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polyhy_14's review against another edition
4.0
I'm feeling rather sad now I've finished the complete series. In spite of some of the improbably plotting, there's much to like about the character of the elusive Pimpernel and his values, and plenty of knuckle biting in this final book in the series. All resolved most satisfactorily though.
heatherwoodauthor's review against another edition
4.0
Romantic, suspenseful, and detailed. I read this out loud to my husband. We did not love Armand's instalove that made him make such ridiculous choices. I've never seen this kind of behavior from grown people in real life in my entire life, so it was not believable for us. We just went, "well, this is the dark side of the romanticism the French are famous for!"
Each chapter had us holding our breath as chapter after chapter advanced the story very little. We always joked, "are we going to get down the hall in this chapter? Will the next chapter get us out into the porch?" That's how slowly it progressed, with all the detail and feelings Orczy wanted us to experience in each scene. So the suspense was spot on.
The end wrapped up quickly. Glad to see Percy and Marguerite still alive and going strong, and his treatment of Armand's betrayal is convicting and inspiring.
Lastly, this book had way too many uses of the word wan. I don't really know how to pronounce wan. I will say that I've never heard it used in every other sentence before now. We also had plenty carryover of "imperturbable," that unpronounceable (to me) darling from The Scarlet Pimpernel, and preemptory. Ah the joys of reading aloud!
Each chapter had us holding our breath as chapter after chapter advanced the story very little. We always joked, "are we going to get down the hall in this chapter? Will the next chapter get us out into the porch?" That's how slowly it progressed, with all the detail and feelings Orczy wanted us to experience in each scene. So the suspense was spot on.
The end wrapped up quickly. Glad to see Percy and Marguerite still alive and going strong, and his treatment of Armand's betrayal is convicting and inspiring.
Lastly, this book had way too many uses of the word wan. I don't really know how to pronounce wan. I will say that I've never heard it used in every other sentence before now. We also had plenty carryover of "imperturbable," that unpronounceable (to me) darling from The Scarlet Pimpernel, and preemptory. Ah the joys of reading aloud!
charaveryy's review against another edition
4.0
THis books was as clever and adventurous as the first second and third. A great read!
carleneslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
tanyarobinson's review against another edition
3.0
Not as engrossing as the original Scarlet Pimpernel, but still enjoyable. Even getting to the end of the book, it made no sense for it to be called "El Dorado."
holtfan's review against another edition
3.0
Baroness Emmuska Orczy could probably have written this entire story using a quarter of the words. She likes long, descriptive pasages where sinews nearly break with passion. El Dorado was a good story, maybe even one of the better ones, but not totally my favorite. It was nice having some more of Margurite. I just got a little annoyed with Sir Percy, though. He's always running off and saving people and ignoring his poor wife. He wasn't at his best in this book.
Otherwise, another rollicking adventure from that dashing hero, the Scarlet Pimpernel.
Did I really start this way back in July? Yikes.
Otherwise, another rollicking adventure from that dashing hero, the Scarlet Pimpernel.
Did I really start this way back in July? Yikes.
passionfordeadleaves's review against another edition
3.0
This is the Scarlet Pimpernel book that the watchers of the Anthony Andrew's Scarlet Pimpernel will be familiar with even if they've never heard of it. The film is an amalgam of elements of the first book and this one. So having watched the film it was interesting actually reading the book upon it was based.
Over all I generally enjoyed it. The build up in the beginning was quite good as everything is laid out, The plot with Armand and his "true love", I admit, I wasn't as fond of. But strangely enough, for me, the book got good when things got hard for Sir Percy. If you've seen the movie you sorta know what happens, but I won't give it away for those who haven't. But I will say that is where I started really enjoying the book. Sir Percy's impudent spirit is there even in hardship, a hardship much worse than in the film.
I would put El Dorado up there as one of the better Scarlet Pimpernel stories. I wasn't enamored of certain parts,which is why the rating is quite as high as it could be, but the parts that are good are excellent. Highly recommended.
Over all I generally enjoyed it. The build up in the beginning was quite good as everything is laid out, The plot with Armand and his "true love", I admit, I wasn't as fond of. But strangely enough, for me, the book got good when things got hard for Sir Percy. If you've seen the movie you sorta know what happens, but I won't give it away for those who haven't. But I will say that is where I started really enjoying the book. Sir Percy's impudent spirit is there even in hardship, a hardship much worse than in the film.
I would put El Dorado up there as one of the better Scarlet Pimpernel stories. I wasn't enamored of certain parts,which is why the rating is quite as high as it could be, but the parts that are good are excellent. Highly recommended.
viktorreads's review against another edition
3.0
I swear everyone in this book is an idiot except the Scarlet Pimpernel. The adventure was good but totally preventable if no one was as stupid as they are.
rlangemann's review
2.0
It's okay...it didn't pull me in the way The Scarlet Pimpernel does and I ended up skimming parts of it. Still an exciting story.
rinda's review
4.0
Always keeps you wondering how he is going to get free. Great adventure, historical fiction. Listened to from Librivox