Reviews

Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger

onetrooluff's review against another edition

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4.0

This is my favorite book in the series so far! It's just as nuts as usual, but had some intriguing plot developments. There's not much actual school involved since they mostly spend the book off-ship, but they brought almost all the characters I like along, so I didn't miss it much.

This one spanned the time frame of a major event which shows up in the Parasol Protectorate series, so when it happened I was extra-interested, sort of half-knowing not just what was going on, but what would go on in the future (Sidheag! Hurrah!).

Then, on top of that, there was a whole new unexpected side plot about Soap, who is one of my favorites. Really looking forward to seeing how that plays out.

I'm very much looking forward to book 4!

drearyletters's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

ginganinja934's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

sanaastoria's review against another edition

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5.0

[5 Stars] This book was by far the best in Gail Carriger's Finishing School series so far! I loved Sophronia's character development, and I think we got to see so much emotion from her. The language and dialogue is as fun and witty as ever, and honestly this series just keeps getting better and better. The final book in this series just became one of my most anticipated reads!

thenecessarysalamander's review against another edition

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adventurous funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

mehsi's review against another edition

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3.0

Another book in this awesome series (I should also really read the Parasol Protectorate series!).

However there were several things I didn't like, and I will start with those to get them out of my system.

For one, I expected more school, more lessons, more boarding school fun. Instead we only get a small bit about it and then it is off to balls, stealing trains and more. I really had hoped for more poison lessons, more seduction lessons, more vampires, more climbing to meet with Soap, maybe a few balls with all the other girls included.

Then we got the last part, and I will post that under spoiler tags, because I just need to rant about this.
SpoilerSeriously, Sophronia is finally seeing that she loves Soap, and that she is finally saying: Fuck this, I like him, I want him, and yes it might be difficult but it is ok. And what does the author do? Let Soap be shot, and turn him in a fucking werewolf. Seriously, was that REALLY needed? No, it wasn't and I really detested this, I really hated it. I feel like the book was a bit ruined for me. Which is why I am downrating this book to 3 stars instead of the 4 stars.
I was sooooo delighted to see her finally finding out who she loves, picking a boy out of the 2 she was flirting with, picking a boy who isn't rich, who isn't white, who is low in class. I was just cheering, squealing in happiness. Only to have that shot. I chatted about it with someone else and they also agreed they didn't think it was fitting and it was a cheap way out.

Ah that feels so much better now that is out of my system!

Also something I found too bad was the fact that quite a bit of time has passed since events from the last book. It is a shame, I would have loved to know about what happened after things happened, maybe some lessons, maybe some other things.

Now for the good things. We have a new weapon (yeah for fans with blades, I want one too). And Sophronia has a wonderful talent for using it and also using it in combination with other things.

I also loved the seduction class and how all the girls were giggling, blushing and in general just totally shocked with all the things they learn there. It also shows how girls are generally kept away from all this, because these days it is quite unheard of that a 15 to 17 year old doesn't know about all this.
I had quite a few laughs at the whole chapter, it was too bad it was over so soon.

We also have a little part about the Professor Braithwope and how he was totally crazy (or is he?) because of events that happened earlier.

And I loved the story and also what happened to Sidheag and her family, it was a sad event, but also brought some excitement to the already very exciting book.

I did like the train journey and the events that happened on it.

And did I say I love the cover. I am so happy they all match and that each one gets better and more fun.

All in all though I did like the book, but as you could read there were also enough things I didn't particularly like.

I will be waiting for the next book, hopefully soon, and hopefully it will have a bit more finishing school, though I guess not, considering the events in this book.

Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/

nav26's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

burningupasun's review against another edition

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3.0

So on the one hand, it was different from the first two in that the plot actually shifted, most of the story takes place outside the school, which was a nice change of pace. On the other hand, I got to the end of the book and was like wait... that's.... it? It felt like it was only maybe mid-way, maybe 60-70% done and then bam, over. Also the love triangle is ANNOYING mostly because Felix is obviously The Worst and idk why he's even in consideration here but whatever.

It's still a fun read though. Like a 3.5? I'm excited for the last one just to see what happens.

elendilkitten's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

4.5

More fun and dangerous adventures in this interesting steampunk setting. It almost feels like the story lines are beginning to mature along with the main characters, which is fun. Several subplots coming together, and I just hope the next book neatly wraps things up

kate_k554's review against another edition

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4.0

In the third year at Madame Geraldine’s Finishing School for Young Ladies of Quality, many things are happening. Sephronia’s least favorite person, Monique, is no longer at the school, so you might think this year would be much more pleasant. However, the Kingaire wolfpack had staged a mutiny against the crown, and Sidheag feels that she must rejoin them as they are now without an Alpha Wolf. She feels that she is desperately needed there and is determined to find her way there, no matter what. So clearly Sephronia and Dimity are determined to help her. And not wanting them to face the dangers of the journey alone, their friend Soap, the head Sootie, won’t let them go without him, and Lord Felix Mersey is also determined to help. Naturally, Soap and Felix don’t see eye to eye on much, as both are falling in love with Sephronia, though she doubts the suitability of either as a potential future husband, though she is extremely fond of them both, and possibly even a little in love with each of them as well. With the girls disguised as young men, they hide aboard on a suspiciously empty train headed in the right direction, and soon find themselves involved in another adventure that requires all of the girls' espionage skills to survive.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story, and enjoyed it just as much as I did the previous books in the series. The narration was well done with each voice quite distinct from each other, leaving no difficulty in determining who was speaking at any point in the story. This book forces each of the characters to face significant changes in their lives, and ones that they may not have been quite ready for. It is a difficult journey for each of them, and not all of them reach the ending unscathed. I cannot tell you exactly what happened without including massive spoilers, which I don’t want to do. You’ll enjoy the story more if you discover what happens for yourself. But I can tell you that near the end of this one, my heart was nearly breaking for several of them. This one is a bit of an emotional story at the end, and will very likely have a significant impact on other books from this author that take place in this world.

What I can say is that I have been greatly enjoying listening to this series, and am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book. I think anyone who has enjoyed any of Ms. Carrigers other steampunk novels will enjoy this book, though I highly recommend having read the previous books in the Finishing School series before this one. It will help everything to make much more sense if you do. Those who enjoy reading Steampunk or any of Ms. Carriger’s series will also enjoy this one, as while it takes place slightly before some of her other series, many of the same characters do make appearances in this book as well.