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kate4ez's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't like this as much as The Parasol Protectorate. I know she is simplifying the plot for a younger audience, but I found way too many plot elements contrived. Sophronia invariably stumbled upon the very information she needed just when she needed it.
Also, the names were stumbling blocks that threw me out of the story time and time again. I'm looking at you, Sidheag. Gaelic phonetics drive me batty. I even looked up the pronunciation, and it didn't stop me from losing my train of thought every time she appeared.
Also, the names were stumbling blocks that threw me out of the story time and time again. I'm looking at you, Sidheag. Gaelic phonetics drive me batty. I even looked up the pronunciation, and it didn't stop me from losing my train of thought every time she appeared.
beepiary's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. It fits firmly into the YA genre, and while I didn't enjoy it as much as the Parasol Protectorate books, it was another intriguing look into the world that Carriger has created. I look forward to reading the rest of this series!
timinbc's review against another edition
3.0
As many others have noted, this is OK but just doesn't sparkle the way the Parasol Protectorate series does.
I finished it feeling quite a bit of the old, "Oh, it's the first of a series so nothing will be resolved."
Maybe I'm spoiled from reading some Flavia de Luce books recently, but it seems as if everyone is writing the same plucky heroine these days. Sassy, directly confronting any and all challenges. Where's the girl who going to become the next Moriarty or Holmes or Emma Peel, combining cleverness, action and a bit of class?
It was fun to see several of the characters from the other series. It's not necessary to have read that series, but it adds value to the characters and certainly helps the world building and the understanding of how seamlessly vampires and werewolves are integrated.
Good humour, and one of the best lines in a while comes from wimpy Dimity: "Who doesn't want an exploding wicker chicken?"
Some of the characters were not well done - Monique and the little brother particularly - but others were good. The bad guys were very weakly presented, which is maybe OK for a younger audience because hey, it's hard enough reading under the covers with a flashlight without being scared too.
The whole plot, such as it was, and it wasn't much - was built around the Mysterious Device, and in the end Pbllfffft!
I finished it feeling quite a bit of the old, "Oh, it's the first of a series so nothing will be resolved."
Maybe I'm spoiled from reading some Flavia de Luce books recently, but it seems as if everyone is writing the same plucky heroine these days. Sassy, directly confronting any and all challenges. Where's the girl who going to become the next Moriarty or Holmes or Emma Peel, combining cleverness, action and a bit of class?
It was fun to see several of the characters from the other series. It's not necessary to have read that series, but it adds value to the characters and certainly helps the world building and the understanding of how seamlessly vampires and werewolves are integrated.
Good humour, and one of the best lines in a while comes from wimpy Dimity: "Who doesn't want an exploding wicker chicken?"
Some of the characters were not well done - Monique and the little brother particularly - but others were good. The bad guys were very weakly presented, which is maybe OK for a younger audience because hey, it's hard enough reading under the covers with a flashlight without being scared too.
The whole plot, such as it was, and it wasn't much - was built around the Mysterious Device, and in the end
Spoiler
it turns out to be an undescribed widget that fits into what appears to be a double outhouse whose purpose is unclear.sarahhhht's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
daumari's review against another edition
4.0
Another library one due- I thought my local library didn't have the Finishing School books for some reason until I saw it on the shelf earlier this month. Took me a second to place this in the timeline compared to Parasol Protectorate (an earlier era, with Sidheag Maccon as a teenager at the school! Wee baby imp LeFoux!) Very fun (magic/boarding schools usually are), though decidedly younger than the PP audience. Alas, library doesn't seem to have the next one so I'll have to look...
teawithbree's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
mmmlysaght's review against another edition
5.0
There's something wonderfully charming about werewolves in top hats, baddies called The Great Chutney, and the scandalous nature of purple flannel night-clothing.
knihomila's review against another edition
4.0
Taká malá milá ružová dokonalosť :) :3 :D Nič mi tu nechýbalo, ničoho nebolo veľa, všetko dávkované presne tak, aby ste si rovno kúpili pokračovanie :D
forestidylls's review against another edition
4.0
Just as enjoyable the second read. Fun, unique, and delightful.
schohayes's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a book that I read for book club, and not something I would typically pick. I liked it though! It was a fun, adventurous story, very YA-feeling but a quick and easy read!