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Curtsies and Conspiracies
(Finishing School #2)
by
Sophronias first year at Mademoiselle Geraldines Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing. For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy. Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ships boiler room, she learns that there may be more to a school tr
...more
Audiobook, Preloaded Digital Audio Player
Published
August 1st 2013
by Audiogo
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Jan 04, 2014
Khanh, first of her name, mother of bunnies
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
victorian,
siblings,
ya,
romance,
steampunk,
uk,
mystery,
cozy-mystery,
boarding-school,
mary-sue
“What’s a man like down there?”Brilliant description, brilliant!
“Oh.” Sidheag wrinkled her nose. “Unimpressive. They have,” she gestured toward her own nether regions with one hand, “a sort of dangly sausage—lacks tailoring.”
If ever there was an enjoyable book featuring a Mary Sue of a heroine, this is it. Despite my rating, I liked reading this book, because it was a funny, quick, fast, very light read. My main problem: that's just it. There is absolutely zero complexity in the book ...more

UPDATE REVIEW
OLD: I'll probably be ambushed and hanged for saying this, but... I kinda liked the "rake-in-training" from the other school. He was an intriguing character and I don't know why, it looked to me like Sophronia wasn't too oblivious to his charms (the descriptions from her point of view kinda imply that she thought he wasn't too bad (big underestimation here, girls)). In comparison with Soap it’s just... dunno… like they are just plain friends, with no romantic feelings involved betwe ...more
OLD: I'll probably be ambushed and hanged for saying this, but... I kinda liked the "rake-in-training" from the other school. He was an intriguing character and I don't know why, it looked to me like Sophronia wasn't too oblivious to his charms (the descriptions from her point of view kinda imply that she thought he wasn't too bad (big underestimation here, girls)). In comparison with Soap it’s just... dunno… like they are just plain friends, with no romantic feelings involved betwe ...more

Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger
2nd book in the Finishing School series. Best read with knowledge of the series. Steampunk YA fantasy.
Lessons in boys, friendships and espionage. Just to name a few of the things to learn.
Fantastic fantasy and adventure. Throughly enjoyed. Can’t wait for the next year’s education. The heroine is delightfully curious and adventure driven. Loved the robotic dog and his waging tail.
2nd book in the Finishing School series. Best read with knowledge of the series. Steampunk YA fantasy.
Lessons in boys, friendships and espionage. Just to name a few of the things to learn.
Fantastic fantasy and adventure. Throughly enjoyed. Can’t wait for the next year’s education. The heroine is delightfully curious and adventure driven. Loved the robotic dog and his waging tail.

This remains a bizarrely entertaining series. Sidheag has become my favorite character, besides Soap and Bumbersnoot. Quite a bit more action in this installment, and it's nice to know that (view spoiler) . I got a bit lost near the end, when Sophronia and Sidheag went to retrieve Dimity and Pillover, but things got back on track without too much trouble. Who knew vampires + werewolves + technology could be so confusing? ME. Still a
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5 Words: Science, fantasy, plotting, school, tea.
There's something about Gail Carriger's steampunk world that I can't get enough of. In fact, it's not just something. It's everything. I freaking love it all.
With each book I fall even more in love.
I loved finding out even more about the characters I love. And that was a fantastic introduction to Lord Akeldama, the only thing this serious had been missing was that crazy teapot. ...more
There's something about Gail Carriger's steampunk world that I can't get enough of. In fact, it's not just something. It's everything. I freaking love it all.
With each book I fall even more in love.
I loved finding out even more about the characters I love. And that was a fantastic introduction to Lord Akeldama, the only thing this serious had been missing was that crazy teapot. ...more

[4.5 Stars]

It would appear that Gail Carriger gets even more bold and hilarious with each new book she writes. Curtsies & Conspiracies is her most enjoyable work since Soulless, her debut, and it is by far the most outrageous and ridiculous thing I’ve read in a very long time.
By far the best thing about Carriger’s books is the language. As a non native speaker, I get to learn so many phrases and expressions, most of them outdated, but endlessly entertaining. In terms of language use in steampunk, Gail Car ...more
By far the best thing about Carriger’s books is the language. As a non native speaker, I get to learn so many phrases and expressions, most of them outdated, but endlessly entertaining. In terms of language use in steampunk, Gail Car ...more

