Frederica

Excellently crafted, as always! But what I particularly enjoyed with this book, which I always found slightly lacking in others by Ms. Heyer, was the way in which we as readers could enjoy the leisurely progress and growth of the relationship between the two main characters. In most other Heyer novels, there is some sort of sudden realization of love (as in Sylvester, or Faro's Daughter, for example), which is enjoyable in its own way, but in this novel it is carefully placed and fully developed. At first the two are very firm friends who like each others company, and then, carefully, about halfway through we see a slow turn towards romance, and the result is an extremely gratifying conclusion!

Because Heyer really took her time with show more this story, the characters of Frederica and Alverstoke are fully realized, and completely appreciable in their own right as well as in their relationship with each other. Frederica, I particularly loved - even more so than Arabella, or even Deborah. She is not afraid to stand up for herself, without getting unnecessarily angry or defensive. She is calm and collected, able to speak sensibly in the face of crisis, willing and cheerful to help anyone and everyone. There is a streak of meddlesomeness in her - but that just made her all the more endearing to me. The Marquis had me in stitches of laughter in about five seconds, flat. He is beautifully sardonic, and the dialogue between him and Frederica sparkles with wit and humor. Not only is their relationship with each other well-rounded and developed, but their relationships to others is equally well crafted and strong! These secondary characters, too, had me in STITCHES of laughter thanks to their various antics - especially the adorable Felix Merriville and his obsession with engineering! There were moments where I wanted to stick a fork in Charis, but I think we're meant to feel that way about her and her peabrained melodramatics.

All in all, a beautifully, carefully constructed story with memorable character, great pacing, and a near-perfect conclusion! show less

Frederica and her siblings have come to London for the season in the hopes that incomparably beautiful Charis, a none too bright nineteen-year-old, will make an eligible connection. Frederica is twenty-four and considers herself to be quite on the shelf, but when she turns to the Marquis of Alverstoke, a distant relation, for help in entering society he insists that both sisters be involved if he's to sponsor their comeout. Soon Heyer's typical hijinks start - helped along by the presence of two younger brothers and one irrepressible mutt (or is that a Baluchistan hound?) - as we watch Frederica and the Marquis realize they are falling for one another. Before they get their happily ever after though, we're treated to a dazzling ball, an show more ill-fated balloon ascension and plenty of sparkling dialogue. I always enjoy Heyer, but this is truly one of her best. show less

Heyer is an author I enjoy even more when read aloud. This was delightfully entertaining. The Marquis of Alverstoke has no trouble refusing appeals from his widowed relatives to do things like host balls for their daughters. But when he is approached by Miss Frederica Merriville, whose late father was some sort of distant cousin-by-marriage, and asked if he could sponsor her beautiful younger sister into society, he gives quite a different answer.

Frederica does not intend to ask for more from Alverstoke than a simple introduction, but when she, her younger siblings and their dog get into various scrapes, they keep turning to Alverstoke for help.

Heyer does a good job of establishing that Alverstoke’s behaviour towards the Merrivilles show more seems out of character to those who know him but isn’t unbelievably so. Because the Merrivilles are not boring! I particularly enjoyed the way Frederica, with her composure and practical common-sense, keeps saying and doing things which surprise him, and the way he makes her laugh. The Merriville sibling dynamics are also very lively and believable.

“[...] I daresay you are old enough to be of use.”
“I am seven-and-thirty,” said Alverstoke, somewhat acidly, “and I should perhaps inform you that I am never of use to anyone!”
She gazed at him in astonishment. “Never? But why not?”
He shrugged. “Pure selfishness, ma’am, coupled with a dislike of being bored.”

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Top-notch Heyer.

I particularly enjoyed the gap between self-perception and reality in the supposedly uncaring and self-centered main lead, and the ways in which realizing that gap (and his own humanity and embeddedness in other people's needs and joys) are NOT wholly about the heroine. There's a scene at one point where this character thinks, essentially, "isn't it weird that I'm helping this hurt kid because of my affection for Frederica ... oh, wait, no, it's weirder, because I would be helping him even without the Frederica thing, as I actually care about him." Turns out he also has a sister who cares about him and is great, and friends and relations who know him a lot better than he would have suspected, I think.

This gradual reveal show more (for readers and for the character throughout the book) is *so much* more interesting to me than some angsty conflict between the two characters we all know will end up together. For their part, they like and are respectful toward each other the whole time, a fact I also find refreshing.

The very end felt a little blah to me, but not terrible, and otherwise I was pretty much enchanted throughout. show less

The Marquis of Alverstoke was a man of fashion, wealth, and indifferent morals. Impatient of the constant demands made upon him by his various relatives, he was not in the habit of putting himself out for anyone. Until, that is, the redoubtable Frederica Merriville and her younger siblings entered his life, bringing with them all the chaos attendant upon a large family of children. Whether he was sponsoring the radiantly beautiful Charis Merriville in society, rescuing the family dog from the consequences of his cow-chasing delinquency, or helping to nurse young Felix Meriville back to health after a disastrous balloon-ride, the selfish aristocrat soon found himself caring about someone other than himself.

One of Heyer's most charming show more stories of romantic redemption, Frederica unfolds a tale of broadening horizons and growing affection that is as satisfying as it is natural. Although not hilarious, in the style of The Talisman Ring, the narrative has a gentle humor that is appealing. As is so often the case with Ms. Heyer's work, the cast of secondary characters is well-drawn, from Alverstoke's maliciously jealous sisters, to Frederica's spirited younger brothers. An entertaining love story, that ably underscores its heroine's contention that the man who has no real affection for others is the most to be pitied, Frederica will appeal to any reader with a taste for light-hearted romance... show less

On the one hand, absolutely stellar family relationships — Frederica and her siblings are charming and lively and hilarious, and Alverstoke is rightly won over by them. Also, huge points for the male love interest who is cautious and thoughtful and observant about how the object of his affections may receive him — not manipulative. On the other hand, it’s a bit slow going, with so much period language as to occasionally render entire pages into ruffling nonsense. Also, yes, we get that neither Charis nor Endymion is bright, but did there have to be quite so much dismissive ninnyhammering?

I think that readers who are looking for a thoroughly period experience will be very happy with this book. If you’re looking for fast paced, show more it may not suite the bill.

advanced readers copy provided by Edelweiss show less

I love Georgette Heyer; she’s a cup of hot cocoa when needed and the reason that Regency romance books are here for us. Frederica is part of my triumvirate of favorites (along with Venetia and The Grand Sophy), and this was my seventh time reading it. You can’t go wrong with fun moppets, wonderful secretaries, and a hero who falls in love first. My one Heyer complaint is the extended beginnings before reaching our leads, but she does give such good overviews that the prosiness can (sometimes) be forgiven.