Etiquette & Espionage (Little, Brown and Company, 2013) by Gail Carriger is the first of four books in the Finishing School series. I missed it when it came out but am glad I found it now–and I have three more books just waiting for me to read! If you like humor, steampunk, adventures, and an intrepid character, you won’t want to miss this book.
It’s 1851 and Sophronia is 14 and not all that interested in learning how to curtsy properly or in being reformed to be more ladylike. However, Mumsy has arranged for her to go to Finishing School. It’s only on probational terms, since Sophronia is such a mess. But once Sophronia enters the carriage and meets another student, she discovers the school might not be what her mother imagined. For one thing it’s not in a particularly fixed location. And that’s not to mention the werewolves, vampires, and flywaymen.
Gail Carriger is a New York Times bestselling author who has written numerous book series. Read about her here and check out her books here.
Eternal (Candlewick, 2009) by Cynthia Leitich Smith is not your average vampire story. In fact, much of the story is told from the viewpoint of a guardian angel. It’s a story of mistakes, enthrallment, betrayal, and redemption.
My recommendation on this book is only start it when you have a lot of time to read. Because, if you’re like me, all thoughts of what you’re supposed to be doing will get shoved aside by the desire to know what happens in the story. None of my “I’ll stop at the end of a chapter” thoughts stood a chance. Eventually I just gave in and read to the end of the book.