Review: Etiquette and Espionage - Gail Carriger

Where I got it: Library
Rating: 3 stars  
Cover Rating: 5 stars (Oooooo ahhhhhh)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Page Count: 307 p.
Add it: Goodreads

Sophronia isn't a typical girl, at least not the typical girl her mother would like her to be. She's always climbing things and getting into mischief. When her mother receives word that Sophronia is accepted to a finishing school, she ships her off with barely a second look. Sophronia has very little interest in becoming a proper lady, but on the way to the school she starts to realize that something is amiss. This isn't your typical finishing school at all. Dancing is taught and death, Etiquette and Espionage. Sophronia may not mind becoming this kind of proper lady, it might suit her just fine.

I nearly put this book down in the first few chapters. It seemed a bit too silly for my tastes. The characters names were a bit out there (I mean, Barnclegoose, really?). I'm glad I kept with it though because there was plenty of excitement and enjoyment to be had. I think this may be my first Steampunk novel too, which is odd because it has always fascinated me... I could be wrong about this assumption, but as I am writing this I can not think of a Steampunk novel that I have read prior to this one.

Sophronia was at least the kind of girl I could get on with. Plenty of spunk and that one. She was a very courageous character and I liked that. Sneaky around and avoiding getting caught are things I would do if sent to a finishing school. There was certainly never a dull moment throughout this novel. Plenty of action and excitement and quite a few mysteries sprinkled about too.

This is a delightful read if you're looking for something fast paced and a bit odd. I'm hoping the next book really sucks me into this series so that I can fall in love with it like so many others have.

First Line:
"Sophronia intended to pull the dumbwaiter up from the kitchen to outside the front parlor on the ground floor, where Mrs. Barnaclegoose was taking tea."

Favorite Line:
"Her eyes glazed over slightly as she contemplated sparkles."