Gail Carriger - Manners & Mutiny

The fourth book in the Finishing School series, published November 3, 2015.
Genre: YA steampunk / urban fantasy
Cover: cool



Espionage lessons 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 fashionable 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 a decidedly dramatic fashion, of course.


It is their last semester at finishing school, and although Sophronia loves most of the lessons, she sorely misses her friend Soap, but he was turned into a werewolf in the previous book, and as werewolves can't float, he is no longer at the school. You see, the school itself is a giant floating dirigible, flying above the moors of England, hidden in the clouds.
In the previous book, the evil Picklemen (who are against all kinds of supernaturals and want to grab all political power for themselves) did something dastardly to all the household droids in London, and Sophronia is convinced they are up to something bigger, but no one wants to listen to her.
But then, while hosting a tea for the young evil geniuses at Bunson's, their counterpart finishing school for boys, all hell breaks loose. Flywaymen are attacking the school, and they all have to abandon it, which was the plan all along. The Picklemen repair the ship, and take off on it, to do their dastardly deeds. But Sophronia is still on board, without her friends to back her up, but help is there from some unexpected corners. Will she be able to thwart their plans, and save her school, her friends, London and her self? She is one of the best students the school has ever had, but she is still a young girl.

This book kept throwing surprises and twists and turns at me, and I never ever saw any of it coming. It was amazing. Filled with action, and hard choices, with casualties from friend and foe, and that was hard at times. Sophronia sure thinks about corners in figuring it all out. I absolutely loved it. She is certainly not invincible or tireless, she does get hurt, severely, and needs time to recover, but she is there where it counts. A book where friends are strangers, enemies become allies, and in the end, will love conquer all in a society that won't accept their relationship?

Yes, utterly amazing and so totally worth your reading time. But don't start with this book, you will be completely lost, you have to immerse yourself into this strange world from the first story. Unique characters and circumstances and a fabulous setting makes for a great story that will keep you guessing till the end, and at the edge of your seat. Action, danger and humor are written into a fast paced story that will enthral you.

I really hope for more books in this world, but I think this is the last in the series, as Sophronia and her friends are officially "finished" from school.

10 stars.

© 2015 Reviews by Aurian