Damned

Scarlet Revolution #3

by Genevieve Cogman

1794. Eleanor, a member of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, is a prisoner in Bedlam psychiatric hospital, being bled, drugged and purged daily. Threatened by her growing magical powers, scheming English vampires captured Eleanor and are hunting down her allies.

With the King known to be ill, possibly mad, England is not as it should be. As the vampires plot to take control over the country, Eleanor's chances of escape are futile.

But League of the Scarlet Pimpernel are never to be underestimated and a devil's bargain is struck with an old enemy to secure her freedom. And then Eleanor, using her new magical ability, uncovers a devastating, centuries-old secret that is so steeped in blood, it will change not only England, but the entire vampire world forever . . .

Damned by Genevieve Cogman is the final book in the Scarlet Revolution series, a spellbinding adventure of magic, vampires and mayhem.

'A thoughtful exploration of class and revolution . . . This book is a smart, swashbuckling joy. I loved it' - H.G. Parry, author of The Magician's Daughter on Scarlet

Genres: Fantasy, Vampires, Historical Fiction, Audiobook, Magic, Historical, Historical Fantasy

336 pages, Hardcover

First published May 22, 2025

About the author

Genevieve 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.

Reviews

[Heather - Just Geeking By · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally posted on Just Geeking by.


Content warnings:
This book contains scenes of violence, death, blood, gore, gun violence, bloodletting, abduction, forced captivity, drugged against will, forced institutionalisation, Victorian institutions, prejudice, racism, misogyny, ableism (particularly towards mental health) and discussions of executions. Vampires have toxic views of humans, viewing them as their property.

After the events of Elusive, Eleanor finds herself alone, her spirit guide, Anima, departed from the living world. As the only living mage that the League knows of, she is the key to stopping the vampires’ plans for England. As the country starts to devolve into chaos, with riots spreading like wildfire, the League find one of their own in the crosshairs. The Scarlet Pimpernel’s wife, Lady Marguerite, has been accused of treason and is under house arrest, an attempt by the vampires to keep the League distracted.

Now that they know that Lady Sophie, Eleanor’s former Mistress, is more involved with the vampire conspiracy than they realised, the entire League and their families are at risk. After a daring rescue of Marguerite, Eleanor and her companions head to Oxford, hoping to find some clue that will give them an advantage over the vampires before the country they love is irrevocably changed.

I was looking forward to Damned, especially after the first two books being superb. The finale felt quite ‘meh’ in comparison, especially the big reveal. I have to admit it was a different approach, the problem for me is that it felt like it came out of nowhere. The character linked directly to the ‘weapon’ that the League are searching for was treated like a minor character in the first book. Although they become more significant in the second book, their role in the third book felt limited. Their role didn’t feel nearly developed enough for them to play such a key role, with their lackeys taking centre stage.

In addition to the disappointing reveal, the end was quite cliché with a fairytale nuance that felt out of place. Eleanor’s growth from the previous book felt like it disappeared in Damned, with her constantly complaining that she “was only a servant”. By this point in the story, she is the only known living mage and clearly is not just a maid. The first few times it is mentioned reads as anxiety; after that, it felt repetitive and started to grate on my nerves.

It was good to see Lady Margeurite in action, and there are some wonderful scenes with her, Eleanor and Charles. There are considerably fewer scenes with Sir Percy as a result, which makes sense considering the situation. I would have liked to have seen more of the couple together; however, this is Eleanor’s story, not theirs.

While Damned was not quite to my liking, Cogman does wrap things up neatly and offers options for future stories set in the same universe. An origin story for one of the characters would be particularly interesting and would explain some of the inconsistencies I’ve mentioned.

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[Magdalena (magdal21) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damned is the third and final installment in Genevieve Cogman’s Scarlet Pimpernel retelling, where the French Revolution meets vampires. This time, we return to England, where the characters must deal with the consequences of magic being real and navigate the secrets the vampires have been hiding. While I did miss the rich atmosphere of revolutionary France from the earlier books, this final volume delivers a tightly woven plot and a noticeably quicker pace that kept me engaged throughout.

