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.

My rating 4.5 of 5 stars