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redqueen84's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
3.0
whippycleric's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This book pretty much delivered what I expected. I really loved the original Scarlet Pimpernel and now I’m working my way through the series, but I assume that none will be as good as the book which started it all. Objectively I can see that the original was not an amazing book but it’s so much fun I will happily ignore any literary issues. This one however isn’t good enough to get away from some of those flaws. It’s still great fun to read and pretty easy to get through in an afternoon, but the characters don’t really seem fully rounded. Those which feature heavily have some depth but not loads, and those which are secondary are very one dimensional unfortunately. The plot is good and entertaining, I wasn’t surprised by the reveal of the Scarlet Pimpernel but I don’t think you’re supposed to be, knowing something the characters don’t without being explicitly told is part of the fun. I still look forward to more of the same and it was exactly what I was looking for when I picked it up to read.
the_jesus_fandom's review
3.0
I felt the difference between the two girls was a bit annoying. Juliette is sweet and pretty and the bad things she does are despite herself. The hunchbacked girl Annie-Mie does everything out of jealousy.
One thing to note, though: the word "pathetic" is used in the archaic way, as in "emotional". So at least the author didn't mean anything by throwing that at Anne-Mie constantly.
I think it's interesting to see the gender differences in these books as well. Men do bad things out of pride, women out of jealousy.
The story itself was smart and dramatic. It was a lot of fun to read, as usual.
One thing to note, though: the word "pathetic" is used in the archaic way, as in "emotional". So at least the author didn't mean anything by throwing that at Anne-Mie constantly.
I think it's interesting to see the gender differences in these books as well. Men do bad things out of pride, women out of jealousy.
The story itself was smart and dramatic. It was a lot of fun to read, as usual.
kismazsola's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
what_ella_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really good sequel to the Scarlet Pimpernel. It had adventure, a sweet romance, and many fantastic characters.
littletaiko's review against another edition
3.0
While not as good as The Scarlet Pimpernel, this was still a fun, fast read that I couldn't help but get caught up in. Shed some more light on the dreadful times of the French Revolution as well. The book opens with a duel between a young boy and a slightly older man. The boys death causes the emotional collapse of his father who makes the boy's sister promise the seek revenge on the other man. From there, the book takes us on the girl's journey as she tries to wrestle between the solemn oath she swore to her father and what her heart tells her to do. The Pimpernel plays a small but important part towards the middle and end of the story. The story just seems to pick up pace and energy when his character is involved.
willablue's review against another edition
5.0
Actual rating: 4,5.
Fast-paced, quick and fun, always a delight to read, this was my first introduction to The Scarlet Pimpernel, which is why I will always forgive its paper-thin characters, melodrama and purple prose (which I absolutely adore).
Fast-paced, quick and fun, always a delight to read, this was my first introduction to The Scarlet Pimpernel, which is why I will always forgive its paper-thin characters, melodrama and purple prose (which I absolutely adore).
silver_valkyrie_reads's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Let me be clear, this is not a bad story, in fact it's very enjoyable historical adventure romance. Unfortunately, being labeled as a 'Scarlet Pimpernel' story raises expectations far too high.
Honestly, this reads more like a very decent fan-fiction than anything else. The Scarlet Pimpernel hardly has more than a cameo appearance for a large chunk of the book, the main female character has the EXACT same character arc as Marguerite (though with different details to dress up the story a little), and overall there are many surface details in common with the first book, while it totally lacks the magic of the original.
Definitely worth reading if you enjoy this sort of story, just make sure you go in with reasonable expectations!
Honestly, this reads more like a very decent fan-fiction than anything else. The Scarlet Pimpernel hardly has more than a cameo appearance for a large chunk of the book, the main female character has the EXACT same character arc as Marguerite (though with different details to dress up the story a little), and overall there are many surface details in common with the first book, while it totally lacks the magic of the original.
Definitely worth reading if you enjoy this sort of story, just make sure you go in with reasonable expectations!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: Ableism and Infidelity
periwinkledragon's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book isn't as good as the Scarlet Pimpernel, I'm afraid. It's a fun swashbuckling tale, but towards the end it felt melodramatic and dull. Even though it's an adventure tale, when you want it to flow a little faster you get a pile of needless descriptions and adjectives instead. This works for romantic scenes and setting the stage, but not for action. And while melodramatic is sometimes fun, after 3/4 of the book, I was like, "enough already." All in all, I don't know if I'll read anymore from this series.
marjolaine_lafreniere's review against another edition
4.0
3.5, slightly tipping on the side of 4.
This was the 2nd Scarlet Pimpernel book published. However, I'm reading the Scarlet Pimpernel series in order of the chronology of events, which makes this the 4th book. I prefer this, it makes more sense, even if the character development looks a bit uneven as a result.
It was light in the Sir Percy, and he does tend to steal the show in every scene he is in. Marguerite and the league are barely mentioned. And the beginning of the novel moves a little slowly. But once Percy shows up for the first time, the pace picks up considerably. And once the reader makes peace with the writing style, the book improves dramatically.
This was the 2nd Scarlet Pimpernel book published. However, I'm reading the Scarlet Pimpernel series in order of the chronology of events, which makes this the 4th book. I prefer this, it makes more sense, even if the character development looks a bit uneven as a result.
It was light in the Sir Percy, and he does tend to steal the show in every scene he is in. Marguerite and the league are barely mentioned. And the beginning of the novel moves a little slowly. But once Percy shows up for the first time, the pace picks up considerably. And once the reader makes peace with the writing style, the book improves dramatically.