Chuyển đến nội dung chính

The Secret

Reviews | April 2019

April started off as a really good reading month, but ended up not being so great towards the end because that's when I went into a reading slump that I couldn't really get out of it. I spent this month trying to catch up to my Goodreads goal so I read a lot of shorter books. It would've worked out if I kept it up but unfortunately, life had other plans. But, reviews! Reviews Bossman by Vi Keeland I don't know what it was about this book that didn't do it for me. I really thought this was going to be another one of those steamy books I love, but for the most part, it was okay. I think the past vs. present story line wasn't something I really enjoyed. While I get that the author was trying to show the tragic past of the male protagonist, I felt like it was dragged on too long. It could've been told as a prologue and then I would've felt more attachment seeing his side of the story as well. I found this to be a little predictable and overall meh in the sex...

Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger

Etiquette & Espionage (Finishing School #1)
by Gail Carriger
Pages: 307
Source: Bought
Format: Paperback

Rating: 3.5/4 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is the bane of her mother's existence. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper etiquette at tea--and god forbid anyone see her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. She enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But little do Sophronia or her mother know that this is a school where ingenious young girls learn to finish, all right--but it's a different kind of finishing. Mademoiselle Geraldine's certainly trains young ladies in the finer arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but also in the other kinds of finishing: the fine arts of death, diversion, deceit, espionage, and the modern weaponries. Sophronia and her friends are going to have a rousing first year at school.

Short and Sweet:


Whimsical.

Quirky.
Eccentric.
Comical.
Droll. 

These are the words that describe the world of Etiquette & Espionage. When I first started this book, I had a vague idea of Vicotrian era, lady-like spies. And I was right. To a certain extent at least. What I didn't expect was the devil-may-care attitude. And it was wonderful.


From the very beginning you're thrown into this world as if it is utterly normal. There is no info dump, no introduction. Werewolves? Oh yeah, a part of ever-day society. Vampires? Why not? Picklemen? Sure.  And, though it was a bit off-putting, in the end I ended up loving it. Add in some steampunk goodness and you're golden.


This story follows Sophronia, a crass, mischievous, sarcastic, adventurous young woman who doesn't exactly follows the rules of propriety. As a result, her mother sends her to a finishing school, where she learns to finish all right. With classes on fainting, poisons, and the seductive art of fanning, it's like no school you've heard of but one that is thoroughly enjoyable.

This isn't some deep book with many thought-provoking ideas (though definitely some scandals!), but boy is it fun! With Sophronia's quick wit and free spirit, you're addicted from the very beginning. Her spunky nature and dry wit easily won me over and her curiosity led to many, many interesting adventures. 

In short:
Even though you're just kind of drop-kicked into this fantasy world, it's well worth it. Sophronia is an incredibly fun, adventurous, sarcastic character who won me over from the very beginning (seriously, we could be great friends). Fun adventures await!


All the best ♥︎
Mackenzie 

Nhận xét

Popular Posts

Nonfiction Review: 1,000 Facts About the White House

Title: 1,000 Facts about the White House Author:  Sarah Wassner Flynn Welcome to the White House! Go behind the scenes to get a 360-degree view of America's most famous president's residence, from how it was built in 1792 and the fire of 1812, to today's state dinners, celebrations, celebrity pets, and more. Discover through 1,000 fun-to-read facts what it's like to live and work at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the quirky rules of the house and how the Secret Service keeps it safe. Find out how the kids who have lived there play, watch movies, and entertain friends. With a treasure trove of material from the White House Historical Association, this book presents a fascinating story of the building and the many people who have shaped its 225-year history. Ok we all know about the White House right?  It's the place where the president lives.  But what do you really KNOW about it?  This book is filled with all kinds of little tidbits about the house we see all the time in...

Audio Book Review: Son by Lois Lowry

Title: Son Author: Lois Lowry Narrator:  Bernadette Dunne “They called her Water Claire.” When the young girl washed up on their shore, no one knew she had been a Vessel. That she had carried a Product. That it had been carved from her belly. Stolen.  Claire had had a son. She was supposed to forget him, but that was impossible. When he was taken from their community, she knew she had to follow. And so her journey began. But here in this wind-battered village Claire is welcomed as one of their own. In the security of her new home, she is free and loved. She grows stronger. As tempted as she is by the warmth of more human kindness than she has ever known, she cannot stay. Her son is out there; a young boy by now. Claire will stop at nothing to find her child . . . even if it means trading her own life.  In the last year I've finished the complete The Giver series.  I listened to both Gathering Blue and Messenger.  Both of those I thought were good.  They add...

Review | The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

Title:    The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue  by Mackenzi Lee Series: Guide #1 Genre: YA - Historical Fiction Publication:  June 27, 2017 by Katherine Tegen Books Format: Audiobook Source: Library Rating:   ★★★★★ Synopsis: Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men. But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy. Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity,...

Free $100