What fun! A frilly, frothy bit of steampunk that was exactly what I was in the mood for. I need to check what Carringer is writing these days… ( )

Started a little slow for me but once it started moving I was hooked. Great ending, which left you wanting more. ( )

Looking forward to the next installment. Carriger never disappoints. ( )

Etiquette & Espionage is an interesting start to a steampunk-is young adult series.

I was thrilled to read this book because I am loving the nostalgia jump to my high school years. Unfortunately, this book just didn't do it for me. Let me explain why...

This story felt like it had no real plot. The plot that it did have felt like it was over in the first half of the book. Get our lead character to the school: Done! Then... exist at the school? Face some petty teenage drama? Talk to some people? I didn't quite get where it was going. I expected some cool Harry Potter meets age appropriate Kingsmen with Gail Carriger's own spice flourishing throughout the pages but it just fell flat. The weird thing is I didn't even go in with high expectations - I just wanted some fun.

I think this book is basically the introduction to the series but I don't want to continue on if the other books lack plot. That's where my problem is at the moment. The writing is cool, the steampunk idea is fun but it just lacks substance.

If you're in a reading slump then don't grab this book. I found myself inching my way through it and feeling like I was stuck in quicksand. It has cool writing and it feels old school but just doesn't connect. I've read other reviews that suggest reading her main series as this is kind of a YA prequel series if I want the real effect. So maybe that's the way to go?

Overall, this book wasn't for me. I was quite bored with it and that let me down. I am sure there are people out there who will love this book! Unfortunately, I need plot and movement to be interested in a book. Just existence isn't enough for me as a reader. I also don't get any references to previous books since I haven't read them. From my understanding, you could go into this book without reading the main series.

Biggest positive: I absolutely love the covers. They are gorgeous.

One out of five stars. ( )

I really liked it and would recommend it! It's cute and fun to read (the names are hilarious lol). It did drag a bit in places but it really picked up at the end. I'm kinda hooked now! ( )