Who Are The Main Characters In Etiquette Espionage?

Picture a steampunk Harry Potter but with way more petticoats and knives—Sophronia leads the pack with her insatiable curiosity, while Dimity provides comic relief (and unexpected bravery). The teachers are a Hoot: Mademoiselle Geraldine’s over-the-top elegance hides a razor-sharp mind, and Professor Braithwope’s vampire dramatics are priceless. Then there’s Monique, the rival you love to outwit, and Soap, whose kindness grounds the chaos. Even the setting feels like a character—the floating school’s endless corridors and hidden passages mirror the cast’s secrets. Carriger’s genius is making etiquette deadly fun.

Oh, let me gush about Sophronia first—she’s the kind of heroine who’d rather climb airship rigging than memorize forks at dinner. Her journey from clueless recruit to savvy spy-in-training is so fun to watch. Dimity’s her polar opposite but weirdly perfect as a partner-in-crime, always fussing over dresses but holding her own in a fight. And Monique? Ugh, love to hate her. She’s that polished nemesis you can’t help but admire a little. Then there’s the sooties, especially Soap, who’s got heart for days. The teachers are a riot too, like Professor Lefoux with her mad inventions or the werewolf Bumbersnoot, who’s basically a steampunk pet with secrets. Carriger writes characters that stick with you—even the airship’s mechanimal feels like a person!

The world of 'Etiquette & Espionage' is such a delight—Sophronia Temminnick absolutely steals the show as the plucky, curious protagonist who gets whisked away into a secretive finishing school that’s more about spies than tea ceremonies. Then there’s her frenemy Dimity Ann Plumleigh-Teignmott, whose bubbly exterior hides sharp instincts, and the enigmatic Vieve, a tiny mechanical genius who’s always tinkering with gadgets. And who could forget the teachers? Mrs. Temminnick, Sophronia’s mother, is hilariously oblivious, while Mademoiselle Geraldine is anything but the typical headmistress—she’s got layers of secrets. Even the sooties like Soap add so much charm with their street smarts and loyalty. The cast feels like a chaotic, delightful family where everyone has Hidden Depths.

What I love most is how the characters play off each other—Sophronia’s knack for mischief versus Monique’s icy perfection, or the way Professor Braithwope’s vampire quirks add whimsy. It’s a book where even secondary characters leave an impression, like Pillover’s gloomy sarcasm or Sidheag’s no-nonsense attitude. Gail Carriger really nailed it—everyone feels essential, like cogs in this hilarious, steampunk spy machine.

Sophronia’s my favorite—a tomboy thrust into a spy school where manners are lethal weapons. Her dynamic with Dimity (the ultimate unlikely duo) and Vieve (tiny but mighty) keeps things fresh. The villains, like Monique, aren’t just mustache-twirlers; they’ve got depth. And the sooties? Pure heart. It’s a series where even the airship’s boiler room has personality.

Sophronia’s the star, of course—a scrappy, clever girl tossed into a world of espionage disguised as etiquette lessons. Her friendships with Dimity and Vieve are highlights, but the villains shine too, like the slippery Baroness de Orsay. Even smaller roles, like the mechanical-dog Bumbersnoot or the gruff Flywaymen, add texture. It’s a book where every character, big or small, feels purposeful.