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papi's review
3.0
Light gothic romance fiction, among my Mom's favorites. Considerably better than the average gothic romance. Some of them are more like historical fiction, such as Simon the Coldheart. I read them from time to time when I was growing up.
holtfan's review against another edition
5.0
2020 Review
The dialogue in this book absolutely rocks. Particularly any dialogue involving Prudence and Robin's father. I wish someone would turn this into a play. It begs to be performed.
Such a delightful story line!
2019 Review - 5 stars
I guess 4th times the charm because unlike my earlier reviews, I had no problem understanding what was going on. And I loved every moment of it.
I always fall for Heyer's characters in the end. I love Prudence and Sir Tony and Robin and Leticia. Just love them.
I love the witty banter and filial respect masked behind plenty of complaints.
Everyone wears a mask in this story...from the adventuress who wants to become a normal person to the seemingly law abiding citizen who longs to join her adventures!
I'm feeling very warm and happy as Heyer's books always leave me. I want to go re-read them all but I suppose I should survive finals first.
2018 Review - 3 stars
A lovely re-read but I have to agree with my earlier review. This was a different, fun, but overall baffling Heyer read. She has some truly original characters in here and now on this third-read through I finally appreciate them more. But it takes three reads through to understand what the heck is going on half the time. More often than not I paused to go, 'Who is taking? Which character was that? Whaaaat...?'
2011 Review
Because of his involvement in the Jacobite uprising, young Robin is forced to flee to England, disguised as a girl! Accompanied by his sister Prudence, disguised as a man, "Mr. Peter Merriot" and "Miss Kate Merriot" make their way to London to discover the will of their rather enigmatic Father. Along the way they stumble upon an elopement-turned-abduction and rescue the pretty heiress Letty Grayson. Things are only beginning to get confusing, though, as Robin-disguised-as-Kate falls in love with Miss Grayson, and Prudence-disguised-as-Peter falls for Sir Anthony, Letty's erstwhile beau. Suddenly, the sibling's Father shows up claiming to be the long-lost Viscount and they are plunged once more into the maze of their Father's weaving...
A fun story, rather confusing. It took me to the third chapter to realize the siblings were in disguise, and even then I was bewildered as to who was speaking when. The cross-dressing made this book confusing, but was definitely worth it. Hilarious and enjoyable, particularly all the jibes about Robin's height (and his ability to flirt)
Most unusual of all in this book, though, is Sir Anthony. While most Heyer Heroes are in the tip-top of fashion, he is....fat. Or at least large First described as The Mamoth, then The Mountain, and finally just "that Large Gentelman", it initially quite threw me off. I eventually learned to like Sir Anthony for his weight. It makes him unusual. Like several Heyer Heroes, he faintly resembles Sir Percy Blackney, in this case the lazy languor that hides a brilliant mind. I found his romance rather unlikely, probably what annoyed me the most about this book, and at one point I decided he would make a terrific bad guy, 'cause I was getting kind of sick of him.
Good thing Robin comes through! He's a hilarious character who flirts quite amusingly in his "female garb" yet is a romantic young man. ^.^ Can't say it is very realistic, but hey, fun to read about. Quite the adventurer
Overall an amusing, creative read. Not Heyer's best, frequently confusing, and half the romance gave me a headache. But otherwise? Splendid.
The dialogue in this book absolutely rocks. Particularly any dialogue involving Prudence and Robin's father. I wish someone would turn this into a play. It begs to be performed.
Such a delightful story line!
2019 Review - 5 stars
I guess 4th times the charm because unlike my earlier reviews, I had no problem understanding what was going on. And I loved every moment of it.
I always fall for Heyer's characters in the end. I love Prudence and Sir Tony and Robin and Leticia. Just love them.
I love the witty banter and filial respect masked behind plenty of complaints.
Everyone wears a mask in this story...from the adventuress who wants to become a normal person to the seemingly law abiding citizen who longs to join her adventures!
I'm feeling very warm and happy as Heyer's books always leave me. I want to go re-read them all but I suppose I should survive finals first.
