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rchll's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
rosannelortz's review against another edition
4.0
Listed as Volume Eight on Amazon and Volume Zero on Goodreads, Noble Satyr is really the prequel to the whole saga. The story of the irrepressible Antonia and the jaded Duke of Roxton, this colorful tale is reminiscent of the relationship between Leonie and the Duke of Avon in Georgette Heyer’s These Old Shades but with far more sultriness, grittiness, and glitz. Antonia escapes the clutches of more than one villain while doing her best to persuade Monsieur le Duc that she is not, in fact, too young and innocent to be his bride. Filled with action and intrigue, this story spans the Channel between France and England, establishing the characters that sparkle throughout the pages of the rest of the Roxton Family Saga.
hinalovestoread's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it for the most part but in many a places I felt it was dragging.
I get it that men were like that at that point in time but I don't have to like them but I loved Antonia. The woman was definitely out of place in the timeline but she was what the Duke needed to leave his reprobate ways.
If I ever read it again (I am not sure I will), it will be for Antonia alone.
I get it that men were like that at that point in time but I don't have to like them but I loved Antonia. The woman was definitely out of place in the timeline but she was what the Duke needed to leave his reprobate ways.
If I ever read it again (I am not sure I will), it will be for Antonia alone.
chartsh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ember_eyes_are_for_tigers's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I wasn’t too much of a fan of Renard throughout the book, but the plot and especially Antonia really shine through in that regard.
The writing style is definitely one that my incompetent English Professor would describe as “baroque”, which fits the period and creates a more regal and distant scenery than what other novels in this genre prefer using. That said, it took me some time to get truly invested in the story, about forty-five percent of the way.
It’s worth it, however.
The writing style is definitely one that my incompetent English Professor would describe as “baroque”, which fits the period and creates a more regal and distant scenery than what other novels in this genre prefer using. That said, it took me some time to get truly invested in the story, about forty-five percent of the way.
It’s worth it, however.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Blood, Sexual harassment, Kidnapping, and Sexism
Minor: Infidelity, Death, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
writer595's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
dulindiel's review
2.0
I have so many issues with this book. At the start I was squicked out by Antonia's portrayal because she felt really young and they kept going on about how young she was and then Roxton was really paternal to her in a kind of genuine way and had minimal chemistry with her. Which was fine and sweet until the shift in gears to make them a romantic couple. It eventually settled to not so weird but that transition was pretty rough.
The middle third of this was solidly enjoyable I'd give the middle third of this book three and a half stars actually but it kind of went off the rails at the end. The only reason there was any tension at all was because we were following the abduction through the eyes of someone unable to communicate and that felt really forced to me. And I had a really strong attack of JUST GET ON WITH IT ALREADY.
The pacing just struck me as really off tbh. At about 60% I was wondering what the hell else would be happening because everything seemed solved to me and again at 80%. At every point that I thought that there was a ridiculous twist to wring more drama out of this book. I really feel like this would have been better served as a shirt story that ends at about 60% (when she gets him to confess that he creepy loves her) and keep the ridiculous plot twists for a different heroine.
I did really like Etienne's descent into madness although it did feel a little bit like the Salvans were evil for the sake of it but and addict spiral is an interesting way to go and his delusions would make it difficult for him to recover at all. (Perhaps he will be taken under the wing of a high up in the Assassin brotherhood who is looking for weird writing whilst locked up in prison - but it's probably way to early to cross over nicely with that)
The middle third of this was solidly enjoyable I'd give the middle third of this book three and a half stars actually but it kind of went off the rails at the end. The only reason there was any tension at all was because we were following the abduction through the eyes of someone unable to communicate and that felt really forced to me. And I had a really strong attack of JUST GET ON WITH IT ALREADY.
The pacing just struck me as really off tbh. At about 60% I was wondering what the hell else would be happening because everything seemed solved to me and again at 80%. At every point that I thought that there was a ridiculous twist to wring more drama out of this book. I really feel like this would have been better served as a shirt story that ends at about 60% (when she gets him to confess that he creepy loves her) and keep the ridiculous plot twists for a different heroine.
I did really like Etienne's descent into madness although it did feel a little bit like the Salvans were evil for the sake of it but and addict spiral is an interesting way to go and his delusions would make it difficult for him to recover at all. (Perhaps he will be taken under the wing of a high up in the Assassin brotherhood who is looking for weird writing whilst locked up in prison - but it's probably way to early to cross over nicely with that)
larisa2021's review
5.0
At first that my local library couldn't acquire any copies of Lucinda Brant's books frustrated me. Spending any of my limited book budget on a new author isn't my preferred plan. Toss in a $0.99 e-book sale, with a 5 star review by Emery Lee and the risk dissolves into being pleased with another book for Keeper Case.
