Manners and Mutiny Written by Gail CarrigerNarrated by Moira Quirk

The Picklemen are up to no good, as usual, but this time, it appears that they just might succeed in their evil plan. Exactly what that plan is remains uncertain, though it clearly involves Madame Geraldine’s finishing school. Sephronia and her closest group of friends have become aware that something evil is afoot, but no one seems to believe them, at least not until it is too late to do much about it. Or so it seems. But once again, Sephronia and the others are determined to turn a situation where failure seems assured into a way to succeed and if not save the school, at least to save London.

I listened to the audiobook version of this title. It is the final book in the Finishing School Series and does not disappoint.  The narrator once again does a great job of keeping the characters’ voices distinct from each other so that there is no confusion as to who is speaking at any point. There is a lot happening in this story, and it will take all of Sephronia and the other girls’ skills as they work together to succeed. With the school evacuated of most of the students and Sephronia working to try and save it from the Picklemen who have hijacked it, the question seems to be whether or not Sephronia will be able to save the remaining teachers and sooties still on board the airship while not getting caught, all while finding a way to thwart the plot that is already underway. But if anyone can manage it, it will be Sephronia and her friends. This book was full of action and danger, as well as being entertaining to watch the girls use their skills and allies to do everything they could to stop these evil men and try to come out of it alive.

This was a very fun story and an exciting ending to the series. I also love how it sets things up for another series by Ms. Carriger, (one that I had already read before discovering this series). So I really enjoyed seeing how the characters not only became who they are, but how they fit into the other series (even if they are not prominent in that one. I believe they are at least mentioned if I am remembering correctly.) I enjoyed this series.

If you have read any of Ms. Carriger’s books and enjoyed them, then I believe you will enjoy this book as well, Of course, I would recommend that you read the first three books in this series before this one as I believe that you will lose some of the excitement if you do not know the why of some of the things happening in this book. If you enjoy steampunk stories, this will also be one that I believe you will enjoy as well.

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Waistcoats and Weaponry Written by Gail Carriger Narrated by Moira Quirk

In the third year at Madame Geraldine’s Finishing School for Young Ladies of Quality, many things are happening. Sephronia’s least favorite person, Monique, is no longer at the school, so you might think this year would be much more pleasant. However, the Kingaire wolfpack had staged a mutiny against the crown, and Sidheag feels that she must rejoin them as they are now without an Alpha Wolf. She feels that she is desperately needed there and is determined to find her way there, no matter what. So clearly Sephronia  and Dimity are determined to help her. And not wanting them to face the dangers of the journey alone, their friend Soap, the head Sootie, won’t let them go without him, and Lord Felix Mersey is also determined to help. Naturally, Soap and Felix don’t see eye to eye on much, as both are falling in love with Sephronia, though she doubts the suitability of either as a potential future husband, though she is extremely fond of them both, and possibly even a little in love with each of them as well. With the girls disguised as young men, they hide aboard on a suspiciously empty train headed in the right direction, and soon find themselves involved in another adventure that requires all of the girls' espionage skills to survive.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story, and enjoyed it just as much as I did the previous books in the series. The narration was well done with each voice quite distinct from each other, leaving no difficulty in determining who was speaking at any point in the story. This book forces each of the characters to face significant changes in their lives, and ones that they may not have been quite ready for. It is a difficult journey for each of them, and not all of them reach the ending unscathed. I cannot tell you exactly what happened without including massive spoilers, which I don’t want to do. You’ll enjoy the story more if you discover what happens for yourself. But I can tell you that near the end of this one, my heart was nearly breaking for several of them. This one is a bit of an emotional story at the end, and will very likely have a significant impact on other books from this author that take place in this world.

What I can say is that I have been greatly enjoying listening to this series, and am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book. I think anyone who has enjoyed any of Ms. Carrigers other steampunk novels will enjoy this book, though I highly recommend having read the previous books in the Finishing School series before this one. It will help everything to make much more sense if you do. Those who enjoy reading Steampunk or any of Ms. Carriger’s series will also enjoy this one, as while it takes place slightly before some of her other series, many of the same characters do make appearances in this book as well.

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Curtsies and Conspiracies Written by Gail Carriger Narrated by Moira Quirk

At the end of her six month probationary period at Madamoiselle Geraldine’s Finishing School for Young Ladies of Quality, all the girls in her class are given individual tests to see how well they have been learning their lessons. These tests are particularly important given that while the students are being trained to be proper young women, they are also being trained in espionage, although this is something the headmistress is unaware of. Thus part of their training involves keeping the headmistress from learning about the more covert aspects of the girls’ education. But even the test itself comes with its own lessons for the girls to learn. And after this comes another surprise. The school, along with several young gentlemen from the Bunson’s school for boys, which is one of the best schools around for young men who wish to be known as evil geniuses, will all be traveling to London for a test involving travel in the Ethersphere. An exciting time for all involved.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story and really enjoyed it. Once again, Sephronia and her friends find themselves in quite a bit of trouble. And they must put the skills they have been trained in thus far to use in an attempt to not only figure out who is behind a new danger, but to help rescue some their own from a kidnapping. But the question remains, who actually is the bigger threat, the Vampires, the Werewolves, the Flywaymen, or the Picklemen? And which one is behind the current danger that Sephronia and the others suddenly find themselves in the middle of. And of course, there is Monique’s London Society Debut Ball to attend.

This was a very fun story with quite a few twists and turns. And if you are familiar with some of the other series of books by Ms. Carriger, then you will likely recognize some familiar faces in this book, though I believe this series takes place before the others. Still, it was fun to be introduced to those characters in a new light, and this book does give the reader quite a bit of insight into many of the dramas that take place with the characters within the various series.

The narrator does a fantastic job with keeping each character distinct from each other so that the listener does not get confused as to who is speaking. And I found the steampunk novel as well as the characters themselves quite entertaining. If you’ve enjoyed any of Ms. Carrager’s other books, either read or listened to as an audiobook, then I believe you will also enjoy this book as well.

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