One of the book’s strengths is how well-established the character dynamics are by this point. The story flows naturally without needing to revisit too much from the earlier entries. I especially enjoyed Eleanor’s interactions with the rest of the cast - her dynamic with Charles was a highlight, and I was delighted to see their romance finally addressed in a satisfying way. A surprising and welcome twist was the reappearance of Chauvelin from the French Committee of Public Safety—this time on British soil! His role added an intriguing layer to the plot.

If you’ve enjoyed the previous books, you’ll definitely want to see how it all ends. The conclusion felt thoughtfully planned and wrapped up the vampire storyline in a rewarding way. I wholeheartedly recommend Damned, and the entire trilogy, to fans of historical fantasy, political intrigue, and clever twists on classic tales.

Thank you NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started this series because I just wanted to read about vampires in a historical setting. I stayed because the books were intriguing, layered and everything I could hope for. I was therefore really glad that Tor UK invited me to grab a digital review copy through Netgalley.

I know this review is a few dates late, but I couldn't have read this book at a better time. I just returned from a trip to Oxford and Londen and this entire book is taking place in both places! Knowing the setting and having been there so recently, helped to bring the book to life. I could see the characters running through those epic and historical places and I smiled every time I could think "I was there last week too!"

Like the previous two books in the series the book does an amazing job combining history with fantasy. Of course the vampires weren't real, but a lot of other elements in the story are. This series is a great way to learn more about the time of the revolution, both in France and in England. It's not always pretty, our heroine's time in an asylum is anything but pretty, but history wasn't pretty. And yet it never feels educational. It feels exciting, adventurous and thrilling.

There was a moment I was really wondering if this book really was gonna be the last book in the series. The situation our characters were in seemed really complicated and I had no clue how everything was gonna be solved in so few pages. However, the author came up with an amazing plot twist and I loved it to pieces. Although the author could write a lot more stories in this world, it was a very trying time. After all, this book feels like a satisfying series ending.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damned is the final book in the Scarlet Revolution series...
The League have returned to England to find that Lady Marguerite has been imprisoned in her London townhouse on charges of treason and espionage. It looks like the vampires are aware of Eleanor's growing powers and are putting the pressure on. Can the League outsmart them one more time?
Much like books one and two, this is a fast-paced adventure full of magic and mayhem and secrets revealed.
This was a great series, I'm going to miss the League.
Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for the ARC.

[River Marijn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glad I finally finished this trilogy. While the concept had potential, it wasn’t the best series I’ve read. The pacing often dragged, and I think the story might have worked better as a single, tighter book. Elenor felt a bit whiny at times, and the slow sections disrupted the overall flow.

[Jessica Gilmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damned is the third and final book in Cogman's enthralling Scarlet Pimpernel/vampire mash up - and what a finale! So well plotted and written that the reader is kept guessing all the way to the end, the peril and adventures never letting up.
Eleanor, once lady's maid turned member of the Order of the Scarlet Pimpernel turned mage and her companions are in a race against time. Now the vampires know Eleanor has magical powers they won't rest until she is dead, but her quest to find out where the secret which could destroy the vampires is buried is hampered by the net closing in around the Order, starting with allegations that Lady Blakeney is a spy. Meanwhile unrest is fermenting across England countered by ever more opressive measures and calls for the ban on vampires in public office to be lifted. Cue a book filled with daring escapes, dangerous encounters, old enermies turned allies, tested loyalties and forbidden love.
Cogan is one of the most inventive and talented fantasy writers published today - one of the joys of this series is that although it's as exertly plotted as The Hidden Library, as inventive and fun and original with equally memorable and perfectly drawn characters, it is a totally unique series, showing Cogman's versatility. I am sad to see the end of Eleanor, Charles and the rest of the Order, but very much looking forward to whatever Cogman decides to write next.

[L & J Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first two books in this trilogy but struggled to finish this final book. I ended up skipping several chapters in the middle so I could get to the ending and I don’t feel I missed much as it seemed like a significant portion of the book was primarily about Eleanor trying to resolve her conflicts between formerly being a maidservant only to acquire magic and her love for Charles, since he is a Lord and therefore their love is doomed. Meanwhile, Percy is trying to rescue his wife, Lady Marguerite who has been imprisoned on charges of espionage and treason. The vampires, meanwhile, are trying to take control of England. Certainly for those who have read the earlier books, this book ties up a number of loose ends and comes as close to a HEA as a book set during the French Revolution is likely to be.

