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Waistcoats & Weaponry

(Finishing School #3)

Gail Carriger (Goodreads Author)

4.14 · Rating details · 15,841 ratings · 1,722 reviews

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.

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Hardcover, 298 pages

Published November 4th 2014 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

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4.14 ·

Rating details

· 15,841 ratings · 1,722 reviews

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Mar 13, 2013 Skye (Skye's Scribblings) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: waiting-on-wednesday, pub-request, signed, gift, favorites, 2014-novels-read, from-author

Yet another thoroughly entertaining read from Miss Gail! This time Sophronia takes her team on a grand adventure where on their travels they get up to even greater mischief with even graver consequences. With the exciting twists at the end I'm eager to to read the final installment in the series, Manners & Mutiny, due out November 2015! Review to come.

Update: THE TIME HAS FINALLY COME - CURRENTLY READING *FLAILS*

~~I don't think I will ever need a book more than I need this one right now. I may~~ ...more

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Nov 09, 2014 Alexa rated it liked it

Shelves: ya, steampunk

Around 2.5 stars.

The first thing I noticed when I started this book is that I remember nothing about the last one. NOTHING.

I'm really not sure why I keep reading these books...

Oh, wait.

That's it. Carriger includes all kinds of gadgets and gizmos, and their descriptions are awesome! And it's quite funny in a fluffy mindless way... Yep. I'll probably end up reading the next one as well.

As for the book, the love triangle of the last book gets even more page time in this one; and like all love tr ...more

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Mar 22, 2014 Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-book-read, kindle-books

This is such a fun series. Like smile the whole way through and sit back and have fun kind of series.

From the names of the characters down to the shenanigans they get themselves involved in, it is just plain fun and the series is getting better and better as it goes.

This has elements in numerous genres that I simply adore from the paranormal steampunk to the historic side of it and the ragtag bunch of friends is by far the best part of it all.

Add in teachers that are almost as mischievous as th ...more

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Nov 06, 2014 Ferdy rated it liked it

Shelves: young-adult, steampunk-historical, fun, decent-characters

A pretty fun read. Enjoyed the Sidheag/Scottish pack plot that was going on, it was better than the transmitter/Picklemen arc, which was kind of dull. Liked Sophronia's friendships with Dimity/Sidheag/Agatha, it was best part of the story. Her antagonistic relationship with Monique was good too. Didn't much like Soap in this one, he was kind of irritating, Felix wasn't much better, he turned out to be a prick. I hope Sophronia doesn't end up with either of them. Looking forward to the final book ...more

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Oct 26, 2014 Maria V. Snyder rated it it was amazing

Book 3 in the Finishing School series and I've been listening to these. I'm hooked and enjoying them very much - if you liked Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series, this is very similar. The narrator does an excellent job which is why I've been listening - I wouldn't have the same experience if I read it myself.

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Jul 18, 2014 Giovanna rated it really liked it · review of another edition

3.75

Didn't like it as much as the first two, but these books are always a fun read after all.

The Finishing School series is one of my favourite middle-grade series. That title goes to A Girl who circumnavigated Fairyland in a ship of her own making, but this series is extremely good even in what is, in my opinion, its worst installment. Waistcoats and Weaponry is a good book and it's worth four stars for sure, but at the same time I think it pales a little if compared to Etiquette and Espionage. ...more

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Sep 04, 2016 Kaitlin rated it really liked it

This series is one I am still hugely enjoying and this book was once again filled to the brim with crazy escapades, funny moments and hilarious characters. I loved the way that we saw more in to the politics of the world with this story and, although there is some wacky adventure too, discussed some of the rivalries between supernaturals and humans in more detail.

Can I just say... How amazing is the bladed fan on the cover of the book? It's so bad-ass and it is used in the book to fight off an a ...more

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Aug 12, 2013 Christine marked it as to-read

Shelves: flawless-covers, preordered

I'm beyond excited for this book, you guys. beyond excited.

