Format: 334 pages, Paperback
Release Date: May 22, 2025
Publisher: Tor UK
Source: Library
Genre: Fantasy, Historical
In England, the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel discovers earth-shattering secrets that could change their world forever . . . Damned is the final heart-pounding installment in Genevieve Cogman's Scarlet Revolution trilogy.
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 of the country, Eleanor's chances of escape are futile.
But the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel is 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 so steeped in blood that it will change not only England, but the entire vampire world forever...
With the King known to be ill, possibly mad, England is not as it should be. As the vampires plot to take control of the country, Eleanor's chances of escape are futile.
But the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel is 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 so steeped in blood that it will change not only England, but the entire vampire world forever...
Damned is the final chapter in author Genevieve Cogman's The Scarlet Revolution trilogy. Set primarily in 1794 England (with the French Revolution’s chaos as backdrop), it centers on Eleanor Dalton—a former English maid who has become a promising mage and member of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel. After events in Paris, the League’s immediate task is rescuing Lady Marguerite Blakeney (the Pimpernel’s wife), held under house arrest in London on trumped-up charges of treason and espionage.
Vampires among the aristocracy are consolidating influence, the king is unwell (possibly mad), and England is unstable. Eleanor’s growing magical abilities lead her toward a centuries-old secret with profound implications for the vampire world and beyond. Vampires are portrayed as predatory and monstrous rather than romanticized, which is a strength of the series. The tone mixes light humor and pulp energy with darker moments (including confinement and violence), while exploring class dynamics more thoroughly than Baroness Orczy’s originals.
Eleanor’s arc—from a servant planted in a household to someone asserting her worth and agency among aristocrats—remains central and generally rewarding. Eleanor is the clear focal point. Her development across the trilogy is one of the strongest elements: she gains confidence as a mage, contributes more actively to plans rather than simply being swept along, and navigates complex loyalties. Some readers note residual self-doubt and class anxiety that can feel repetitive (“only a servant” refrain), which occasionally slows momentum or frustrates.
Her relationship with Lord Charles provides personal stakes and some romance, though opinions vary on its depth—class barriers are acknowledged, and it develops amid larger crises. Supporting characters get good moments. Lady Marguerite steps forward with vivacity, resourcefulness, and agency. Lady Sophie remains a chilling, effective antagonist. Fleurette and Chauvelin return with interesting dynamics (including uneasy alliances that generate sparks against Percy’s style).
Sir Percy/the Pimpernel himself is somewhat more in the background here as the story focuses on England and the vampire conspiracy. The narrative is plot-driven with plenty of twists, rescues, magical investigation, and escalating threats. It keeps a generally brisk pace with high-stakes set pieces. The centuries-old secret delivers a meaningful payoff for the vampire lore and series arcs. Cogman leaves the world feeling larger than the trilogy, with a sense that more stories could exist in it.
Themes of class, power, revolution, and the ethics of secret societies/supernatural control run through the book. It critiques aristocratic privilege (human and vampire) while delivering entertainment. World-building around “sanguinocrats,” mage history, and alternate 1790s politics is engaging without becoming overly dense. Strengths include the satisfying trilogy close, Eleanor’s growth, strong female characters, the monster-vampires approach, and the blend of historical adventure with fantasy.
It works well as a finale for readers invested in the series. Weaker points noted across reviews: lingering character insecurities that some find tiresome, uneven depth for the full cast, occasional exposition or pacing lulls, and an ending that feels hurried or less complex than the buildup for a minority of readers. It is not a strong entry point; the trilogy benefits from being read in order.
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