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Scarlet Revolution #1
Scarlet
Revolution is a bloodthirsty business . . . especially when vampires are involved.
It is 1793 and the French Revolution is in full swing. Vampires—usually rich and aristocratic—have slaked the guillotine’s thirst in large numbers. The mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel, a disguised British noble, and his League are heroically rescuing dozens of aristocrats from execution, both human and vampire. And soon they will have an ace up their sleeves--Eleanor Dalton.
Eleanor is working as a housemaid on the estate of a vampire Baroness. Her highest aspiration is to one day become a modiste. But when the Baroness hosts a mysterious noble and his wife, they tell Eleanor she is the spitting image of a French aristocrat, and they convince her to journey to France to aid them in a daring scheme. Soon, Eleanor finds herself in Paris, swept up in magic and intrigue—and chaos—beyond her wildest dreams. But there’s more to fear than ardent Revolutionaries. For Eleanor stumbles across a centuries-old war between vampires and their fiercest enemy. And they’re out for blood. . . .
Scarlet is the first book in a wildly engaging new series from Genevieve Cogman, which reinvents the beloved tale of the Scarlet Pimpernel.
It is 1793 and the French Revolution is in full swing. Vampires—usually rich and aristocratic—have slaked the guillotine’s thirst in large numbers. The mysterious Scarlet Pimpernel, a disguised British noble, and his League are heroically rescuing dozens of aristocrats from execution, both human and vampire. And soon they will have an ace up their sleeves--Eleanor Dalton.
Eleanor is working as a housemaid on the estate of a vampire Baroness. Her highest aspiration is to one day become a modiste. But when the Baroness hosts a mysterious noble and his wife, they tell Eleanor she is the spitting image of a French aristocrat, and they convince her to journey to France to aid them in a daring scheme. Soon, Eleanor finds herself in Paris, swept up in magic and intrigue—and chaos—beyond her wildest dreams. But there’s more to fear than ardent Revolutionaries. For Eleanor stumbles across a centuries-old war between vampires and their fiercest enemy. And they’re out for blood. . . .
Scarlet is the first book in a wildly engaging new series from Genevieve Cogman, which reinvents the beloved tale of the Scarlet Pimpernel.
339 pages, Paperback
First published May 9, 2023
296 people are currently reading
15027 people want to read
About the author
Genevieve Cogman
44 books4,566 followersGenevieve Cogman got started on Tolkien and Sherlock Holmes at an early age, and has never looked back. But on a perhaps more prosaic note, she has an MSC in Statistics with Medical Applications and has wielded this in an assortment of jobs: clinical coder, data analyst and classifications specialist. Although The Invisible Library is her debut novel, she has also previously worked as a freelance roleplaying game writer. Genevieve Cogman’s hobbies include patchwork, beading, knitting and gaming, and she lives in the north of England.
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August 5, 2024I have often thought of riffing on The Scarlet Pimpernel, one of the great pulp adventure romances of all time, only to be stymied by my profound disagreement with the heroes' aims. I mean, screw the aristos. This book handles the problem superbly, taking on the class and national issues head on and introducing vampires - literal old families sucking the life blood of the poor - to make the point. Possibly wears its politics a bit much on its sleeve but then that's hard to avoid in such an explicitly political retelling. Which is not to say it's heavy: it's rip roaring historical adventure with PROPER VAMPIRES, none of your sparkly shit. Great fun, and with some chewy moral stuff to boot.
My only slight niggle is that the heroine is described as both 'beautiful' and 'looking like Marie Antoinette', which I struggle to reconcile what with M-A was astonishingly chinless for a Habsburg and looked like a stunned cow BUT HERE WE ARE.
My only slight niggle is that the heroine is described as both 'beautiful' and 'looking like Marie Antoinette', which I struggle to reconcile what with M-A was astonishingly chinless for a Habsburg and looked like a stunned cow BUT HERE WE ARE.
April 3, 2023
This is a really fun book.
I mean when you comp vampires with the French Revolution, what do you expect?
It’s certainly following the trend for more lighthearted fantasy, as well as mixing regency era sensibilities with fantastical characters and settings.
If that’s your cup of tea, Scarlet really delivers. It’s fun, pacy, and has a very relatable main character in Eleanor.
To give some context, in this reimagining of the 18th century, vampires are acknowledged by all of society. Most are very respectable and live amongst the aristocratic classes. I really liked this. And indeed, Eleanor is a servant for a nice lady vampire, who happens to notice that Eleanor bears a very strong resemblance to Queen Marie Antoinette, who has been arrested and faces the guillotine.
A story of espionage commences as Eleanor is persuaded to help a covert rescue attempt. She must leave the safety of England and travel to France. On this mission, she faces snobbery, self doubt and some vampires who aren’t as kind as her mistress – as well as learning why the revolution has started.
This maybe sounds all very serious, but actually it’s lots of fun. Vampires aren’t the only magical aspect of the novel – and there is even a bit of slow-burn romance in the mix.
If you’ve read too many dark epics, or are a little over vampire fantasy erotica, this makes for a nice change. I highly recommend!
If you enjoyed this review - please consider signing up to my blog via my website - www.shaunalawless.com
Or if you want to join my Goodreads group - hit the link
https://www.goodreads.com/group/invit...
I mean when you comp vampires with the French Revolution, what do you expect?
It’s certainly following the trend for more lighthearted fantasy, as well as mixing regency era sensibilities with fantastical characters and settings.
If that’s your cup of tea, Scarlet really delivers. It’s fun, pacy, and has a very relatable main character in Eleanor.
To give some context, in this reimagining of the 18th century, vampires are acknowledged by all of society. Most are very respectable and live amongst the aristocratic classes. I really liked this. And indeed, Eleanor is a servant for a nice lady vampire, who happens to notice that Eleanor bears a very strong resemblance to Queen Marie Antoinette, who has been arrested and faces the guillotine.
A story of espionage commences as Eleanor is persuaded to help a covert rescue attempt. She must leave the safety of England and travel to France. On this mission, she faces snobbery, self doubt and some vampires who aren’t as kind as her mistress – as well as learning why the revolution has started.
This maybe sounds all very serious, but actually it’s lots of fun. Vampires aren’t the only magical aspect of the novel – and there is even a bit of slow-burn romance in the mix.
If you’ve read too many dark epics, or are a little over vampire fantasy erotica, this makes for a nice change. I highly recommend!
If you enjoyed this review - please consider signing up to my blog via my website - www.shaunalawless.com
Or if you want to join my Goodreads group - hit the link
https://www.goodreads.com/group/invit...
