The Last Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel (Jane Austen's Fighting Men, #2) in Austenesque Lovers TBR Pile Reading Challenge 2016

Jul 12, 2016 Sheila Majczan rated it it was amazing

What an adventure! I had tears in my eyes as we reached the climax and conclusion and the Scarlet Pimpernel took his final bow as such. Some of what made this so dramatic is that this man, who is advancing in age and despite his regular attention to his fencing abilities, etc., is suffering from the affects of rheumatism. I was holding my breath as he initially refuses any help and goes off the face the enemy in France basically alone. But plans changed and it all came together in an excellent v What an adventure! I had tears in my eyes as we reached the climax and conclusion and the Scarlet Pimpernel took his final bow as such. Some of what made this so dramatic is that this man, who is advancing in age and despite his regular attention to his fencing abilities, etc., is suffering from the affects of rheumatism. I was holding my breath as he initially refuses any help and goes off the face the enemy in France basically alone. But plans changed and it all came together in an excellent variation. Jack’s writing is superb: his knowledge of fencing, his use of French phrases and history all kept this story so real to someone who has none of those skills but who appreciates having them written is a way that brought them to life.

The story begins slowly and builds as Jack brings a large percentage of Jane Austen’s characters into this mash-up with the Scarlet Pimpernel and history around the time of Waterloo. I was laughing at some of the characters: Lady Susan’s cuckolded husband sitting next to her lover, who is skillfully draining the man’s pockets, Henry and Catherine Tilney nee: Morland giving advice to a love stricken man, M/M Darcy, Caroline Bingley and her husband, Sir John Buford. And, hats off to Jack, I loved the way he took Captain Frederick Tilney, a rake with few morals in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey and slowly led him to reform his character, a step forward and then two steps back. The realism of this connected so strongly for me.

Sir Percy Blakeney and his wife, Lady Marguerite, are still so much in love. I had not read the book, The Scarlet Pimpernel, in the past, but in anticipation of this, Jack’s latest book, did so and the one scene in which he bends down and kisses the spots on which Margot had walked away still resound in my memory. I do so love a good love story and this still has a couple totally dedicated to each other as they get on in years. But there are two offspring and it is their friendships which bring Captain Tilney into their world. And as this young roué finds his charm and good looks alone are not going to win a place in Violet Blakeney’s parents approval (especially Sir Percy’s) he finds himself struggling against forces which place him out of favor, even further.

His father has used his influence to gain a place near the Regent and out of danger for his son and wants him to use this placement to make connections for a good marriage but this also takes Tilney out of the action as Napoleon returns from Elba. Subsequently it also throws Tilney back into circles with reputations frowned upon…especially by parents wanting all that is honorable for their daughter.

As the stage is set the action becomes tense near the middle of the story and then I could not stop reading. I know we are guaranteed a happy ending but when it is a matter of live and death, not just love found or lost, the story is so much more gripping. I highly recommend this book to all. It may just be my favorite to date of the author’s books. ...more

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Oct 29, 2016 Sophia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The sequel to two classics and a cunning romantic adventure is a heady temptation and I certainly couldn't resist. And why would I want to when I've read this author's fantastic books already.

Baroness Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel and Jane Austen's novels, predominantly Northanger Abbey are melded together for a sequel that takes place about twenty years after The Scarlet Pimpernel and a few years after the events of Northanger Abbey.

The Last Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel is also the seco The sequel to two classics and a cunning romantic adventure is a heady temptation and I certainly couldn't resist. And why would I want to when I've read this author's fantastic books already.

Baroness Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel and Jane Austen's novels, predominantly Northanger Abbey are melded together for a sequel that takes place about twenty years after The Scarlet Pimpernel and a few years after the events of Northanger Abbey.

The Last Adventure of the Scarlet Pimpernel is also the second book in the Jane Austen's Fighting Men series following The Three Colonels. I've read both and personally I would describe it as a companion novel since this one begins during the first story and there are crossover characters and events. But that said, the shared events are minor since the main cast of characters and plot are new and follow it's own course.

The story opens with Captain Frederick Tilney fighting a duel of honor. Again. But this time, one of his best friends, Sir John Buford, tells him that Buford has taken stock of his life and plans to change- clean up his reputation and live honorably. This change involves cutting loose Frederick since Frederick still has no plans to change and still can't see where he has caused many of his own sticky situations. Buford's rejection is like a slap in the face. His other friend Blakeney stands by him, but also counsels caution.

