Scan barcode
davastewart's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't expect to like this book. I read the description of it a bunch of times before actually checking it out. But I did like it, quite a lot, and I think it was mostly because of the main character who manages to be both brave and impulsive and bull-headed and vulnerable. So many stereotypes, but so nicely put together.
The story is set in a what I hope is an alternative future in which all of technology has failed and society has reemerged but with a deep distrust of machines and technology. People dig up bits of plastic the way some people now dig up bottles. The center of Paris has sunken, it's even called The Sunken City, and the government is pretty evil, capturing and beheading (of course) any one who dissents.
The main character rescues people from the prison at the bottom of the sunken city and leaves a rook feather in their cells.
There's not really much magic in this one, so it seems odd to classify it as fantasy, but it is listed with other fantasy books. It's also not really a coming of age story either, as the characters are all a little old to be coming of age, but they do learn things.
The story is set in a what I hope is an alternative future in which all of technology has failed and society has reemerged but with a deep distrust of machines and technology. People dig up bits of plastic the way some people now dig up bottles. The center of Paris has sunken, it's even called The Sunken City, and the government is pretty evil, capturing and beheading (of course) any one who dissents.
The main character rescues people from the prison at the bottom of the sunken city and leaves a rook feather in their cells.
There's not really much magic in this one, so it seems odd to classify it as fantasy, but it is listed with other fantasy books. It's also not really a coming of age story either, as the characters are all a little old to be coming of age, but they do learn things.
ashley_eliza's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book! I was honestly surprised to see the low reviews. It was a gem I found in a thrift store, and I’m glad I made the purchase. Great protagonist, fun banter with the love interest, intriguing twists and turns, and an immersive setting. An enjoyable book, all in all. I certainly don’t regret reading it.
liroa15's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did, but I found the mythology behind it generally confusing for the first 100 or so pages. It initially reads like a French Revolution tale, but it turns into quite something else, and I'm not sure Cameron was entirely successful in pulling it off.
Still, I did really like Sophia's character, and for all that I didn't particularly like Spear, I was sad to see him die. I also didn't see some of the plot twists coming, which is pretty unusual since I've read quite a few young adult novels. It wasn't enough to save this for me though, especially since the most interesting parts of it weren't really touched upon in greater depth.
Overall, I wanted to like this a lot more than I did, but there were some redeeming features.
Still, I did really like Sophia's character, and for all that I didn't particularly like Spear, I was sad to see him die. I also didn't see some of the plot twists coming, which is pretty unusual since I've read quite a few young adult novels. It wasn't enough to save this for me though, especially since the most interesting parts of it weren't really touched upon in greater depth.
Overall, I wanted to like this a lot more than I did, but there were some redeeming features.
a_chickletz's review against another edition
3.0
Eh.
I love The Scarlet Pimpernel. When I heard this was gonna be a homage/book based on it, I waited patiently for it to come out so I could go to the store and get it. I read it all in two days and now that I'm done, and thinking back on it, it was sort of a mixed bag for me.
Because I knew about The Scarlet Pimpernel, I could see the character traits that certain characters had that the author gave hers. Sophia, Rene both were The Scarlet Pimpernel/Percy/Margurite. Chauvelin was LeBlanc; Armand was Sophia's brother Tom... Hammond was... idk. He was just there. All the other characters were new for this story or characteristics of certain people from the original.
This book takes place in France. Years in the future I should say, but for some reason technology and printing/media/books are no-no's (because they caused more harm than good), so they revert back to good ol 17th century mannerisms. So generations have gone by and life has been like this.
So now I get into why I rank it two stars down: The quasi-past-future France aspect of the story wasn't doing it for me. At all. I think if anything it hindered the story than actually make it interesting. It felt forced. I personally think that the story would have been cooler if it wasn't trying to go for the dystopian angle and the author would have done her own thing. :/
Also, there was this strange obsession with 'gods' that came out of left field which I didn't understand. This is given to the character LeBlanc... who was also like Two-Face from Batman, in the sense he based everything on a coin he would flip that would determine the 'fate' of an outcome.
The Scarlet Pimpernel was not just a stand-alone novel, it had about six other follow up stories. I think/feel this book would have been better if it was expanded on and everything was not condensed into one singular story.
I think nostalgia and love of the original novel was what had me hooked on this book.
I love The Scarlet Pimpernel. When I heard this was gonna be a homage/book based on it, I waited patiently for it to come out so I could go to the store and get it. I read it all in two days and now that I'm done, and thinking back on it, it was sort of a mixed bag for me.
Because I knew about The Scarlet Pimpernel, I could see the character traits that certain characters had that the author gave hers. Sophia, Rene both were The Scarlet Pimpernel/Percy/Margurite. Chauvelin was LeBlanc; Armand was Sophia's brother Tom... Hammond was... idk. He was just there. All the other characters were new for this story or characteristics of certain people from the original.
This book takes place in France. Years in the future I should say, but for some reason technology and printing/media/books are no-no's (because they caused more harm than good), so they revert back to good ol 17th century mannerisms. So generations have gone by and life has been like this.
So now I get into why I rank it two stars down: The quasi-past-future France aspect of the story wasn't doing it for me. At all. I think if anything it hindered the story than actually make it interesting. It felt forced. I personally think that the story would have been cooler if it wasn't trying to go for the dystopian angle and the author would have done her own thing. :/
Also, there was this strange obsession with 'gods' that came out of left field which I didn't understand. This is given to the character LeBlanc... who was also like Two-Face from Batman, in the sense he based everything on a coin he would flip that would determine the 'fate' of an outcome.
The Scarlet Pimpernel was not just a stand-alone novel, it had about six other follow up stories. I think/feel this book would have been better if it was expanded on and everything was not condensed into one singular story.
I think nostalgia and love of the original novel was what had me hooked on this book.
general_riegan's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
tiffanynoel's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! It started out a bit slow but quickly picked up. The characters were fun and quirky and I enjoyed it immensely!
escapinginpaper's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ollie_gracie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5