*THERE IS A COVER. AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL. *makes grabby hands towards the screen*

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Nov 09, 2014 Maja (The Nocturnal Library) rated it really liked it

Shelves: annoying-love-triangle, arc-2014, books-for-rainy-days, cliffhanger-ending, cover-lust, delightfully-british, glistening-fangs, historical-fiction, open-ending, own-a-dtb

Fortunately for us, Gail Carriger’s sense of humor seems to be as strong and sharp as ever as she keeps providing us with endless entertainment in this well-developed world. Waltzing with a bladed fan and using longing looks to seduce unsuspecting young evil geniuses are just some of the things our Sophronia has become quite skilled at in her years at Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

The cast of characters is still as colorful as ever, although it sometimes Fortunately for us, Gail Carriger’s sense of humor seems to be as strong and sharp as ever as she keeps providing us with endless entertainment in this well-developed world. Waltzing with a bladed fan and using longing looks to seduce unsuspecting young evil geniuses are just some of the things our Sophronia has become quite skilled at in her years at Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

The cast of characters is still as colorful as ever, although it sometimes borders on ridiculous. I’ve come to adore Sophronia and her friends, as well as her professors at the Finishing Academy, but her family was just a bit too much. At one point, Sophronia’s mother tried to marry her off to 14-year-old Pillover, and her slightly older sister Petunia was just ridiculously stupid and vain.

We learn more about Sidheag in this installment since the main plotline focuses mostly on the troubles of her pack in Scotland. Sidheag is quite possibly the only serious, dignified character in this series which makes her all the more interesting. We know some of this story from the Parasol Protectorate series, but it was interesting to see it all from a different perspective.

For a smart girl, Sophronia is still quite clueless when it comes to matters of the heart. The odd love triangle she has found herself in takes up a large portion of the book, but nothing about it is satisfactory or even handled correctly. Torn between a Duke’s (and Pickleman’s!) son and a sootie (even one as wonderful and loyal as Soap), Sophronia is oftentimes annoyingly oblivious. She has a tendency to stick her head in the sand when it suits her and instead of being endearing like it was at first, I found it all to be very exasperating.

Waistcoats & Weaponry isn’t quite as good as the previous book, but it’s a worthy addition to the series. I’ll be happy to join Sophronia on her next adventure and I have faith that Carriger will find a way to make everything work in the romance department, no matter how impossible it may seem.

...more

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Sep 20, 2014 Althea Ann rated it really liked it

A delightful confection.

I really do enjoy these. I did think that the last in the series concentrated a bit heavily on the humor to the detriment of the slightly-rambling plot, but this one, I felt, struck the perfect balance.

Chaos has struck at the top levels of werewolf society, and Sophronia Temminnick's friend Sideagh wants to be by the side of her Pack. This requires running away from Miss Geraldine's Finishing School - and of course, her friends are bound to help her.

This ends up involving ...more

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Nov 24, 2014 Cora Tea Party Princess rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

5 Words: This series just gets better.

I just can't bring myself to review this book. How can I? It was so good!

Again and again, Gail Carriger exceeds expectations with her books, building the most fantastical worlds.

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Apr 28, 2018 Faye* rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Again, I just love this series, it's so fun and entertaining and the characters are great. There is really not much else to be said about this except that I'm seriously upset that the last instalment is not available on Audible. :(

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Nov 10, 2014 Ian rated it liked it

Shelves: a-audiobook, g-steam-punk, g-young-adult

Sophronia and the gang are all back and doing...well not very much really.

I guess the basic premise of this story is Sidheag needs to return to her home in Scotland where the clan of werewolves she calls her family are going to be punished for a supposed plot against Queen Victoria. They don't actually get there and in thinking about it, I'm not entirely sure that anything actually happened in this book.

Still, likeable characters and witty banter somehow gloss over the lack of any real substan ...more

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Feb 06, 2019 Ashley rated it really liked it

Shelves: addictive, anglophilia, alt-history, class-gender-race, espionage, fantasy, humor, i-vant-to-drink-your-blood, romantical, steampunk

All right, I liked this one quite a bit. I'm invested in the series now. But I'm still only giving this 3.5 stars, rounded up, because it shouldn't take you two books to be emotionally invested. I should have been in like Flynn after book one. Anyway, I finished this book in a frenzy and immediately wanted the next one (which I'm not getting to until next month, sadface), so that's a great sign.

Sophronia and Co. are halfway through their second year at Madame Geraldine's Finishing School. Sidhea ...more

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Oct 03, 2018 Simon Brading rated it really liked it

A couple of nice twists in this one, but it's still quite predictable. Just as well it's so entertaining!

