Format: Hardcover, 326 pages
Release Date: November 3, 2015
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult, Steampunk
If one must flirt…flirt with danger.
Lessons in the art of espionage aboard Mademoiselle Geraldine’s floating dirigible have become tedious without Sophronia’s sweet sootie Soap nearby. She would much rather be using her skills to thwart the dastardly Picklemen, yet her concerns about their wicked intentions are ignored, and now she’s not sure whom to trust. What does the brusque werewolf dewan know? On whose side is the ever-stylish vampire Lord Akeldama? Only one thing is certain: a large-scale plot is under way, and when it comes to fruition, Sophronia must be ready to save her friends, her school, and all of London from disaster—in decidedly dramatic fashion, of course.
What will become of our proper young heroine when she puts her years of training to the test? Find out in this highly anticipated and thrilling conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Finishing School series!
Manners & Mutiny
is the final installment in Gail Carriger's Finishing School series. One last
mission for Sophronia Temminnick and her friends Soap, Dimity, Agatha, Vieve, Pillover, and of course, Bumbersnoot, the mechanical dog. As the holiday seasons come crashing through the front door like
a drunken uncle you haven't seen for years, Sophronia has some decisions to
make. She made a deal with the Dewan in order to save someone she has fallen
for, but with polite society already looking at her too closely for some of her less than brilliant mistakes, she'll have to
becareful about who knows.
She has to find a way to finally put the final nail
in the coffin of the Picklemen and the Flywaymen who have been a thorn in her side for some time now and are still set on bringing England to her knees. One thing is definitely certain. The Picklemen are planning something so epic and dramatic, that it will take a miracle to stop them. She will also to save her school, and impress the teachers like Lady Linette before she can graduate.
Summary:
1. I loved that Sophronia and her sister Petunia get some quality time together. I loved this idea because Sophronia is the black sheep of the family, and nobody knows what she's really been doing at the finishing school. It was nice to see Petunia alongside Sophronia's friends, and also included in an important meeting.
2. I loved that Carriger turns a blind eye and allows Sophronia and Soap to continue moving forward in their relationship even though she can be obstinate at times. So many authors would have probably restrained themselves from intermixing couples, but a heart loves who the heart loves regardless of race, religion, or sexuality.
3. I loved that Sophronia uses her head this time around. She knows that all eyes are on her. She knows that one more mistake and she can kiss her career away. She also knows that the Dewan is watching her closely to see if she's the right person for what he has in mind. So, what does she do? Uses every single thing she knows, including a crossbow which she excels at, to help with the villains.
4. This series to me has been a bit on the quirky side, a bit on the annoying side, but a whole lot of awesome friendships and relationships that have stayed strong throughout this entire series. I love that almost everyone, minus Sideag, got a final story arc. I missed Sideag, but she's still around in another series. I was pleasantly surprised that Agatha had the most interesting secret she's been keeping from her friends.
5. I dare say that I rolled my eyes every. single. time. Carriger has the characters talking about walking dresses, day dresses, spring dresses, and winter dresses. Sorry folks, but I just don't care what kind of dress is appropriate and what is not. Perhaps this is because I grew up in a family that struggled for the first 18 years of my life before finally getting our shit together. We didn't have the luxury of choosing a new outfit for ever single party, or occasion.
6. This series has been considered the prequel to the Parasol Protectorate. What has become apparent to me is that secondary characters like Lord Akeldama and Countess Nadasday will continue in any series that Carriger writes. Don't believe me? Just check it out for yourself.
7. I loved that the mysterious Mademoiselle Geraldine and Sophronia work alongside each other with the out of his mind vampire Professor Braithwope. I even liked that Sophronia and her nemesis Monique de Pelouse were able to put away their differences and work together when the danger was most exciting.
Probably the only way Carriger could have ended her series and not have a full blown reader revolt. If you are itching for more of her insanity, no worries, she is still writing the Prudence series and book # 2 should be out in 2016.
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