Curtsies & Conspiracies

Finishing School, Book 2

By: Gail Carriger

Narrated by: Moira Quirk

Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's summary

Finishing school and spy training go hand in hand in this delightful adventure set in a richly detailed steampunk world.

Does one need four fully grown foxgloves for decorating a dinner table for six guests? Or is it six foxgloves to kill four fully grown guests?

Sophronia's first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing! For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy (won't Mumsy be surprised?). Furthermore, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners.

Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers' quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship's boiler room, she learns that there may be more to a school trip to London than is apparent at first. A conspiracy is afoot—one with dire implications for both super-naturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot-and survive the London Season with a full dance card.

In this sequel to bestselling author Gail Carriger's YA debut Etiquette & Espionage, class is back in session with more petticoats and poison, tea trays and treason. Gail's distinctive voice, signature humor, and lush steampunk setting are sure to be the height of fashion this season.

©2013 Gail Carriger (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Curtsies & Conspracies: Finishing School, Book 2

What did you love best about Curtsies & Conspiracies?

What a great book to listen to!!! While I did not read the first book in this series, The Finishing School. I picked up quickly the finishing school for girls taking place on a dirigible (floating boat with all kinds of bells and whistles) and being educated in all things having to do with espionage, spies and etiquette. I howled with laughter at the crazy names of professors, the mechanical dog, Bumbersnoot, and Sophronia's schemes. This was an adventurous romp and I particularly enjoyed Gail Carriger's steampunk--I will definitely read all the others and now I understand why my students LOVED all her books!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sophronia because she was sneaky and brave.

What about Moira Quirk’s performance did you like?

I loved they way she narrated all the voices; I loved listening to her!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

As I listened to this book, I realized why my students enjoyed this book- the mysteries, the steampunk, the technology and descriptions of clothing was key.

I can't help but enjoy this book greatly.

I loved the first book, but now I'm hooked for certain. Clever, funny, serious enough to invoke your mind, and silly enough not to weigh you down. Such great one liners.

cute and fun steampunk story

I liked the story and innocent romances on the side. A fun easy story with good characters.

Fun continuing story

I enjoyed my 3rd or 4th time with this story. The reader did a better job this time with the odd lisp disappearing from a character. Listening gives a while new feel and it is quite fun to hear the voices. Love the story and character growth

Fun

The second in the series may be as good as the first, even if the plot is a bit simpler. It doesn’t solve world hunger but it’s a carnival ride in Victorian skirts. It’s simply fun and a unique way to visit historicals and so-fi at the same time. I loved it.

Still a great story, still a great narrator

And still pronunciation/voice problems. The deviation from established character voices/pronunciations remains the biggest fault in the series.

a favorite

This is a great set of stories. Imagination and word usage are truly artistic, humerous and brilliant. These are what is the epitome of fun, creative and delightful. I listen to these regularly and find myself bursting out laughing, giggling and in awe of the way Ms. Carriger uses words over and over again. We all need some fun and these books have them galore. The Narrator is fabulous. Great book, great narration, can't go wrong.

Good listen

very I interesting story. kept me in suspense and trying to figure out the mystery with the characters.

Better than the first one!

While I really liked the first book of the series, it was primarily buildup and setting the scene. THIS book already had the done, and was able to entirely play with secrets between different faction, shipboard relationships, and missions being undertaken by the main character and her friends. Very fun and very enjoyable!

Excellent adaptation

The creativity of the story and the humor of the writing is top notch. Gail Carriger is one of my favorite authors. Her characters are always interesting. The narrator does a fine job of bringing it all to life. no