Curtsies and Conspiracies (Finishing School #2) by Gail Carriger with Giveaway!

Series: Finishing School #2
320p.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: Nov. 5th, 2013
Source: eARC from NetGalley and publisher for review

"Does one need four fully grown foxgloves for decorating a dinner table for six guests? Or is it six foxgloves to kill four fully grown guests?"

Sophronia's first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality has certainly been rousing! For one thing, finishing school is training her to be a spy (won't Mumsy be surprised?). Furthermore, 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 may be more to a school trip to London than is apparent at first. A 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. 

In this sequel to bestselling author Gail Carriger's YA debut Etiquette & Espionage, class is back in session with more petticoats and poison, tea trays and treason. Gail's distinctive voice, signature humor, and lush steampunk setting are sure to be the height of fashion this season.

My thoughts:
 If you didn't already read the first book, Etiquette and Espionage, then stop right now and read that book. You will need to read it first before diving into this one. It builds on the first and I think it is best read in order. Otherwise, you will be stuck wondering who and what is going on instead of dealing with this twisted mystery.

This book like the last one had the same wonderful tongue-in-cheek flavor of the first. The same wonderfully ridiculous names still abound and even Bumbersnoot! (see, you need to read the first book if you don't know who that is!!) Sophronia is loving her time at the school, but in this one she starts looking toward the future in espionage and what she must do to secure a good job. She also is gaining the interest of 2 boys in particular. Yes, possible love triangle. Still, it doesn't overtake the story, but looks like it will gain prominence as the series continues.

I give this twisty steampunk mystery 4 1/2 stars. It's a fun second novel in this series and the main character, Sophronia, is a great hero to cheer... in a lady like way (of course). I can't wait for the next.

Giveaway!

Little, Brown Books for Young Readers is letting me giveaway one finished copy of this book! All you have to do is fill out the rafflecopter form below! US only.

Good luck and don't forget to check your skirt!

a Rafflecopter giveaway