3.5 stars ( )

This is a story set in Paris France at some time in the future? The world is above and below (sunken city). There is intrigue with prisoners, sword fights, the secret Rook, etc. Is this a retelling of the French Revolution? Mostly this would be a fantasy, romance, with swords and court intrigues. It was okay, a bit long. I think it was average over all. ( )

First, let me just say that I loved, loved, loved René. His persona was absolutely perfect for a book that emulates/builds on The Scarlet Pimpernel. His mannerisms, phrases, and wardrobe were just spot on. He is the reason that I finished this book.

Because of that, I really, really wanted to like this book. Really. But I couldn't. There were some personal preferences that grated on me.

- As I said, René's persona was spot on. Why was there not more of that? Play(aka write) to your strengths.

-How many times do I need to be reminded that his hair is red? It's red. Move on.

-The world building was unclear until about 200 pages in. Then I finally understood the society and had gotten my bearings. I feel like a basic understanding in the first three chapters is essential. Otherwise the reader doesn't understand the stakes.

-It was too long. I wanted it to be done by the halfway point so I started skimming chapters from certain viewpoints. Which leads me to...

-There were too many viewpoints. I mean, this does eliminate the need for the classic villain "monologue" at the climax. But I would have liked that much better than the crazy switching back and forth.

-This also hurt the suspense in the book. There were very few kept secrets...which, as I continued reading, gave me fewer and fewer reasons to continue reading to the end.

-There were too many unnecessary characters. So many characters/people had nothing to do. The main characters care about them but they never showed up. I felt gypped into caring about people who virtually disappeared in the last half of the book.

-Some really key characters lacked motivating factors. So many side characters motivating factors were stated but not proved through actions. And yes, I get that a certain one was supposed to be that way. But it didn't really work because he was one of the ones mentioned in my point just previous.

Ms. Cameron has talent. I liked the book ([b:The Dark Unwinding|11733187|The Dark Unwinding (The Dark Unwinding, #1)|Sharon Cameron|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1340389392s/11733187.jpg|16682039]) I read previously. I just wish that there had been more conciseness and preciseness like in [b:Illusionarium|22840398|Illusionarium|Heather Dixon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1413484726s/22840398.jpg|25606007]. ( )

Alternate history and retelling of French Revolution with surprising twists.

History has a way of repeating itself. In the Sunken City that was once Paris, all who oppose the new revolution are being put to the blade. Except for those who disappear from their prison cells, a red-tipped rook feather left in their place. Is the mysterious Red Rook a savior of the innocent or a criminal?

Meanwhile, across the sea in the Commonwealth, Sophia Bellamy's arranged marriage to the wealthy René Hasard is the last chance to save her family from ruin. But when the search for the Red Rook comes straight to her doorstep, Sophia discovers that her fiancé is not all he seems. Which is only fair, because neither is she.

As the Red Rook grows bolder and the stakes grow higher, Sophia and René find themselves locked in a tantalizing game of cat and mouse. ( )

This is a very cinematic book. On the one hand, this meant lots of exciting action and a taut, driving plot. On the other hand, it meant a lot of scene shifts that were clever but perhaps a little self-conscious, and the last third of the book devolved into solid action in what would have been a fantastic "final reel" but - for me, at least - just meant a lot of stuff happening that wasn't particularly interesting to read about. (Your mileage may vary.)

A rich and interesting post-apocalyptic world, wound through the story. Fun characters (though more equal and interesting relationships among women would have been nice). Good romance, bound up with character development. Unfortunately zany villain, which might not have mattered so much if we hadn't spent so much time with him. But oh well. ( )