This book is a perfect example of why, in my early teens, I fell in love with historical romances written by British and Australian authors. Lush, exotic settings, courtly manners, the interactions echoing dance of coming together, then apart, while maintaining focus. The whole book is a delicious, restrained minuet with every person in the cast weaving in and out through the dance steps.
The characters are vibrant, vivacious, passionate, intelligent, yet subtle, imbued with that je-ne-sais-quois of memorable people. Descriptions of moments, rooms, attire all seemlessly blend into a moving portrait of a moment in time. The loving detail never overshadows the story, providing the setting for the jewels made of each scene, snippet of conversation. Link by link embellishing the tale until it glows.
As a heroine Antonia is wonderful balance of outrageous, innoccent but wordly, and delightfully smart. She's focused on what she wants, not waivering from her goals, no hysterics, or any of the ridiculous self inflicted conflicts or misunderstandings that plague lesser tales. Very believeably human, young and without being anochronistic. Her full range of intelligence, playfullness, teasing, and self confidence are still present when she's distraught and devestated, plotting to save herself from the villian and live life the way she wants to.
Hero Roxton is the virile, swoonworthy Duc, whose unwillingness to suffer fools or be in denial about all his qualities, both attractive and not, makes him believeable. No tortured soul, Roxton. His times of introspection, which not all are alcohol driven, provide a glimpse into his humanity and result in a new fortitude to achieve his goals. He recognizes he's changing without fighting it tooth and nail. If only the Bronte sister's had written such worthy Heroes.
I loved that the reader is only given glimpses of the intimacy between Antonia and Roxton. Instead of detailed descriptions passionate nights and days, there are vignettes from various character's memories, bolstering the intensity, magic, time-out-of-time interludes. Emphasizing this couple's nuturing of their love, protectiveness of each other, and how happily they give themselves over to their joy when they are in private. When vilians or petty, spiteful characters work to create rifts, even without absolute proof the hero and heroine believe each other, assume the best of each other; apology acccepted, eyes turned toward thei future.
Cannot wait to read more by Lucinda Brant...and the next book Emery Lee rates five stars.
This book is a perfect example of why, in my early teens, I fell in love with historical romances written by British and Australian authors. Lush, exotic settings, courtly manners, the interactions echoing dance of coming together, then apart, while maintaining focus. The whole book is a delicious, restrained minuet with every person in the cast weaving in and out through the dance steps.
The characters are vibrant, vivacious, passionate, intelligent, yet subtle, imbued with that je-ne-sais-quois of memorable people. Descriptions of moments, rooms, attire all seemlessly blend into a moving portrait of a moment in time. The loving detail never overshadows the story, providing the setting for the jewels made of each scene, snippet of conversation. Link by link embellishing the tale until it glows.
As a heroine Antonia is wonderful balance of outrageous, innoccent but wordly, and delightfully smart. She's focused on what she wants, not waivering from her goals, no hysterics, or any of the ridiculous self inflicted conflicts or misunderstandings that plague lesser tales. Very believeably human, young and without being anochronistic. Her full range of intelligence, playfullness, teasing, and self confidence are still present when she's distraught and devestated, plotting to save herself from the villian and live life the way she wants to.
Hero Roxton is the virile, swoonworthy Duc, whose unwillingness to suffer fools or be in denial about all his qualities, both attractive and not, makes him believeable. No tortured soul, Roxton. His times of introspection, which not all are alcohol driven, provide a glimpse into his humanity and result in a new fortitude to achieve his goals. He recognizes he's changing without fighting it tooth and nail. If only the Bronte sister's had written such worthy Heroes.
I loved that the reader is only given glimpses of the intimacy between Antonia and Roxton. Instead of detailed descriptions passionate nights and days, there are vignettes from various character's memories, bolstering the intensity, magic, time-out-of-time interludes. Emphasizing this couple's nuturing of their love, protectiveness of each other, and how happily they give themselves over to their joy when they are in private. When vilians or petty, spiteful characters work to create rifts, even without absolute proof the hero and heroine believe each other, assume the best of each other; apology acccepted, eyes turned toward thei future.
Cannot wait to read more by Lucinda Brant...and the next book Emery Lee rates five stars.
jkh107's review
4.0
A disgusting old roue at Louis XV's Versailles seeks to marry his unstable son to a young woman he wants to make his mistress. But the enterprising young lady arranged to be rescued by someone else instead...the hero, the villain's cousin and rival from the past. In some ways this reminded me of Heyer's [b:These Old Shades|311182|These Old Shades (Alistair, #1)|Georgette Heyer|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1173644611s/311182.jpg|2682162] but without the cross-dressing. I enjoyed it.
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