Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School #1) by Gail Carriger

Title: Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School)
Series: Finishing School (Book 1)
Classification: Young Adult Fiction (12 and up)
Genre: Steampunk
Format: Hardcover; 320 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (February 5, 2013)
ISBN-10: 031619008X
ISBN-13: 978-0316190084

Ms. Sophronia Temminick is by all accounts a troublesome young lady. She is a headstrong, fiesty fourteen year old who can't seem to resist urge of getting into mischief. She loves to spy on her mother and her friends, climb, and wear pants--all of which is the epitome of unladylike behavior. The last straw which sends her mother over the edge comes when her actions accidentally cause one of her mother's guest, Ms. Barnaclegoose,  to be covered in the afternoon's dessert. At her wits end, her mother decides to send her hopeless daughter to finishing school--Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality to be precise. While Sophronia is both upset and hurt by her mother's actions, she soon realizes there is something not quite right about Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing School. Something she's not all together certain her mother would approve of, if she had a clue. For it appears to be a place where Sophronia can fit right in and reach her full potential while becoming the person she was meant to be.

"What, precisely, will I be expected to learn here?"

Lady Linette twirled one curl of blonde hair around the tip of one finger. "Information gathering and object retrieval, of course. But mostly, you should learn how to finish."

"Finish what, exactly?"

"Why, anything or anyone who needs finishing my dear."

If you've read Ms. Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series, then you know you're in for a real treat. This is the young adult prequel to that wonderful series. Now, I have to admit, people tend to either love or hate Ms. Carriger's writing style and I am one of the ones who absolutely adores it. It's quirky, funny, and at times a touch silly. If you haven't read any of Ms. Cariger's other books, Captain Niall is mentioned in Changeless and he had passed away prior to that book. I believe Captain Niall was the Alpha prior to Maccon. He apparently will marry Sidheag Maccon (aka Lady Kingair) so look out for sparks going off between the two. Also, The Great Picklemen revolt was talked of in Timeless, so I can't help but wonder if it takes place during this series? I'm crossing my fingers.

This book begins with Sophronia getting her first taste of Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing School and right from the beginning we know we're in for a wild ride. I love the concept of a spy school for ladies being disguised as a finishing school. It's inventive, it's creative, and so much fun. Sophronia is impulsive and too smart for her own good. Prior to her being enrolled in the spy school she kept finding herself in one type of trouble or another. Trouble that was most improper for a young lady in the making to find herself in. She is the first covert recruit in years to be recruited outside the normal family connections and she'll have to find her place among those who were born to be spies.

Favorite quotes:
- “It's no good choosing your first husband from a school for evil geniuses. Much too difficult to kill.” 

- “We are an institution of high learning and higher manners. We simply cannot shoot first; it isn’t done. Now, remember that, Miss Temminnick, do—a lady never shoots first. She asks questions, then she shoots.” 

- “What on earth could we girls possibly learn from a werewolf?" Sophronia wondered.
  "How to keep a hat on no matter what the circumstances?" hazarded Dimity.” 

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out of 5 roses. I adore Ms. Carriger's sense of humor and writing style. It always gives me a good chuckle and leaves me grinning from ear to ear. It's fast paced, creative, full of action, and tickles my funny bone. What more could a person ask for in a book?

The Book Trailer:

Heartless (The Parasol Protectorate, #4) by Gail Carriger

• Title: Heartless (The Parasol Protectorate, #4)
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Paranormal Steampunk
• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Orbit; 1 edition (July 1, 2011)
• ISBN-10: 0316127191
• ISBN-13: 978-0316127196
• Author's Website:  http://gailcarriger.com/

     "To which end I was hoping to, well, induct you into a kind of secret society."

     Ivy looked as though she had not heard anything so thrilling in all her life. "Me?" she squeaked. "really?" How Marvelous. What's What's it called, this secret society?"

     Alexis hesitated and then, recalling a phrase her husband had once offered up in the head of annoyance, suggested tentatively, "The Parasol Protectorate?"

     "Oooh, what a perfectly splendid name. So full of ornamentation!" Ivy practically bounced up and down on the lavender settee in her excitement. "Must I make a pledge, or memorize a sacred code of conduct, or engage in some pagan ritual or other? Ivy had an expecting look on her face that suggested she would be very disappointed if this were not the case.

     "Well of course." Lady Maccon floundered. trying to come up with something appropriate to the occasion..."Spin the parasol three times and repeat after me: I shield in the name of fashion. I accessorize for one and all. Pursuit of truth is my passion. This I vow by the great parasol."

Lady Alexis Maccon is in a rather delicate state, just don't tell her. she won't believe it. She's expecting--what exactly is still a mystery. Yes, most people wonder if their child will be a boy or a girl, but she wonders if her child will be a preternatural like her, making it next to impossible for them to be in the same room, or something entirely different. Theories abound as to what her child could be, making Alexis and the child she carries a target of both the Templars and vampires. Death threats are beginning to be part of a normal night out on the town. Nothing seems to phase Lady Maccon any more, not even an attack by killer zombie porcupines (or is it hedgehogs?). Plus, Madame Lefoux is acting a bit aloof. Something seems to be off about her, but Alexis hasn't figured out what. If that wasn't enough, now a ghost has alerted Alexis that someone is out to assassinate the Queen and Alexis will do everything within her power to stop it. Plus, the Parasol Protectorate is finally in full swing and Ivy has her first assignment. Be prepared for twists, mayhem, and snarky comments. 

I just love the quirky writing style of Gail Carriger. I always look forward to reading the next book of the series. Her books are guaranteed to put me in a good mood. The whole cast of characters is so engaging from Biffy, a werewolf who wanted to be a vampire and is having problems making the adjustment, to Madame Lefoux, a brilliant inventor whose female lover was lured away by the promise of immortality by the Vampire Queen, to Lord Akeldama, a fashionable gay vampire who just happens to be one of Alexis' dearest friends. Armed with her parasol and tea nothing can ruffle Alexis' feathers, well, almost nothing.

In this book, we learn more about Alexis' father and what exactly happened all those years ago when Lord Maccon left his former pack. Alexis goes investigating and does what her husband never could--found out the truth of why his old pack came to betray him and it is rather shocking. Alexis will also do something that will change the wolf pack forever. Plus, we get our first glimpse at Alexis' and Conall's baby.

Why is this book entitled Heartless? Well, I believe it has to do with this verse: "Madame Lefoux either hadn't seen Alexia's plight or didn't care to help her. Alexia hoped fervently it was the former, or her friend was indeed more heartless than she had ever thought possible."

Overall I gave this one a 5 out of 5 roses. Ms. Carriger has a unique blend of snooty, snarky, uppity, and fantastical characters that just make me grin from ear to ear. The world she created is a joy to read about and her twists and turns keep me guessing as to what is happening and what zany things will be thrown at us next. This is a series I highly recommend.