[Clbplym · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is 3.5 stars really. It is the last part of a series of three which started off based on the Scarlet Pimpernel. By the time you get to this episode, the focus is much more in the vampire part of the story. Eleanor is now a mage with increasing powers and feared by the vampires, including her previous mistress, Sophie. It’s exciting in the same way that the Invisible Library books were because there is a lot of action, I liked the idea of the secret under the House of Parliament but think it would have been kept much more securely than it was! Eleanor is a plucky heroine but this series isn’t as strong as the library one. I am looking forward to seeing what the author writes next. Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC.

[Miss Rachey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am devastated that I’ve finished this amazing trilogy! So much so that I think I’m going to go back and redo it…

I stayed up til 2am to make sure Eleanor made it safely out of Bedlam…I have never been so relieved for the appearance of a revolutionary!!

Amazing final instalment to the series. Loved the whole twist on the story of the Scarlet Pimpernel and their crusade. Loved how everything was tied together at the end for the gang, and of course Eleanore & Charles

Would love to know about their continental adventures to research Eleanor’s mage history…wonder if that could be in the making?

Highly recommend this series.

[Raye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greatly enjoyed this, the final in Cogman's fantasy retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel. I love her writing style and revisiting Eleanor, Marguerite, Charles and Percy and they continued their battle to preserve the French aristocracy in the midst of the French Revolution while fighting to destroy the dangerous Sanguinocracy led by the duplicitous Lady Sophie.

The introduction of new characters, new motivations and a hint at the origin of Eleanor's discovered strength made for a wonderful read.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan, a stan, a man of the ‘Charles Support Club’ 🥰

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It reads like you were right in the middle of the whole story. Loved it!

[Jo Westall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit disappointing

I had high hopes for this book but unfortunately struggled to get into it. I can't imagine how hard it must be to write a book in the first place so these comments are just reflecting my preferences.

Eleanor spends too much of the book stressing about how she's only a maid and how she shouldn't say this or do that. Pages of angst and imposter syndrome. It comes across as whinging and somehow self indulgent. I wanted the heroine to have more spark and fight in her. Her character was almost unlikable as she threw herself a non stop pity party. Even right at the end, when everyone had proven time and again how they value her, she is convinced Sir Percy is going to believe she's bewitched them into doing what she wanted them to. I kind of wish she had. Might have been more interesting!

And then there's the love interest. I ended up skimming the many pages of Eleanor loves Charles oh so much but it's just so impossible. Charles comes across as a bit of a stroppy, similarly wishy washy character and the whole thing was very dull. There's one part where Eleanor pretty much says that Charles is a bit skinny and unkempt but through the "eyes of love" he's become very handsome! Praise indeed. There was a moment when I thought she might fall for one of the vampires as she described him as attractive. Yay! A love triangle! But no, that's not the way the narrative went. Instead it was pages of swooning or worrying or blushing over Charles Charles Charles.

The book seemed to drag in the first half. Lots of long conversation about what to do and figuring out what was going on. I nearly stopped reading it as I couldn't get into it. It did get better about half way through but then the end seemed hurried and suddenly it was over. The conclusion was really clever and such an interesting take on the whole vampire thing. But I did think what a pity it was that so much of the book didn't live up to the finale.

I think perhaps my expectations were partly to blame for not enjoying this last installment. I had expected to find much more out about mages. I thought there might be more mages brought into the story and that Eleanor would get to master her powers. But this is a pimpernel inspired story. And so that it's full of carefully planned rescues and escapes shouldn't perhaps have been a surprise...

[Rex Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Good Conclusion

Overall, the storyline was good and moved well. No spoilers here, but all’s well that ends well. Lots of action, intrigue, and time spent thinking who’d play who in the movie.

That said, I have two complaints. First, the absolute self-doubt exhibited by Eleanor throughout the series was an absolute buzzkill. Sure, I get that 18th century scullery maids probably didn’t have much self-worth. But she has had so much laid before her and successfully achieved that even the most massive pessimist could be positive. This was sorely overdone.

