Scan barcode
millib's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
elfduchess's review against another edition
4.0
Once I finally got moving on this book, it only took me a couple of days to read. And I really enjoyed it, so that's good. Nice to get into Prim and Percy's heads and all that, too.
sanaastoria's review against another edition
4.0
[4.5] My favorite of the series so far which makes me think I need to give Prudence a re-read since I technically rated that one higher? In general, I like this series less than the standard Parasol Protectorate, but Prim and Percy were so fun to have as narrators for this one.
elfflame's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
gothamballer39's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This book in the series was honestly a bit painful to get through for me. The characters have just gotten more and more ridiculous, and while that brings some modicum of charm, it is mostly exasperating.
circuit333's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lizziestudieshistory's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 / 5
This is a difficult one for me to rate, unlike a lot of Carriger's books Competence has much less plot and really focuses on exploring and developing the characters aboard The Spotted Custard - particularly Prim and Percy.
However, I do think this was the point for Competence. We've spent two books following Rue and we've gotten to know her (and through her Quesnel) very well, but the other members of The Spotted Custard's staff were underdeveloped for Carriger's usual style. This is where Competence shines as it really explored who these other characters are who we've gotten to know a little bit through their interactions with Rue.
We particularly get to know Prim and Percy - naturally as they're the focus characters for Competence and Reticence - however, we also come to appreciate Tash, Rodrigo, and Antira. All of whom are wonderful characters! I loved seeing the twins more, Percy in particular, and developing an understanding of the other two main protagonists who felt very one dimensional in the first two books.
So while I think the book suffered a little bit because the balance between plot and character development was a bit off, I did absolutely love seeing these other characters in the limelight. I can't wait to pick up Reticence for Percy's book, who has quickly become one of my favourite characters in the Parasolverse!
This is a difficult one for me to rate, unlike a lot of Carriger's books Competence has much less plot and really focuses on exploring and developing the characters aboard The Spotted Custard - particularly Prim and Percy.
However, I do think this was the point for Competence. We've spent two books following Rue and we've gotten to know her (and through her Quesnel) very well, but the other members of The Spotted Custard's staff were underdeveloped for Carriger's usual style. This is where Competence shines as it really explored who these other characters are who we've gotten to know a little bit through their interactions with Rue.
We particularly get to know Prim and Percy - naturally as they're the focus characters for Competence and Reticence - however, we also come to appreciate Tash, Rodrigo, and Antira. All of whom are wonderful characters! I loved seeing the twins more, Percy in particular, and developing an understanding of the other two main protagonists who felt very one dimensional in the first two books.
So while I think the book suffered a little bit because the balance between plot and character development was a bit off, I did absolutely love seeing these other characters in the limelight. I can't wait to pick up Reticence for Percy's book, who has quickly become one of my favourite characters in the Parasolverse!
looloolibby's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
4.0
tinaha083's review against another edition
2.0
A very disappointing read after the brilliance of Imprudence. This was more of a treatise on the multitudes of sexual preferences than a fantasy/adventure story. I don’t know. The Finishing School series was very good. The Parasol Protectorate was great. But this....this series feels for the most part like Gail Carriger is phoning it in. It should be shelved under Romance so people know what they’re getting. I guess I like the characters well enough, but I’m not interested in who they want to sleep with, or what all ways they can come up with to do so. There’s almost no story here. This is not at all up to her usual standard and frankly, it was boring. The only reason I’m reading the final in the series is because it’s supposed to have endings. And appearances from characters I love from her other series. Otherwise I wouldn’t bother. Hopefully, it will be better than this one.