Librarian Review: Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger

Summary:
Sophronia isn't the lady her mother wishes her to be. She likes climbing, figuring out how things work, and getting into trouble a bit too much. In an attempt to tame her wild ways, Sophronia's mother sends her off to finishing school. Little does she know this finishing school will do more than teach Sophronia the etiquette of polite society, it will also teach her how to be a phenomenal spy.

Review:
Often I  read the first book in a series and usually go no farther. Sometimes because the book fails to hook me and sometimes because I have so many other things to read. With this series I believe I will make an effort to read more. The characters were well drawn and interesting and I think I want to know more about Sophronia's life and lessons at finishing school.

As I said before, the characters are well drawn. Sophronia is an interesting main character and you never know what kind trouble she will be getting into. She is a plucky and sassy heroine who refuses to apologize for what society would see as her shortcomings. As the novel progresses you begin to realize that those shortcomings are her biggest assets. Throughout the novel, you begin to learn more about her new friends and the school. Some of the people she meets at the school are typical of the "bad girl" boarding school characters, but other characters are more fleshed out.

The action is fast paced and the plot resolves itself well. I really enjoyed all the humor in the book too--it is nice when a book isn't so serious. If all the books are like this, it will be a fun series to explore.

Audiobook Review:
The audiobook is narrated by Moira Quirk who does an excellent job with the narration. Her voices were fun and her pacing is great. The unabridged audio is 8 hours and 55 minutes in length. It is a Hachette Audio publication. I loved listening to the audio and will probably do the rest of the series on audio as well.

Overall:
This is a fun and entertaining read that never takes itself too seriously. I recommend it for fans of steampunk and anyone who likes a good boarding school adventure.

Cautions for Sensitive Readers:

Sex: None
Alcohol: Might have been mentioned, but not significant.
Language: None
Violence: Some, but mostly just mild shenanigans.

Book Review: Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard

Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard


My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that a teen girl on a class trip to England should be having the time of her life” (pg. 1)


Callie is a self described clumsy, loser who can’t get any of her classmates to give her the time of day. It is the summer before her sophomore year and she is supposed to learning about London’s historic sites for European History next year, but she can’t seem to catch a break since her best friend Katie moved away last year. After a particularly embarrassing incident, Callie engages in some retail therapy and purchases a pair of red Prada pumps, hoping to redeem herself in the eyes of her classmates. Shortly after leaving the Prada store, Callie trips and wakes up in 1815. How is a loser from the 21st century supposed to get along in the year 1815? By pretending to be someone else of course!

Fifteen year-old Callie is a loveable and endearing character. I felt I knew Callie instantly. She is clumsy, awkward, and flawed, yet a character you just want to know and be friends with. Her antics are hilarious and the situations she gets into are a riot. Hubbard has done an excellent job with all of her characterizations, but Callie’s character is the true Gem. You find yourself cheering as she transforms from a self-conscious, uncertain teen to a confident young woman.

I found this book to be one of my favorite reads this year. I didn’t want it to end and longed to spend more time in 1815 with both Callie and Alex. This is a fantastic debut novel and one that is highly recommended.

Cautions for sensitive readers: None.

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Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
When I think about this book all I can say is WOW! This book was intense. I read reviews of other reviewers, who thought that this book was slow, and were unable to finish the book. I have to say that it is well worth the time and effort it took to get through it.



The Book Thief is the story of Liesel Meminger, a young girl who is sent to live with Hans and Rosa Hubermann. The story is narrated by Death, a somewhat distant character until you get to know him. Death is intrigued by Liesel's story and what happens in her life. He first meets Liesel when her brother dies on the way to the Hubermann's. What follows is the story of a poor German family trying to live through WWII. Liesel Meminger's foster parents are good people in a bad time, and do not agree with the Nazi party. Over time Liesel comes to love her foster parents, and makes friends on Himmel Street where they live. It tells the story of both the good time and the bad, and shows Liesel strength to confront both.



It is a touching story of a young girl who steals books, and finds life in reading them. The ending is heartbreaking, but definitely a wonderful read. Highly recommended!



Cautions for Sensitive Readers: There is a lot of foul language in the book, but no sex (although there is a brief story about Rudy being naked). There is some violence. This story takes place during WWII and the Nazi regime is present--there are whippings of Jews and of Liesel's foster father when he offers a Jew a piece of bread. Liesel too is beaten when she tries to save her Jewish friend Max as he is marched to the Dachau concentration camp. Some fighting and bombings.


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