
I love these books
I love how so much happens in just one page.
I love how so much happens in just one page.
emeraldrina's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mehsi's review against another edition
4.0
Yeah for the reference to Lord Akeldama and Woolsey! I knew the world was the same as that of the Parasol Protectorate (only a whole lot of years earlier), but we didn't get much direct references, so yeah for this.
The rest of the book was really fun to read. I really like Sophronia and how she does her things. She sometimes comes over as cocky, but that is soon forgiven when she solves another case or fixes another problem.
And it is still fun to read about a school that is floating in the sky, so silly but also so perfect!
I can't wait until next year when book 3 comes out! Oh so much time between books!
The rest of the book was really fun to read. I really like Sophronia and how she does her things. She sometimes comes over as cocky, but that is soon forgiven when she solves another case or fixes another problem.
And it is still fun to read about a school that is floating in the sky, so silly but also so perfect!
I can't wait until next year when book 3 comes out! Oh so much time between books!
disnelyse's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Blood, Death, and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs
burstnwithbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I love this series! The audiobook is fantastic.
queensaru's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
mthebau's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
2.5
sc104906's review against another edition
4.0
Second book in the Finishing School series. Sophronia and her friends are at it again. Finding important intel and taking down the bad guys. The characters really pop and I truly enjoyed listening to this novel. Even though I have no idea how to spell any of the character's names. ;)
catpingu's review against another edition
4.0
I do so love the second book much better, because of all the action and better application of learned skills! This one is definitely more exciting, more fun with characters, more action, and a much more comprehensive mystery foundation.
Sophronia and her friends on Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality have completed six months' training as debuts, and she is soon ostracized for achieving the highest etiquette and espionage marks for any debut at their six-month evaluation. At first, Sophronia thinks she'll get on fine. After all, this is just an abrupt reversion to her previous life before finishing school. But soon she finds she needs her friends' help as various factions attempt to kidnap Dimity, boys from Bunson's are invited on board, and the academy flies from Dartmoor to London to witness a scientific dirigible spectacle.
Luckily, she's still friends with Soap, Vieve, and the sooties. The arrival of Lord Felix Mersey, a handsome arrogant son-of-a-duke-in-the-Pickleman-faction complicates things as Soap subtly steps closer to Sophronia. Not having received training on balancing true gentaleman callers, Sophronia is at a bit of a loss, and really doesn't need the added trouble of dodging Lord Mersey and friend-zoning Soap on top of everything else that's going on.
This book was overall significantly more enjoyable than the previous book, to the point that I can forget about future-nostalgically reading about my recognizable characters, and fully focus on the plot. I think that veiled insulting flirting thing is the most engaging non-espionage piece in the story. Sophronia's boy troubles are cute and while it hinders her espionage tactics, it's enjoyable as we observe her application of flirting she's learning in class.
Monique continues to be an irritant. Not as irritating as Felicity Loontwill, but of a more sophisticated and arrogant manner that is most befitting a girl of Geraldine's. There's definitely something going on with Sidheag at this point, she's more on the fringes than before and it's more noticeable since her induction into Sophronia's circle. Agatha, little mousy thing, is incredibly quiet. Dimity is clearly the beta, a force to be reckoned with when Sophronia's not there; overall, a great little gang of girls to be friends with.
Vampires, vampire, vampires galore. The experiment about the dirigible, I can't remember if this was remarked upon in The Parasol Protectorate. .
In addition, pertaining to the prototype stolen, hidden, and retrieved in the first book, to me it is clearly meant to be used in The Parasol Protectorate. That secondary series is indeed benefitting from the scientific advances thanks to Sophronia and gang.
Sophronia and her friends on Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality have completed six months' training as debuts, and she is soon ostracized for achieving the highest etiquette and espionage marks for any debut at their six-month evaluation. At first, Sophronia thinks she'll get on fine. After all, this is just an abrupt reversion to her previous life before finishing school. But soon she finds she needs her friends' help as various factions attempt to kidnap Dimity, boys from Bunson's are invited on board, and the academy flies from Dartmoor to London to witness a scientific dirigible spectacle.
Luckily, she's still friends with Soap, Vieve, and the sooties. The arrival of Lord Felix Mersey, a handsome arrogant son-of-a-duke-in-the-Pickleman-faction complicates things as Soap subtly steps closer to Sophronia. Not having received training on balancing true gentaleman callers, Sophronia is at a bit of a loss, and really doesn't need the added trouble of dodging Lord Mersey and friend-zoning Soap on top of everything else that's going on.
This book was overall significantly more enjoyable than the previous book, to the point that I can forget about future-nostalgically reading about my recognizable characters, and fully focus on the plot. I think that veiled insulting flirting thing is the most engaging non-espionage piece in the story. Sophronia's boy troubles are cute and while it hinders her espionage tactics, it's enjoyable as we observe her application of flirting she's learning in class.
Monique continues to be an irritant. Not as irritating as Felicity Loontwill, but of a more sophisticated and arrogant manner that is most befitting a girl of Geraldine's. There's definitely something going on with Sidheag at this point, she's more on the fringes than before and it's more noticeable since her induction into Sophronia's circle. Agatha, little mousy thing, is incredibly quiet. Dimity is clearly the beta, a force to be reckoned with when Sophronia's not there; overall, a great little gang of girls to be friends with.
Vampires, vampire, vampires galore. The experiment about the dirigible
Spoiler
and Professor Braithwope's tether situationSpoiler
In their journey to Egypt, recall that once the balloon hit the aether streams, Conall turned mortal. This was significant because werewolves don't normally float, so this would have been untested. I can't recall if they mentioned this experiment with Professor Braithwope?In addition, pertaining to the prototype stolen, hidden, and retrieved in the first book, to me it is clearly meant to be