Series
Publication
Arrow Books (2020), 282 p.
Original publication date
1932
Collections
Awards
AAR Top 100 Romances (86 — [Previously 2000-68 / 2004-70] Most Recent Rank - 2007)
Description
Classic Literature. Fiction. Romance. Historical Fiction. HTML: Georgette Heyer's bestselling historical romance featuring a dashing and wild young nobleman and the gently bred young lady, both chasing happiness on a collision course with destiny. A rogue on a rampage... The Marquis of Vidal is a notorious rake, impossible to tame. Any night of the week you can find him wenching, gambling, or fighting, much to the dismay of his parents the Duke and Duchess of Avon. Forced to leave England after nearly killing his man in a duel, he decides to take a beautiful girl with him. In his rush, however, he runs off with the wrong woman. This lady is not a doormat... Determined to save her sister from the scandalous Marquis, Miss Mary Challoner throws herself into his path, hoping he'll release her when they get to Paris. But Vidal is intrigued by the unexpected young lady, who's not particularly impressed with him. The devilish rake has apparently met his match. And as Mary finds herself more and more entangled with the fascinating rogue, her reputation and her future are on the line. Take a deep breath and don't trip over your petticoats: This best-selling historical Regency romance features mistaken identities, a dashing rake, and a very smart young lady on a collision course with a marriage made in scandal..… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member robin4now
This review is for all of the literary snobs out there. Get off of your high horse and try this amazingly funny book. The fact that these books have a much higher vocabulary level than most books of today may help soothe your erudite qualms. Georgette Heyer's regency romance books, which are the
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prequel to the Harlequin Romances, are several cuts above today's smarmy love stories. While the plot of these stories always hinges on a romantic situation, it is the witty and humorous dialog that makes these books the treasures that they are. They are all light, funny and satisfying reads but "The Devil's Cub is one of Heyer's best. Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
This is the second part of a trilogy dealing with the Alastair family that began with These Old Shades and concludes with An Infamous Army. Some of the author's works can found in general fiction, and I know plenty who usually eschew romance novels who love Heyer--A.S. Byatt is a fan. Her Regency
The book is a good example of the omniscient point of view--I hate the sloppy point of views you often seen in romance books that switch between characters thoughts within scenes, or even paragraphs, but a true omniscient point of view, done consistently from the beginning and with a strong voice is an exception to that rule--and Heyer does it well and with a lot of humor. Not that hers is a style I find completely graceful. The "she marvelled" and "he interjected" and the like in the speech tags accompanied by the most awkward adverb abuse--I felt as if bounced on a trampoline by them--and it's hard to read "he ejaculated" with a straight face. It's really great, witty dialogue--I wish Heyer would have got out of its way. (Though "chit" is used so often, I think I now know where hack romance novelists get it from.) There is a wealth of period detail--slang, fashions, etc.--I couldn't help but think of what I once read of Jane Austen though--that she eschewed a lot of details because she felt it would date her works, rather than making them universal, and early on all that description struck me as cluttered, but eventually I came to see it as part of Heyer's charm.
This was my first Heyer, and I have to admit that besides the style issues, I initially had a problem with the titular character--I might have dropped the book a third way through if many I trust didn't tell me they love Heyer. The romantic hero, Dominic Alastair, Marquis of Vidal, is a rake, who in the first six chapters seems a cold stone killer and seducer. I detested him. About a hundred pages in he abducts the heroine, Mary Challoner, who obstructed his plans to make her sister his mistress. I thought, well, maybe I chose the wrong book. But then Mary endeared herself to me forever: Reader, she shot him. With his own pistol. After that, I started enjoying myself :-) Heyer's no Jane Austen, but she's heads above most romance writers and did charm me.
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novels were published from 1921 to 1972 so I think we can put her into near-classic status--although Devil's Cub is actually set in the earlier Georgian Era. The book is a good example of the omniscient point of view--I hate the sloppy point of views you often seen in romance books that switch between characters thoughts within scenes, or even paragraphs, but a true omniscient point of view, done consistently from the beginning and with a strong voice is an exception to that rule--and Heyer does it well and with a lot of humor. Not that hers is a style I find completely graceful. The "she marvelled" and "he interjected" and the like in the speech tags accompanied by the most awkward adverb abuse--I felt as if bounced on a trampoline by them--and it's hard to read "he ejaculated" with a straight face. It's really great, witty dialogue--I wish Heyer would have got out of its way. (Though "chit" is used so often, I think I now know where hack romance novelists get it from.) There is a wealth of period detail--slang, fashions, etc.--I couldn't help but think of what I once read of Jane Austen though--that she eschewed a lot of details because she felt it would date her works, rather than making them universal, and early on all that description struck me as cluttered, but eventually I came to see it as part of Heyer's charm.