Oct 11, 2014
Hayat
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-fiction,
humour,
pnr-uf,
audiobooks,
ya,
steampunk,
heroine-i-adore,
coverlicious-books
Curtsies & Conspiracies is an excellent sequel to Etiquette & Espionage and the Finishing School series is quickly becoming one of my favourite fun YA series to read and Gail Carriger is now my favourite steampunk writer. I Can't wait to read more about Sophronia's madcap adventure and mischief at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.
...more

Another fun instalment of the Finishing School series by Gail Carriger! I’m enjoying these a lot and flying through them in no time. I actually think I should slow down a little, I have been a bit distracted during the last one and I’m sure I’ve missed several details 🙈😬
Again, I have to say, these books aren't perfect, the story and resolutions are far too convenient at times and I guess they are targeted at a far (far!) younger audience than myself. I don't care, though, they are just so fun to ...more
Again, I have to say, these books aren't perfect, the story and resolutions are far too convenient at times and I guess they are targeted at a far (far!) younger audience than myself. I don't care, though, they are just so fun to ...more

Trigger warnings: blood, violence, blackmail.
4/6/2019
I stand by everything I said last time. Soap is too pure for this world and I want to wrap him in blankets and protect him forever.
13/8/2016
Gosh, this series is fun. It took me a while to get back into the world and the characters, but goodness I love them so much. Sophronia is adorably naive about her two love interests while also being incredibly savvy about everything else that's going on. Soap is a complete cinnamon roll and I ship the he ...more
4/6/2019
I stand by everything I said last time. Soap is too pure for this world and I want to wrap him in blankets and protect him forever.
13/8/2016
Gosh, this series is fun. It took me a while to get back into the world and the characters, but goodness I love them so much. Sophronia is adorably naive about her two love interests while also being incredibly savvy about everything else that's going on. Soap is a complete cinnamon roll and I ship the he ...more

Book 2 of a new series by Gail Carriger. I've downloaded the audio book and listened to this on my road trip to North Carolina. I love Gail's books - they are funny and smart and quirky, and the characters are proactive and intelligent and willing to do what it takes to help their friends. I loved the inclusion of a few characters from her Parasol Protectorate series, who I miss! The actress who reads these books is perfect. I can't read one of Gail's books because I'm not as good as the reader
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Like the first book, this YA book set in the world of the Parasol Protectorate is a fun romp with slightly less sex talk than the Parasol Protectorate books. It still has a bit of romance, but it’s mostly banter in keeping with the age of the girls, with a touch of teenage confusion and angst as regards having feelings for anyone. They’re not books with great depth: the perfect description is a ‘romp’, as many people have said before me.
It annoys me that people complain about Sophronia being a ‘ ...more
It annoys me that people complain about Sophronia being a ‘ ...more

Oct 29, 2013
Dark Faerie Tales
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
reviewed-by-michelle
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.
Quick & Dirty: Carriger knows how to write paranormal, for all ages. A wonderful and riveting sequel.
Opening Sentence: “Miss Temminnick.”
The Review:
Gail Carriger has done it again with Curtsies & Conspiracies, the second book in the Finishing School series. From vampires, to aether technology, and a conspiracy well worth conspiring about, Carriger has hooked me again. This book has captivated me from the first few pages until the very end. Carriger has left m ...more
Quick & Dirty: Carriger knows how to write paranormal, for all ages. A wonderful and riveting sequel.
Opening Sentence: “Miss Temminnick.”
The Review:
Gail Carriger has done it again with Curtsies & Conspiracies, the second book in the Finishing School series. From vampires, to aether technology, and a conspiracy well worth conspiring about, Carriger has hooked me again. This book has captivated me from the first few pages until the very end. Carriger has left m ...more

This series is just a lot of fun, and even better in audio, performed by Moira Quirk. She handles the silly names and bizarre situations with the formality required for any proper lady. I was reminded of this series and the rest of Gail Carriger's series that I've started and not finished when I talked to Rose Davis on the Reading Envy Podcast - she had just listened to the first book of the newest series, Prudence, and when I knew I was going to spend half the day in the car driving to and from
...more

Dec 21, 2015
Hailey (Hailey in Bookland)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
science-fiction,
owned
This series is so much fun!