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Jan 29, 2014 Booknut rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-i-love-dearly, can-t-get-enough-of, cliff-hanger-endings, ballgowns-and-intrigue, betrayal, ethics-and-society, favorites, heartbreak-and-loss, mystery-and-sherlocking, paranormal-peoples

**Check out the original review with added content over at 21st Century Once Upon A Times**

"Sovereign, sovereigns, or seduction," said Sidheag calmly, before Sophronia could stop her.

Dimity nodded in agreement. "It's our second lessons after the school motto: Ut acerbus terminus."
Felix looked confused. "What does it mean?"

"'To the bitter end,'" said Sophronia.'

Return to a world of steel-bladed fans and floating dirigibles.

As Sophronia continues her second year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishi ...more

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Aug 14, 2016 Jess (Primrose) rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Wow. This series has tanked so badly. Like crashing and burning tanking. The only saving grace for this book was the superb narration by Moira Quirk. Quirk's delightful voice and splendid variety of accents make for easy listening. Which was good in my case, as the story was horrendous.

The main character has become a shell of the vibrant, curious young lady we met in the first book. Now she is arrogant, entitled, fickle, and a tease with her young men in the "love" triangle. My god. I wanted ...more

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Apr 22, 2015 Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: steampunk, fantasy-paranormal, audiobook-would-recommend, 2015, histfic-alt-history

On par with the first two books. Lots of action, a bit of a vampire detour on the werewolf trip, and a tedious love triangle (I really don't know anyone anymore that actually enjoys love triangles, do you?) Overall I liked this one, as I said, as much as the others. Moira's narration is fantastic, as always.

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Nov 04, 2014 Melissa rated it it was ok

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. My anger towards this book in the middle half caused me to skim through the latter half (what I read only made me angrier)
My biggest problem with this book is how Gail Carriger, excuse my language, shit on ALL her characters. Yes characters change over a year, but I felt like I couldn't recognize any of them. They lacked the charm that made me love them and dream of this book (and a grown flirty Sophronia). I literally cried for the abuse of Felix`s character for so many reasons one being HE GOE My anger towards this book in the middle half caused me to skim through the latter half (what I read only made me angrier)
My biggest problem with this book is how Gail Carriger, excuse my language, shit on ALL her characters. Yes characters change over a year, but I felt like I couldn't recognize any of them. They lacked the charm that made me love them and dream of this book (and a grown flirty Sophronia). I literally cried for the abuse of Felix`s character for so many reasons one being HE GOES TO A SCHOOL FOR EVIL GENIUS`S WHY IS HE USELESS LIKE WHAT!?!?!!? Soap becomes boring (example: isn't Soap perfect while Felix sucks at EVERYTHING... basically 50% of the book) and obsessed with Sophronia. Dimity and Sidheig are boring, Sidheig had to be their so they could have a mission so Soap and Felix could fight. I also almost felt that Carriger was shipping Dimity with Felix so she wanted Dimity to just be the female version of Felix for most of the book (and of course Dimity is also Sophronia`s wing man).
There is no coming back from this train wreck. HAAAAAAAA get it. -_-

-I might try to read over the ending (in depth) when I don't feel as angry-

Edit 2: While re-reading I realised that it may not be the end for my dear Felix (it is hinted that while he was injured his father may have forced him to say something, but still Carriger has fun in this book making Felix seem like a good looking a**hole/figgy pudding -_-) and Sophronia didn't decide on Soap yet. I NEED FELIX TO DEVELOP in the next book. The book now gets 2 stars for this realization.

Edit 3: I have now calmed down enough to discuss parts I actually liked. I enjoyed most of the first 100 pages or so. I liked the ship between Agetha and Pillover. I liked actually liked how Agetha grew as a character in this book (she she still wasn't good enough for an adventure...I guess). The character interaction was a bit awkward and overdone at parts, but this is true for book 1 and 2. I also liked that both Soap and Felix got shot cause why not.