Second, yes, Charles is wonderful and all that but having to be told 50 times over what a dreamboat he is, especially in the middle of tense scenes, really detracted from the story. Even Fleurette knew when to stop gushing about Bibi.

But still worth the read to end the series.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

That demmed, elusive Pimpernel!

A solid, though not brilliant, conclusion to the trilogy. On the positive side, I liked Eleanor's character arc, and I thought the treatment of the original Scarlet Pimpernel characters was at its best here - they had many more opportunities to shine, and if I hadn't known better, I would have thought they were Genevieve Cogman's own characters because of the fair and interesting way she treated them. Chauvelin in particular was given a chance to grow beyond his original characterization in believable and captivating ways. The ultimate conclusion was satisfying, and I continue to enjoy the portrayal of vampires as monstrous and unnatural rather than hunky. A more nuanced treatment of the French Revolution, outlining its benefits without shying away from its myriad horrors, made for some thought-provoking reading, though it could have gone further.

My biggest problem with Damned was that it all felt a little inconsequential. The stakes should have been quite high - and technically they were, with the fates of England and France at stake (heh heh) under the looming threat of vampire domination - but it didn't really feel like it. A big contributor was the pacing, which was actually quite good until Eleanor was abruptly kidnapped. After that, things ground to a halt for many chapters, and there wasn't enough book left to rev things back into high gear. Because of that, the climax was far too rushed for me, and the solution to the series' main conflict? Much too simple. I also didn't find Lady Sophie to be a compelling villain because we had no background or her perspective on her motives. I really wish, rather than Eleanor's endless languishing in captivity, we could have had a flashback or discovery of who Sophie used to be. As it was, the whole thing kind of ended with a shrug, which was particularly disappointing in how it brushed off the whole moral element of what was... well, let's not mince words, genocide. I don't love the idea that an entire group is evil just because of their group membership, especially when the indictment of vampires in power seemed to exempt humans from proneness to the same flaws. Even if you're not living forever, life is often about survival - and power inevitably twists humans.

I also found Eleanor and Charles' romance rather boring - the only real hurdle between them was their different classes. While that's not nothing, relational conflict based only on external factors is rarely compelling, and I assumed they'd end up fixing the issue in a way similar to how they did, so I felt no sense of tension. Charles himself is just... not very interesting to me. That's partly a personal preference (as a female glasses-wearing bookworm, I know it's hypocritical to not like male glasses-wearing bookworms), but I also think he didn't get enough pagetime to develop and shine.

Finally, I beg Ms. Cogman and her editor(s) to reconsider this obsession with italics. They're meant for emphasis, not as a method of highlighting every cadence in narration or speech. Other than that, the writing style was quite good. And absolute shout-out to the cover designer! All three of these books (the UK editions, at least) are GORGEOUS. They deserve a place in everyone's libraries for appearance alone!

Overall, I enjoyed the series, but it didn't inspire me like the Invisible Library series did. Still better than most modern novels though! I applaud Ms. Cogman for always putting the characters and story above petty politics and soapboxing. As the Pimpernel himself knows very well, there's little more important than a good story!

[Lynn Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://lynns-books.com/2025/08/21/re...
4.5 of 5 stars
My Five Word TL:DR Review: Great Conclusion to Satisfying Series

Personally, I feel like each instalment has become successively better with this series which is a real achievement considering how well it started. I’ve become attached to the characters and there have been plenty of risky situations along the way. Cogman has delivered a really good take on a classic story and by using a new character completely succeeded in making this her own.

I do not think that this is a series that you can crash into. Each book has steadily built on the character growth and relationships that came before and I think anyone jumping in at this point will miss out on so much development and backstory. Also, if you haven’t read the previous books then this review could contain spoilers although I do try to avoid any if possible.

So, the stakes are definitely high in this final instalment. The vampires are now aware of Eleanor, or more to the point her capabilities, and the gloves are off. Eleanor is definitely at risk. On top of this, Marguerite is in a spot of bother too. The French Revolution is having a decided impact and people are becoming twitchy, thinking that the trouble may become infectious and Marguerite has been accused of being a French spy – she’s pretty much on house arrest and in need of rescuing before the situation escalates. On top of this, the vampires are also hiding something and the Pimpernel and his League need to find out exactly what that is – before time runs out.