Very good fun, it's just unfortunate that we can always work out what's actually going on before the main character does; sometimes it makes her seem a bit thick ;-)
...more

Within the last year or so Gail Carriger has become one of my favorite authors. Now that I've completed The Parasol Protectorate, I'm glad I can go back through this YA prequel series. It's awesome seeing characters younger versions of some of that series appear here, like Lord Akeldama, Sidheag Maccon, and Genevieve Lefoux. As for Sophronia, our lead in this series, she's one of my favorites. I can certainly appreciate just how resourceful, smart, and loyal she is. I'm looking forward to readin
...more

This series is shaping up to be super fun and I definitely think it's growing on me much like the Parasol Protectorate series did. I really enjoy the adventures on board Miss Geraldine's dirigible and seeing our characters start to grow a little more with each adventure they embark on is great.
Sophronia is once more our main character and she's an amusing one to follow. Her constant inquisitive nature means that she's always involving herself in whatever is happening, but usually she's trying t ...more
Sophronia is once more our main character and she's an amusing one to follow. Her constant inquisitive nature means that she's always involving herself in whatever is happening, but usually she's trying t ...more

Nov 16, 2013
Samantha wickedshizuku Tolleson
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
High Fantasy fans, Urban Fantasy fans, Romance fans
Recommended to Samantha wickedshizuku by:
previous book
Shelves:
can-i-live-in-this-book,
not-manga,
title-c,
paranormal,
favorites,
reviewed,
4-stars,
2014,
female-lead
To the lovely people out there,
I love this author, her work makes me giggle.
This book's plot is positively delightful while the dialouge keeps readers coming back for more.
Carriger is making manners cool again. Huzzah! Carry on, and the masses will follow.
Cheers Pretties!
shizuku ...more
I love this author, her work makes me giggle.
This book's plot is positively delightful while the dialouge keeps readers coming back for more.

Carriger is making manners cool again. Huzzah! Carry on, and the masses will follow.
Cheers Pretties!
shizuku ...more

Sep 22, 2017
R Z
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
z4-rated-2017,
borrowed
I mean, this series is just really cute, okay? And this book made me laugh out loud quite a few times. I had fun reading it, and that's what matters.
...more

Nov 26, 2020
Narilka
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2020,
ebook
Gail Carriger has done it again. Curtsies & Conspiracies, the second book in the Finishing School series, is an absolute delight. I enjoyed this one even more than the first. The story opens with the girls returning to Madame Geraldine's just in time for the strangest mid-term exam ever, which Sophronia passes with flying colors. Making top marks isn't all it's cracked up to be as Sophronia's friends turn against her in apparent jealousy. Or is it? Is everything at this school a test? Before the
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"Our biggest concern is what you get up to when we are not watching. Because, if nothing else, this test has told us you are probably spying on us, as well as everyone around you."
Ah Gail Carriger has done it again! I like this series even more that The Parasol protectorate; it's so funny and clever...and I must admit, quite refreshing. Also I have the cutest ship ever *cough* Soap *cough*
After her first tests at finishing school Sophronia, since her friends are acting weird, decides to take mat ...more
Ah Gail Carriger has done it again! I like this series even more that The Parasol protectorate; it's so funny and clever...and I must admit, quite refreshing. Also I have the cutest ship ever *cough* Soap *cough*
After her first tests at finishing school Sophronia, since her friends are acting weird, decides to take mat ...more

Oct 25, 2014
Agnė
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone who enjoyed the first book
Shelves:
romance,
fiction,
young-adult,
fantasy,
historical-fiction,
paranormal,
humor,
series,
science-fiction,
steampunk
WHAT IS IT ABOUT?
Gail Carriger’s “Curtsies & Conspiracies” is the second book in the young adult fantasy series Finishing School. It’s Sophronia’s second semester at Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality where she is being trained on etiquette, style and… espionage. The 19th century is an era of inventions, and thus the dirigible school is heading towards London to witness a history-changing experiment. But the young ladies at Mademoiselle Geraldine’s are more ex ...more
Gail Carriger’s “Curtsies & Conspiracies” is the second book in the young adult fantasy series Finishing School. It’s Sophronia’s second semester at Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality where she is being trained on etiquette, style and… espionage. The 19th century is an era of inventions, and thus the dirigible school is heading towards London to witness a history-changing experiment. But the young ladies at Mademoiselle Geraldine’s are more ex ...more

I absolutely love the world Gail Carriger has created. The mixture of Victorian manners with paranormal creatures, not to mention a dash of steampunk, completely sucked me in.
In Curtsies and Conspiracies, we reunite with Sophronia, who I fell in love with in Etiquette and Espionage. The secondary characters are also awesome, especially Soap, who I'm a little bit totally in love with. We get a new secondary character (well we met him briefly in book one) in Lord Felix Mercer. While I can't say I ...more
In Curtsies and Conspiracies, we reunite with Sophronia, who I fell in love with in Etiquette and Espionage. The secondary characters are also awesome, especially Soap, who I'm a little bit totally in love with. We get a new secondary character (well we met him briefly in book one) in Lord Felix Mercer. While I can't say I ...more

