#FinishingRA Update on Curtsies & Conspiracies, Part 2


Welcome to my second update for the FINISHING SCHOOL READ-ALONG, hosted by Dena @ Batch of Books and I (Tressa @ Wishful Endings)! There is still plenty of time to join if you haven't done so yet. You can go to the official sign-up here and the launch post here, which includes an author interview and a giveaway. You don't need to be a blogger to join, you just need someplace online that's public to post updates for the linky or just participate by leaving your thoughts and updates in response to Dena's and mine.

We just finished reading...

Curtsies & Conspiracies (Finishing School, #2)Curtsies & Conspiracies

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 field trip to London than is apparent at first. A conspiracy is afoot--one with dire implications for both supernaturals 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 New York Times bestselling 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.
  

Here are my thoughts for the second half (official review posted HERE)...

Thoughts about the characters.

I have forgiven the girls and Soap and Felix have both grown on me even more, if that's possible. There are two other adult characters (the fortune teller and a dandified vampire) that are introduced to Sophronia in the second part of the book that were both interesting. Sophronia is beginning to grow up more.

Thoughts about the plot.

How does Gail do it? The plot just thickened and then encompassed more characters as Sophronia raced to save the day. It was amazing, crazy, hilarious, intelligent, and rather superb!!

Least favorite part so far, if there is one.

I'm torn about the love triangle that is formalizing. I'm also a little sad that Sophronia is losing some of her innocence. She has learned that her choices can hurt others and that there are risks and real danger in her line of work. It's not as fun as everyone thinks to grow up, but it is necessary. At least I think she'll turn out quite well.

Most favorite part so far.

The rescue mission. Just... wow! I about died laughing while being quite worried for the characters.

Any favorite lines or quotes? (There were several and my favorite I shared in my review, but here are a few.)

"Imagine, fainting forward!" Preshea whispered, white with shock. - p. 198

"Will you ever stop seeing conspiracies?"
"When others stop concocting them, I suppose."
Dimity sighed. "So it goes..."
- p. 310

Any predictions for Waistcoats & Weaponry?

I think Sophronia is going to continue to be torn between different sides. Will she work for the Picklemen, the vampires, the government? Who is the best party? I think she'll also continue to be torn between Felix and Soap. I'm thinking we'll be seeing more of Lord Akeldama for sure after that last page.

Other thoughts...

Umm. Just loved this book! I think at the end of Waistcoats & Weaponry I am going to be dying while I wait another year for the fourth book!!

Any questions?

- Does travelling in the Aether continue to play a role in future plots?
- Do the new girls have significant roles in the future?
- Is Sidheag in love with a werewolf?
- Will we see more of Sophronia's family?

Now it's your turn. If you're reading with us, what did you think? Do you have any questions for the author?


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