Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School, Book 1) by Gail Carriger (2013)
ISBN: 9780316190084
Pages: 320
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
In this alternate history tale set in the Soulless universe, vampires, werewolves, and anything else that goes bump in the night is part of everyday life. Sophronia Angelina Temminnick is an inquisitive girl who likes to know what makes things tick. After a disastrous tea with a neighbor, Sophronia’s mother decides she needs to get some social polish. On route to Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality, Sophronia and her companions are overtaken by Flywaymen who are looking for some kind of object. Once safely on the floating boarding school, Sophronia learns that she has landed in a school perfect for her. Not only will she learn the proper address for a Lord of the realm, but also the best way to pick a lock. Sophronia and her roommates undertake some espionage of their own to discover the secret of the missing device and make sure it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.
In Etiquette & Espionage, Carriger continues to create fantastical worlds of whimsy. For those familiar with the Soulless universe, some favorite characters drop in for a visit. However, one does not need to have read any of the Soulless books to enjoy this one. With vivid and well fleshed out characters, one is completely transported to this alternate world filled with dirigibles, automatons, and supernatural creaters. A must read for any fantasy or Steampunk fan, both young and old.
Score: 4 out of 5
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