June 13, 2023
***100 Days of Summer Reading 2023***
Prompt: Book where the main character has a secret.
12 sided dice roll: 12
When I heard that Genevieve Cogman had written the first book of a new series, I didn't even care what the topic was. I knew I wanted to read it. Then I learned that it was a retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel. So I read that novel for the first time this year and enjoyed it despite some misgivings. I'm glad I read the original, although I don't think it's necessary to enjoy this book. And I've come to the conclusion that adding vampires improves many things.
Eleanor is a professional embroiderer and seamstress working for an aristocratic vampire in England. She has some ambitions but had no idea how she will ever get to act on them. Then one day, Eleanor's mistress lends her to a visiting couple, the Blakeneys. Eleanor is both excited and a little annoyed; after all, she feels she is being lent like a fan or a horse, not a human. But she has been raised to be a co-operative servant and she won't have to provide blood for the Blakeneys.
It quickly becomes obvious to her that Sir Percy Blakeney is the Scarlet Pimpernel and that he has a plan that involves her somehow. She endures a variety of training—deportment, French language, and equestrian skills. She is uncomfortable being surrounded by aristocrats and resents many of their assumptions about people of her station.
The action picks up when the team assembles and sails to France. There, Eleanor gets separated from the group almost immediately and discovers that she can use her wits and her new skills to survive. Eleanor is reunited with her team, but more adventures befall her. Her mettle is tested repeatedly and she can't help having some sympathy for the initial goals of the Revolution. After all, why should some humans be declared superior to others? Her emotions gets pulled back and forth. Do her aristocratic team mates truly value her? Will they abandon her when their objectives are met? Will she ever see England again?
This is an excellent beginning. Eleanor has acquired a secret weapon during one of her separations from the Englishmen, reminding me very much of Margaret Rogerson's Vespertine. I'll be interested to see where Cogman takes things from here.
Prompt: Book where the main character has a secret.
12 sided dice roll: 12
When I heard that Genevieve Cogman had written the first book of a new series, I didn't even care what the topic was. I knew I wanted to read it. Then I learned that it was a retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel. So I read that novel for the first time this year and enjoyed it despite some misgivings. I'm glad I read the original, although I don't think it's necessary to enjoy this book. And I've come to the conclusion that adding vampires improves many things.
Eleanor is a professional embroiderer and seamstress working for an aristocratic vampire in England. She has some ambitions but had no idea how she will ever get to act on them. Then one day, Eleanor's mistress lends her to a visiting couple, the Blakeneys. Eleanor is both excited and a little annoyed; after all, she feels she is being lent like a fan or a horse, not a human. But she has been raised to be a co-operative servant and she won't have to provide blood for the Blakeneys.
It quickly becomes obvious to her that Sir Percy Blakeney is the Scarlet Pimpernel and that he has a plan that involves her somehow. She endures a variety of training—deportment, French language, and equestrian skills. She is uncomfortable being surrounded by aristocrats and resents many of their assumptions about people of her station.
The action picks up when the team assembles and sails to France. There, Eleanor gets separated from the group almost immediately and discovers that she can use her wits and her new skills to survive. Eleanor is reunited with her team, but more adventures befall her. Her mettle is tested repeatedly and she can't help having some sympathy for the initial goals of the Revolution. After all, why should some humans be declared superior to others? Her emotions gets pulled back and forth. Do her aristocratic team mates truly value her? Will they abandon her when their objectives are met? Will she ever see England again?
This is an excellent beginning. Eleanor has acquired a secret weapon during one of her separations from the Englishmen, reminding me very much of Margaret Rogerson's Vespertine. I'll be interested to see where Cogman takes things from here.
July 17, 2023
While Cogman wallops you over the head a few too many times with the “servants are people too!” theme, this is a delightfully rollicking alternate take on the legend of the Scarlet Pimpernel, and this one has vampires, which makes everything (except for the Gilroy Garlic Festival) better. Highly entertaining.
If you’re in the mood for an even more historically inclined yarn that features vampires running around Europe in a similar time period, I highly, highly recommend H.G. Parry’s Shadow Histories Duology.
If you’re in the mood for an even more historically inclined yarn that features vampires running around Europe in a similar time period, I highly, highly recommend H.G. Parry’s Shadow Histories Duology.
December 6, 2024
Scarlet by Genevive Cogman is a historical fiction book set in 1793 during the French Revolution. I was vert intrigued by this book due to the aspect of the Scarlet Pimpernel and vampires in one book.
We follow Eleanor, a housemaid of a vampire baroness: Lady Sophia. When Eleanor is asked for specifically to serve refreshments for two visitors to Lady Sophies estate, she is confused by their shock at seeing her and her striking resemblance of someone well known.
When Lady Sophia later loans Eleanor to the visitors ( Lord and Lady Blakeney) in London upon the pretence of becoming their seamstress, Eleanor finds herself thrust into the midst of an adventure far beyond her wildest dreams. For the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel need her help to impersonate an important person in Paris and help rescue her family from execution.
This book is so well brought to life with descriptive word building and characters. My favourites were Eleanor and Sir Percy, although I wasn't 100% trustful of him for the first half of the book. I enjoyed seeing Eleanor grow throughout this book and my heart was racing on quite a few occasions with the situations she finds herself thrust into unwittingly. You can feel the tensions and horrors of the revolution and what it must have been like to be in the midst of it back in the 1700s. I can't wait to read book 2!
We follow Eleanor, a housemaid of a vampire baroness: Lady Sophia. When Eleanor is asked for specifically to serve refreshments for two visitors to Lady Sophies estate, she is confused by their shock at seeing her and her striking resemblance of someone well known.
When Lady Sophia later loans Eleanor to the visitors ( Lord and Lady Blakeney) in London upon the pretence of becoming their seamstress, Eleanor finds herself thrust into the midst of an adventure far beyond her wildest dreams. For the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel need her help to impersonate an important person in Paris and help rescue her family from execution.
This book is so well brought to life with descriptive word building and characters. My favourites were Eleanor and Sir Percy, although I wasn't 100% trustful of him for the first half of the book. I enjoyed seeing Eleanor grow throughout this book and my heart was racing on quite a few occasions with the situations she finds herself thrust into unwittingly. You can feel the tensions and horrors of the revolution and what it must have been like to be in the midst of it back in the 1700s. I can't wait to read book 2!
April 2, 2023
Scarlet and I were a great match, in theory. I love historical fiction, and I enjoy a supernatural element.
But this story just didn't work for me.