This was my first Heyer, and I have to admit that besides the style issues, I initially had a problem with the titular character--I might have dropped the book a third way through if many I trust didn't tell me they love Heyer. The romantic hero, Dominic Alastair, Marquis of Vidal, is a rake, who in the first six chapters seems a cold stone killer and seducer. I detested him. About a hundred pages in he abducts the heroine, Mary Challoner, who obstructed his plans to make her sister his mistress. I thought, well, maybe I chose the wrong book. But then Mary endeared herself to me forever: Reader, she shot him. With his own pistol. After that, I started enjoying myself :-) Heyer's no Jane Austen, but she's heads above most romance writers and did charm me.
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LibraryThing member DeltaQueen50
I am running out of superlatives to use when describing Georgette Heyer’s work. In The Devil’s Cub we are treated to another exquisite work of historical romantic fiction. All her usual ingredients are here; a smart heroine, a dashing hero, amusing and interesting secondary characters and
This classic plot has been reworked many times, most recently Lauren Willig paid homage in her book, The Deception of the Emerald Ring, an elopement that goes awry with the wrong sister being spirited away. In Heyer’s deft hands we are provided with the Marquis Vidal and with his rakish good looks, strong temper and masculine yet boyish ways, he is the perfect foil to Mary, the quiet, gentle yet practical elder sister who wishes to protect her younger sister’s reputation. This along with the secondary plot about Vidal’s cousin, Julianna’s involvement with an unsuitable man gives us lots of family upheaval and excitement. Of course, even better is that this is the Alastair family that starred in another of my favorite Heyer books, These Old Shades.
The Devil’s Cub plastered a smile on my face during the whole read. Finally, a deserving heroine with just the right amount of spunk gets her “bad boy” and he turns out to be worth the trouble. A playful, joyful read.
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clever dialogue that enthrals while tickling the funny bone.This classic plot has been reworked many times, most recently Lauren Willig paid homage in her book, The Deception of the Emerald Ring, an elopement that goes awry with the wrong sister being spirited away. In Heyer’s deft hands we are provided with the Marquis Vidal and with his rakish good looks, strong temper and masculine yet boyish ways, he is the perfect foil to Mary, the quiet, gentle yet practical elder sister who wishes to protect her younger sister’s reputation. This along with the secondary plot about Vidal’s cousin, Julianna’s involvement with an unsuitable man gives us lots of family upheaval and excitement. Of course, even better is that this is the Alastair family that starred in another of my favorite Heyer books, These Old Shades.
The Devil’s Cub plastered a smile on my face during the whole read. Finally, a deserving heroine with just the right amount of spunk gets her “bad boy” and he turns out to be worth the trouble. A playful, joyful read.
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LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
When her flighty younger sister, having more beauty than brains, decides to elope with a notorious nobleman who has no thought of marriage - assuring her own social ruin, as well as that of her family - what's a girl to do? If she's Mary Challoner, she disguises herself as her sister, and tricks
If the notorious nobleman in question - one Dominic Alastair, Marquis of Vidal - refuses to believe that she is a virtuous woman - abducting her by force, threatening to strangle her, and forcing his attentions upon her - what's a girl to do? If she's Mary, she shoots him with one of his own pistols...
And if her erstwhile abductor, now cognizant of her "quality," repents and demands that she marry him - a state of affairs she devoutly desires, but which seems socially untenable - what's a girl to do? Run away, of course! Not once, but many times...
Whether the object lesson here is that men crave violence, that they need to be shot before they will accept the truth, or that they love to pursue, Mary Challoner has what it takes to "deliver the goods." I was surprised to discover myself enjoying Devil's Cub, the second of Heyer's books devoted to the noble Alastair family, and the sequel to These Old Shades, a book which never fails to stir a violent feeling of loathing in my heart, but enjoy it I did.
