Prudence and Imprudence by Gail Carriger

Prudence by Gail Carriger 
Orbit, 2015 - owned in personal collection
The Custard Protocol, book one

Okay, if it's one thing that my 2018 Books I Already Own Challenge is truly teaching me, is that I NEED to stop auto-buying books, even from the authors that I love the most (such as Gail Carriger or Tamora Pierce)! I am much better off buying the books as I am ready to read them.  It's so tempting to pick up new, shiny books as they first come out, but like these two - books I was dying to read as I knew they were coming out - somehow once I physically owned them, it was much easier to let them fall by the wayside.  There was a comfort that I could read them whenever I wanted as they were nestled safely in my bookshelves, but as you can see I DIDN'T actually take the time to read them until now!

Anyway, unsurprisingly, I enjoyed diving back into the humorous, adventurous steampunk supernatural world Carriger created.  Though Prudence was a little slower to start for me, after I passed the first third of the book, and I trundled along to India with the Spotted Custard's crew, I was inordinately pleased to follow Alexia's precocious daughter into all types of danger. I really enjoyed getting to see Carriger's archaeological background come into play with the historical research necessary to delve into the ancient cultures that her imagined immortal creatures occupied in foreign countries.  While her love of British culture and humor is always evident, it was so interesting to delve into the time period when the Brits colonized India and to see their cultural stories come to live in this book.

Foreign cultures are further explored as we return to Egypt and their world of mythology in the second book, Imprudence (Orbit, 2016). The Drifters we met at the end of the Parasol Protectorate series also returned in this book and we got to learn some more intriguing tidbits about Rue's extended family and their role with the Italian Templars.  Rue's relationship to the supernatural and the way that her parents and now she fit into the supernatural world are explored in this second volume, though I feel we'll learn even more as we move forward into the third, Competence.

Competence, book three
Orbit, coming July 2018

My favorite thing about these two volumes, though, was definitely the humor and romance set amidst the danger and adventure of exploring unknown regions.  Seeing Rue realize that she was actually in love and what she was willing to do to preserve that relationship was fondly reminiscent of experiencing her parents' meeting in the earlier series.  Gail Carriger is a dab hand at writing romantic tension and the way she handled both this relationship and the burgeoning one that Prim is desperately trying to avoid were both laugh out loud funny and sweetly romantic at alternate times.  I look forward to seeing both relationships progress as the series moves forward.  I am hoping that we may even get to see our hopelessly anti-social Professor find his own love...

Recommended for lovers of humor, the supernatural, and steampunk adventures.  Though in order to get the full scope of character relationships and world-building readers should start with book one of the Parasol Protectorate series, Soulless, it is not completely necessary to have read that series to enjoy this one.

Curtsies and Conspiracies

Curtsies and Conspiracies 
by Gail Carriger
Finishing School series, book two

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 field 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. (description from Amazon.com)

Another absolutely delightful romp into Miss Carriger's fabulous imagination.  

Sophronia continues to be a witty, sharp, and daring main character, evoking envy from her companions, both female and male.  She is the type of smart, adventurous heroine I'd hope to be if I ever found myself learning poisons and proper etiquette upon a floating derrigible.  I loved how she had to learn to depend even more upon herself, and learn what it meant to truly accept herself, flaws an all, as the other girls shunned her, and how in the end, Sophronia was able to draw them all back to her - very reminiscent of Carriger's other heroine, Alexia.  

In fact, I had so much fun drawing comparisons and making note of all the little hints of what would come in Sophronia's world by the time Alexia came around. I loved seeing characters that readers got to know as adults, perhaps in not the exact way that they are seen in her other series, The Parasol Protectorate.  The first glimpse of Lord Akeldama...priceless! 

I cannot wait to dive back into this world when the third book comes out. Especially with the hints of romance that might be brewing... Carriger's books are truly some of my absolute favorites. 

Full disclosure: eARC from Netgalley, hard copy purchased for personal collection

Gold Star Review: Etiquette and Espionage

Etiquette and Espionage

by Gail Carriger

Finishing School, book one

 

Publication date: February 5, 2013

 

It's one thing to learn to curtsy properly. It's quite another to learn to curtsy and throw a knife at the same time. Welcome to Finishing School.

Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners--and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminnick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.

But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but the also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage--in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education. (description from Amazon.com)  

 

Gail Carriger is awesome. I love her blend of steampunk and the paranormal. When I found out she was coming out with a YA series, I just about blew a gasket!! Then I started to worry a little...what if it just wasn't the same as her adult Parasol Protectorate series?