I didn't connect with the writing style, and I didn't care about any of the characters. I didn't understand why Eleanor, a poor housemaid, chose to fight for and with the aristocrats. And the whole thing went a little sideways halfway through, when something happens that I can't talk about because of spoilers.
So, not for me.
But this is just my opinion. You might love this story, so give it a try if the premise appeals to you.
*I received an eARC from the publisher, via NetGalley.*
But this story just didn't work for me.
I didn't connect with the writing style, and I didn't care about any of the characters. I didn't understand why Eleanor, a poor housemaid, chose to fight for and with the aristocrats. And the whole thing went a little sideways halfway through, when something happens that I can't talk about because of spoilers.
So, not for me.
But this is just my opinion. You might love this story, so give it a try if the premise appeals to you.
*I received an eARC from the publisher, via NetGalley.*
May 9, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for gifting me an early copy. Below is my honest review.
I'm a huge fan of the Invisible Library. I was devastated to find that the last book was indeed, the LAST book. But then Scarlet popped up on Netgalley, and I was intrigued. I remembered the story of the Scarlet Pimpernel from high school World History class, and I loved Cogman's other series, so for me, the request was a no brainer. And I'm really glad I got my hands on a copy.
The world building was so good in this one. You really delve into the French Revolution and the mindsets of the people at the time, seeing a little of both sides of the coin - the aristocrats AND the revolutionaries. But the fun twist? Yeah, VAMPIRES. That's right. It's Historical Urban Fantasy, and I. AM. HERE. FOR. IT.
I love Eleanor, the main character, and her battles to find herself. I love the introduction of a special character that pops up midway through (you'll know who I mean). I love Sir Percy. I especially loved the reference to that silly old rhyme "They seek him here, they seek him there."
I couldn't give it a full five stars though, because while I loved the world and the character development, the plot kinda fell short for me - the resolution didn't feel like much of a resolution and felt more like this entire book was an introduction to the rest of the story.
All in all, four strong stars and a "highly recommend for vampire and historical fiction fans."
I'm a huge fan of the Invisible Library. I was devastated to find that the last book was indeed, the LAST book. But then Scarlet popped up on Netgalley, and I was intrigued. I remembered the story of the Scarlet Pimpernel from high school World History class, and I loved Cogman's other series, so for me, the request was a no brainer. And I'm really glad I got my hands on a copy.
The world building was so good in this one. You really delve into the French Revolution and the mindsets of the people at the time, seeing a little of both sides of the coin - the aristocrats AND the revolutionaries. But the fun twist? Yeah, VAMPIRES. That's right. It's Historical Urban Fantasy, and I. AM. HERE. FOR. IT.
I love Eleanor, the main character, and her battles to find herself. I love the introduction of a special character that pops up midway through (you'll know who I mean). I love Sir Percy. I especially loved the reference to that silly old rhyme "They seek him here, they seek him there."
I couldn't give it a full five stars though, because while I loved the world and the character development, the plot kinda fell short for me - the resolution didn't feel like much of a resolution and felt more like this entire book was an introduction to the rest of the story.
All in all, four strong stars and a "highly recommend for vampire and historical fiction fans."
January 3, 2024
An extremely annoying way to start my reading year. I had grand plans to begin with War and Peace, but because of an older family member getting covid and feeling extremely frazzled and my Libby hold coming in, I started this. And honestly, when the main character says, “Time to save the royal family” I was like, god NO. I would prefer not to. No, let’s shove the royal families off the planet instead.
And in the big old year of 2024, I’m supposed to believe that this supposedly smart protagonist, who is part of the working class, is so naïve and foolish as to be counter-revolutionary and full of fuzzy liberalism that benefits no one except the ruling class? The sensationalizing of the French Revolution to simply focus on the terror and the guillotines while somehow making the aristocrats the good guys? You added some dumbass vampires to the story but your political imagination is stuck at God Save the Queen?! PLEASE. Also, like, how does it take the main character that long to figure out that vampires may not be as benevolent as your vampire employer but might, instead, be bloodthirsty?! “Oh, hurm!! So vampires want to suck my blood like straight out of my neck sometimes??! OH MY GOD!” Yeah, like no shit??
And in the big old year of 2024, I’m supposed to believe that this supposedly smart protagonist, who is part of the working class, is so naïve and foolish as to be counter-revolutionary and full of fuzzy liberalism that benefits no one except the ruling class? The sensationalizing of the French Revolution to simply focus on the terror and the guillotines while somehow making the aristocrats the good guys? You added some dumbass vampires to the story but your political imagination is stuck at God Save the Queen?! PLEASE. Also, like, how does it take the main character that long to figure out that vampires may not be as benevolent as your vampire employer but might, instead, be bloodthirsty?! “Oh, hurm!! So vampires want to suck my blood like straight out of my neck sometimes??! OH MY GOD!” Yeah, like no shit??
June 24, 2023
I feel like I lost a good amount of time reading this book. I don't really understand the point of it. I do like the idea of the plot -which is why i read it in the first place- but the morale, values, and all the building -whether it is the development of the characters, the relationships between them, the world, the fantasy, or the political intrigues- truly didn't make sense to me.
First of all, if I like the idea of the monarchy's and bourgeoisie's point of view in the French First Republic and the idea of debating whether yes or no people in power were truly "evil", I do not appreciate the way it was presented by the author. Maybe it is because I'm French, and I was educated to believe in the benefits of the Republic -though no one here will defend the Terror regime- but I dislike the idea of this young woman having her say on whether or not the Revolution was right. Most of all, the thinking was too Manichean, and I had to check if I wasn't reading a middle-grade book instead of an adult fiction.
To end on my lament -sorry to whoever is reading this- as I appreciated the fact that the writing was fast-paced, I felt bored the entire time, due to a lack of appreciation for the characters, the relationships they had -i mean from where came that romance seriously?- and -the worst thing of all-the magic and fantasy development. What the hell was that i'm sorry but i don't understand.
Lastly, I would say that the author has lovely writing but I couldn't appreciate any of her plot development, character building, or anything that truly makes a great story. Maybe some people will love her style, but I will not read something else from the author.
First of all, if I like the idea of the monarchy's and bourgeoisie's point of view in the French First Republic and the idea of debating whether yes or no people in power were truly "evil", I do not appreciate the way it was presented by the author. Maybe it is because I'm French, and I was educated to believe in the benefits of the Republic -though no one here will defend the Terror regime- but I dislike the idea of this young woman having her say on whether or not the Revolution was right. Most of all, the thinking was too Manichean, and I had to check if I wasn't reading a middle-grade book instead of an adult fiction.