Perhaps this is owing to the fact that Dominic Vidal, unlike his father, does repent his mistreatment of the heroine, making this the tale of redemption that so many have seen in These Old Shades. Or perhaps I've simply been waiting for one of Heyer's heroines to respond appropriately to her "hero:" by shooting him down...
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the nobleman into believing that he has been made the butt of a vulgar joke...If the notorious nobleman in question - one Dominic Alastair, Marquis of Vidal - refuses to believe that she is a virtuous woman - abducting her by force, threatening to strangle her, and forcing his attentions upon her - what's a girl to do? If she's Mary, she shoots him with one of his own pistols...
And if her erstwhile abductor, now cognizant of her "quality," repents and demands that she marry him - a state of affairs she devoutly desires, but which seems socially untenable - what's a girl to do? Run away, of course! Not once, but many times...
Whether the object lesson here is that men crave violence, that they need to be shot before they will accept the truth, or that they love to pursue, Mary Challoner has what it takes to "deliver the goods." I was surprised to discover myself enjoying Devil's Cub, the second of Heyer's books devoted to the noble Alastair family, and the sequel to These Old Shades, a book which never fails to stir a violent feeling of loathing in my heart, but enjoy it I did.
Perhaps this is owing to the fact that Dominic Vidal, unlike his father, does repent his mistreatment of the heroine, making this the tale of redemption that so many have seen in These Old Shades. Or perhaps I've simply been waiting for one of Heyer's heroines to respond appropriately to her "hero:" by shooting him down...
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LibraryThing member antiquary
The sequel to These Old Shades, my favorite sequence of Heyer novels. The hero is the son of the couple from These Old Shades. The heroine of TOS is now a respectable duchess and mother but still delightfully spirited, as is her son's unexpected love.
LibraryThing member nmhale
This is only the second Heyer book that I've read so far, and I had a lot of fun with it. According This is only the second Heyer book that I've read so far, and I had a lot of fun with it. According to reviews and comments, this is one of her more popular tales, and I can see why. Dominic Alistair
The romance is appealing, but more important to the success of the story is the wit and the characterization. The characters' escapades are silly and far-fetched, but so amusing to read. I love the repartee between just about everyone, and all of the side characters are quirky and add a lot to the story. Especially Dominic's mom, who was feisty and adorable. I laughed out loud several times while reading this. I agree with comments of others that I have read, that Heyer's language can become clunky at times, but the frothy fun in the story outweighs her awkward constructions and repetitions, and it is such a fast read that it's easy to just skim over those problems and focus on the characters and the story.
My biggest problem wasn't the writing, but the attitude towards women that the Marquis, and other men and women, exhibit. Just because Mary acted in a brazen way when she was attempting to trick Dominic does not at all justify his decision to abduct her and later try to rape her. That made me crazy. Just as crazy as everyone implying that Sophia deserves to be ruined because she is flighty. She's definitely not a likable character but that does not mean she deserves what the Marquis is planning. The chauvinist attitude towards women is completely in accord with its setting and the time when Heyer was writing, but it still grates on my feelings.
However, I just accepted it as a sign of the , and therefore, though it irritated me, it did not detract too much from my enjoyment in reading.
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is the Marquis of Vidal, a rake who likes to drink and gamble and duel, but is a good guy despite all that. The quintessential bad boy. Mary, on the other hand, is straight laced. She is also the sister of Sophia, a flirty girl who is letting herself be seduced by the Marquis. In an effort to save her sister, Mary compromises herself with Dominic, who decides that he has to marry her to save her reputation.The romance is appealing, but more important to the success of the story is the wit and the characterization. The characters' escapades are silly and far-fetched, but so amusing to read. I love the repartee between just about everyone, and all of the side characters are quirky and add a lot to the story. Especially Dominic's mom, who was feisty and adorable. I laughed out loud several times while reading this. I agree with comments of others that I have read, that Heyer's language can become clunky at times, but the frothy fun in the story outweighs her awkward constructions and repetitions, and it is such a fast read that it's easy to just skim over those problems and focus on the characters and the story.
