El Dorado (The Scarlet Pimpernel #3)

 Synopsis

The elusive Pimpernel returns for another swashbuckling adventure in El Dorado. The still-raging French Revolution continues to claim lives, and the shadow of the guillotine draws ever nearer to the most prominent surviving aristocrat: the young Dauphin, son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. No one dares defy the hysterical and malevolent mobs of Paris in an attempt to liberate the little prince-- no one, that is, but the mysterious Sir Percy Blakeney, also known as the Scarlet Pimpernel.

Loved

• Percy! Percy is truly one of the best characters literature ever produced, and we grow to love him even more in this one! In this book Percy suffers extreme circumstances, even torture almost to death, yet he remains brave, foppish and witty. Not only is he physically and mentally resilient, but he also shows gentle mercy and forgiveness, even sympathy for those who betray him. In the other books Percy always shines because he is witty and hilarious, but in this particular adventure we get to see more of his serious, passionate nature, and the deep kindness and empathy that drive his selfless acts of bravery.

• The suspense. All of the Scarlet Pimpernel adventures are notorious for having extremely close calls, with Percy barely escaping from the treacherous cat-and-mouse chase. But from page one of this book the intensity ramps up with higher-than-ever stakes, with betrayal from one of Percy's closest friends, hostages taken to ensure Percy's obedience, and the future of France in the form of a small tortured prince. In every one of these books I've found myself thinking, "There's no way Percy can think himself out of this one" -- but he never fails me and always has some audacious, daring plot to foil poor Chauvelin :)

• Percy's wit. One of Percy's best traits is that he is so witty and quick, even in the most trying and desperate circumstances. I laughed outloud a few times at Percy's comments and observations that are so insulting and snarky, but made with the courtliest and  polite of manners. Even under torture, Percy can conjure the cleverest comments that make even Robespierre's top men scratch their heads at the meaning.

Didn't Love

• Armand. Armand was very frustrating in this book-- that's all I'll say without spoiling. Reading his part in the story was the classic feeling of screaming at the pages for the character not to do something, and then face-palming when they do it. But he redeems himself in the end, and ends up feeling worse about it than anyone- which is gratifying :)

• More closure. I loved the ending of this story, it was audacious and genius just like all of Percy's other stunts, but I do wish we got more closure. We get a lot of buildup of suspense and dread, and then a very quick resolution with a little explanation. I wish we got to see more of how the escape was carried out and more interaction with the characters afterward.

• The insta-love. Now insta-love with classic literature is a very different matter than in modern literature, so this didn't bother me like it would have if it had been written recently. But Armand literally falls in love at first sight (or sound of her voice), and then risks everything after having known her one day. I feel like it would be more believable if there was more substance to their romance instead of just headstrong passion- but again, it's classic literature and I get it.

Content

• Language: 
• Occasional uses of "damn" and "damned."

• Sexual content: 
• A few innocent kisses between a married couple, hardly described.
• Some more passionate kisses between a couple who just met. Kisses are not described much, just that they both feel infatuated with each other.

• Violence
• Constant threat of violence- threats of being sent to the guillotine or being shot.
• Many references to people being sent to the guillotine, getting shot, and getting tortured.
• The son of King Louis and Marie Antoinette is kept at the Temple Prison and is given alcohol constantly to keep him drunk. They try to brainwash him by making him say derogatory statements about his parents. He is not taken care of and essentially tortured.
• A character is tortured by not being allowed to sleep, and getting woken up every time he falls asleep. This happens for two whole weeks. He is not fed well and becomes emaciated and close to death.
• Characters are told they will be shot or beheaded if they do not obey.
• Some fist fights and skirmishes.

Overall Thoughts

With Scarlet Pimpernel stories we can always expect suspense, swashbuckling action, hilarious inanity, passionate romance, and narrow escapes. This story delivered all of these elements, while especially ramping up the intensity with some torture, betrayal, and more impossible odds than ever. We also get a lot more moral conflict and character development in this story than in other books, as Armand is conflicted and Percy learns to forgive. I loved seeing the more serious and benevolent side of Percy that we don't always see in the other books. While I didn't enjoy this one quite as well as the first two, I still loved it and ate it up. I highly recommend it to any Pimpernel fans out there! Especially if you are a fan of the movie, read this one along with the first because the movie is based on this third book!