To end on my lament -sorry to whoever is reading this- as I appreciated the fact that the writing was fast-paced, I felt bored the entire time, due to a lack of appreciation for the characters, the relationships they had -i mean from where came that romance seriously?- and -the worst thing of all-the magic and fantasy development. What the hell was that i'm sorry but i don't understand.
Lastly, I would say that the author has lovely writing but I couldn't appreciate any of her plot development, character building, or anything that truly makes a great story. Maybe some people will love her style, but I will not read something else from the author.
March 8, 2024
An easy five stars! This has less mayhem and magic than the Invisible library series, however I think I prefer the vampire and magic context of this story. I’m hoping there will be more vampire/ Aristocracy (sanguinocracy) to come. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
May 28, 2023
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. After loving Cogman’s Invisible Library series, I was eager to pick up her newest book. I have not read The Scarlet Pimpernel so I cannot tell you how this book compares to the source material but I can say that this was a delightful tale. Set during the French Revolution (but with vampires), Eleanor joins a group that works to save people they feel are unjustly punished. I found this story to be quite exciting and I loved that it kept me guessing until the very end. I am so glad that I decided to give this book a try.
Eleanor is a great character. She gets the opportunity to work on this mission due to her uncanny likeness to a well-known individual. I loved that she is able to think quickly and handle impossible situations rather competently. There were a few times that I was worried about how things would work out for Eleanor and the others that she was working with. I liked the fact that this book was set during an alternate French Revolution and enjoyed what the vampires added to the story.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Georgia Maguire did a wonderful job with the story. I liked the various voices that she used and thought that she did a fantastic job of adding just the right amount of emotion to her reading. I felt like she brought the story to life through her reading which only added to my overall enjoyment of the story.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a very unique and exciting story that was filled with a cast of great characters. I cannot wait to read more of this promising series!
I received a review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and Penguin Random House Audio.
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. After loving Cogman’s Invisible Library series, I was eager to pick up her newest book. I have not read The Scarlet Pimpernel so I cannot tell you how this book compares to the source material but I can say that this was a delightful tale. Set during the French Revolution (but with vampires), Eleanor joins a group that works to save people they feel are unjustly punished. I found this story to be quite exciting and I loved that it kept me guessing until the very end. I am so glad that I decided to give this book a try.
Eleanor is a great character. She gets the opportunity to work on this mission due to her uncanny likeness to a well-known individual. I loved that she is able to think quickly and handle impossible situations rather competently. There were a few times that I was worried about how things would work out for Eleanor and the others that she was working with. I liked the fact that this book was set during an alternate French Revolution and enjoyed what the vampires added to the story.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that Georgia Maguire did a wonderful job with the story. I liked the various voices that she used and thought that she did a fantastic job of adding just the right amount of emotion to her reading. I felt like she brought the story to life through her reading which only added to my overall enjoyment of the story.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that this was a very unique and exciting story that was filled with a cast of great characters. I cannot wait to read more of this promising series!
I received a review copy of this book from Berkley Publishing Group and Penguin Random House Audio.
June 9, 2023
This was extremely okay.
October 5, 2024
Vampires? Nobility? Historical stuff? Sorry, doesn't work for me. DNF.
March 27, 2023
3.5 Stars
Genevieve Cogman’s Scarlet is a historical fantasy reimagining of The Scarlet Pimpernel, which follows English maid Eleanor. Who, thanks to her uncanny resemblance to the Queen of France, finds herself involved in a plot (lead by the legendary Scarlet Pimpernel) to rescue aristocratics (and aristocratic vampires called Sanguinocrats) from Revolutionary France.
I’m not too familiar with the story of the Scarlet Pimpernel, but the promise of a high stakes romp through revolutionary France, and a dangerously daring rescue—with both MAGIC and VAMPIRES—was something I couldn’t pass up!
And, for the most part I thoroughly enjoyed it. The pacing was a little slow to start and it did take a bit of time coming to terms with all the characters, but once I did (there’s a character guide included which I really appreciated) I really began to enjoy all the action packed and espionage laden scenes.
The World-building was gorgeously vivid and soo visceral which definitely made for an immersive experience. I was also impressed with the level of detail and research that went into all the historical aspects of the plot.
Cogman’s clever use of Vampires, as an allegory for capitalism, inequality and the exploitation of the working class—was also surprisingly relevant,
It also meant that despite Eleanor’s ties with the League of The Scarlet Pimpernel, we do see her begin to question the injustice in the leagues work—in purposefully favouring the wealthier French nobility over the poorer working classes—which is something I found really interesting.
As far as characters go, Eleanor was a really compelling, well developed and likeable protagonist and I really enjoyed getting to know her. She is a little naive at first but, her emotional development as she grows in confidence and learns to trust her own instincts was really phenomenally done. I honestly felt like a proud parent watching her navigate some of the tough situations she finds herself in and really enjoyed the intriguing, supernatural twist—which I very much had not anticipated.
There’s also some romance hinted at, the definitely not the main focus of the narrative so do bear in mind if you prefer a heavy dose of romance with your fantasy.
Overall, a satisfyingly adventurous romp through 18th C France that’s perfect for historical fiction lovers, or fans of Lillie Lainoff and Cogman’s previous works —I just we we explored the shadowy and mysterious lives of vampires a bit more. Though given this is the start of a new series, I have hope we’ll see (and learn) more about them in future instalments.
Also, a massive thank you to Blackcrow PR and Tor books for the physical arc.
Genevieve Cogman’s Scarlet is a historical fantasy reimagining of The Scarlet Pimpernel, which follows English maid Eleanor. Who, thanks to her uncanny resemblance to the Queen of France, finds herself involved in a plot (lead by the legendary Scarlet Pimpernel) to rescue aristocratics (and aristocratic vampires called Sanguinocrats) from Revolutionary France.
I’m not too familiar with the story of the Scarlet Pimpernel, but the promise of a high stakes romp through revolutionary France, and a dangerously daring rescue—with both MAGIC and VAMPIRES—was something I couldn’t pass up!
And, for the most part I thoroughly enjoyed it. The pacing was a little slow to start and it did take a bit of time coming to terms with all the characters, but once I did (there’s a character guide included which I really appreciated) I really began to enjoy all the action packed and espionage laden scenes.
The World-building was gorgeously vivid and soo visceral which definitely made for an immersive experience. I was also impressed with the level of detail and research that went into all the historical aspects of the plot.