My biggest problem wasn't the writing, but the attitude towards women that the Marquis, and other men and women, exhibit. Just because Mary acted in a brazen way when she was attempting to trick Dominic does not at all justify his decision to abduct her and later try to rape her. That made me crazy. Just as crazy as everyone implying that Sophia deserves to be ruined because she is flighty. She's definitely not a likable character but that does not mean she deserves what the Marquis is planning. The chauvinist attitude towards women is completely in accord with its setting and the time when Heyer was writing, but it still grates on my feelings.
However, I just accepted it as a sign of the , and therefore, though it irritated me, it did not detract too much from my enjoyment in reading.
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LibraryThing member nholmes
Quite a good story, but not her best at all.
LibraryThing member bridget3420
Dominic has decided who wants to have as a lover. When he is exiled after losing a duel, he decides that he wants to take this woman with him. In the end, that woman's sister, Mary, comes between them. Mary is a strong woman who will bend to no man. She even shoots Dominic when he gets a little too
This was a very fun book that perfect for an afternoon of relaxation.
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comfortable with her. Soon, Dominic's family discovers that Mary is just what Dominic needs.This was a very fun book that perfect for an afternoon of relaxation.
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LibraryThing member WisteriaLeigh
Devil’s Cub
Georgette Heyer
Sourcebooks Inc.
Published 12/09, c. 1932
978-1-4022-1953-5
From the Cover....
“Dominic Alistair, Marquis of Vidal and fiery son of the notorious Duke of Avon, has established a rakish reputation that rivals his father’s, living a life of excess and indulgence. Banished
Instead of Sophia Challoner, the Marquis is dumbfounded to find he has abducted her sister, less beautiful, but intricately more clever. The plan to deceive the Marquis in order to spare her sister’s ruin backfires on Mary. His temper is legend, and he is enraged by the pretense. Instead of letting her go as she expects, he takes her on board the Albatross as his captive. When he realizes that Mary is a woman of honor and rectitude, his compunction for licentious intentions abruptly end. The story continues with a surprising direction as the Marquis tries to rectify Mary’s ill conceived plan.
The story centers around the family of the Duke and Duchess of Avon, and their son the Marquis of Vidal. He is a source of challenge and concern, and his exploits keep them on their nobel toes. The story contains a complicated family tree of characters who intersect to create an exciting, funny and romantic plot. I loved this Heyer novel. There is quick adroitly executed humor that flows easily in the dialogue. You can visualize this novel as if it were a play performed live. The personalities of the characters as so precise. I recently read No Wind of Blame, a Heyer mystery, and I much prefer her romantic novel genre. I highly recommend this deliciously engaging and fun read.
Georgette Heyer
Sourcebooks Inc.
Published 12/09, c. 1932
978-1-4022-1953-5
From the Cover....
“Dominic Alistair, Marquis of Vidal and fiery son of the notorious Duke of Avon, has established a rakish reputation that rivals his father’s, living a life of excess and indulgence. Banished
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to the Continent after wounding his opponent in a duel, Vidal schemes to abduct the silly aristocrat bent on seducing him into marriage and makes her his mistress instead. In his rush, however, he seems to have taken the wrong woman....”Instead of Sophia Challoner, the Marquis is dumbfounded to find he has abducted her sister, less beautiful, but intricately more clever. The plan to deceive the Marquis in order to spare her sister’s ruin backfires on Mary. His temper is legend, and he is enraged by the pretense. Instead of letting her go as she expects, he takes her on board the Albatross as his captive. When he realizes that Mary is a woman of honor and rectitude, his compunction for licentious intentions abruptly end. The story continues with a surprising direction as the Marquis tries to rectify Mary’s ill conceived plan.
The story centers around the family of the Duke and Duchess of Avon, and their son the Marquis of Vidal. He is a source of challenge and concern, and his exploits keep them on their nobel toes. The story contains a complicated family tree of characters who intersect to create an exciting, funny and romantic plot. I loved this Heyer novel. There is quick adroitly executed humor that flows easily in the dialogue. You can visualize this novel as if it were a play performed live. The personalities of the characters as so precise. I recently read No Wind of Blame, a Heyer mystery, and I much prefer her romantic novel genre. I highly recommend this deliciously engaging and fun read.
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LibraryThing member runaway84
I don't know if it's me, or what, but I didn't enjoy this. I simply adored These Old Shades, and perhaps I was looking for a These Old Shades Part Deux. Alas, no.
