Loved it! Loved it, loved it, loved it. I always get really nervous when I write reviews for books that I have such positive reactions to, especially ones like this one that have such strong personalities. This book knows who it is and what it’s trying to do and does its thing with aplomb. I happened to love it immediately after reading the first sentence, but I can understand how if the humor in the writing or the language she uses, or if you don’t […]
A real lady always carries a bladed fan
I’m not usually into steampunk – I don’t really even understand what it is – but I read Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series based on a recommendation from the Fug Girls, and really enjoyed the world it was set in. Namely, a Victorian England where supernatural creatures are fully integrated into society: all the cool kids have ghosts in their houses, werewolves constitute Her Majesty’s armed forces, and vampires set the tone for fashion and culture. So when I first heard about the Finishing School […]
I want a bladed fan, now please.
Sophronia and her friends have grown on me. Waistcoats & Weaponry, the third book in Carriger’s prequel Finishing School series, is much more in line with the early Alexia Tarabotti Parasol Protectorate books (Soulless, Changeless, Blameless, etc.) than the previous two books in this series. What we have in Waistcoats & Weaponry is a good old fashioned caper story. I was delighted. Waistcoats& Weaponry picks up several months after Curtsies & Conspiracies. Our girls are continuing with their lessons at Madam Geraldine’s and Sophronia and […]
Growing up is a dangerous thing to do
Waistcoats and Weaponry, the third installment of Gail Carriger’s Finishing School Series, is a bit darker and more mature than the preceding novels. Don’t be alarmed – as in the previous books, there is still delightful dialogue and whimsical witticisms to be found on every page! We begin aboard the floating dirigible school, and we immediately feel sorry for dear Professor Braithwope. I do hope we see more of him in the future, and that he regains more of himself! Sidheag receives a message from […]