Cogman’s clever use of Vampires, as an allegory for capitalism, inequality and the exploitation of the working class—was also surprisingly relevant,
It also meant that despite Eleanor’s ties with the League of The Scarlet Pimpernel, we do see her begin to question the injustice in the leagues work—in purposefully favouring the wealthier French nobility over the poorer working classes—which is something I found really interesting.
As far as characters go, Eleanor was a really compelling, well developed and likeable protagonist and I really enjoyed getting to know her. She is a little naive at first but, her emotional development as she grows in confidence and learns to trust her own instincts was really phenomenally done. I honestly felt like a proud parent watching her navigate some of the tough situations she finds herself in and really enjoyed the intriguing, supernatural twist—which I very much had not anticipated.
There’s also some romance hinted at, the definitely not the main focus of the narrative so do bear in mind if you prefer a heavy dose of romance with your fantasy.
Overall, a satisfyingly adventurous romp through 18th C France that’s perfect for historical fiction lovers, or fans of Lillie Lainoff and Cogman’s previous works —I just we we explored the shadowy and mysterious lives of vampires a bit more. Though given this is the start of a new series, I have hope we’ll see (and learn) more about them in future instalments.
Also, a massive thank you to Blackcrow PR and Tor books for the physical arc.
May 8, 2023
The story that unravels is full of interesting characters, such as our strong and fearless Eleanor. Against the backdrop of the French Revolution, with a bit of magic and vampires, Cogman has proven she can write a fantasy that will captivate everyone – even those who don’t like history.
The Scarlet Pimpernel was a fictional character written by Baroness Orczy. it was a play and a movie adaptation came later, which is the story I am familiar with. It shares the story of an Englishman who rescued men, women and children during the Reign of Terror. In Cogman’s story, it is a group of men and women who rescue France’s aristocrats who also are vampires.
Eleanor is a maid with aspirations of working for a dressmaker in London. Her life changes when the Scarlet Pimpernel discovers she bears a striking resemblance to Queen Marie Antoinette. They enlist her to help aid in her escape. Seeking to better her station, Eleanor agrees.
The tale that unfolds was fascinating, suspenseful and, at times, horrifying. When Eleanor is separated from her party, something happens and I am curious to see how this thread progresses. I will leave you to discover what occurred for yourself. Eleanor will need to escape capture, sharp teeth and avoid the guillotine before the first book in the Scarlet Revolution trilogy comes to a close.
Along the way, we will see her transformed, bargain and skillfully use her wits. The story offers a side dish of romance, intrigue, magic and plenty of action as we traipse across France. Villains and zealots & fearful citizens added to the intensity along with harrowing escapes and dangerous plots.
The story wraps up in a great place with some closure and hints of what is coming. Fans of alternate history, fantasy, This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
The Scarlet Pimpernel was a fictional character written by Baroness Orczy. it was a play and a movie adaptation came later, which is the story I am familiar with. It shares the story of an Englishman who rescued men, women and children during the Reign of Terror. In Cogman’s story, it is a group of men and women who rescue France’s aristocrats who also are vampires.
Eleanor is a maid with aspirations of working for a dressmaker in London. Her life changes when the Scarlet Pimpernel discovers she bears a striking resemblance to Queen Marie Antoinette. They enlist her to help aid in her escape. Seeking to better her station, Eleanor agrees.
The tale that unfolds was fascinating, suspenseful and, at times, horrifying. When Eleanor is separated from her party, something happens and I am curious to see how this thread progresses. I will leave you to discover what occurred for yourself. Eleanor will need to escape capture, sharp teeth and avoid the guillotine before the first book in the Scarlet Revolution trilogy comes to a close.
Along the way, we will see her transformed, bargain and skillfully use her wits. The story offers a side dish of romance, intrigue, magic and plenty of action as we traipse across France. Villains and zealots & fearful citizens added to the intensity along with harrowing escapes and dangerous plots.
The story wraps up in a great place with some closure and hints of what is coming. Fans of alternate history, fantasy, This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
February 17, 2023
Oh dear. This didn't work for me AT ALL. I'm a big fan of Baroness Orczy's Scarlet Pimpernel novels, flawed though they are. They're a nice bit of whimsy and escapism, just silly and frothy enough to be a light comfort read. Genevieve Cogman's addition is Eleanor, a young servant with a strong enough resemblance to Marie Antionette to make her central to a League plot to rescue the imprisoned queen and her children. So far, so Pimpernel. She makes makes an admirable but unconvincing stab at bringing a little more reality to them by considering the French Revolution trough the eyes of a lower-class woman with more in common with many the sans-culottes than the nobles she has served all her life or her new allies in the League. The problem is that's it's all very fragmented and repetitive as Eleanor wavers between railing at the luxury of the wealthy, landed classes and befriending the aristocratic League. Her tepid romance has no power or chemistry and there are several points where the fashions described are not historical and the noble titles are used incorrectly.
The vampires and sorcerers just make things worse. They are poorly integrated into the world-building and for long stretches of the story have no impact on the the narrative and "Anima" is a dreadful Deus ex machina. The story could have been better as a straight addition to the Scarlet Pimpernel canon without the supernatural elements or as an urban fantasy piece set during the French Revolution without the trappings of the Pimpernel.
The vampires and sorcerers just make things worse. They are poorly integrated into the world-building and for long stretches of the story have no impact on the the narrative and "Anima" is a dreadful Deus ex machina. The story could have been better as a straight addition to the Scarlet Pimpernel canon without the supernatural elements or as an urban fantasy piece set during the French Revolution without the trappings of the Pimpernel.
April 27, 2023
Historical fiction sprinkled with fantasy. The story was good but I felt the characters were under developed. This is the start of a new series. Will it make me want to read more??? This reader is still on the fence. I think a younger audience will enjoy it more.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
May 23, 2023
3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2023/05/23/...
Being a huge fan of Genevieve Cogman’s The Invisible Library series, I was quite excited for Scarlet, as you can imagine. That said, when I started seeing the early mixed reviews, I had to remind myself to keep those sky-high expectations in check. The book has been described as a retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel, an early twentieth century historical novel set during the French Revolution following a mysterious Englishman who leads a band of aristocrats on a daring rescue to save French nobles from the guillotine. In Cogman’s version though, there is magic and vampires.
The story introduces Eleanor Dalton, an English maid and budding seamstress in the employ of Lady Sophie, the vampire Baroness of Basting. Our young protagonist’s adventure begins when she makes the acquaintance of Sir Percy Blakeney and is recruited into his secret plot to save what’s left of the French royal family from execution. With the Reign of Terror raging on in France, Marie Antoinette has been separated from her children and imprisoned, a situation that Sir Percy’s League of The Scarlet Pimpernel simply cannot abide. Because of Eleanor’s striking resemblance to the queen, they decide to make her central to their dangerous plot by making her play a body double.