I found Vidal to be utterly detestable, but not in an endearing way like so many heroes from historical romances are. In some scenes he
The return of characters from These Old Shades made this somewhat enjoyable. Leonie and Rupert made me giggle like in the predecessor. And Fanny was her usually flitty self.
I don't know if it was just the character of Vidal that ruined this book for me, or what, but no scenes stood out to me and I didn't become attached to any of the brand new characters. Sad that I could dislike a Heyer book so much, but I can not tell a lie. I think I need to take a Heyer break.
I found Vidal to be utterly detestable, but not in an endearing way like so many heroes from historical romances are. In some scenes he
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disgusted me and in other scenes I just want him to shut the heck up. Mary I liked, up to a point, but I couldn't understand how she could fall for him.The return of characters from These Old Shades made this somewhat enjoyable. Leonie and Rupert made me giggle like in the predecessor. And Fanny was her usually flitty self.
I don't know if it was just the character of Vidal that ruined this book for me, or what, but no scenes stood out to me and I didn't become attached to any of the brand new characters. Sad that I could dislike a Heyer book so much, but I can not tell a lie. I think I need to take a Heyer break.
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LibraryThing member jdquinlan
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars Within two pages of meeting Mary she makes fun of both her mother and her suitor and I knew right away I was going to like this girl. After telling her suitor that the color he is wearing, puce, does not become him, he continues nevertheless to flatter her with favorable
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comparisons to her sister:"In my eyes," declared Joshua, "you are the prettier."Miss Challoner seemed to consider this. "Yes?" she said interestedly. "But then, you chose puce." She shook her head, and it was apparent she set no store by the compliment.Mary's younger sister, Sophia, is a beautiful empty-headed girl who has caught the eye of Vidal, London's most notorious rake. (And he's not just a rake with the ladies; by page 54 he's already shot two men.) Mary knows Vidal has no intentions of making an honest woman of Sophia once he's had her, and when she stumbles across his plans to spirit her sister away, Mary takes action. Her plan works, but she never considered the repercussions of her actions and Vidal is not a man to be trifled with. He gets his revenge on Mary by forcing her to flee the country with him, thus ruining her reputation. Mary takes it all in stride until Vidal physically threatens her virtue and then she does what any sensible girl would do: she shoots him. Vidal in turn does what any sensible gentleman would do: he proposes.And thus begins the romance dance of two seemingly incompatible people, falling in love and denying it at every opportunity, until the moment when it seems they must confess or be lost to one another.This was my first Georgette Heyer romance and it is easy to see why her books have stood the test of time. The characters are engaging, the dialogue is smart and witty, and Ms. Heyer manages to create a very sensual feel throughout the story while remaining chaste and G-rated. I have only two complaints: In the beginning I was confused by all the name dropping and introductions to London society, but that didn't last long. I also felt too much time was spent with their relatives back in London when all I wanted was to get back to Mary and Vidal. But during the course of reading I realized this book was a sequel to These Old Shades, and Vidal's mother and aunt were characters in that book, so had I read that first, I may not have minded spending so much time with them in this book.All in all, a light-hearted, fun read! Show Less
LibraryThing member jmchshannon
I love romances, and I love history. I particularly love when those two come together into one book. Knowing how many people love Georgette Heyer, I was absolutely convinced that any of her Regency romances would be exactly what I love. Alas, it was not meant to be. Before you draw and quarter me,
From a purely historical perspective, I thoroughly enjoyed Devil's Cub. The detail was phenomenal. The pomp and circumstance afforded Dominic, the morals of the society portrayed in the book were foreign to today's society but understandable given the historical context of the book. Ms. Heyer paints a tremendously vivid picture with her words, so that I knew exactly what each character was wearing, what it felt like to ride in a carriage, what it was like to attend social events in high society and what it was like to travel. From that aspect, I was highly impressed.
My issue with this book was the familiarity of it. My opinion of the book may have been different had I not grown up reading as much historical romantic fiction as I possibly could. It has been said that as creator of the genre, modern authors have sought to copy Ms. Heyer's style. I believe this to be true because I found Devil's Cub to be predictable, formulaic and even eye-roll inducing. Another caveat is that I have always avoided Harlequin romances, and this smacked of the Harlequin style. Yes, it is important to remember that this was written before modern romances, including the Harlequin branch of books, but my distaste for that genre was something I really had difficulties overcoming.