This final instalment was really enjoyable. There’s plenty going on and in fact we really get to travel about. From the busy streets of London and a high speed (well within reason – carriages after all) chase, to a country manor, to Bedlam (a part of the story that conspires to bring the return of two characters that I didn’t expect to see again and was a welcome surprise) and then to the tunnels beneath London City. There’s no shortage of drama and lets just be honest, the vampires are really showing their predatory nature here, as I said the gloves are off and their true nature is coming out in force.

The characters have really developed well. There’s a budding relationship with Eleanor and a member of the league that feeds into the story without being the key focus. On top of that the females really shine in this instalment. We focus a lot on Eleanor but also have the opportunity to spend time with Marguerite, who really stands out with her wit and fearlessness. And of course, our leading vampire (the baddie of the story) is none other than Lady Sophie (who is really keeping an enormous secret). Obviously Percy and his League are involved but they definitely take a backseat, quite often taking terrible risks off page.

I thought the way the magic and the vampires eventually ties in and leads to a very dramatic finale was impressively done. The ending felt a little bit rushed but nonetheless was well thought out (and to be fair, it might not have really had a rushed ending so much as I wasn’t quite ready for the story to end).

Without doubt, I have no hesitation in recommending this. It’s a really intriguing and entertaining take on a classic story that is delivered with care and sensitivity. The writing is easy to get along with, as are the characters, and, demmit all if I wouldn’t be overjoyed to read more shenanigans from some of these characters.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

[S.J. Higbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The previous book ended on a major cliff-hanger, with Lady Marguerite in immediate danger. So I was very keen to finally discover how she manages to avoid being arrested. Once more, Eleanor becomes swept up in the adventures of the League, where she risks her life alongside the others. The main difference is that she isn’t a bored, rich aristocrat looking for danger to give their lives some meaning. After all, she was initially brought into the League due to her uncanny likeness to Marie Antoinette, while a servant. And was promised the chance to break away from domestic drudgery by being given the means to become a dressmaker. But now, after so much has happened, she recognises that her former ambition is not possible. She is too well known by the wrong people to ever be safe in such a role.

I was interested in Eleanor’s increasing resentment at the way she has been used throughout by people who are more interested in achieving their goals than thinking through the consequences of taking her away from her class. It was fascinating to watch Eleanor’s growth throughout the series, which Cogman handles really well. I’ve grown very fond of her as a protagonist and found the interlude where Eleanor is incarcerated in Bedlam to be particularly gripping with many of the historical details spot on. In fact, Cogman’s excellent knowledge of the historical period meant all those details were woven impressively within the adventure and as a retelling of the Scarlet Pimpernel tale.

I didn’t find this instalment quite as exciting as the first two, because the pace dropped a tad due to there being a lot of telling rather than showing. That said, the final denouement worked really well – for Lady Sophie was certainly a villain I loved to hate. And I appreciated that we were left with a strong sense of what all the major characters would be doing going forward. I came to the end of this one with that mix of satisfaction and sadness that always happens when a favourite series comes to an end. Overall, the Scarlet Revolution trilogy is outstanding and I highly recommend it to fans of historical fantasy where vampires are a serious threat. While I obtained an arc of Damned from the publishers via Netgalley, the opinions I have expressed are unbiased and my own.
9/10

[Sifa Poulton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a review copy from the publisher as part of the blog tour in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.

DAMNED is an action packed finale. I loved returning to this alternate history of the French Revolution with its vampires, and a maid in the middle who is starting to finally, truly feel a part of the League.

Eleanor's journey across the trilogy has been great to watch. The confidence she has gained and the certainty that she has the same worth as her aristocratic peers. I liked watching her assert herself more in this book, not always simply going along with other's plans. She still is not the most prominent of their group, that is the chief, but she impacts their plans more, deciding events rather than being caught up in them.

I really liked that the men faded a bit into the background for this book. Eleanor is of course the main character, but Marguerite really gets a chance to shine this book. She's so vivacious and quick in a disaster, not letting anyone tell her what to do. Lady Sophie is a great villain, chilling for all she presents so sweetly. I really liked that Fleurette returned - she's such a good friend to Eleanor and has a strength she hides.