Following intense training with new identities and cover stories in place, the group finally makes its clandestine way towards Paris while trying to blend in with the local populace as bands of revolutionaries comb the countryside for suspicious activity. Once in the French capital, Eleanor becomes further entrenched in the League’s schemes even as she begins questioning her own obligations to Sir Percy, witnessing firsthand for herself the chaos of revolution.
I was glad I tempered my expectations because Scarlet is very different from The Invisible Library. The language is heavy in a writing style that might be appropriate for tone of this particular historical fantasy, but it made getting into it a little more difficult. Having never read The Scarlet Pimpernel, I can’t speak to how Cogman’s reimagining compares but I wonder if it also had a long leadup because an inordinate amount of time was spent establishing Eleanor’s backstory with the Baroness and her eventual recruitment into the League. I understand the need to establish a solid foundation, but you also run the risk of losing your readers if you belabor the process.
Having prepared myself for a slower start though, I knew that greener pastures were ahead and indeed the plot picked up once Eleanor was on her way to France. This marked the moment when the tantalizing concept of “The Scarlet Pimpernel but with vampires” finally lives up to its potential, or in other words, the real fun begins here…
Eleanor also works as a character capable of objectively looking at both sides of the conflict. Charmed by Sir Percy and his fellow aristocrats, she saw a worthy cause in saving lives but at the same time also sympathized with the suffering of the poor. Being of common birth, she was often struck by how out-of-touch and ignorant her noble traveling companions were, realizing with dismay that, even as allies, there was a gulf of understanding between them due to their class differences.
On that note though, I wish there had been more depth to the story to explore these themes. Eleanor’s self-examination is surface-level and hardly scorching, as one doesn’t get the sense that her mind has really been changed at all when all is said and done. The backdrop of the French Revolution is also just that—a backdrop, fabric-thin and one that feels hastily painted. The idea of a vampiric aristocratic class was also a nice touch, but one that was underutilized. I mean, somewhere in there is a metaphor for the blood-drinking highborn classes being a life-sucking drain on the ordinary folk, but other than that, vampires were mostly relegated to the background.
Still, it’s clear Scarlet was written to be a swashbuckling caper rather than a deep historical novel or an analytical critique of the source material. I wish there had been more time to expand upon some of the story’s themes or explore certain elements, but overall, it was an entertaining read and I had fun with it.
Being a huge fan of Genevieve Cogman’s The Invisible Library series, I was quite excited for Scarlet, as you can imagine. That said, when I started seeing the early mixed reviews, I had to remind myself to keep those sky-high expectations in check. The book has been described as a retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel, an early twentieth century historical novel set during the French Revolution following a mysterious Englishman who leads a band of aristocrats on a daring rescue to save French nobles from the guillotine. In Cogman’s version though, there is magic and vampires.
The story introduces Eleanor Dalton, an English maid and budding seamstress in the employ of Lady Sophie, the vampire Baroness of Basting. Our young protagonist’s adventure begins when she makes the acquaintance of Sir Percy Blakeney and is recruited into his secret plot to save what’s left of the French royal family from execution. With the Reign of Terror raging on in France, Marie Antoinette has been separated from her children and imprisoned, a situation that Sir Percy’s League of The Scarlet Pimpernel simply cannot abide. Because of Eleanor’s striking resemblance to the queen, they decide to make her central to their dangerous plot by making her play a body double.
Following intense training with new identities and cover stories in place, the group finally makes its clandestine way towards Paris while trying to blend in with the local populace as bands of revolutionaries comb the countryside for suspicious activity. Once in the French capital, Eleanor becomes further entrenched in the League’s schemes even as she begins questioning her own obligations to Sir Percy, witnessing firsthand for herself the chaos of revolution.
I was glad I tempered my expectations because Scarlet is very different from The Invisible Library. The language is heavy in a writing style that might be appropriate for tone of this particular historical fantasy, but it made getting into it a little more difficult. Having never read The Scarlet Pimpernel, I can’t speak to how Cogman’s reimagining compares but I wonder if it also had a long leadup because an inordinate amount of time was spent establishing Eleanor’s backstory with the Baroness and her eventual recruitment into the League. I understand the need to establish a solid foundation, but you also run the risk of losing your readers if you belabor the process.
Having prepared myself for a slower start though, I knew that greener pastures were ahead and indeed the plot picked up once Eleanor was on her way to France. This marked the moment when the tantalizing concept of “The Scarlet Pimpernel but with vampires” finally lives up to its potential, or in other words, the real fun begins here…
Eleanor also works as a character capable of objectively looking at both sides of the conflict. Charmed by Sir Percy and his fellow aristocrats, she saw a worthy cause in saving lives but at the same time also sympathized with the suffering of the poor. Being of common birth, she was often struck by how out-of-touch and ignorant her noble traveling companions were, realizing with dismay that, even as allies, there was a gulf of understanding between them due to their class differences.
On that note though, I wish there had been more depth to the story to explore these themes. Eleanor’s self-examination is surface-level and hardly scorching, as one doesn’t get the sense that her mind has really been changed at all when all is said and done. The backdrop of the French Revolution is also just that—a backdrop, fabric-thin and one that feels hastily painted. The idea of a vampiric aristocratic class was also a nice touch, but one that was underutilized. I mean, somewhere in there is a metaphor for the blood-drinking highborn classes being a life-sucking drain on the ordinary folk, but other than that, vampires were mostly relegated to the background.
Still, it’s clear Scarlet was written to be a swashbuckling caper rather than a deep historical novel or an analytical critique of the source material. I wish there had been more time to expand upon some of the story’s themes or explore certain elements, but overall, it was an entertaining read and I had fun with it.
November 15, 2023
how can a book have VAMPIRES and 18th CENTURY FRANCE and the REVOLUTION and MARIE ANTOINETTE and have the audacity to be BORING ! ? !
March 11, 2024
It took me a while to get into this novel, but the quick pace of the last half really made up for the slow start. The story is essentially a retelling of the Scarlet Pimpernel with the addition of vampires. Opening in England, Eleanor is recruited to a secretive league for a high-risk mission because she bears a strong likeness to one deposed French queen. Given a crash course in espionage, she soon finds herself en route to revolutionary France, where she manages to get separated from her fellow league members and to fall afoul of a murderous vampire. I enjoyed Eleanor's adventures, once they got going, and I may just need to check the next book in this series.
