I'll give you an example:
The dirigible's balloon, along with the top portion of what remained of the gondola, bobbed higher. Sophronia and Dimity stuck their heads out their respective doors; Dimity, pushing Monique carelessly aside as if she were a curtain, craned to look behind. Monique was still screaming, but that might be due to the indignity of being treated like a drapery.
Dimity yelled, "The duke has left Lord Mersey and is trying to collect prototypes--sorry--frequencers. Oh, dear, it's as if he's lost his marbles."
Sophronia said, "I wager the pickled duke is none too pleased and is going to demand an explanation from his son." (237)The action is non-stop, packed with punch (literally), and brimming with the intelligent musings of Sophronia--a girl who simply wants to see balance in her world, and uses her vast skills as an intelligencer-in-training to do so.
Another aspect I admire of this series is Carriger's ability to talk about social issues (race relations, women in society, propriety, technology) in a way that neither offends nor bores. Sophronia's world is an interesting blend of Victorian ideals, modern technology, and the supernatural. Throw in a human group of gentlemen called Picklemen who hate supernatural creatures and revere technology, and you have a trifecta of potential disruptive behavior.
Really, I see no reason why this series cannot be read as a rulebook of how to treat your fellow man, regardless of skin color, social standing, or diet.
To sum up: Waistcoats & Weaponry is a delightful paranormal steampunk romp and I recommend it highly to children and adults. Just click the link for more information via Goodreads.
Until next time...
