Review: better than first book fun in world of magic
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 26, 2014
Lessons in Etiquette follows Emily from Schooled in Magic.  Suggest you read that book first to get a better background,but it is not absolutely required.  The second book s seems like less of a Harry Potter mimic as it follows the girls summer break from their school of magic.  The writer shows a flair for the obligations of a princess, arranged marriages and the scheming that occurs behind the doors of  a monarchy.  The disruptive effects of industrialization are reflected in the pushback as Emily introduces new concepts into a medieval society and perhaps only she truly understands how unintentionally destructive they will be to the status quo.  Land based wealth of the aristocrats with their strangle hold on the life of their serfs  will be challenged as factories and mercantile create new and better opportunities.  Newly empowered wealthy merchants strive to assert power commensurate with their newfound wealth.  Emily & Princess Alassa find they have unexpected enemies who are trying to stem this tide of change and only a few allies.Seems slightly more believable than first book although saying that about a world of magic sounds silly.  However, if you accept the rules of magic set out for this book the events seem reasonable.  A fast paced fun, but not deep, book at a very reasonable price.