Competence

June 4, 2018
In this charming, laugh-out-loud steampunk escapade, set in an 1895 populated by a variety of supernatural creatures, the crew of the Spotted Custard return for a third adventure (after Imprudence). The focus shifts to the British airship’s purser, Miss Primrose Tunstall, a straitlaced, proper young woman who finds her perceptions of self and propriety increasingly challenged by Tasherit, an immortal werelioness who persistently, and often nakedly, flirts with her. But romance, however unconventional, takes a backseat to adventure. Primrose and Tasherit must engineer a helium heist to save their ship, and then the Custard is dispatched to Peru to investigate rumors of a new breed of vampires. While there’s a healthy dose of action in the form of airship pirates and other hazards of the open sky, the emphasis is on the character-driven, romantic comedy of manners at its heart. Carriger excels at wry humor and clever phrasing, and her ensemble cast is thoroughly charming and satisfyingly diverse. There’s a genuine sense of whimsy and fun running throughout this story, making it a treat for fans of the series. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary.

June 1, 2018
The focus of Carriger's popular Custard Protocol series, including Prudence (2015), shifts from Captain Rue to her sensible, genteel best friend, Primrose Tunstell. Prim's latest beau calls off their engagement, and, once again, she doesn't seem to mind. A plethora of diversions occupy her attention aboard the Spotted Custard, whose latest mission takes the airship and its quirky crew to Peru to rescue a breed of near-extinct vampires. Her scholarlytwin brother, for example, is trying to reform their murderous prisonerthrough a philosophy book club. Not to mention Tasherit the werecat?who can shape-shift between a powerful lioness and a golden-legged, silk-robed woman?and who enjoys flustering Prim as her advances become harder to resist. Carriger's characteristically droll, voice-driven writing alternates between Prim, who certainly lives up to her name, and her socially obtuse brother. High jinks and peril abound as the Custard navigates uncharted air currents, and the characters bicker over everything from Thomas Aquinas to tasseled hats. Recommend this amusing romp to steampunk and LGBT+ readers looking for suspenseful and romantic fantasy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)