Set during the French Revolution and featuring an almost super-human female spy and a handsome, charismatic pirate, this book feels like a cross between The Scarlet Pimpernel, James Bond and Pirates of the Caribbean. As the first in a new series – Revolutionary Spy – I’m not sure whether I really liked it enough to want to continue with the next one, but it was certainly entertaining.

Our heroine Attica Morgan is the illegitimate daughter of a British nobleman and an African slave. Raised and educated in England, Attica wants to make the most of the opportunities she has been given and do everything she can to help relieve the suffering of others, whether they are those who are born or sold into slavery, or those who have become political prisoners. With her impressive range of skills and abilities, as well as her intelligence and fearlessness, Attica has been admitted to the secret society known as the Sealed Knot and as the novel opens in 1789, she is preparing to head to France on a new mission.

Armed with her deadly Mangbetu knife and her quick wits, Attica arrives in a Paris where revolution is brewing. A diamond necklace intended for Marie Antoinette has gone missing, something which could have serious repercussions for the monarchy if the jewels are not found. Attica’s task is to locate the necklace, but more important to her is the safety of her cousin Grace, who was sent to Paris on a mission of her own and has disappeared as thoroughly as the diamonds. Meanwhile, a prisoner has been murdered inside the notorious Bastille, but who was he and who was responsible for his death?

As if all of that wasn’t enough, Attica crosses paths with some of the leading figures of the Revolution, including Maximilien Robespierre who is on the trail of an elusive British spy known only by the codename ‘Mouron’, or ‘Pimpernel’. If she is to evade Robespierre’s clutches and survive long enough to complete her mission, Attica needs someone she can trust, but there’s only the pirate Captain Jemmy Avery – and it’s impossible to tell which side he is on and for whom he is really working.

The story moves along at a whirlwind pace, never slowing down for a second as Attica and her friends rush from one adventure to another, trying to stay one step ahead of their enemies. There’s plenty of historical detail in between, but something about the writing style, the language and the characters made the book feel more ‘modern’ than I would have preferred. Attica herself isn’t very believable as an 18th century woman – but then, she wouldn’t be very believable in any other time period anyway! It seems there is nothing she can’t do, from picking locks and wielding weapons to speaking a multitude of foreign languages and decoding secret messages. This makes her fun to spend time with, but I would have liked to have seen a few more flaws and vulnerabilities to round out her character.

Only part of the story is told from Attica’s point of view. There are also some chapters which focus on Robespierre, as well as some in which we follow the adventures of Attica’s cousin Grace. Next to the larger-than-life Attica, Grace is a quieter, less memorable character, but I enjoyed the occasional change of perspective. There was a lot to enjoy in this book and I might decide to read more by CS Quinn, but not sure yet.

Daughter of an English Lord and and African princess, Attica Morgan was brought up a slave but now is a trained spy for the Georgian establishment. After a mission to Russia goes wrong she is offered the chance of redemption by travelling to a Paris on the eve of explosion - her mission to find out about the death of an agent. When this becomes more personal Attica finds herself in the heart of a revolutionary powder keg.
This was a breath of fresh air in that, to my mind, this is a book that doesn't take itself too seriously. The plot is fast and jumps from exciting scene to exciting scene. It never seems that the story is too serious and I found it a fun read. Whether or not that was the author's intention I do not know but I found this diverting and entertaining!

First things first: Toss aside your “improbable” cap and enjoy the breakneck speed ride!
Have you ever wondered what Bond stories would be like if James Bond were a woman? And if that woman was trusted with the touchpaper that would ignite the French Revolution?
Meet Attica Morgan, mixed race, born into aristocracy, fearless code breaker, trained to the highest degree of deadliness.
Think of a French Revolution version of Lara Croft with a pinch of Pirates of the Caribbean. There’s menacing villains, gaudy brothels, debauched aristocracy, secret societies, frenzied rabble and clandestine meetings arranged by coded messages.
Characters are fleshed out perfectly and the scenes in Paris, as it is filled with chaotic unrest and mortal danger, are brought to life vividly.
What a romp!! I’m still out of breath from reading it and cannot wait for the plot to be made into a film!
Tiny proofreading note: crenellations, not crenulations.

Really enjoyed this book. I felt the author did a brilliant job of drawing you in, and keeping you wanting more. Thoroughly enjoyed!

Great fun, if not wildly plausible. I liked the spirit of adventure and thought the opening was gripping.

Set at the start of the French Revolution, CS Quinn's new novel is a breakneck adventure book that doesnt let up.

The Bastille Spy is great fun - everything an adventure/thriller should be. There's daring escapes, witty dialogue and even a charming vagabond sidekick.

I had a few issues with it - the main character Attica is just a bit too amazing at everything. She manages to get out of problems and tight corners a tad too easily. Atherton, her spymaster, is a bit too like Q from Bond. Its a book set in the 18th century, yet i struggled to get a feel for the period. It felt too modern.

These issues aside, it was still an enjoyable read.

My thanks to Corvus Books for an eARC via NetGalley of C.S. Quinn’s ‘The Bastille Spy’ in exchange for an honest review.

On the cusp of the French Revolution, Attica Morgan, daughter of an English Lord, is sent to Paris on an important mission. Attica may be a member of high society but she leads a double life as an English spy, a secret assassin, and fierce fighter. Move over James Bond!

We are introduced to Attica in a very dramatic cold open and after a trip to London to check in with her superiors in the Sealed Knot, the action doesn’t let up! I don’t want to say too much about the plot to avoid spoilers but it’s just brilliant.

It is written with flare and although there are violent scenes, Quinn tempers this with wit and repartee. There is also a sprinkling of classic fairytale imagery.

Attica was such a brilliant, fierce protagonist. The supporting characters were also memorable including her cousin, Grace, and the privateer, Jemmy Avery.

‘The Bastille Spy’ is very much in the tradition of swashbuckling adventures and heroes such as Indiana Jones rather than the more realistic style of historical fiction. It’s an exciting and entertaining romp.

Still her period setting is clearly well researched with attention to detail, including fashion. I was very impressed with Quinn’s weaving in of actual events that occurred in the days leading up to the fall of the Bastille.

In her acknowledgements she included some of her sources to allow interested readers to delve deeper into this fascinating period of European history.

While this the first book that I have read by Quinn, I am aware of her ‘Thief Taker’ series. I now hope to read these as well as look forward to more adventures for Attica.

5 stars for providing such an engaging fun read!

This ARC was courtesy of netgalley - all thoughts and opinions are mine and unbiased

I've read some of CS Quinn's novels before so was thrilled to be able to read an advanced copy

Well researched and written - loved this and highly recommend

A well written, well researched, engrossing and entertaining book.
I liked the plot, the fleshed out characters, and the descriptions.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.