I've gotten behind on my book reviews. I actually finished Curtsies & Conspiracies prior to New Year, but for whatever reason have not actually written up my review. Like the first book, I thoroughly enjoyed the 2nd in the Finishing School series. While at a family party I began sharing it with others just to find out that my older sister makes a point of buying them in hardback and loves them to death. She didn't know the third one was out yet, but was very excited when I told her about it. Here is a link to the Audible page for the book. Like the first, it is narrated by Moira Quirk who does an absolute delightful job. I particularly love her narration and I think that it greatly enhances the already good story.
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Plot: Sophronia continues to enjoy her time at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality (pronounced "quali-`tay" with a French accent) However, it appears that other may not be finding it so pleasant. Two of her friends are put on probation for their lack of progress in either skills of intelligence or etiquette. Plus Sophronia seems to have attracted everyone's ire. As she grapples with trying to help her friends who don't seem to want help, it is announced that the school will be taking a field trip to London, in the company of ten choice students from the local boys school for aspiring evil geniuses. While the boys do not particularly attract Sophronia's attention she apparently has attached one of there's. And what's more, it's the attention of the highest ranking young man among them. However, Sophronia will always be a curious young lady of quality and so she is dead set on finding out what the school has to do in London and why her favorite vampire is involved.
My personal favorites: The characters continue to delight. I love how they each have their strengths and weaknesses and how Gail utilizes them all. There is no shame in an interest in dress over an ability to climb. Those who embroider as just as vulnerable as those who infiltrate. I also liked the introduction of some new supporting characters. The dandy vampire was a particular favorite. Moira's narration brought them all to life. I know that this series will get relistened to as time goes on, if not for the story then purely for the reading of it.
Considerations: This book does have a little more violence than the last, with a dead body being the prime source. There is also a conversation between the girls when one of them reveals that she has seen men naked that while rather vague is worth noting. I would not consider it inappropriate for any body who has dealt with the usual school discussions on "this is what happens when boys/girls go through puberty." Again, I did not feel any reason to withhold the book from a young teen.
I'm looking forward to the third book in a couple of weeks and have since recommend this series to a number of friends. I think it's telling that while my wife choose this book for her credit, I listed to it before starting the book I got with mine. The total length was 9 and a half hours.
My personal favorites: The characters continue to delight. I love how they each have their strengths and weaknesses and how Gail utilizes them all. There is no shame in an interest in dress over an ability to climb. Those who embroider as just as vulnerable as those who infiltrate. I also liked the introduction of some new supporting characters. The dandy vampire was a particular favorite. Moira's narration brought them all to life. I know that this series will get relistened to as time goes on, if not for the story then purely for the reading of it.
Considerations: This book does have a little more violence than the last, with a dead body being the prime source. There is also a conversation between the girls when one of them reveals that she has seen men naked that while rather vague is worth noting. I would not consider it inappropriate for any body who has dealt with the usual school discussions on "this is what happens when boys/girls go through puberty." Again, I did not feel any reason to withhold the book from a young teen.
I'm looking forward to the third book in a couple of weeks and have since recommend this series to a number of friends. I think it's telling that while my wife choose this book for her credit, I listed to it before starting the book I got with mine. The total length was 9 and a half hours.
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