Frederick keeps going on as he has been until he falls for Blakeney's now grown up sister, Violet. She is everything he wants and realizes that he wants to change for her. But unfortunately, a misstep and his past cause her father to cut him off.

The loss of his courtship to Violet along with his transfer to the Horse Guards and getting on the bad side of his new commander while getting the constant grumblings from his own father leave Frederick frustrated until the situation in France boils over and his lady is caught in the troubles. The Scarlet Pimpernel is forced out of retirement and Frederick wants in on the adventure.

This book was a pleasure from cover to cover. I did enjoy the weaving of classic stories together and it was well-done. While this primarily focused on certain Northanger Abbey characters, I enjoyed meeting oh so many more from all her novels and at least one novella. I've only watched the movie adaption of The Scarlet Pimperel, but I had no trouble recognizing old characters and seeing the ties to the past. I thought the author did great with bringing those characters, older and living their lives at peace, back to living color.

I also appreciated the brilliant move to make Frederick Tilney a main player and give this minor character in Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey a chance to grow and turn into a dashing hero of honor. Yes, that was probably my favorite part was the remaking of Frederick Tilney.

But, I also enjoyed this new story with it's own original plot threads starting separate and then being brought together for that exciting and breath-taking ending. The historical settings were diverse and well drawn so that I could see them all so clearly whether Paris, English countryside or glittering London. I also enjoyed all the touches of military and espionage authenticities as these are strong elements. Then changing of the guard was a vivid scene as was Frederick's fencing scenes.

I am now quite eager for the next in this series and can't wait. I think fans of both classic authors would love this book, but also the broader audience of sweet historical romance. ...more

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Aug 08, 2016 Talia rated it it was amazing

I received an a reader's copy of this book to review and am so glad I did. The Scarlet Pimpernel is one of my all-time favorite characters and Mr Caldwell understands him so well. The book is written in a style reminiscent of the original. The classic characters ring true. The bravado, humor, and surprises are all there. The only thing I could quip about is the fact that Margot's being an intellectual of Paris in the past is left out. Instead, she is his devoted wife and once celebrated actress. ...more

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Sep 10, 2016 Candy rated it really liked it

Shelves: austenesque, regency, historical-fiction

I enjoyed reading The Last Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel! It's a companion to The Three Colonels, but it can also stand-alone - which is good because I haven’t read the first yet! (note to self - must read!)

In The Last Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel, we find Captain Tilney (of Northanger Abbey) in love with Violet Blakeney - the daughter of Sir Percy, AKA the Scarlet Pimpernel; a fact that Captain Tilney is not aware of. Sir Percy is very protective of Violet. He doesn’t think Tilney I enjoyed reading The Last Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel! It's a companion to The Three Colonels, but it can also stand-alone - which is good because I haven’t read the first yet! (note to self - must read!)

In The Last Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel, we find Captain Tilney (of Northanger Abbey) in love with Violet Blakeney - the daughter of Sir Percy, AKA the Scarlet Pimpernel; a fact that Captain Tilney is not aware of. Sir Percy is very protective of Violet. He doesn’t think Tilney is worthy of her, and with Tilney's past behaviors, Sir Percy has every right to feel that way. But love has a way of changing a man. Now Captain Tilney must work hard to prove his worth. Unfortunately, nothing seems to go well for poor Tilney! Will he ever be with his beloved Violet?

When The Pimpernel is forced out of retirement by an enemy he thought was long dead, Tilney insists on helping. Will Sir Percy accept his help and see what a good man he truly is?

I felt so bad for Tilney when everyone and everything seemed to be against him! Sure, his past is sprinkled in reckless and rakish behavior, but falling in love with Violet made him want to be a better person. Even when he thinks all chances to be with Violet are gone, he strives to be better.

I loved Sir Percy and his wife, Lady Blakeney. I loved seeing them together; still madly in love after so many years! It was beautiful to see.

Having not read The Three Colonels I didn’t know the correlation between the characters from that book, but I did love seeing the characters from Jane Austen’s books working and interacting together! It was fabulous!

Also, I have not read The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy either. I wish I had. I have nothing to compare Caldwell's Pimpernel to, except for watching the movie, but I would love to read it now!

The Last Adventures of the Scarlet Pimpernel is a terrific book! Easy to read (historical facts were smoothly written into the storyline), with some excitement, danger, and romance! I would recommend it to any Austen fan!

FTC Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book from the author for my honest review. ...more

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