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Curtsies & Conspiracies

Curtsies & Conspiracies is the second book in the Finishing School novels, a YA alternate Victorian era steampunk series, by Gail Carriger.

Gail Carriger, I think I may be in love with you.

Okay, wait, too fast? Too much?

My bibliophile buddies, believe you me that this book will probably make you feel the same way.

Because of that, you better read the first book, Etiquette & Espionage, before you read a single line of this review!!! Check out my review of Etiquette & Espionage here.

I’m trusting that those of you continuing have read that first splendid novel and are now ready to be titillated on the second!

(Notice the overuse of exclamation points.)

Sophronia’s first year a Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has been far more exhilarating than she had anticipated.

Instead of only learning how to properly curtsy, she is also studying the best ways to poison someone.

In other words, espionage – which appears to be her true talent.

When an impromptu testing occurs, Sophronia’s results cause a rift between the other students and her that makes her late-night sneaking around the dirigible school all the more solitary.

Yet she has eavesdropping on teachers, chatting with sooties, and a London trip that smells of conspiracy to occupy her mind.

A conspiracy that could mean calamitous repercussions for lives both human and supernatural.

And she must also figure out a way to fill her dance card!

This is a pretty light synopsis – because, REALLY?!? Do you WANT to know more?!?!?

Yeah, I didn’t think so.

If I loved Etiquette & Espionage (and I did) then Curtsies & Conspiracies must be met with the word adore!!!

Gail Carriger spices up this delicious steampunk fare with wittiness and silliness in the best possible ways. It’s a creative and fun adventure with an engaging, hilarious, unique writing style.

Curtsies & Conspiracies delves us deeper into the mystery and detailed work of this alternative Victorian England full of vampires, werewolves, espionage, and mechanicals. We get fantastic, original characters, potential romances, and pleasing descriptions of gowns and accessories – without ever being too much.

I admit it: I want to go to Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality!!!

This is AWESOME steampunk! Delightful spying, laugh out loud humor, Victorian manners, proper etiquette when greeting a vampire – what is not to adore here??? I absolutely love this universe and CANNOT WAIT to read the Parasol Protectorate series (still sitting on my bookshelf)!!!

Curtsies & Conspiracies is clever, romantic, and perfectly complicated!!!

If you haven’t guessed already – I genuinely fancy this book!

And I am counting the days until the third book, Waistcoats & Weaponry!

(Even the mere titles pierce my bibliophile heart with a fit of adulation!)
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