Posted by Lauren in Book Reviews, Featured, Historical | 6 Comments
Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger
Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Release date: February 5, 2013
Pages: 320
Summary: Sophronia is a bit of a troublemaker, so it’s not too surprising when her mother decides to ship her off to finishing school. Fortunately for Sophronia, “finishing school” isn’t exactly what she thought it would be. Yes, she’s learning to improve her curtsy, but she’s also learning how to properly use a weapon. Unbeknownst to her mother, Sophronia has been accepted into a school that teaches young ladies to be spies.
My thoughts: Gail Carriger’s writing is so wonderfully stylized: it reads as if it was written in the 1800s, yet there are dashes of humor that easily make the modern lady chuckle. The language that Carriger uses doesn’t distance the reader from the story, which is often a struggle for historical fiction. If you aren’t initially drawn in by Carriger’s style, give it time. You’ll fall in love.
Carriger has a tendency to give her characters bizarre names, and Etiquette and Espionage is no exception to the rule. Sophronia is our leading lady (her name being perhaps the most normal of the bunch), a scrappy you thing whose curiosity often gets the better of her. Sophronia is instantly lovable because she does exactly what we want to do as readers: ferret out the secrets that are hidden from view. Through Sophronia we are able to explore the crazy paranormal-is-normal world in which Etiquette and Espionage is set.
More than being a tool to help unravel the mysteries of the novel, Sophronia is also a charming character to read about. Even better, she’s dynamic: by the end of the book, it’s clear that she isn’t the same girl she was in chapter one.
The minor characters were perhaps my favorite part of Etiquette and Espionage. They’re never what you expect, yet they’re introduced in the most nonchalant manner: Oh, this professor is actually a vampire. That’s nice. Moving on!
If you enjoy humor and adventure, you’ll love Etiquette and Espionage. It’s not a quick read, but it’s a very, very fun one. I can’t wait for book two!
4.5/5 stars
For those who like: historical fantasy, adventure
Comment question: What would you consider to be the most important skill for a young female spy?
I had high hopes for this one and it seems I was right. Sophronia is an excellent name for a main character, memorable and funny, and I’m glad she is so instantly likeable. I adore Carriger’s quirkiness and I can’t wait to get my copy.
Great review.
A great main character and a fabulous cast of minor characters? Awesome. This book sounds like such fun!
Fabulous review!
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Ohhh!! I can’t wait to get to reading this series again!! I read the first and thought it was absolutely wonderful! Haven’t been able to pick it up since then but I plan to, soon!
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I’m not sure whether I want to start this series first or read The Parasol Protectorate. I’m guessing the latter, just so I have more books to read in the series than just one, although I definitely want to read this one at some point too. Also, her name is fantastic haha.
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Read the Parasol Protectorate series first. You will miss out on a lot of little details that will make this next series that much more enjoyable. Gail is a great writer, so don’t miss out.
I have yet to read anything by this author so I can’t wait till this comes in at my library so I can dive into my first experience with steampunk.
Thanks for the great review, I’m glad you enjoyed the book. Gotta love when side characters really add something to a story. :)
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