Book Review: Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger

Curtsies & Conspiracies is the second book in the Finishing School series by Gail Carriger. Finishing school has been very different from what Sophronia expected. While she is learning how to act in society and be a lady, she is also learning how to be a spy. To make things even more interesting, Sophronia got mixed up in an intrigue over a stolen device and had a cheese pie thrown at her in a most horrid display of poor manners. Now, as she sneaks around the dirigible school, eavesdropping on the teachers' quarters and making clandestine climbs to the ship's boiler room, she learns that there is much more to a field trip to London than is apparent at first. Another conspiracy is afoot, one with dire implications for both supernaturals and humans. Sophronia must rely on her training to discover who is behind the dangerous plot, and survive the London Season with a full dance card.

Curtsies & Conspiracies is a pretty perfect follow up to Etiquette & Espionage. Sophronia and her fellow students are learning more about being a lady, vision, and more that just might be crucial to keep them alive and well suited for espionage. Sophronia continues making friends with an small group, and furthering the divide between herself and Monique. I love her silliness to put herself on the line for information and what she deems the greater good. I loved the verbal sparing and the underlaying tensions that really take off during the story. Her adventures made my breath catch a couple times, and the wit and humor woven through the story just made me laugh. If you enjoyed the first book, you need to keep on reading. 

Curtsies & Conspiracies was a great continuation to a fantastic series. I will admit that I enjoyed the first book more, since it involved more of the world building and growing work, but the character development and story growth made me so eager to read the next installment that I did so nearly immediately after finishing this book.


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