Scan barcode
silly_sarah_2016's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kstephensreads's review
5.0
I loved this book so much!! It was a great chaser after Tale of Two Cities. Looking forward to reading more in the series.
story_singer_101's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.75
crowsandprose's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a companion to me while I was ill -- still am, too -- and quite enjoyed it. It is the start, I think, of some good old intrigue with a league of secret noblemen who strive to rescue innocent if well born people from the French Republic's hungry Madame le Guillotine...
But really, at the core of it, it's about a proud and clever woman, estranged from her husband who she loves but is distant from, and what it will take to reconcile them. Oh yes, there's spies and plots and murder and treachery, but... when it comes down to it, this is about a married couple getting past pride and being able to see where they went wrong.
It's very -- ah, 'woman as temptress/fallen' (as the times were) but it's not so insulting to women as, say, Twilight, by any means. Lady Blakenley is intelligent, cunning, crafty, and loves her brother enough to enter a world of intrigue to save him... and loves her husband enough to defy convention and chase him across the channel. Bella Swann would just cry and consider suicide a lot at her failure to be what someone else wants, so while the The Scarlet Pimpernel has some old fashioned ideas about women, they're a lot more empowering then some modern lit these days!
An excellent book, and if you've got love in your life-- or a desire for some intrigue-- you ought to consider reading it. It does end rather abruptly, which left me a little cold (and the only reason it lost a star) but it's a damn fine romp through the pages otherwise
But really, at the core of it, it's about a proud and clever woman, estranged from her husband who she loves but is distant from, and what it will take to reconcile them. Oh yes, there's spies and plots and murder and treachery, but... when it comes down to it, this is about a married couple getting past pride and being able to see where they went wrong.
It's very -- ah, 'woman as temptress/fallen' (as the times were) but it's not so insulting to women as, say, Twilight, by any means. Lady Blakenley is intelligent, cunning, crafty, and loves her brother enough to enter a world of intrigue to save him... and loves her husband enough to defy convention and chase him across the channel. Bella Swann would just cry and consider suicide a lot at her failure to be what someone else wants, so while the The Scarlet Pimpernel has some old fashioned ideas about women, they're a lot more empowering then some modern lit these days!
An excellent book, and if you've got love in your life-- or a desire for some intrigue-- you ought to consider reading it. It does end rather abruptly, which left me a little cold (and the only reason it lost a star) but it's a damn fine romp through the pages otherwise
cunningba's review
4.0
A book I've been meaning to read since junior high school. Perhaps it might have been better in junior high school.
It starts out kind of slow, and I had some annoyances in Orczy's style. The main plot in fact is somewhat preposterous: British aristocrats saving French aristocrats.
The first major reveal happens about halfway through the book. But, it is hard to imagine that it could come as a surprise to anyone over the age of twelve. The title and the first chapter are about a male superhero. Then we spend umpteen chapters following a woman around. Why is that? What is the connection?
Finally the pace picks up and we have some real action. This bit is better paced, which is probably why it seems better written. Eventually it even culminates in the 18th century shanks' mare equivalent of a car chase, reminiscent of Kidnapped or John Buchan chases through the gorse. However the disguises wouldn't fool anyone who has read a few Doc Savages or is over the age of twelve.
So am I glad that I read it after all these years? Yes.
Do I wish that I had read it earlier? Yes, but not because I feel like I was missing some part of my education by not reading it. It's more like I think I might have enjoyed it more if I were more naive.
It starts out kind of slow, and I had some annoyances in Orczy's style. The main plot in fact is somewhat preposterous: British aristocrats saving French aristocrats.
The first major reveal happens about halfway through the book. But, it is hard to imagine that it could come as a surprise to anyone over the age of twelve. The title and the first chapter are about a male superhero. Then we spend umpteen chapters following a woman around. Why is that? What is the connection?
Finally the pace picks up and we have some real action. This bit is better paced, which is probably why it seems better written. Eventually it even culminates in the 18th century shanks' mare equivalent of a car chase, reminiscent of Kidnapped or John Buchan chases through the gorse. However the disguises wouldn't fool anyone who has read a few Doc Savages or is over the age of twelve.
So am I glad that I read it after all these years? Yes.
Do I wish that I had read it earlier? Yes, but not because I feel like I was missing some part of my education by not reading it. It's more like I think I might have enjoyed it more if I were more naive.
meguniqueuser's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
annashiv's review against another edition
5.0
This was so awesome. It was exciting, it had mystery and romance. It had all the things I love and was written well. I loved everything about it. I definitely recommend this book to everyone. It's like Zorro or the Three Musketeers, but better. It has great characters, a great plot, and great writing. What more could one want? Just go read it.
livpaige93's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
eggjen's review
4.0
This one was an unexpected delight. The first couple of chapters were kind of boring and filled with dates and names. I was dubious about it, especially because I had to read it with my 6th grader for homeschool. We decided to listen to the audio book and ended up loving it by the end. Once the plot picks up and the adventure begins, the whole book got more exciting and the ending surprised us both.