Etiquette & Espionage

Etiquette & Espionage takes place in an alternate Victorian Britain where vampires and werewolves are part of society. The story centers on fourteen-year-old Sophronia, who is sent to Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. What appears to be a traditional finishing school turns out to be an institution with a secret purpose. Between lessons in proper manners and dress, students learn the arts of espionage, deception, and even assassination. In this steampunk world of dirigibles and mechanical servants, Sophronia navigates both the social and covert demands of her unusual education. She forms alliances with an eclectic group of fellow students while uncovering the mysteries within the floating school's walls. The novel explores themes of female empowerment and social expectations, setting traditional Victorian finishing school elements against a backdrop of intrigue and adventure. This first book in the Finishing School series establishes a world where proper manners and clandestine operations coexist seamlessly.

Readers found this Victorian steampunk spy school story fun and humorous, with many praising the unique worldbuilding and imaginative gadgets. The protagonist Sophronia resonated with young readers who appreciated her intelligence and determination. Liked: - Fast-paced plot - Creative integration of supernatural elements - Strong female characters - Witty dialogue and British humor - Detailed descriptions of fashion and etiquette Disliked: - Plot feels shallow to some adult readers - Character development lacks depth - World-building rules aren't fully explained - Slow start in first few chapters - Young writing style put off some mature readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (52,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (500+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.3/5 (200+ ratings) One frequent comment notes it works better as a YA novel than Carriger's adult series. Multiple readers mentioned enjoying the audiobook narration by Moira Quirk.

Sorcery & Seraphina by Rachel Hartman A girl attends a prestigious boarding school while hiding her half-dragon heritage and investigating court conspiracies.

Finishing School by Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer Two young ladies exchange letters while learning magic at their respective schools and become entangled in political intrigue.

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani Two friends are taken to a school that trains fairy tale heroes and villains, where they must navigate friendship, rivalry, and destiny.

A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray A Victorian-era girl discovers her magical powers at a boarding school while uncovering dark secrets about her mother's death.

Palace of Spies by Sarah Zettel A young woman poses as a lady-in-waiting at the royal court, combining her education in manners with espionage to survive political machinations.

🎩 Victorian ladies commonly carried vinaigrettes—small decorative containers with aromatic substances—which could indeed be used to conceal weapons or secret messages, just as depicted in the book. 🐺 The concept of werewolves in Victorian society draws from real historical fears, as the 1800s saw numerous reported werewolf sightings across Europe, leading to several notable "werewolf trials." ⚙️ The book's steampunk elements reflect actual Victorian-era inventions, including early versions of mechanical computers designed by Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace. 🎭 The author, Gail Carriger, holds a master's degree in archaeological materials and worked as a professor of archaeology before becoming a full-time writer. 🎀 Finishing schools were a real and crucial part of Victorian society, with young ladies spending up to two years learning complex social rules, including 121 different ways to use a fan for secret communication.