Galateea's Reviews > Curtsies & Conspiracies

UPDATE REVIEW

OLD: I'll probably be ambushed and hanged for saying this, but... I kinda liked the "rake-in-training" from the other school. He was an intriguing character and I don't know why, it looked to me like Sophronia wasn't too oblivious to his charms (the descriptions from her point of view kinda imply that she thought he wasn't too bad (big underestimation here, girls)). In comparison with Soap it’s just... dunno… like they are just plain friends, with no romantic feelings involved between them.

Hopefully, we'll see in this book how it goes. And besides, I don't think anybody would be too happy if Sophronia ends up with Soap. Her family is obviously rich, the school she attends obviously has different marriage plans for its students - all who graduated apparently married rich or important people - and it would obviously be hard for them to be together (we are considering the era here) since (again) obviously the differences between classes is very important (as it usually is with epic steampunk books).

So um… I’m siding with the rake on this one. You have to admit he’s a keeper (>w<)

NEW, WARNING, SPOILERS AHEAD: Put my paws on it the moment my computer clocked said 5th of November and finished the book in two hours O.O verdict: loved it! oh boy, where to start. it was witty, fast-paced, awesome, soul engaging and every other adj you can think of. it's no secret that I adore steampunk, but this one rocked, especially for a young adult book. And we find out the rake-in-training's name! FINALLY!

He's name is Felix. *swoons* and he is a viscount *swoons again* but only because his father is the duke and we know how these things go. He can't have the duchy title until his old man is six feet under if you'll excuse my language. And he's a viscount *swoons once again then quickly gets up when she realizes that he is most certainly under-aged which would make yours truly a pedophile*.

Ahem, moving on. Did I say his name is Felix? Yes, yes I did. Gosh, I love the name. They finally spend some time together in this book, but not nearly as much as I would have liked. And since I would have liked them to spend every moment of this book together, you can just ignore me on this one. A new conspiracy pops up and of course, it's up to Sophronia to make everything work and save the day (and her friends, while she's at it), while of course being careful with her petticoats and not being found out by the teachers.

Vampires are involved, kidnapping too, a flash meeting with a charming blond vampire, more of the handsome werewolf teacher, and some flashy experiments. Long thing short, anything you would want from a steampunk novel. Plus a few lessons in espionage. So 5 stars from me since it was worth the wait. the one thing I did not like though, was that our charming Sophronia seemed to be stalling in the love department. Now, I do get it this is kind of young adult, but I wasn't expecting a full-on ten-page sex scene in a flying school.

Ahem.

Pardon my speech.

But Felix is more than interested in her; the poor boy - devilish rake with a charming smile - even asked to court her. He is obviously so into her he would need help to snap out of his fascination. Another slightly annoying thing was that towards the end of the book, Sophronia's feelings towards Soap had slightly switched from pure friendship to... something more, no matter what she tried to say to herself and deny. So, yes it's a love triangle or at least the beginning of one, but um, I don't think there's much competition, really. I mean, Sophronia isn't a nobody. Her family, although not titled, does have some means and a future duke, well, that is the highest a girl can get.

I loved everything about this book, except perhaps for Sophronia's hesitation regarding Felix and Soap. One moment she was trying to discourage Felix by invoking reasons even she didn't believe, the next she was flirting with him and liking it while at the same time scrounging up reasons why this was not good.

Mixed feelings, girl, I get it, but not this mixed. Cut the poor boy some slack.

And Soap? Soap is nice and reliable and funny, but I can't seem to imagine him anything more than a very good friend, despite his spontaneous bouts of jealousy concerning Felix and his attachment to Sophronia. Even she admitted Soap was nothing more than a friend despite some spontaneous thought about how nice he is... in a completely non-friendly way and more like love interest way. Well, fun ending with Monique. I know you all wanted to see that viper on the bottom of the Thames, I know you did, you rascals.

Well, she doesn't get that ending, but at least she might be out of the picture. Oh boy, I think that's enough spoiler material for now. My advice? Go get the book, fellow readers and steampunk fans especially if you read the first novel of the series:D it's well worth the money and the time.