January 22, 2023
Genevieve Cogman is the author of one of my favourite series (The Invisible Library). I just knew that whatever she turned her hand to next would be just as good. Scarlet did not disappoint. It's a retelling of the Scarlet Pimpernel with magic and vampires. It is clear Ms Cogman did her research because 18th century France was vividly brought to life. I think that maybe I should have read the original tales to get all the nuances but this book has inspired me to check those out and I also look forward to this series continuing.
April 17, 2024
This is the best retelling of the Scarlet Pimpernel EVER
and believe me I have read a TON
and believe me I have read a TON
August 8, 2023
If I am picking sides in the French Revolution…it’s not going to be the aristocracy…
Besides presenting the revolutionaries as the villains of the French Revolution, which I found cringey, the character development, character relationships, and world building was just…not there. Our main character is a maid and girlypop is running around with the rich who are vocally against change that would benefit others of her station… not a fan.
Besides presenting the revolutionaries as the villains of the French Revolution, which I found cringey, the character development, character relationships, and world building was just…not there. Our main character is a maid and girlypop is running around with the rich who are vocally against change that would benefit others of her station… not a fan.
August 20, 2023
Really enjoyed the Scarlet Pimpernel retelling, and the addition of the vampires was fun, but I found the sorcery business a bit disconnected from the rest of the plot. It was more a convenient plot device that didn't fit in with the story, so hopefully in future books it's made more integral and I can revisit this rating.
March 3, 2024
For some reason I had totally missed the release of this book. I've read the first book in the Invisible Library series and loved it. The rest is also rotting away on the shelves for a while already. But, when you tempt me with vampires and the French revolution there is no way I can wait until I've finished all those books. So, I got myself a copy and started reading as soon as it came in. After a few chapters I already requested an arc for the sequel on Netgalley.
What I love most about this book is the nuance. That's mostly because of the heroine of the story, Eleanor. Eleanor worked for a vampire, a vampire actually treating her staff well. But, she's also a commoner. When she ends up in the midst of the French revolution in an attempt to save Marie Antoinette and her children, she understands both the people who wanted to free themselves of the vampires and the aristocrats trying to save innocent people from the guillotine.
Since Eleanor does end up in the midst of the revolution without much preparation or without knowing exactly what she's getting herself into, it takes a while before she dares to take matters into her own hands. The biggest part of the book choices are therefore made for her and she's mostly surviving by luck, being able to come up with some good cover stories and some very unexpected help. It might make her seem helpless at first, but she learns that she has more power than she thinks.
I also like how we get to see all different shades of cruelty on all sides of this conflict. We meet kind vampires and bad humans, we meet bad vampires and kind humans, we meet loads of people somewhere on the scale in between. Therefore the book constantly makes us, and Eleanor, question what is right and wrong, who is innocent and who is guilty and how far are you allowed to go to get justice?
I can't wait to dive into my e-copy of the sequel!
What I love most about this book is the nuance. That's mostly because of the heroine of the story, Eleanor. Eleanor worked for a vampire, a vampire actually treating her staff well. But, she's also a commoner. When she ends up in the midst of the French revolution in an attempt to save Marie Antoinette and her children, she understands both the people who wanted to free themselves of the vampires and the aristocrats trying to save innocent people from the guillotine.
Since Eleanor does end up in the midst of the revolution without much preparation or without knowing exactly what she's getting herself into, it takes a while before she dares to take matters into her own hands. The biggest part of the book choices are therefore made for her and she's mostly surviving by luck, being able to come up with some good cover stories and some very unexpected help. It might make her seem helpless at first, but she learns that she has more power than she thinks.
I also like how we get to see all different shades of cruelty on all sides of this conflict. We meet kind vampires and bad humans, we meet bad vampires and kind humans, we meet loads of people somewhere on the scale in between. Therefore the book constantly makes us, and Eleanor, question what is right and wrong, who is innocent and who is guilty and how far are you allowed to go to get justice?
I can't wait to dive into my e-copy of the sequel!
October 19, 2024
this was pretty good! it’s the first book i’ve read from this author and i enjoyed it.
the plot was good, who doesn’t love a secret spy tale? and traipsing through the sewers and into the seine? 🥴
it is a very decent 3 stars. the “romance”, if you can really call it that kind of came out of nowhere but i’m intrigued enough to read the next book, which i already have out from the library.
the plot was good, who doesn’t love a secret spy tale? and traipsing through the sewers and into the seine? 🥴
it is a very decent 3 stars. the “romance”, if you can really call it that kind of came out of nowhere but i’m intrigued enough to read the next book, which i already have out from the library.
October 17, 2023
Me: *attempts to buddy read it*
Me: *unable to put it down and reads it in a day and a half*
Me: *unable to put it down and reads it in a day and a half*
September 8, 2024
Review originally posted on A Keyboard and an Open Mind 06 September 2024:
The best thing I can say about this book was that it reminded me of Frank Wildhorn’s musical adaptation of The Scarlet Pimpernel, and as a result I’ve had rousing tunes like Into the Fire and When I Look At You running through my head.
I enjoyed Genevieve Cogman’s The Invisible Library series and sped through those books, so when I saw that she was writing a Scarlet Pimpernel retelling, and adding vampires into the mix, I was excited to read it! And honestly, I was so disappointed by the final product. How did this concept end up so boring?!
Part of the issue, I think, is that the book is never quite sure whose side its on. I’m not going to say the Reign of Terror was a great time and totally justified or anything. But it felt odd for a book published in 2024, with a working-class main character whose highest aspiration is to work as an embroiderer in a modiste’s shop, to feel so pro-aristocracy and anti-revolution. Eleanor has some half-hearted attempts at making the other League members check their privilege, but they never really counted for much.
And there’s the other issue. Eleanor was such a nothing character. It’s hard not to compare her to the Invisible Library’s Irene, who had so much more agency. Eleanor was so sheltered and naïve, and since the whole book was from her perspective, I found it difficult to get invested. If I wasn’t already familiar with the story that inspired this book, I wouldn’t have really seen any reason to be interested in Sir Percy Blakeney and the rest of the League, and I would had a bad time working out why Chauvelin was supposed to be such a big bad when he’s barely there. And I wish Marguerite Blakeney had played a bigger part. She’s integral to the original story but she is relegated to the sidelines here.
This is my first time listening to a book read by Georgia Maguire, and I don’t want to say she did a bad job because that’s not true, but I think some of the choices for the delivery of the audio book also lessened my enjoyment. Eleanor came across as very young. If the book hadn’t specified she was 22, I would have guessed closer to 15. And on the other hand, her love interest (he was that, even if he was also pretty dull and they had no chemistry), Charles, sounded more like he was in his 40s. I think they were actually roughly the same age. There was also the fact that Marguerite Blakeney had a strong French accent, but no other French character, up to and including Marie-Antoinette, did.
