The Finishing School was an interesting series for me. I haven’t really read much in the steampunk genre, but this, I feel, is a good introduction. It also has me reaching for Gail Carriger’s other series.
I really enjoyed the banter in this one, as well as the fact that she’s training to be an assassin. Plus, I’m a sucker really for historical fiction – even if it’s steampunk. A little younger than my usually grab in YA, but still good nonetheless. I finished the first one, and went back to grab the rest of them on Saturday!
The series is comprised of four books – Etiquette & Espionage, Curtsies & Conspiracies, Waistcoats & Weaponry, Manners & Mutiny.
The heroine of the story is Sophronia, a smart girl who isn’t part of the regular elite and evil geniuses that the school normally accepts into their folds. But she’s one of the best, even in her first year. She soaks up everything she learns like a sponge, and frequently has to put that knowledge to use. There’s always little twists and turns, and by the third book there’s a twist that I totally didn’t see coming. I’m pleased with the way that the series ended, so that makes me happy.
Each book is about a year in school, even if the majority of the book happens within a couple days (or what feels like a couple days). I enjoyed the fact that there was a supernatural element to this as well – vampires and werewolves are a normal part of society and have their own roles in the government. It’s an interesting view on how they integrate with Victorian manners and society.
Besides, how cool would it be to go to a school that trains assassins?
