So yeah, finished this one right up. Right the heck up! 🙂
Depending on your list of sequels this may or may not be the 2nd book in The Scarlet Pimpernel series. I think the reason for that is that some of the sequels follow directly the actions of the Pimpernel. I have yet to read one that directly follows the Pimpernel, so we’ll see if I’m right.
The rest of the novels seem to follow other dudes, but the Pimpernel shows up. I Will Repay is of the second sort. The main characters in this book are a french dude who has some sort of government post and wants to free Marie Antoinette and a french aristo girl who has sworn vengeance on that dude.
So, no big spoiler here, but the Pimpernel books are romances. Obviously, therefore, these two star crossed lovers fall in love, fall under the pseudo-justice of the bloody revolution, and the Pimpernel has to save them. The framework of the plot isn’t surprising. And, I missed Marguerite in the book. Juliette, though fun, doesn’t have the same spice.
Even without Marguerite, I enjoyed the Pimpernel, and the story, though not as intense, was enjoyable.
Would I have been as excited about the sequel if this were the first book in the series? Probably not. Though the Pimpernel steals the show in every scene he shows up in, and he’s as fun as ever, he just isn’t in it as much. The main characters are enjoyable, and I’d have *eventually* gotten around to the sequels, just not immediately.
Will I immediately jump into the next one? No. But not out of a lack of desire. The audio book is a bit steep, and I have to be good $$ wise for a few days. Plus, I have SUCH a back log of audio books I haven’t listened to yet. And…The Elusive Pimpernel seems to be the last of the audio books. From there, I’ll have to jump into the print books. Which is fine, it just takes me longer to get through them.
Do I recommend it? Yes. Especially if you enjoy The Scarlet Pimpernel. This book is clearly of the same stamp; it fills out the Pimpernel world, and has the same sort of *flavor* in your head. If you enjoyed the swim through the first; you’ll like this one as well.
4 out of 5 stars.
~Amanda
PS Next Up—-The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Already downloaded on my phone and ready to go. The Elusive Pimpernel to come. *Eventually* PS Still reading my way through the Bulldog books, and they’re still recommended. I’m about 1/3 of the way through book four which is supposed to be the final in a mini-series with the main bad guy from the first three. *Sad face* I really like him and his evil ways.
Amanda A. Allen 