Probably the most disappointing aspect of Curtsies & Conspiracies is the writing. Gail Carriger is the author of an adult steampunk series and the first book in this series, Etiquette & Espionage, suffered from no such problems (or diminished ones, at any rate). Therefore, the jarring leaps between limited 3rd-person POV and omniscient, the awkward dialogue tags and the telling rather than showing make for an unsatisfactory, bumpy read.
This is especially evident in contrast with the voice. At ti ...more
This is especially evident in contrast with the voice. At ti ...more

Rereading in January 2017, and very happy about this decision.
Sophronia is back! I loved watching her, and her friends evolve into older, more finished people. Having loved the Parasol Protectorate, it is wonderful being able to get the background on some of my favorite characters. It was incredibly easy to give this book five stars. The only thing I'm sad about is having to wait for the next book to come out. We need to clone Gail Carriger so we can read more about the delightful world she has ...more
Sophronia is back! I loved watching her, and her friends evolve into older, more finished people. Having loved the Parasol Protectorate, it is wonderful being able to get the background on some of my favorite characters. It was incredibly easy to give this book five stars. The only thing I'm sad about is having to wait for the next book to come out. We need to clone Gail Carriger so we can read more about the delightful world she has ...more

Actual rating 4.5 stars
This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/
Critically
Plot – 4.5 out 5 stars
This book was entertaining and hilarious. It’s full of action and fun. Though it had it’s slow parts, it was mysterious and incorporated a lot more steampunk elements. There’s an essence of conspiracies through the plot (as I’m sure you’re not surprised because of the title) but there’s also a little bit more romance than the first. I had a great time reading it.
Writin ...more
This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/
Critically
Plot – 4.5 out 5 stars
This book was entertaining and hilarious. It’s full of action and fun. Though it had it’s slow parts, it was mysterious and incorporated a lot more steampunk elements. There’s an essence of conspiracies through the plot (as I’m sure you’re not surprised because of the title) but there’s also a little bit more romance than the first. I had a great time reading it.
Writin ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Gail Carriger Fan...: 01/21-02/03: Curtsies & Conspiracies | 17 | 40 | Jan 31, 2019 09:10PM | |
Play Book Tag: Curtsies and Conspiracies (Finishing SChool #2) - Gail Carriger - 4 stars | 2 | 9 | Jul 05, 2018 10:25AM | |
Steampunk Reads : Curtsies and Conspiracies ARC | 14 | 25 | Sep 29, 2015 03:51PM | |
Madison Mega-Mara...: #166 - Curtsies & Conspiracies | 1 | 3 | Sep 21, 2015 12:59PM | |
YA Buddy Readers'...: Curtsies and Conspiracies by Gail Carriger-Starting September 15th 2015 | 7 | 14 | Sep 19, 2015 08:38AM | |
Gail Carriger Fan...: FS Book 2 Discussion: Curtsies & Conspiracies | 1 | 5 | Sep 18, 2015 12:57PM |
Gail Carriger writes comedies of manners mixed with paranormal romance (and the sexy San Andreas Shifter series as G L Carriger). Her books include the Parasol Protectorate and the Finishing School series. She is published in many languages and has over a dozen NYT bestsellers. She was once an archaeologist and is fond of shoes, octopuses, and tea. Join the Chirrup for sneak peaks of upcoming gigg
...more
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Finishing School
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Simply put, it was the book I kept looking for and really wanted to read but no one was writing, so I figured I'd better do it myself.
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“All the best geniuses are evil,”
—
43 likes
“Miss Temminnick, you are in receipt of the highest marks we have ever given in a six-month review. Your mind seems designed for espionage.
Nevertheless, you veer away from perfect in matters of etiquette. Do not let these marks go to your head; there are many girls at this school who are better than you.
Our biggest concern is what you get up to when we are not watching. Because, if nothing else, this test has told us you are probably spying on us, as well as everyone around you.”
—
33 likes
More quotes…
Nevertheless, you veer away from perfect in matters of etiquette. Do not let these marks go to your head; there are many girls at this school who are better than you.
Our biggest concern is what you get up to when we are not watching. Because, if nothing else, this test has told us you are probably spying on us, as well as everyone around you.”