Reviews

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

juliusclearance's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

4.0

This was a reread was so fun! This isn’t a “childhood favorite,” but it was a book I read once or twice. It’s the first steampunk style book I read, and although not my usual taste I had a good time with this.
I did enjoy the narrator - I recommend the audio book.

bookishlybeauty's review

adventurous challenging funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

4.75

emily_gaynier's review

5.0

Reread
I love this story. It's slightly ridiculous

mxharriet's review against another edition

5.0

Fun and adventurous, this story explores the life of a 15-year-old-girl faced with the responsibility of becoming a proper woman advanced in etiquette... but additionally a twist of danger with classes of espionage. The cover is gorgeous! The dress is beautiful paired with the bright pink background with embedded delicate artwork, it is completely stunning.

Miss Sophronia Temminick is not what you would class as a proper lady in the 1800's. When she is invited to the exclusive Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality, Mrs Temminick what not let her waste this wonderful opportunity to turn her daughter into her sisters. However, Finishing school is not what Sophronia expected, and not what her mother would approve of as Sopronia is spun into a world or secrecy, danger, mystery and espionage as she is taught to fight and defend herself but in the most discreet manner.

Miss Sophronia Temminick is a mature woman who knows exactly what she is doing. She has determination to train and uses her skills of climbing to their uses, she is also not afraid of the unknown and embarks on all adventures she can take. Additionally, I enjoyed the fact that she was open to new ideas and didn't perform everything the same way as others, she had her own personality and was not embarrassed by her fasicination for technology and the workings of contraptions.

I absolutely enjoy reading story's of espionage and historical fiction, meaning I was delighted at the prospect of two of my favourite genres to be combined. Furthermore, it flowed seamlessly! It was engaging and enlightening, learning the lives of a 15-year-old girl amongst others with advanced skills in espionage showed you how a girl was to behave in a variety of situations. Furthermore, it was interesting the way the plot went making me want to find out more about Monique and her position at the academy.

I additionally loved the tie in of paranormal creatures, for example vampires and werewolves adding a twist and more danger to the plot. This story is fun and easy to read, with engaging events. You also see the value of friendship between spy's and how they help each other through mysteries and events, also the division between people and their lives. Furthermore, the way that a female spy can use the rules of etiquette to their advantage to plot the perfect act of espionage!

megsbookishtwins's review against another edition

3.0

“It's no good choosing your first husband from a school for evil geniuses. Much too difficult to kill.”

Sophronia has been sent off to the Finishing Academy by her mother who couldn't wait to get rid of her. She believed she was going there to be taught how to be lady. Little did she know she would also be taught how to live a life of crime. Respectably of course.

I heard a lot of good things about Gail Carriger so I saw this book on sale for 3 for £5 and I couldn't resist and thought I would give the author a go. Unfortunately I was a little disappointed. I still enjoyed it, but I think I may try her Parasol Protectorate series and hope I enjoy it more. I liked the idea of the book, and the plot was good but it did drag at times. The characters were fun, but nothing special and I didn't feel much of a strong attachment to anyone.

Overall, it was a nice enjoyable read. Perhaps if you are a fan of the author you may want to give it a go.

I don't like reviewing a book so long after I read them because unless I loved it or hated it I have a hard time writing a lengthy review, so this short one will have to do, sorry! It's a shame university took over so much of my time, but got a few months off now, so it's all good.

amberdawn0249's review against another edition

adventurous informative lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

elendilkitten's review

adventurous funny medium-paced

5.0

A fun little steampunk, supernatural, YA romp 

tiffanynoel's review

4.0

This was not what I was expecting, but it was so fun! I really enjoyed it. The characters, especially Sophronia, were all well written and very fun. I liked the whole premise of the story and I’m intrigued. Definitely looking forward to the other books in the series.

It is a middle grade book, but I do enjoy those!

ladyaylesworth's review

3.0

I can't wait for the next one! I love this parallel reality.

alexsbooks_'s review against another edition

5.0

This was just so much fun to read