Common Sense Media Review
By Julie A. Carlson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Spectacular steampunk sequel has hijinks, gadgets, vampires.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
CURTSIES & CONSPIRACIES picks up where the first book, Etiquette & Espionage, left off with Sophronia and friends at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality. The girls are continuing their training in how to be spies, assassins, and ladies. This time, Sophronia and crew are heading to London for the Season -- and a covert mission involving a conspiracy. Tension's rising among the humans and supernaturals, particularly the vampires. Sophronia gets involved in a conspiracy and other misadventures, including a ball.
Is It Any Good?
Author Gail Carriger hits it out of the ballpark with her follow-up to Etiquette & Espionage, her YA debut. In fact, Curtsies & Conspiracies is even better. Her wit, humor, clever dialogue, and unique plot and subplots sparkle, and, as in the first book, Carriger's characters and world come to life on the page.
Readers will thoroughly enjoy Sophronia and her friends' adventures at the academy, as well as the budding romance between Sophronia and Soap, which continues and grows throughout the novel. Curtsies & Conspiracies touches more on politics and the rising tension between humans and supernaturals, with vampires and werewolves being more prevalent. After turning the last page, readers will be eager for the third book.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the Finishing School series. How does Curtsies & Conspiracies compare with the first book, Etiquette & Espionage?
How do the politics and discrimination against supernatural creatures such as vampires and werewolves in Curtsies & Conspiracies relate to real life?
How do you like how the budding romance between Sophronia and Soap has progressed? Do you think Sophronia will finally get a clue?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Arts , Friendship , STEM
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : November 11, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 320
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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