#Review - Elusive by Genevieve Cogman #Fantasy #Historical

Series: The Scarlet Revolution (#2)
Format: Paperback, 380 pages
Release Date: May 06, 2025
Publisher: Tor
Source: Library
Genre: Historical / Fantasy

In Revolutionary France, the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel faces vampires fighting for power and a devastating betrayal from one of their allies. Elusive is the thrilling, fast-paced sequel to Genevieve Cogman's Sunday Times bestseller, Scarlet.

Revolutionary France is full of blood and bite, as vampires plot for power. Featuring Genevieve Cogman’s trademark wit and fast-paced plotting, Elusive is the second book in the Sunday Times bestselling Scarlet Revolution trilogy.

Eleanor, once a lowly English maid, is now a member of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel, known for their daring deeds and rescuing aristocrat vampires from the guillotine.

Eleanor and the League are investigating the disappearance of Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, the notorious French statesman and diplomat. But they soon uncover two vampire parties feuding for power, and learn that Talleyrand's disappearance is part of a bigger, more dangerous scheme – one that threatens to throw France into bloody chaos . . .

Genevieve Cogman's Elusive is the second installment in the author's The Scarlett Revolution series. Elusive continues the alternate-history adventure that mashes up the French Revolution, vampire politics, and the classic Scarlet Pimpernel legend. The story picks up with Eleanor Dalton, the former English maid who, in the first book, dramatically rose from servitude to become a full member of the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel. While the book begins in London, it returns to Paris for key moments.

The League—led by the enigmatic Sir Percy Blakeney—specializes in daring rescues of aristocratic vampires targeted by revolutionary forces. In Elusive, the plot kicks off when the notorious French diplomat Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand mysteriously vanishes. The League mobilizes to find him, suspecting foul play tied to the chaotic power struggles in revolutionary France. What Eleanor and her comrades uncover is far more dangerous than a simple kidnapping: two rival vampire factions are locked in a deadly contest for dominance, and Talleyrand's disappearance is just one piece of a larger scheme that could plunge France (and potentially beyond) into even greater bloodshed and chaos. 

The narrative weaves espionage, rescues, betrayals, and moral dilemmas as Eleanor navigates her growing role in the League, her evolving relationships with characters like Percy and other members, and her own personal growth. The French Revolution setting feels vivid and authentic (down to political maneuvering and period atmosphere), while the vampire society adds a layer of intrigue and gothic flair. The "blood and bite" tagline isn't just marketing; vampire politics and their immortality-fueled ambitions drive much of the tension. 

Eleanor's character arc is one of the book's strongest aspects along with her relationship with Anima, a former mage who was likely killed by vampires 500 years ago. In Scarlet, she was the newcomer finding her feet; here, she's more confident but still grapples with feeling like an outsider at times, chafing against restrictions placed on her (as a woman and former servant in a high-stakes aristocratic operation). Her internal reflections and determination to have a voice in plans add emotional depth amid the swashbuckling action. 

Once the conspiracy unfolds and the League launches operations, the momentum picks up considerably with classic Cogman set pieces: clever disguises, narrow escapes, tense confrontations, and satisfying twists. The book balances adventure, light romance threads, and political scheming without feeling overcrowded. The author once again uses iconic historical figures to tell the story, but also leaves a cliffhanger ending, ensuring that if you have read the first two books, you will have to read the next one as well. 

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