 

I should have known better than to worry!! I LOVED this first book.  In fact, here's my tweeted reaction from about halfway in:  

Reading @gailcarriger's ESPIONAGE AND ETIQUETTE and am properly enchanted. Cannot put it down!! #curtseyscrumpetsandconcealedweapons
 

The blend of proper behavior, the distinct ignoring of said proper behavior (LOL), adventure, friendships, and "mechanimals" was brilliant. There are airships, balls, poison classes, "sooties," werewolves, and of course, Bumbersnoot. Who is Bumbersnoot? Why he's the most fashionable little mechanical dachsund ever! He eats coal, produces ash, and can conceal a prototype for the proper Lady spy.

The tie-ins to Carriger's adult series had me giggling throughout.  Hints dropped here, there, and everywhere. :)  I don't want to give anything away, but if you've read her other series, you will find at least one or two familiar faces...

With wonderful witty word choices and frankly fashionable fetes, Etiquette and Espionage is a bang-up start to a new series that leaves me shouting, "HUZZAH!" I cannot wait to return to Finishing School!

 

A gold star book, indeed. And, just to whet the appetite, check out this awesome trailer that was created for the book! LOVE.

 

 

Full disclosure: ARC received for review from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Heartless

Heartless: A Novel of Vampires, Werewolves, and Teapots

by Gail Carriger

The Parasol Protectorate, book four

 

Lady Alexia Maccon, soulless, is at it again, only this time the trouble is not her fault. When a mad ghost threatens the queen, Alexia is on the case, following a trail that leads her deep into her husband's past. Top that off with a sister who has joined the suffragette movement (shocking!), Madame Lefoux's latest mechanical invention, and a plague of zombie porcupines and Alexia barely has time to remember she happens to be eight months pregnant.

Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet? (description from Amazon.com)

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I love the casual snarkiness of this series.  There is always something tongue-in-cheek happening. I find myself giggling all the way through, every time.  Alexia is a woman that I would love to be friends with in real life.  She's real, she's very practical, and like me, she loves nothing better than to eat!

Again I loved how all of the men in Alexia's life have made little accomodations to better fit themselves to her... I love that Alexia has not truly had to bend on any of her beliefs.  Though I do not claim to be a staunch feminist, there is a definitive part of me that applauds Gail Carriger for the way that she writes this series. :)

Since this is book four, I cannot talk too much about the specifics without giving away tons of spoilers.  Needless to say, if this sounds intriguing, I highly recommend you go back and try book one, Soulless.  Lovers of the paranormal, steampunk, high tea, historical fiction, and humor unite!

Full disclosure: Purchased for my Nook

My Summer Reading List

This summer looks amazing in terms of book publishing! There are so many books that are either already out or are coming out this summer that I am dying to read!!

I love to secretly, or not so secretly, LOL, troll through the Amazon and Barnes and Noble websites to figure out what books are coming out when... so, I've already got a HUGE stack of books that I'd like to read before the summer is over, but these are the "essential" ones I want to read...

Are any of you already planning your reads for the rest of the summer, or am I just the crazy one, LOL?! Anyway, here's MY summer reading list:

Just for Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Fins series, book three

Publication date: July 3, 2012

Endlessly by Kiersten White

Paranormalcy series, book three

Publication date: July 24, 2012

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Already published...

Carter's Unfocused One-Track Mind by Brent Crawford

Carter series, book three

Publication date: August 7, 2012

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han

Summer series, book three

Already published...



Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Publication date: July 3, 2012

Timeless by Gail Carriger

Parasol Protectorate series, book five

Already published... 

(Clicking on the title of each book will take you directly to the book's Amazon page where you can read the description and check out similar books.)

I think I am going to task myself to actually report on whether or not I've read these book by September 1st this year...you will all hold me accountable, right? :)  I have to have an actual goal with them or I'll keep putting the ones I own off to the side...

Anyway, tell me what are some of the books on YOUR summer reading list????

Mini Reviews: The Graphic Novel edition

Page by Paige

by Laura Lee Gulledge

Paige Turner has just moved to New York with her family, and she's having some trouble adjusting to the big city. In the pages of her sketchbook, she tries to make sense of her new life, including trying out her secret identity: artist. As she makes friends and starts to explore the city, she slowly brings her secret identity out into the open, a process that is equal parts terrifying and rewarding. (description from Amazon.com)


I really enjoyed this book.  I related well to the character, I thought the drawings were beautifully done, and it had a great plotline.  The conceptual artwork here really is stellar...check out this example:

So far, I think this is one of the best graphic novels I've ever read!

Freshman: Tales of 9th Grade Obsessions, Revelations, and Other Nonsense

by Corinne Mucha



Annie has just started high school and she’s a mess. Her older brother has told her that her freshman year will strongly affect the rest of her life, and if that’s true her future is looking grim: She’s a loser at sports, is jealous of everyone, and has totally fallen in love with her best friend’s older brother. When she gets cast as a moaning, hunched-over old lady in the school play, she starts to forget about the rest of her life. Now she just wants to make it through freshman year. (description from Amazon.com)

As much as I liked the story concept for this book, it felt disjointed to me.  I also really disliked the artwork.  It felt really juvenile and well, messy... Check it out:

Overall, this was not the graphic novel for me.