Also now I can put my distaste of Felix`s character is this book in coherent words, so I will. Felix almost seems to have multipersonality disorder in this book. He blushes when Sophronia looks at him and presses against him, but not when she changes in front of him. He`s sweet and doesn't care if people think he is a "prancer" because he loves Sophronia so much, then he "betrays her" for no reason. Also Felix is sexist (randomly) even though he loves Sophronia and frequently comments and shows in this book that he trusts her to take care of herself and loves how strong she is. The Felix in this book was nothing like the Felix in book 2. He wasn't suave, witty, and flirty. He was a "prick", angry, rude, and useless. I had so much hope for his character. I thought he would be like Vieve and be Sophronia`s inventor, but obviously Carriger hated Felix (in this book) and wants all her female leads to marry werewolves. OHHH OOPS SPOOOOOILLLLLLLLLEEERRRRS.

Now onto Soap. I loved Soap before this book (I loved all the characters). I didn't want Sophronia to break his heart because he was so lovable. But now Soap is Bella and Edward from Twilight in one body (I will explain this in a minute). Soap in this book, well he can do anything and hes also perfect. Soap can be an secret agent just like Sophronia; Soap can also pretend to be a white upper class man. Soap can also pilot a hot air balloon thing, Soap also saves Bumbersnoot. Soap is strong, caring, bashful, sensitive, understanding, and he doesn't judge people based on their class. Soap also gets to steal Felix`s good traits like his adorable flirting. Soap also doesn't get in Sophronia`s way, except when he does. Soap also doesn't have the sexism that was present during this time period, except when he does. Soap is also a stalker like Edward. Also Soap is Bella because even though he turns into a man eating monster he can control is because HE IS SOAP!

I will read book 4. I`m hoping Felix will redeem himself and go against his father (or make his father think he is on his side). Now Soap has the same amount of Loyalties (and more) that Felix does. So I wonder how things will work out. I am also hoping to see the flamboyant vampire! ...more

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Aug 05, 2014 Sophie rated it it was ok

Shelves: ya, to-be-released-2014, november, 2014-books, reviewed

I think it's time to admit that this series just isn't for me. The first 2 books were entertaining enough, but this was a frustrating read. The first half I didn't care enough that when I set the book down, I felt no need to pick it up again. The second half, I was pretty angry with the plot.

The problem is that the book is just too sarcastic and glib in a way that makes it hard to care about the characters or the plot at all. It's not even that funny. It's book 3 and I still feel like I don't kn ...more

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Nov 16, 2014 Wiebke (1book1review) rated it liked it · review of another edition

Honestly I can't say what this book was about. The story seems to be only about Sophronia discovering her romantic interests.

The writing was lovely as usual, but the lack of story makes it rather slow and also I found myself annoyed with Sophronia and her analytical handling of love interests. For one I don't think it's about feelings for her, but more about what can I gain from a relationship, very rational, which goes along with her training, but feels somewhat weird.
Also the way she tried to ...more

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May 12, 2014 Sanaa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2014-favorites

[5 Stars] This book was by far the best in Gail Carriger's Finishing School series so far! I loved Sophronia's character development, and I think we got to see so much emotion from her. The language and dialogue is as fun and witty as ever, and honestly this series just keeps getting better and better. The final book in this series just became one of my most anticipated reads!

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Jan 13, 2016 Jenny (Reading Envy) rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobook, own, read2016, sci-fi-fantasy, ya

I really love Carriger books of any variety in audio, and they are my go-to companions for long drives. This book really carries the story forward - for the most part it takes place outside of the "finishing school" and moves the lives of the characters closer to adulthood. Career decisions are made, alliances are defined, and romantic entanglements intensify. Very fun.

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Dec 06, 2014 Agnė rated it liked it

Recommends it for: dedicated fans of the Finishing School series

Shelves: fiction, young-adult, series, adventure, fantasy, historical-fiction, romance, science-fiction, humor, paranormal

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

“Waistcoats & Weaponry” by Gail Carriger is the third installment in the young adult steampunk series Finishing School. Sophronia, now sixteen years old, continues her training in etiquette and espionage at Mademoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality, a giant floating dirigible school for intelligencers. When Sophronia’s friend Sidheag receives bad news from home and wants to return to Scotland, Sophronia, her mechanimal Bumbersnoot, Sophronia’s be ...more

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Sep 16, 2014 Jessica rated it it was amazing

Shelves: review-copy

This was just fan-fricking-tastic. Even though it's been a while since I read Curtsies & Conspiracies, it was easy to fall back into the characters and setting without feeling like there was an infodump. I highlighted so many great turns of phrase while reading, because Carriger knows how to walk the fine line between humor and prissy Victoriana perfectly.

