Lessons in Etiquette

I’ll admit: I rolled my eyes at the idea of a ‘magic school’ book where the plot hinges on manners. But *Lessons in Etiquette* won me over by treating its premise with deadly seriousness. Emily’s journey from Whitehall to Zangaria isn’t about slaying monsters—it’s about surviving a court where every compliment is a trap and every alliance is temporary. Nuttall’s worldbuilding shines in the details: the way magic is regulated like a guild, or how Emily’s commoner status makes her both an asset and a liability. The pacing stumbles slightly in the middle during a drawn-out ball sequence (even Gilbert’s stellar performance can’t mask the occasional info-dump), but the payoff—a political gambit that hinges on Emily’s quick thinking—is worth it. Gilbert’s narration is the audiobook’s secret weapon. She doesn’t just *read* the aristocrats’ dialogue; she *performs* their disdain, their calculated charm, their barely concealed threats. Her Emily is perfectly pitched—young but not naive, powerful but still learning. My only critique? The sound mixing occasionally drowns out quieter moments (a whispery conspiracy scene in Chapter 12 was nearly inaudible at normal volume). Still, this is a standout in a crowded genre: a fantasy that understands power isn’t just about casting the biggest spell, but knowing when to hold your tongue.