Soulless: The Manga

by Gail Carriger and Rem

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate. With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible.

 

Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Or will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart? (description from Amazon.com)

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Okay, aside from the fact that I love this novel series, this was just a fun, fun read.  The illustrations were well done and matched the characters: 

The characters, of course, were just as I remembered from the books that I love.  Full of humor, snarkiness, and of course vampires, werewolves, and stuffy society matrons.  All in all I cannot wait until the next one comes out!!

What's on My Hold List?

Welcome to the April 2012 edition

of

"What's on My Hold List?"

One of the most beautiful things about working in a Library is that I have the ability to put lots of things on hold and read them *before* I buy!! These are some of the books that I'm currently waiting for, though I may buy one or two of them after reading, as well. 

 

 

Soulless: The Manga, Vol. 1

by Gail Carriger and Rem

Page by Paige

by Laura Lee Gulledge

Freshman Tales of 9th Grade Obsessions, Revelations, and Other Nonsense

by Corinne Mucha

Surrender

by Lee Nichols

Haunting Emma, book three

*This one is still on my hold list...apparently it's taking forever to come in. I'm getting REALLY close to breaking down and buying it...I really need to know how it ends!!*

So, these are the books I'm waiting anxiously to get my hands on...what are you waiting for??



In My Mailbox - July 3, 2011

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme, hosted by Kristi at the Story Siren, inspired by Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. Every week bloggers can share what they received in the mail or at the bookstore or at the library. The goal is that everyone can be exposed to more books this way!

From the Library:

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

On My Nook:

Heartless by Gail Carriger

For Review:

The Witches of East End by Melissa De La Cruz
*Thanks to Book it Forward ARC tours*


The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirsch
Divergent by Veronica Roth
*Thanks to AudioFile Magazine for sending these on audio!*


The End of Time by P.W. Catanese
The Murder of Bindy Mackenzie by Jaclyn Moriarty
*Thanks to SLJ for sending these on audio!*

Bought:

Nightspell by Leah Cypess
(Couldn't pass this up! I was in the little bookstore at Grand Central Terminal in NYC on Tuesday with my Mom, getting her a book for her birthday, when I start perusing the YA shelves...I passed up Hourglass, though it was almost painful, and was about to leave when I pulled this one off the shelf. IT'S SIGNED! So, of course I picked it up to add to my collection. I loved this book! You can read my review here.)

Heartless Blurb - Oh, the teasing!!

Okay, so no cover to tease you with yet...BUT...for those of you who enjoy the Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger as much as I do, here is the blurb for Heartless (book four) which is coming out this summer!!


Heartless
Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
To be Published: June 28, 2011
Publisher: Orbit

Lady Alexia Maccon, soulless, is at it again, only this time the trouble is not her fault. When a mad ghost threatens the queen, Alexia is on the case, following a trail that leads her deep into her husband's past. Top that off with a sister who has joined the suffragette movement (shocking!), Madame Lefoux's latest mechanical invention, and a plague of zombie porcupines and Alexia barely has time to remember she just happens to be eight months pregnant.

Will Alexia manage to determine who is trying to kill Queen Victoria before it is too late? Is it the vampires again or is there a traitor lurking about in wolf's clothing? And what, exactly, has taken up residence in Lord Akeldama's second best closet?


Taken straight from Gail Carriger's blog...you can check it out for more info here.

Blameless

Blameless
by Gail Carriger
The Parasol Protectorate, book three

Quitting her husband's house and moving back in with her horrible family, Lady Maccon becomes the scandal of the London season.

Queen Victoria dismisses her from the Shadow Council, and the only person who can explain anything, Lord Akeldama, unexpectedly leaves town. To top it all off, Alexia is attacked by homicidal mechanical ladybugs, indicating, as only ladybugs can, the fact that all of London's vampires are now very much interested in seeing Alexia quite thoroughly dead.

While Lord Maccon elects to get progressively more inebriated and Professor Lyall desperately tries to hold the Woolsey werewolf pack together, Alexia flees England for Italy in search of the mysterious Templars. Only they know enough about the preternatural to explain her increasingly inconvenient condition, but they may be worse than the vampires -- and they're armed with pesto. (description taken from Amazon.com)

Another fantastic addition to the series! Alexia is such an amazing character...witty, adventurous, courageous...and generally full of vigor. I felt so bad for her when she became estranged from her furry husband. What develops when Alexia strikes out on her own, though, is the building of her own "parasol protectorate." Her friends and loyal allies rally around her...it was great!

I love Carriger's little additions, like how pesto was developed to combat both vampires and werewolves in Italy. These details really just make the story come alive. The storyline about the Templars was really intriguing, too. I can't wait to see if that is further developed. All in all, I can't wait to see what Alexia and her husband do about their little'un in the next book, Heartless.