Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:
Synopsis for Etiquette & Espionage (from Goodreads):
It’s one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It’s quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.
Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners–and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.
But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine’s, young ladies learn to finish…everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage–in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year’s education.
Series: Finishing School
This is a prequel spinoff of the Parasol Protectorate Series.
Author: Gail Carriger
# of Books: 4 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Young Adult, Historical, Steampunk, Paranormal
Heat Rating: cold
Point of View: Third Person, Single
Publication Dates: February 2013 – November 2015
Source & Format: Public Library–Audiobook
Disclaimer: I’ve opted not to pick up the second novel, Curtsies & Conspiracies. Find out why below…
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
I’m a sucker for a Steampunk story and Gail Carriger is a staple author when it comes to the YA world of Steampunk. The espionage aspect also caught my attention. I’ve been searching for a Gallagher Girl-esque series ever since I finished it. Her Parasol Protectorate Series has caught my eye a few times but I ended up picking this one because my library had the audiobooks (and I wanted to try listening to an entire series via audiobook).
What I Liked:
–Steampunk & Espionage–
Obviously this would be a highlight for me. But I really liked the blend of paranormal and the classical steampunk features. The world is really rich and it keeps things exciting.
I also enjoyed the espionage plot as well. The idea that these girls are getting trained in everything from dance to swindling is just so much fun!
–Smart Writing–
I was truly impressed with the wit story. It’s so subtle that you almost miss the humour of everything. And I think listening to the audiobook helped me grasp that humour quicker than if I had read it thanks to its delivery.
What I Didn’t Like:
–I Felt Old Reading This!–
I’m a firm believer that just because a book is listed as “young adult” doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it as an adult. I’m in my mid-20s and I still read more YA novels than adult.
However, sometimes there are stories that you would enjoy more if you were the target demographic and I think this is one of them.
While there is an overarching plot in Etiquette and Espionage, it also suffers from what I call an aimless plotline. You know, when the “new to the school” lead explores the boarding school. The plot takes a back seat and teenaged shenanigans begins. Which is fine and all but I just didn’t care to listen to that at this point in my life. I need the book to stimulate my mind and this just wasn’t doing it for me. I found myself zoning out more often than not and when the main plot line resurfaced, I just didn’t get as involved as I would have liked.
Will I Finish It?
Unfortunately no. This is a classic case where if I had read these books years ago I would have loved every minute of them. It’s just that my interests aren’t here anymore for the type of plot this series uses.
Audiobook Experience:
I have to point out that my waning interest while listening to this audiobook had nothing to do with the audiobook narration. I have to say that this is one of the best audiobooks I’ve listened to when it comes to the narrator. Not only was the accent great but she did a fabulous job when delivering the dialogue of other people. Sometimes I struggle with female narrators doing male voices because they seem odd to me when they attempt to change their voice. But each character here had a distinct voice and that made listening to it super enjoyable.
Series Rating: DNF
Etiquette & Espionage 3/5 | Curtsies &
Conspiracies N/A | Waistcoats & Weaponry N/A | Manners & Mutiny N/A
This is perfect for fans of steampunk, espionage, girl power and fun historical stories. However, this book does feel like a younger YA read so be sure to keep that in mind before you pick this up.
Read if You Like: espionage, steampunk
Avoid if You: want a strong plot, want a more mature YA read
- I’d Tell You I Love You But Then I’d Have to Kill You by Ally Carter (Gallagher Girl Series#1)
- Friday Society by Adrienne Kress
- The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross (Steampunk Chronicles #1)
This series is on my TBR so I appreciate the honest feedback. Do you think you’ll still give Parasol Protectorate a try?
I’m really torn over starting it or not. I love the idea of it and I think if I read the physical book, I’d be able to skim a bit when things feel a little slow. The problem with the audiobook is you can only listen to it at such a speed before it becomes a jumble of words. So I might try Parasol Protectorate later this year.
Did you read it?
Sorry this one disappointed you. I picked up a copy recently. I will go in with the expectations that it may feel like a younger read compared to most. Great review! <3
I am too! I really wanted to like this one 🙁
It’s definitely an enjoyable read if you know what to expect. I think I should have read a review beforehand to get a feel for what the story was like instead of hoping it would be something else.
I hope you enjoy it!