Waistcoats and Weaponry by Gail Carriger

September 14, 2018     erinthebooknut     Book review

Waistcoats and Weaponry by Gail CarrigerWaistcoats & Weaponry (Finishing School, #3) by Gail Carriger
on November 4, 2014
Pages: 298
Goodreads

Sophronia continues her second year at finishing school in style—with a steel-bladed fan secreted in the folds of her ball gown, of course. Such a fashionable choice of weapon comes in handy when Sophronia, her best friend Dimity, sweet sootie Soap, and the charming Lord Felix Mersey stowaway on a train to return their classmate Sidheag to her werewolf pack in Scotland.

No one suspected what—or who—they would find aboard that suspiciously empty train. Sophronia uncovers a plot that threatens to throw all of London into chaos and she must decide where her loyalties lie, once and for all.

4 Nuts

Once more, unto the dirigible! Though, oddly most of this book takes place on a train of all things!

While not my favorite book in the series, WAISTCOATS AND WEAPONRY is one hell of a wild ride. If you want drama, this is your book. W&W has more twists and turns than a ratty old slinky. I mean really, this is dramatic YA at its finest, with the usual dash of Carriger’s mannered humor.

I think I would subtitle this book “In which Felix Mersey is a Right Cock!” because he is one of THE most insufferable characters and I still don’t understand why Sophronia likes him. I’d like o take one of the girls’ bladed fans and off him right there where he stands. I spent the whole book just rolling my eyes at the git until the end when I just started plain hating him. Carriger does have quite the skill at making you really hate the guy.

In contrast Soap is sweet and kind while Sophronia spends all her time mooning over Lord Git. I get the class difference but girl! have some self respect and leave the git to his gitness. Pay attention to the pretty sootie who wants your attention. I despair!

Since about half of the book is concerned with love triangle bullshit, I prefer to focus on the plotting. One big honking plot piece is just about shot at your head in this book, followed by a few smaller ones which will become important later. I think if it weren’t for all the travel and romancing in an annoying triangle I would have really loved to call this book my favorite. Sadly, those brought it down a bit.

As for the ending, it’s one of those that will give you ALL OF THE FEELINGS! You’ll be pissed, you’ll want to cry, you’ll be happy, all in the span of a chapter or two. It’s a lot to unpack when its through, so I just didn’t and moved on to the series conclusion.

Which book in a favorite series were you disappointed in? Share in the comments.

From my shelf to yours,

Erin

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