Fleurette and her father, Chauvelin, were a delightful surprise when they turned up in the book. It was so much fun to see Chauvelin and Percy work together, head of secret bodies in France and England, and very much enemies. Chauvelin's disdain was a great counter to Percy's effusiveness, the pair sparking in such a fun manner.

You know a world has been drawn well when it ends such that you feel like there are more stories to be told in their world. It is greater than the scope of the books, and that's the feeling I got at the end here. It wraps up in a way that ties up the loose ends, gives you the resolution (and finale) you wanted, but get left with a sense that the world goes beyond this trilogy.

[Abi Pellinor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third and final instalment of a series I never expected to love! Vampires and the French revolution combined with English aristocracy isn't usually my jam. And yet I'm absolutely obsessed with this series!

This rapid paced book takes us back to England where we navigate the existence of magic, the secrets of vampires, and an impossible relationship to boot. The plotlines that have been interwoven throughout this series so far are tied up incredibly well, sewn neatly into a tapestry that left me wanting more of this worldbuilding and I hope that more books are written in this universe!

Whilst we don't learn much about the magic system in this world, because our main character herself doesn't know anything about what she can do, I did enjoy what we did get to learn. It was just enough to make the plotline run without overloading us with facts and ideas in the ~300 pages runtime.

The characters definitely develop a lot by this third book. Seeing our main character Eleanor, who started as a housemaid, have so much more confidence around those from a higher social class than herself as well as more self-assurance in her ideas was fantastic. As well as seeing other characters, such as Chauvelin (yes, he makes an appearance on British soil!) have to adapt for their own aims and change in the process.

The ending of this trilogy is incredibly satisfying. Everything has been thoughtfully planned out and wrapped up, and I thought the ending of the vampire plotline was really well done. It does, however, still leave me wanting more from this universe and I think Cogman has left herself open to that. I hope she returns to the world one day. This is such a fun historical fantasy trilogy with royalty, vampires, magic, romance, and enough dastardly plots to foil to keep anyone entertained!

[Leighton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When I saw that the creator of The Invisible Library had a new series out, I knew that I had to read it right away! Damned by Genevieve Cogman is the third and final book in the Scarlet Revolution trilogy. The series, which is set in 18th century France and England, revolves around Eleanor, a former maid who is now a member of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, which fights about vampires who had taken over control of positions of authority in France in the shadows. Eleanor must gain control over her new magical powers, or she will be defeated by the vampires who want to kill her, including her former mistress Lady Sophie, who has her own secretive plans that she wants to come to fruition.

Overall, Damned is an amazing ending to the trilogy with an explosive finale and a satisfying ending. One highlight of this book is how much historical research has gone into this book. I love to see historical research when reading retellings, and it's clear that the author has done a lot, Another highlight of this book are the final chapters, which were unputdownable. If I had to complain about 1 thing, I would say that there are a bit too many characters, especially since it had been a while since I read the first two books, and I needed a refresher. But it all came together in the end. If you're a fan of Genevieve Cogman or historical fantasy in general, you won't regret checking out this book, which is available now!

[Daphne Sharpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and final part of this absolutely riveting series, and from the very first page, we are back in the world of Revolution, Magical events and Vampires. Please read these in order.!
The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel are back home in England, but are at risk of discovery from the Vampires of London.
Lady Blakeney has been arrested as a spy and charged with treason, and placed under house arrest.
Eleanor is herself in peril as the Vampires are seeking to destroy her before she can find and expose the secret source of their power. Eleanor is learning to control her magical power, but cannot control her feelings towards Charles, Lord Bathurst, despite the many social class differences between them.
Lady Sophie returns, she is a really inspirational villain, she toys with Eleanor much like a cat with a mouse, but will she speak honestly when events start to concern her deeply?.
This last novel includes conversations with a wall, a Mage, libraries in Oxford, and a very thrilling trip to the Houses of Parliament, wooden bullets are a thing apparently!
The characters by now, interact with each other so well, there is loyalty and trust, that once earned, cannot be broken. There are hopes of a love story that will blossom in the future, the world needs happiness.
The author really loves her history and her characters. This is an unusual viewpoint of the French Revolution, but a very delightful and enjoyable romp through history.

