Waistcoats and Weaponry

Finishing School, Book 3

By: Gail Carriger

Narrated by: Moira Quirk

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

Sophronia continues her second year at finishing school in style - with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown, of course.

Such a fashionable choice of weapon comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and the charming Lord Felix Mersey stowaway on a train to return their classmate Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland. Because no one would have suspected what - and who - they would find aboard the suspiciously empty train.

Sophronia uncovers a plot that threatens to dissolve all of London into chaos and must decide where her loyalties lie once and for all.

©2014 Tofa Borregaard (P)2014 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"Absolutely charming, comical, and full of whimsy. I wish I could attend a school as fun as this finishing academy, with its host of endearing, headstrong characters. It is the perfect steampunk version of Harry Potter." (Marie Lu, author of the Legend trilogy)

"If spunky Lady Sybil from Downton Abbey happened onto a steampunk set, she might look a lot like Sophronia Angelina Temminnick." ( ShelfAwareness)

"This witty, light-hearted series is not to be missed." ( Booklist)

Cue Love Triangle Volume

As much as I loved the two previous books in this series, I was admittedly let down by Waistcoats and Weaponry. The plot was pretty much as follows: "Oh Soap!" "Oh Felix!" "Oh Soap!" "Oh, a train." "Oh Soap!" "Oh Felix." Yes, it was nearly all love triangle and Sophronia worrying over her attraction to Soap until Felix came into the picture and then it was distraction by how handsome Felix is and all.

Story: Sidhe's absence has Sophronia worried greatly. Something is going on with the werewolves. Meanwhile, visits to Soap are creating conflicts in Sophronia - she realizes she is attracted to him and it is clear that he is attracted to her, too. But then, Felix shows his handsome face and she becomes even more confused. Cue a ball at her house in which both Felix and Soap will appear. She'll use the night to figure out her own feelings - and stumble upon a conspiracy accidentally while trying to escape the ball.

I honestly kept waiting for the main mystery of the device to come back into the plot - which it doesn't until nearly the end of the book. And not through Sophronia's intelligence, either. She stumbles upon a part of the conspiracy accidentally (and unrealistically). The flights of fancy in this volume were great and honestly starting to veer too far into the 'coincidence too many' side of things.

I looked forward to Sophronia figuring things out and getting things done; none of which really happened here. She was pretty much a love sick moon calf and nothing else really mattered. Sadly, the romance is really Carriger's weakness and it shows yet again in this series.

There is a very unsurprising twist at the end; really, the only way to resolve the love triangle satisfactorily. I will, of course, keep reading and hope a return to the form of the first books.

I listened to the audible version and the narrator is so good - I never want to hear this book any other way.

Brilliant

I could not stop listening. Marvellous as always. Would absolutely recommend this book to anyone.

Delightful series

I have really enjoyed this series. It is quirky and fun. I am listening to it with my 12 year old daughter and she adores it (and has relistened multiple times now). It has strong assertive female (and male) characters which is such a pleasant change for this type of book where so often the female characters are cringeworthy. I totally recommend it as a light well written book that successfully crosses over between YA and adult. Love the narrator also.

Brilliant book

Another great story from Gail. These books are so exciting that you can't wait to see what will happen next. Onwards and upwards to the next installment.

A great build-up

This book is my least favourite in the series, only because its the simplest in terms of plot and development. This story acts more as a build-up for the last book, and as that alone I think it works very well.

The characters mature with each book, relationships get complicated and friendships are tested. This book's main plot is driven by Sophronia's bond with her friends, allies and enemies she's encountered. The action is drawn out and grittier, and the central mystery is finally coming together.

The author and reader continue to do a great job. I'm very pleased that this series has the same reader per book and I think Moira Quirk was a great choice.

More high jinks and machinations

This is book 3 in the series. It's as good as the others if you enjoyed them you'll love this.

It's a stand-alone book but is best read after the previous two as they set the scene and it follows on

Full of thrills, spills, action, adventure, steampunk, vampires werewolves & lots of laughs - a great read for fans of all ages!

Excellent third instalment in the series. As usual, our heroine and her friends get up to mischief (not hard at a girls finishing school, even if they are also training as spies and assassins!) then, when trying to help a friend, they accidentally stumble upon something huge and have to work together to save the country. Full of thrills, spills, action, adventure, steampunk, werewolves, vampires, and lots of laughs, this book is a great read for fans of all ages. Can't wait for the next book - just sad it's the last one!

Wonderful

Love the style, the voice acting, and the world. Trying to stop listening but it's too good.

If only......

Again another lesson from Sephronia and co. We go to another party at the Terminics and much to the girls interest. And our heroin in chief acquires a new weapon.

good book

Found this series by accident, loved it. can't wait for the next book.

Brilliant Fun Young adult

Fabulous series very easy listening and definitely hope there will be more. another good young adult series which all ages will enjoy :)