Another bone of contention that distracted me from the story was the grammatical errors scattered throughout the book. Much of the book is in dialogue, and I honestly thought that if I read "she don't" or "he don't" one more time, I was going to scream. I also found that Dominic's name was spelled about four different ways throughout the book, including the very feminine way of adding a -que to the end of his name. Again, it bothered me. Perhaps it should not have, but I found it distracting.
Given the popularity of historical romance novels, it is completely understandable why Georgette Heyer ranks up there as one of the most popular romantic authors. I will admit that I did find Devil's Cub to be charming and witty at times. The characters are so over the top that one cannot help but laugh at their dramatics. I even suspect that because the whole novel is so exaggerated, Ms. Heyer may be slyly mocking the Regency era. However, I believe that this type of novel is just not for me. I prefer my historical romance to be a bit edgier, more suspenseful, saucier with the romance more a backdrop to the overarching story. I am glad I got to experience my first Heyer novel and look forward to reading what others have to say about her works as the tour progresses throughout the rest of March.
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let me explain.From a purely historical perspective, I thoroughly enjoyed Devil's Cub. The detail was phenomenal. The pomp and circumstance afforded Dominic, the morals of the society portrayed in the book were foreign to today's society but understandable given the historical context of the book. Ms. Heyer paints a tremendously vivid picture with her words, so that I knew exactly what each character was wearing, what it felt like to ride in a carriage, what it was like to attend social events in high society and what it was like to travel. From that aspect, I was highly impressed.
My issue with this book was the familiarity of it. My opinion of the book may have been different had I not grown up reading as much historical romantic fiction as I possibly could. It has been said that as creator of the genre, modern authors have sought to copy Ms. Heyer's style. I believe this to be true because I found Devil's Cub to be predictable, formulaic and even eye-roll inducing. Another caveat is that I have always avoided Harlequin romances, and this smacked of the Harlequin style. Yes, it is important to remember that this was written before modern romances, including the Harlequin branch of books, but my distaste for that genre was something I really had difficulties overcoming.
Another bone of contention that distracted me from the story was the grammatical errors scattered throughout the book. Much of the book is in dialogue, and I honestly thought that if I read "she don't" or "he don't" one more time, I was going to scream. I also found that Dominic's name was spelled about four different ways throughout the book, including the very feminine way of adding a -que to the end of his name. Again, it bothered me. Perhaps it should not have, but I found it distracting.
Given the popularity of historical romance novels, it is completely understandable why Georgette Heyer ranks up there as one of the most popular romantic authors. I will admit that I did find Devil's Cub to be charming and witty at times. The characters are so over the top that one cannot help but laugh at their dramatics. I even suspect that because the whole novel is so exaggerated, Ms. Heyer may be slyly mocking the Regency era. However, I believe that this type of novel is just not for me. I prefer my historical romance to be a bit edgier, more suspenseful, saucier with the romance more a backdrop to the overarching story. I am glad I got to experience my first Heyer novel and look forward to reading what others have to say about her works as the tour progresses throughout the rest of March.
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LibraryThing member riverwillow
Another entertaining read and although it's not quite up to the standard of it's prequel, "These Old Shades", it's still one of Heyer's best. Mary Challoner is one of Heyer's no-nonsense heroines and is more than up to the challenge of dealing with the Marquis of Vidal, who is a "wild, passionate"
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character, prone to shooting his adversaries. Bliss. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jillian_Leigh
My all-time favorite Heyer romance. Swoon-worthy hero, sensible heroine, so many great scenes. Have read this many times, will reread many more!
LibraryThing member BoredJewel
Even though I enjoyed reading it, I felt a bit lost in some parts.
I mean, I think it was supposed to be funny, but I didn't find it funny at all.
Especially the part with the Valet and the clothing and habits descriptions.
I was also a bit put off by all the Wigs and Powders and Rouge description, it
I found our herione interesting in some parts, but she just did stupid things, one after the other, and she kepts running away!!??
Overall, the story was interesting and I might read another Heyer sometimes.
I mean, I think it was supposed to be funny, but I didn't find it funny at all.
Especially the part with the Valet and the clothing and habits descriptions.