[Lisa Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damned by Genevieve Cogman is book three in the Scarlet Revolution trilogy. The book started where book two left off - after a huge revelation of what might be lurking in London - a potential solution to rid the cities of vampires.

As with the previous two books - Eleanor finds herself in peril and in need of rescue! Although, she’s often able to get herself out of tight situations, there was a somewhat tricky situation for her in Damned. However as a member of The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, her friends are at hand to help. I loved that as the story progressed, she was coming to terms with how to use her new found powers as a mage.

I thoughtfully enjoyed the adventures in Damned and the mission to find what’s been hidden in London for a number of centuries.

Set in 1794, I love the imagery of the clothing and the streets during this period - and of course the mention of the revolution that’s still raging in France and many people facing the guillotine. I love this period in history and I love vampires - I’ve really enjoyed this unusual mash-up that sounds like it shouldn’t work, but really was a fun trilogy to read.

As this is book three, I thought the story and characters were rounded up really well - I’ll miss Eleanor, Charles and the league. They really felt like old friends, when settling into reading this book.

[Dotti · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid conclusion to Genevieve Cogman’s Scarlet Revolution series, this book is steeped in Cogman’s signature blend of fantasy and history. Here, we finish the story set by Cogman in the previous books; Eleanor is looking to find what the vampires have been hiding. Eleanor and her friends at the league of the scarlet pimpernel will have adventures, disguises, garlic bombs and wooden bullets as they go through adventures.

Eleanor has really come into her own, and though she isn’t as self assured as Irene, the star of Cogman’s previous series, Eleanor has embraced her power and ability despite her low social standing. We once again grapple with race and class while also framing aristocracy against vampirism. The adventures were adventuring, with lots of interesting back and forth in the plot. The ending felt earned and felt appropriately drawn out, whereas I think endings from these kinds of series can often be rushed.

I think I would probably rank this book higher had it not been from Cogman. Invisible Library is such an excellent blend of fantasy and historical fiction and a sprinkle of romance that it is hard to have any book live up to it, but when reading Cogman’s stories I always hope for the same. The book was solid, but it doesn’t live up to the excellence that is Irene.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way Genevieve Cogman writes. I love the way she builds characters and worlds. I love that there is always a satisfying ending.

But

But I did not like Eleanor. I tried, I really did, but her helplessness and lack of agency bothered me. From a logical point of view I understand why she was written that way. But it felt to me like the she didn’t take any agency of her own. The maid Alice had more agency than she did. She didn’t even take up the limited agency she had and never stepped into her own power.

From the Invisible Library I love Irene because she always had agency even when it didn’t seem like the did and she was a victim of circumstance. She never allows that to define her and always took back her agency. I understand that Cogman did want to write the same character again but I think she did a disservice of not giving Eleanor more agency in this third story. She did evolve and grow but was always like “I never get to decide anything for myself. I never chose this. Yada yada” even though she really wanted to belong. Giving her more agency would have served the story and the character better, even if had just been in conversation. In her relationship with Charles, she is growing in agency, why couldn’t she grow in the other areas as well?

Yet, it’s overall well written and Cogman is a master story teller.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eleanor and the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel are back on English soil, but that doesn't mean their fight is over. On the contrary, the vampires are conspiring again and are trying to take down the League one member at a time, it seems. Eleanor's mission, given to her by Anima, leads her to uncover a centuries old secret that could mean an end to the vampires influencing humans.

Eleanor feels torn between the many directions to follow: Anima wants her to uncover the secret, the League needs her, the French Revolution would like to use her as an asset, she wants to be with Charles, she wants to learn more about (her) magic, but she also just wants to make dresses with lovely embroidery. Add the class divide that Eleanor finds insurmountable but everyone else seems to have long forgotten about and accepted her as one of their own and you have a cauldron of inner turmoil about to bubble over. Yet it never does. I wanted Eleanor to challenge her position and not just accept it and please everyone around her. I wanted her to be egoistic for once.

