Gail Carriger Fan Group discussion

And so continues The Great 2019 Parasolverse Read-Along!
(See the Info & Schedule post here for all the details.)

For our next two-week read, January 21st - February 3rd, we continue the Finishing School series with Book the Second: Curtsies & Conspiracies!

Ready? Set? Read!

Then come back to discuss! What was your favorite part? Best character & why? Favorite line/quote? Share your beloved moments!

Also, per Gail, here are some discussion questions:
+Who is your favorite character from these books?
+Who’s story arc do you enjoy the most?
+Who surprised you?
+What was the most shocking reveal from this book?
+Any cross over characters surprises? Who were you shocked to see show up and who did you want to see but didn’t?

And don't forget to check out Lady Gail's extras:
DVD Extras

I absolutely love the dress that Sophronia gets from her mother in this one! The Robe à Transformation! ❤️

http://retrorack.blogspot.com/2014/01...

Can’t wait to get started on the Second book in the Finishing School series! The Parasolverse is proving to be just as much fun the second time around!

Caiti wrote: "I absolutely love the dress that Sophronia gets from her mother in this one! The Robe à Transformation! ❤️

http://retrorack.blogspot.com/2014/01..."

I had so much fun writign about that dress! So piratical yet so ridiculous.

Summer wrote: "Can’t wait to get started on the Second book in the Finishing School series! The Parasolverse is proving to be just as much fun the second time around!"

I so glad it stands up to a reread!

Things I love:
Prof Braithwope’s mustache
The terms of endearments “little bite” and “little nibble”
Algonquin Shrimpdittle’s whole name.
The voice Moria Quirk uses for baby Genevieve Lefoux in the audio books.

Sara wrote: "Things I love:
Prof Braithwope’s mustache
The terms of endearments “little bite” and “little nibble”
Algonquin Shrimpdittle’s whole name.
The voice Moria Quirk uses for baby Genevieve Lefoux in t..."

Yes! This is so cool to know.

Well, flew right through this one, just couldn’t put it down! I loved the added prolonged dynamic with the boys on board, especially when Sophronia tricks Felix into trying to sneak out. :)

It's so hard to not immediately pick up the next book once you finish them. Also I support Sophronia's habit of tricking Felix, but that might be because I don't like him as a person even though he adds to the story nicely

C&C was one of the harder ones for me to write to I appreciate that it goes smoothly your end!

Shirley wrote: "It's so hard to not immediately pick up the next book once you finish them. Also I support Sophronia's habit of tricking Felix, but that might be because I don't like him as a person even though he..."

I totally agree! Felix is a benign diversion at school, but he has no real substance. He is definitely not my favorite of her companions.

I was going to be sensible and clean up after work today, but alas I started Curtsies yesterday and I HAD TO finish them today :).

No impulse control on this one I must say.

This again like with Etiquette is the first time I am reading this, and I am quite blown away.

I liked E&E well enough, but part two is even better.

I love seeing Sophronia and everyone else evolve and become better at friendship, spying and life. I love more secrets being uncovered, more supernatural politics come into life, all the developing relationships, and first taste of the consequences Sophronia has to stomach and learn from.

And the utter ridiculousness of the final confrontation, could have come off overly contrived, but is instead a completely bonkers spectacle, that somehow works, including the bizarre fancy dress dandy impersonation by Sophronia and Sidheag.

I laughed a lot at this finale, though also sat at the edge of my sit, and could not put the book down. All in all a lovely outing and I want MOAR.

Also I love Soap but I am worried S&S are heading for a bit of an emotional disaster. Felix is diverting and fun, but also might be a bit too smug for our girl. I guess I will see where it all goes soon.

Quotes are many but the one about poor tailoring of men's dangly bits, probably made me chuckle the most.

Justyna wrote: "I was going to be sensible and clean up after work today, but alas I started Curtsies yesterday and I HAD TO finish them today :).

No impulse control on this one I must say.

This again like with ..."

I always enjoy a second book in a series, both as reader and writer, as I feel like things are hitting their stride and we all have a handle on the characters so there is more room to play with expectations.

Gail wrote: "I always enjoy a second book in a series, both as reader and writer, as I feel like things are hitting their stride and we all have a handle on the characters so there is more room to play with expectations. "

That's actually an excellent observation. There are several book cycles where book 2 is my absolute favourite, because it usually cranks up the drama, expands on what we know of the characters , but it has to leave you wanting more so raises many questions, and to do all of that, writing and pacing have to usually be quite top notch. <3

Sara wrote: "Things I love:
Prof Braithwope’s mustache
The terms of endearments “little bite” and “little nibble”
Algonquin Shrimpdittle’s whole name.
The voice Moria Quirk uses for baby Genevieve Lefoux in t..."

Love all of these too, except the audiobook reference since I've never listened to the audiobook

I finished C&C this morning on the ride to work. SO AMAZING! This book is even better the second time around. And the audiobook adds such a wonderful layer of personality to all of the characters. Strangely there were parts of this book of which I had absolutely no recollection, so for some scenes it was as if I were reading it for the first time, which was such a joy! And that Westminster Hive scene is the BEST!!! Absolute, utter chaos creates such a comedy of errors that I could read that scene a hundred times and never tire of it! Plus, Lord Akeldama!!!! Love him! I am so happy that I am participating in the Read Along - these books bring me so much joy!!!

I'm not gonna lie, my recent personal discovery of Queen has given me some songs to associate with Lord Akeldama, and it is fun