Etiquette and Espionage

Review Time! Etiquette and Espionage is the YA debut of bestselling author Gail Carriger. I've read most of Gail's adult steampunk series, Parasol Protectorate (which are amazing) so I had this one on my radar for some time. I'm excited to review this for you guys today because I can't even put my excitement for this book into words! You can purchase a copy of this book from The Book Depository | The Nile | Bookworld | Fishpond. Thanks to Hachette for the review copy! 

(Goodreads) 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. Temminick 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 they 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.

The Short Story? - Set in the same world as Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series, Etiquette and Espionage follows the adventures of Sophronia Temminick as she attends her first year at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. The perfect combination of adventure, the supernatural and Garriger's signature "posh" humour, Etiquette and Espionage is high quality reading for the YA audience! Filled with mystery, friendship and the unpredictable, Carriger's YA debut is nothing less than impressive! 

The Long Story? - I've been waiting so long to read this novel and now that I've finished reading it, I regret nothing! It was an absolutely delight to read, beautifully written, rich language and very witty humour, I expected nothing less from Carriger. Etiquette and Espionage is probably aimed at a younger audience since the characters are essentially fourteen however the plot suggests that it's a story that can be enjoyed by all. I was sold on the idea of a "finishing" school where the proper ladies of society learn everything from high fashion to poisoning husbands ( tell me that doesn't sound good! I DARE YOU!) and Carriger definitely delivered. I loved the mystery element of the whole novel, I loved the steampunk and I loved the supernatural. It's not a very action-packed novel and it would have been nice to see a little more "finishing" but I have no doubt that book one is just a learning curve for Sophronia and her friends! I'm a little disappointed at the lack of romance since Carriger writes it so well but the seeds have been planted and I'm sure something will blossom in book two! In other words, bring it on! 

The characterisation was great, I've got a good grasp on Sophronia's character from Etiquette and Espionage, she's unpredictable, quirky and trouble in the form of a fourteen year girl. However she's also quick on her feet and fiercely loyal to her friends, she's good at solving mysteries and although she's far from finishing, she's a lady in the making! Dimity is so lovely, if I could have a partner in crime, I would pick Dimity, she's probably not the most reliable or the best pupil but she's funny and girly and the complete opposite of Sophronia. I was also quite taken by little Vieve who I thought was such an adorable character, not to mention that Vieve's a genius! I thoroughly liked Soap's character throughout the novel, he's charming and sweet and incredibly helpful! Overall, not a bad cast of characters at all! 

If I'm certain about anything, it's that Carriger knows how to write a wonderful historical YA. There is something for everyone to enjoy in Etiquette and Espionage, humour, steampunk, the supernatural, mystery and adventure! Dangerous, exciting and just a little fancy, Etiquette and Espionage is a remarkable debut that brings just as many thrills as laughs! Get your teacups out, slip on your gloves - we're going to finishing school!

What's it Worth? - Hand Over The Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

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Defiance

Review Time! E X A M S are over and you know what that means! I'm back to blogging regularly! :)  Defiance by C.J. Redwine is a 2012 YA Debut published by Atom in September. Read this one a while back and just haven't gotten around to reviewing it! You can purchase a copy of the book from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Bookworld Thanks to Hachette for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Within the walls of Baalboden, beneath the shadow of the city's brutal leader, Rachel Adams has a secret. While other girls sew dresses and obey their male Protectors, Rachel knows how to survive in the wilderness and deftly wield a sword. When her father, Jared, fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector, her father's apprentice, Logan--the same boy Rachel declared her love for two years ago, and the same one who handed her heart right back to her. Left with nothing but a fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself. But treason against the Commander carries a heavy price, and what awaits her in the Wasteland could destroy her.

At nineteen, Logan McEntire is many things. Orphan. Outcast. Inventor. As apprentice to the city's top courier, Logan is focused on learning his trade so he can escape the tyranny of Baalboden. But his plan never included being responsible for his mentor's impulsive daughter. Logan is determined to protect her, but when his escape plan goes wrong and Rachel pays the price, he realizes he has more at stake than disappointing Jared.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

The Short Story? - A very interesting concept for a debut novel with the combination of YA fantasy and dystopian. I absolutely loved the strong characters, very well developed and connectable! The prose was good and the writing was comfortable. There were aspects of the plot that didn't sit well with me but overall it was definitely edgy and different. Redwine's debut novel is definitely unlike anything I've ever read, it's a very unique premise that I'm sure many of you would find right up your alley!

The Long Story? - There was a lot of hype surrounding the release of Defiance and I'm not quite sure whether it lived up to my expectations. The premise and concept of the novel was very interesting, Redwine definitely had the right concept in mind but when the idea was put to paper, something didn't sit well with me. For the most part, I enjoyed Defiance VERY much however there was just a few things that just wasn't my cup of tea. Namely, the plot - it was solid plot but the way the story was delivered didn't immediately draw me in. It was really slow paced and there were parts that didn't flow very well. The romance didn't sit well with me at all, I'm not a hater of instant love but for two characters who have can't stand each other to BOOM romantic feelings for each other and love confessions in like a week, it's a little hard to believe. However it wasn't all bad, for the most part the plot was well done once you got into the story, it's not a predictable plot and I emphasis the unique premises. A medieval town in a dystopian world is definitely not something that YA has produced before!

The characterisation is definitely my favourite part of the novel. Redwine did a fantastic job developing the characters especially the protagonists Rachel and Logan. I liked Rachel's attitude and personality very much, she's tough and she fights for herself which is not really a trend in YA dystopian. You get quite a lot of silent rebellion but this outright boldness is not seen often and I loved it! She was very badass and while she doesn't like to show it, she's definitely a kind person as well. Logan grew onto me as the novel progressed, he wasn't one of those boys that immediately attracted me mainly because he wasn't a typical "bad boy" or a bad boy at all and I liked my bad boys in YA fiction. However as the novel progressed and as I got to know him, he kinda grew on me! Both characters were wonderfully developed and unique. Another character that I fell in love with was Oliver! Overall, a great characterisation!

Defiance wasn't entirely what I thought it was going to be but overall I still thought it was a book that deserved to be read. The originality is very unique especially in a genre like YA where everything that can be done has already been done. The writing was beautiful and for the most part, I *did* enjoy the plot, everyone knows slow paced novels are my cup of tea but I got through this one so it must have been pretty good right?!? A unique debut with beautiful character, I can't wait to see where the sequel thats both Logan and Rachel! :)

What's it Worth? - Sqeeuze Into the Budget/ Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

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