Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger

Sophronia is at Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.  Have you ever heard of a finishing school that taught you to be a spy?

Little, Brown and Edelweiss gave me the opportunity to read this ebook for review (thank you).  It was published November 5th, so you can grab a copy at your local bookstore now.

Sophronia's class is made up all types:  some young, some old, some rich, some poor.  The one thing they have in common is school and their studies.  Everything has been going quite well until the head teacher tells the girls that Sophronia has gotten the highest scores and is an outstanding student.  This turns everyone against her and she knows it's not true.  So why would the teacher say that?

It's a good thing Sophronia can go down to the boiler room and hang out with the folks down there.  They're honest, there's no slyness, and they like her.  They may not be the best companions for her, but she feels at home there.  They help her forget about the other girls who are shunning her now.

There's more excitement to come.  They get a class of boys from the other school who have come to train with them.  All the girls get goggle-eyed and fanciful.  Sophronia tries to ignore them, but one prince has his eye on her.  

With romance pulling her in two directions, some sort of conspiracy involving their airship and a ball in London coming up, there's more to come in this series.

It's a fun read with a fearless character who doesn't follow rules well.  What could be better?