Etiquette & Espionage

Finishing School, Book 1

By: Gail Carriger

Narrated by: Moira Quirk

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

This young adult steampunk series debut set in the same world as the New York Times best-selling Parasol Protectorate is filled with all the saucy adventure and droll humor Gail Carriger's legions of fans have come to adore.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners - and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage - in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.

©2013 Gail Carriger (P)2013 Hachette Audio

Amazing start to an amazing series.

Carriger never fails to write intriguing stories with lovable characters, and this is no exception. On my list of all-time favorites, I absolutely adore the Finishing School books. Moira Quirk is a fantastic narrator and does an excellent job giving each character a voice.

Great book!

I was surprised by how much I liked this book. The description caught my attention and I felt like I should give it a go. This was my first foray into steampunk and I'm not usually big on Victorian era books, but I was just so enchanted by the idea of Madame Geraldine's that I had to get over my trepidation and prejudices and just listen. Glad I did. The characters are great, I look forward to see how they progress and grow. I was a little weirded out because the story built and built and then summed up in the last 10 minutes- for a minute I thought that I missed a download or something because it really did only take the last 10 minutes to end which seemed a little rushed but it was still pretty satisfying. It's a toss up for me now- do I want to go to Hogwarts or Madame Geraldine's?

Spin-off I Think Not

This book is a fun & frolicking steam-punk adventure. It is filled with wonderful characters that I can't wait to get to know better. There is even a touch of the Parasol Protectorate world thrown in to make you feel like you already belong.

A wonderful ROMP! Sweet, fun and tart

What did you love best about Etiquette & Espionage?

Everything. There is so much charm, fun, puns, etiquette, mystery and of course manners! You don't have to have read any other of Gail's books, though it is even more pure fun if you have!

This is a teen book, set in a prequel time period around 30 years before the Soulless series.

This is a new narrator, but she is just as amazing - Gail is one lucky author to have narrators like this one!

Sweet, fun and tart - that is this book!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sophronia - but the whole cast is awesome.

Have you listened to any of Moira Quirk’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, and she is always delightful.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed all the way through!

Wonderfully Narrated!!!

After listening to this book, I would have to say Moira Quirk is now my second favorite narrator, my first being Katherine Kellgren from the Royal Spyness series. I may even say its a close tie for first!

The story had a perfect balance of humor, intrigue, whit, and charm, and I really enjoyed the surprises well placed through out. I am so looking forward to Curtsies & Conspiracies due in November, and I can only hope this series will continue on even after Finishing School is completed.

I recommended this book to my sister as well, who began to listen to it on her way to and from work. Not only did she say it made her drive more tolerable, but it also gave her something to look forward to on the drive in every morning. She loved it so much, she actually finished listening to it over the weekend at home.

I would recommend this book to anyone from young teen to adult.

Wonderful Addition to Parasol Protectorate World

Set in the world first introduced in Soulless, is a wonderful story of a teenage girl who doesn't quite fit into the role expected of her. The writing is as wonderful as the Alexia Taraboti books and so is the narration.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that enjoyed the Soulless series.

Treat from start to end.

What did you love best about Etiquette & Espionage?

The sense of humor and the world of Steampunk Victorian England.

What did you like best about this story?

The imagination and care to detail.

Have you listened to any of Moira Quirk’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not had the opportunity yet.

Different!

When I purchased this book, I had no idea it was a "steampunk" novel, including werewolves and vampires. I don't like stories including those, and normally would've stopped listening, but this book grabbed me from the first, and kept me laughing! It helped that the werewolves and vampires were a minor part of the story. No mysteries, but plenty of action. The description of the courses at this school really tickled my funny bone - Advanced Eye Fluttering; Handkerchief Dropping Techniques! Bahahahaha! I enjoyed reading about Sophronia's adventures, and I will probably read more in the series.

Gail Carriger does it again

A lively, funny and simply adorable story, completely worthy of the Parasol Protectorate universe. It's Fantasy of Manners at its best.

Very cute story

Love it! This story would make a great movie! Very well narrated and even the small bit of music made me smile.