Imprudence improves immediately compared to its predecessor by briefly including the Maccons at the start, and tying up some loose ends in Britain before giving Rue and the crew a reason to go to Egypt. It helps that here, now that she's reached her majority age and has to face some level of responsibility quickly learns that one can't hide under the protection of Empire forever, and heyyyy fantasy geopolitics. The side characters get more time to shine, and Primrose is probably the most competent person on the Spotted Custard (yes, I'm aware of the next book's title...)

I was a little afraid there'd be orientalism here like when Rue was in India, and pleasantly surprised to not see as much exoticism... she still says "gypped" at some point, but then again she is a privileged young lady in the 1890s with allllll the blinders that come with it. Not entirely sold on the romance (and I do think she used him abominably), but ehhhhhh. ( )

Loved this book!! So many cool reveals!! Ack!!!! Floote!!!!! (is back). ( )

I must admit this wasn't my favorite of Ms Carriger's books. (And I am a fan.) Still fun to read but seems like something was missing. I'll read the next one though! ( )

Oh delight! The Custard Protocol continues, with Rue facing some very real consequences of her previous adventures. The Spotted Custard heads to Egypt under constant threat of attack and fends off dangers and difficulties both within crew and without. The paranormal world seems to have more mysteries to uncover, and Rue and her airship are up to the challenge.

Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss. ( )