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 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. ( )

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 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. ( )

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 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. ( )

t’s a follow up to These Old Shades only now Avon and Leonie have a grown up son Vidal, who is very much his father’s son. Mary is a the sister of a beautiful chit that has caught Vidal’s eye. When she finds out that he planning to lure her sister away, and not for an elopement she takes things into her own hands and is determined to fix things. (This part of the story reminds me an awful lot of Lauren Willig’s The Deception of the Emerald Ring.) Vidal decides to seek his revenge on her, not realizing that it would have consequences for both of them. ( )

I liked Devil’s Cub enormously. Historical fiction and romance are my favorite fiction and Devil’s Cub encompasses all that I like about both genres; high-quality historical detail, engaging characters, complex, interwoven plot, a strong no-nonsense heroine and charismatic hero and a lot of laughs. This is my first Georgette Heyer novel and I am very impressed. The story was compulsively readable and I was engrossed from the first sentence...I barely put the book down. The characters are so vivid and distinguishable from each other…the dialogue is so quick and witty…and the characters are in situations so amusing and have the most amazing adventures. Heyer had an incredible imagination and ability to translate the Regency period to the page. Highly recommended.

I purchased five books, Cotillion, Friday’s Child, The Reluctant Widow, Devil’s Cub and These Old Shades. I started reading Devil’s Cub because it looked like the shortest…not realizing that it is a sort of sequel to These Old Shades. I think I will read The Reluctant Widow next and then These Old Shades…I can’t wait to see how much more wicked the Duke of Avon was than his son!!

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