The plot moves quickly, following a werewolf power struggle as well as a massive impromptu mechanicals revolt (nothing more frightening th ...more

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Mar 17, 2019 MadameMelli rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-own, neu-2018, steampunk

Jap, jetzt, wo ich einmal drin bin, macht es richtig Spaß, es zu lesen! Und ich mag die emotionale Entwicklung der Charaktere!

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Jul 24, 2018 Danyelle rated it liked it

Shelves: ya, werewolf, vampire, steampunk, shifter, paranormal, historical

3.5

Bit slow at some parts but still fun

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Apr 29, 2019 Lauren Stoolfire rated it really liked it

I love where this series is going. The audiobook production is great by the way.

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Jan 10, 2016 Dark Faerie Tales rated it liked it

Shelves: reviewed-by-roxanne

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: For fans of this steampunk series, comes the action packed third book and it packs quite a punch.

Opening Sentence: “Funambulist,” Sophronia Temminnick, “quite suddenly.”

The Review:

Sophronia and the girls are back in book three. Sidheag disappears after receiving a letter from home, and at an engagement ball Sophronia gets involved with trying to help her figure out the whole situation. The werewolf pack that Sidheag is from is in disarray af ...more

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Feb 23, 2014 Sarah rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: books-i-own-print, read-in-2015, books-i-own-kindle

Whenever I'm in the mood for something light hearted and fun to read I know I can't go wrong with one of the books in Gail Carriger's Finishing School series. These stories are all delightfully whimsical, the characters are great and I can never wait to see what kind of trouble Sophronia finds herself in next. She's definitely not your typical young lady but I mean that in the best possible way and I love how independent she is and the way she's always so determined to find out the truth of what Whenever I'm in the mood for something light hearted and fun to read I know I can't go wrong with one of the books in Gail Carriger's Finishing School series. These stories are all delightfully whimsical, the characters are great and I can never wait to see what kind of trouble Sophronia finds herself in next. She's definitely not your typical young lady but I mean that in the best possible way and I love how independent she is and the way she's always so determined to find out the truth of what's going on around her.

This story sees Sophronia and her friends go on quite an adventure as they try to help Sidheag return to Scotland to visit her pack. Along with Dimity, Soap and Lord Felix they decide to steal an empty train to get them there quickly but the train wasn't quite a normal train and now they have the Picklemen on their tails. It was great to see the friends working together and I did enjoy seeing them solve the mystery of what was happening on the train but unfortunately this story fell a little flat for me compared to the first two. I think my main issue was how much page time was given to the building love triangle between Sophronia, Soap and Felix. I don't know how many times I've said it but I'm so sick of romantic triangles, seriously, not every single character in the world has to have two men vying for their attention! In this case I was just irritated by Sophronia's inner monologue as she mooned over how gorgeous Felix is and waxed lyrical about how much she had in common with Soap but how she could never be with a sootie.

I have a feeling that we might actually see Sophronia make her decision soon though so I'm really hoping that the romance is resolved early in the next book so we can get straight back into the adventures I read this series for. In case anyone is wondering I'm firmly on team Soap, he is just such a fantastic character and I love the way he's always there for Sophronia. Felix gets on my nerves a bit and I don't like his attitude most of the time. While Waistcoats & Weaponry didn't quite live up to the first two books in my opinion I still think it's a really fun read and I do recommend this series to anyone who wants a light, funny steampunk story. ...more

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topics	posts	views	last activity
2019 Reading Chal...: Waistcoats & Weaponry (Finishing School #3)	5	21	Apr 25, 2019 11:12AM
Gail Carriger Fan...: 02/04-02/17: Waistcoats & Weaponry	27	34	Feb 21, 2019 09:33PM
Play Book Tag: [Decathalon] Waistcoats & Weaponry (Finishing School, #3) – Gail Carriger - 4 stars	2	17	Aug 30, 2018 08:59AM
Word Game starting on Soap	36	31	Nov 25, 2015 02:31PM
Madison Mega-Mara...: #167 - Waistcoats & Weaponry	1	4	Sep 21, 2015 01:02PM
Gail Carriger Fan...: FS Book 3 Discussion: Waistcoats & Weaponry	1	10	Sep 18, 2015 12:58PM

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About Gail Carriger

Gail Carriger

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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