I was also a bit put off by all the Wigs and Powders and Rouge description, it
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took away from taking the men seriously and liking them.I found our herione interesting in some parts, but she just did stupid things, one after the other, and she kepts running away!!??
Overall, the story was interesting and I might read another Heyer sometimes.
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LibraryThing member thatotter
Fun and funny. Heyer knows her way around a sensible, competent heroine.
LibraryThing member beckymmoe
Since Alistair #1 (These Old Shades) creeped me out just a bit with the whole relationship between the duke and his "page" (seriously, he's still calling her his "enfant" in this one, and their son is in his twenties), I was relieved to see that the two of them had supporting roles in this book.
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They're there in the beginning and the end, with the duchess having a small solo part toward the middle and the duke with his own at the end. Most of the story focuses on the next generation--Dominic, the marquis; his cousins, Fanny's children; and Sophia and Mary Challoner, the pretty but rather vapid girl whom Dominic hopes to make his mistress and her older sister who is determined to prevent him. In true Heyer style, the plot is a comedy of errors, with disguises and duels, elopements and escapes, and misunderstandings galore. It was a slow start, as I've found many of her books to be, but once the plot gets going, hold on for a wild ride! Show Less
LibraryThing member Condorena
Heyer aets a beautiful scene and takes the reader back in time. Then she gives each character a voice and they come alive. This is one of her besy. She does have a thing for shoes with red heels, they show up in all her early books.
LibraryThing member JenJ.
You know, the actual romantic couples are not at all to my taste, but the dialogue and absurdity are what make me love it. Listened to BBC Audiobooks edition narrated by Michael Drew. Previously read a lot of times. I will never get enough of Heyer.
LibraryThing member BooksOverTv
I loved it! The Alastairs came back with a bang. It was nice to see them as a family unit. Leonie and Rupert had a greater role in this book than Justin. However, in the end, The Duke of Avon played the best role/ hoax. Fanny was her ridiculous self and you learn that she has the most ridiculous
As I said while reading this gem, I enjoyed the duels, chasing about, running away, catching of the vapours, and frank, albeit funny dialogue between the characters. "The Devil's Cub" didn't disappoint in the least. This is a book I will read over and over again. It reminds me of why I love to read...for the discovery of a great story.
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and boring son. Her daughter Juliania has the Alastair countenance but is prone to the vapours. She plays a horrible game with her beloved Frederick and almost loses him. I dare not say more to not give too much away of this delicious tale. Reading this one by Mrs Heyer showed me why she is considered one of the greatest writers of historical romance.As I said while reading this gem, I enjoyed the duels, chasing about, running away, catching of the vapours, and frank, albeit funny dialogue between the characters. "The Devil's Cub" didn't disappoint in the least. This is a book I will read over and over again. It reminds me of why I love to read...for the discovery of a great story.
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LibraryThing member veracite
Another jolly road chase. Heyer aged her characters from [book:These Old Shades] very well.
LibraryThing member poonamsharma
Devil's cub is no other than Marquis Vidal - son of Satana (Duke of Avon) and Leonie (Leon the page). Well, he eventually falls in love with 'respectable', plain but virtuous Mary Challoner. It seems Heyer always has Priyadarshan type ending with all character full of chaos. Hmm.
LibraryThing member Anniik
This book is the sequel to "These Old Shades," but is perfectly readable as a stand-alone as well. Dominic, the Marquis of Vidal, is the son of Justin and Leonie Alastair. Perhaps lacking in morals even more than his father, he is forced to flee after almost killing someone in a duel. He schemes to
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take a girl with him - an innocent (yet stupid) girl he wants to make his mistress - and to save her reputation, her older sister goes in her place, impersonating her. He finds out quickly and furiously takes her with him anyway, and the romance between them begins from there. This is a sweet and fun story, and it is fun to see Justin and Leonie again - Dominic is very much like his mother! Show Less
LibraryThing member cmbohn
Sequel to These Old Shades
LibraryThing member fuzzi
Another delightful romp by Heyer in this sequel to These Old Shades. The author gives us enough descriptions to make vivid images in the reader's mind but not enough to bore them. And I love how the dialogue will make me chuckle instead of groan, as I do with other authors' Regency stories.
Language
Original language
English
ISBN
9781787468252