To be honest, I think this book would have been better served without the ties to The Scarlet Pimpernel. A heist to rescue Marie-Antoinette and her children from prison, in an alternate France where the ruling classes are mostly vampires, has enough potential on its own. The fact that it was quite easy to forget about the vampires and think I was just reading historical fiction for large stretches of time didn’t help this novel either. And then there’s the vampires vs. sorcerers stuff that I won’t even go into but suffice to say never went anywhere. Ergh.
Look. It’s the first book in a series. Maybe the next one is better? It’s not like Genevieve Cogman doesn’t know how to write a good adventure story. But I can’t see myself picking up the next one any time soon.
The best thing I can say about this book was that it reminded me of Frank Wildhorn’s musical adaptation of The Scarlet Pimpernel, and as a result I’ve had rousing tunes like Into the Fire and When I Look At You running through my head.
I enjoyed Genevieve Cogman’s The Invisible Library series and sped through those books, so when I saw that she was writing a Scarlet Pimpernel retelling, and adding vampires into the mix, I was excited to read it! And honestly, I was so disappointed by the final product. How did this concept end up so boring?!
Part of the issue, I think, is that the book is never quite sure whose side its on. I’m not going to say the Reign of Terror was a great time and totally justified or anything. But it felt odd for a book published in 2024, with a working-class main character whose highest aspiration is to work as an embroiderer in a modiste’s shop, to feel so pro-aristocracy and anti-revolution. Eleanor has some half-hearted attempts at making the other League members check their privilege, but they never really counted for much.
And there’s the other issue. Eleanor was such a nothing character. It’s hard not to compare her to the Invisible Library’s Irene, who had so much more agency. Eleanor was so sheltered and naïve, and since the whole book was from her perspective, I found it difficult to get invested. If I wasn’t already familiar with the story that inspired this book, I wouldn’t have really seen any reason to be interested in Sir Percy Blakeney and the rest of the League, and I would had a bad time working out why Chauvelin was supposed to be such a big bad when he’s barely there. And I wish Marguerite Blakeney had played a bigger part. She’s integral to the original story but she is relegated to the sidelines here.
This is my first time listening to a book read by Georgia Maguire, and I don’t want to say she did a bad job because that’s not true, but I think some of the choices for the delivery of the audio book also lessened my enjoyment. Eleanor came across as very young. If the book hadn’t specified she was 22, I would have guessed closer to 15. And on the other hand, her love interest (he was that, even if he was also pretty dull and they had no chemistry), Charles, sounded more like he was in his 40s. I think they were actually roughly the same age. There was also the fact that Marguerite Blakeney had a strong French accent, but no other French character, up to and including Marie-Antoinette, did.
To be honest, I think this book would have been better served without the ties to The Scarlet Pimpernel. A heist to rescue Marie-Antoinette and her children from prison, in an alternate France where the ruling classes are mostly vampires, has enough potential on its own. The fact that it was quite easy to forget about the vampires and think I was just reading historical fiction for large stretches of time didn’t help this novel either. And then there’s the vampires vs. sorcerers stuff that I won’t even go into but suffice to say never went anywhere. Ergh.
Look. It’s the first book in a series. Maybe the next one is better? It’s not like Genevieve Cogman doesn’t know how to write a good adventure story. But I can’t see myself picking up the next one any time soon.
November 15, 2023
There are some things a woman should know before attempting to write a Scarlet Pimpernel pastiche, namely the difference between a Girondin and a Jacobin.
There are many more things one should know before attempting to write a novel discussing the ethics of the first French revolution. For example:
1. The lead-up to the French Revolution, such as increasingly Republican sentiment, the Frondes, the Estates General, etc.
2. How several causes célèbres of the Revolution involved abuses of nobles - for example, the Affaire Sanois.
3. What a 'cause célèbre' is.
4. How to write a single likable character.
I'm sure that Dogman really did research at least a few of these things, however, it didn't come across in her text. Her 'Notes On the French Revolution' are... well, my elementary school notes were a great deal better, more thorough, and more correct than that. No, the National Assembly was not exclusively made up of commoners; no, the August Decrees did not end feudalism!
With the final note that Lafayette wrote the first draft of the Declaration of the Rights of Man, I will move on from this, for now, and go to the characters.
The main character is... less annoying that expected, as is the portrayal of Blakeney (so far). She's still a rather irritating caricature.
The first vampire is described quite subtly and effectively , and if it wasn't being awkwardly used to support mass murder, it would be very cool.
Extra notes: the Tumblr capitalization in the intro Does Not Work. This is a attempt at a serious essay.
The character guide is actually greatly appreciated, though if a character isn't important enough to give a individual line, move their index to the back or cut them out entirely.
She references Oliver Cromwell positively, so I see we're now two for two on praising genocidal authoritarians.
There are many more things one should know before attempting to write a novel discussing the ethics of the first French revolution. For example:
1. The lead-up to the French Revolution, such as increasingly Republican sentiment, the Frondes, the Estates General, etc.
2. How several causes célèbres of the Revolution involved abuses of nobles - for example, the Affaire Sanois.
3. What a 'cause célèbre' is.
4. How to write a single likable character.
I'm sure that Dogman really did research at least a few of these things, however, it didn't come across in her text. Her 'Notes On the French Revolution' are... well, my elementary school notes were a great deal better, more thorough, and more correct than that. No, the National Assembly was not exclusively made up of commoners; no, the August Decrees did not end feudalism!
With the final note that Lafayette wrote the first draft of the Declaration of the Rights of Man, I will move on from this, for now, and go to the characters.
The main character is... less annoying that expected, as is the portrayal of Blakeney (so far). She's still a rather irritating caricature.
The first vampire is described quite subtly and effectively , and if it wasn't being awkwardly used to support mass murder, it would be very cool.
Extra notes: the Tumblr capitalization in the intro Does Not Work. This is a attempt at a serious essay.
The character guide is actually greatly appreciated, though if a character isn't important enough to give a individual line, move their index to the back or cut them out entirely.
She references Oliver Cromwell positively, so I see we're now two for two on praising genocidal authoritarians.
February 14, 2024
That wasn't good or bad. Very mid read for me. I don't know why but I did not connect with the main character at all. The "French Revolution with vampire" setting was a great idea, but I wanted more from the story. A short, enjoyable read that left me wanting.
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