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Waistcoats & Weaponry
(Finishing School #3)
by
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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Valery
Ugh, no, I can't stand him. >_< Soaphronia all the way! <3
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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*
*THERE IS A COVER. AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL. *makes grabby hands towards the screen*
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 ...more
The cast of characters is still as colorful as ever, although it sometimes ...more
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
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
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.
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.
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. :(
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
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
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
Sophronia and Co. are halfway through their second year at Madame Geraldine's Finishing School. Sidhea ...more
A couple of nice twists in this one, but it's still quite predictable. Just as well it's so entertaining!
**Check out the original review with added content over at 21st Century Once Upon A Times**
As Sophronia continues her second year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishi ...more
"Sovereign, sovereigns, or seduction," said Sidheag calmly, before Sophronia could stop her.Return to a world of steel-bladed fans and floating dirigibles.
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.'
As Sophronia continues her second year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishi ...more
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
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
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.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
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
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
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
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
[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!
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.
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
“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
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
The plot moves quickly, following a werewolf power struggle as well as a massive impromptu mechanicals revolt (nothing more frightening th ...more
Jap, jetzt, wo ich einmal drin bin, macht es richtig Spaß, es zu lesen! Und ich mag die emotionale Entwicklung der Charaktere!
3.5
Bit slow at some parts but still fun
Bit slow at some parts but still fun
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
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
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
...more
Waistcoats & Weaponry continues the adventures of Sophronia Temminick and her ragtag group of friends -- Dimity, Sidheagh, Agatha (although not as much in this book), and Bumbersnoot the mechanimal -- as well as developing further the romantic interest with both her sootie friend Soap and the aristrocratic young Lord Felix Mersey, son of a Pickleman.
I admit, when I first began reading this series, which begins with Etiquette and Espionage, terms such as sootie, mechanimal, and pickleman wou ...more
I admit, when I first began reading this series, which begins with Etiquette and Espionage, terms such as sootie, mechanimal, and pickleman wou ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Reading Chal...: Waistcoats & Weaponry (Finishing School #3) | 4 | 16 | Apr 07, 2019 10:37AM | |
| 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 |
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
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Other books in the series
Finishing School
(4 books)
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“That's a very murky position," objected Felix.
"So's the weather. But this is England, we must learn to live with uncertainty.”
—
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"So's the weather. But this is England, we must learn to live with uncertainty.”
“Oh, Sophronia, thank goodness. Save me? Please? All those young girls, in pastels, talking about the weather. I shall go jump off a bridge, I swear I shall. Do you have bridges in Wiltshire? They chatter, they chatter worse than Dimity ever did. Oh, the chattering! The chattering, it haunts me.”
—
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