All in all it is a reasonably good ending to the trilogy. I just wish a few more questions about Eleanor's magic had been answered. Maybe we'll get a novella set after the end of this book at some point?

[Abigail Pankau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleanor is working with the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, now fighting against the vampires in England. After rescuing Lady Marguerite from accusations of treason and espionage, they must continue to investigate the secret that the vampires are trying to hide. First they must go to Oxford and look for clues while the students there seethe with revolt. But they are followed and Eleanor is captured and placed in Bedlam, where she has to trust that the League will “leave no one behind.” How will they succeed when there are threats from the vampires and threats of war with France? But if they do succeed, finding this secret will change the vampire world forever.

An excellent end to this fun historical-fantasy of vampires and the Scarlet Pimpernel. The world-building is great, and this one has fun visiting lots of different locations in England. The main character does a lot of contemplation about what she really feels about the nobility, revolutionaries, and vampires. A lot happens as the characters run from one conflict to the next, but it never feels like it’s too much or too fast. More time is devoted to the love story as well. Very fun overall, and a very solid ending to this trilogy.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.

This series is well worth a read. We have an alternate reality set during the French Revolution but with Vampires. It’s a very cool premise and it’s well explored across these three books.

This books does satisfactorily wrap up the series on a way that felt true to the characters. I won’t discuss plot to avoid spoilers. I highly recommend reading the three books in order. They’re very fast-paced, plenty of action and intrigue and easy reads.

I didn’t find this book as gripping as the earlier two novels but I did really appreciate the way it pulled all of the outstanding threads together to create a good conclusion to the series. I also enjoyed that it explained some of the vampire lore in this story.

I liked the way this explored the class divide in the context of vampires. The main character is frequently looked down on because she works as a maid and she has to fight to be given her due respect.

A good end to this series!

[A Bookworm Crafts · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this third and final instalment of the Scarlet Revolution trilogy, we follow main character Eleanor as she delves deeper into her powers as a mage. This cannot be read as a standalone as it very much draws on events and characters from the previous books.

This series is inspired by the Scarlet Pimpernel novels by Baroness Orczy, but with the addition of vampires to the French Revolution. While I did not find it quite as strong as her Library series, it still makes for an entertaining read. This book focuses more on events in England, although some of the characters from the French episodes in previous books make their return. It provides a satisfying end to the series.

A recommended read for fans of historical fantasy, vampires, and the French Revolution.

Thank you to Netgalley and PanMacmillan for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

“They Seek him here, they seek him there, that damned, elusive Scarlet Pimpernel” in this third and final book in the Scarlet Revolution trilogy, it is our heroine, Eleanor who is being hunted for her use of magic, by the vampires. The adventures in “Damned” see her in disguise, hiding in plain sight, being in a coach chase, being imprisoned and shaking hands with her enemy. Full of vampires, traps and turncoats it is hard for Eleanor and the league to know who to trust. With all the adventure and perilous tasks there is still the underlying love story, which shows how powerful the bond of love goes, beyond flowers and sweet nothings. Charles and Eleanor and our Pimpernel and his wife go to extreme lengths to keep each other safe and they are not alone. Love that spans the centuries is discovered and it’s power may change the world. It is an enthralling read and I was delighted to be offered the opportunity to read and review an eARC of the book by the publishers.

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

1794 & the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel is being hampered in its mission. Lady Marguerite is under house arrest on charges of treason & espionage, whilst her husband (& leader of the League) Sir Percy Blakeney is having to keep away lest he is also imprisoned. It is left to Eleanor, former maid, & now a promising mage to assist in rescuing Lady Marguerite.

At every turn, they seem to be shadowed by a group of vampires led by Eleanor's former employer, Lady Sophie, & it soon becomes clear that they see the King's illness & the disarray of those in government as a chance for the vampires to plot a coup - the taking over of England itself.

This is an enjoyable final instalment of the trilogy featuring action, magic, intrigue, & just a little bit of romance. There's also the surprising return of a couple of characters from the previous books who are now working with the League, even if it is under sufferance. It has been a really good short series even if I feel that the vampire aspect is underused.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Pan Macmillan/Tor UK, for the opportunity to read an ARC.