2018 Review - 3 stars
A lovely re-read but I have to agree with my earlier review. This was a different, fun, but overall baffling Heyer read. She has some truly original characters in here and now on this third-read through I finally appreciate them more. But it takes three reads through to understand what the heck is going on half the time. More often than not I paused to go, 'Who is taking? Which character was that? Whaaaat...?'
2011 Review
Because of his involvement in the Jacobite uprising, young Robin is forced to flee to England, disguised as a girl! Accompanied by his sister Prudence, disguised as a man, "Mr. Peter Merriot" and "Miss Kate Merriot" make their way to London to discover the will of their rather enigmatic Father. Along the way they stumble upon an elopement-turned-abduction and rescue the pretty heiress Letty Grayson. Things are only beginning to get confusing, though, as Robin-disguised-as-Kate falls in love with Miss Grayson, and Prudence-disguised-as-Peter falls for Sir Anthony, Letty's erstwhile beau. Suddenly, the sibling's Father shows up claiming to be the long-lost Viscount and they are plunged once more into the maze of their Father's weaving...
A fun story, rather confusing. It took me to the third chapter to realize the siblings were in disguise, and even then I was bewildered as to who was speaking when. The cross-dressing made this book confusing, but was definitely worth it. Hilarious and enjoyable, particularly all the jibes about Robin's height (and his ability to flirt)
Most unusual of all in this book, though, is Sir Anthony. While most Heyer Heroes are in the tip-top of fashion, he is....fat. Or at least large First described as The Mamoth, then The Mountain, and finally just "that Large Gentelman", it initially quite threw me off. I eventually learned to like Sir Anthony for his weight. It makes him unusual. Like several Heyer Heroes, he faintly resembles Sir Percy Blackney, in this case the lazy languor that hides a brilliant mind. I found his romance rather unlikely, probably what annoyed me the most about this book, and at one point I decided he would make a terrific bad guy, 'cause I was getting kind of sick of him.
Good thing Robin comes through! He's a hilarious character who flirts quite amusingly in his "female garb" yet is a romantic young man. ^.^ Can't say it is very realistic, but hey, fun to read about. Quite the adventurer
Spoiler
I like how he told his fiance the truth about himself in the end. I really didn't see that coming. Very noble of himOverall an amusing, creative read. Not Heyer's best, frequently confusing, and half the romance gave me a headache. But otherwise? Splendid.
daphne2000's review against another edition
4.0
This was a delightful romp. I literally never use that word, but I can't think of a better descriptor. This honestly, truly was not a high quality book, but it was so much fun! Nothing about the story made any sense, but it was a fun ride. Even though this is categorized as a romance book, I wouldn't go into this expecting a ton of romance. Yes, there are romantic subplots, but they're fairly minor compared to actual romance books in my opinion.
This book gave me extreme Twelfth Night vibes except with a more intelligent version of Duke Orsino. Much like the play, the characters were a tiny bit underdeveloped, but I don't think that detracts from the novel. Yes, there could have been some more character development, but I got enough to understand the motivations of all the characters and the enjoy them. Also, considering the time that this was published, I really enjoyed how the female characters were presented. The two female leads were very different from one another, but neither of them were demonized for being too masculine or too feminine, something that even modern authors can't get right.
I'm really glad that I've discovered Georgette Heyer! Her books are trash, but exactly the type of trash I love.
This book gave me extreme Twelfth Night vibes except with a more intelligent version of Duke Orsino. Much like the play, the characters were a tiny bit underdeveloped, but I don't think that detracts from the novel. Yes, there could have been some more character development, but I got enough to understand the motivations of all the characters and the enjoy them. Also, considering the time that this was published, I really enjoyed how the female characters were presented. The two female leads were very different from one another, but neither of them were demonized for being too masculine or too feminine, something that even modern authors can't get right.
I'm really glad that I've discovered Georgette Heyer! Her books are trash, but exactly the type of trash I love.
maryannsophia's review against another edition
5.0
You have to REALLY pay attention, but this witty, delightful, thrilling spy-regency novel (with romance for good measure) is a genuine page-turner. Georgette Heyer knows her stuff, and the world you discover in these pages is regency at its finest. For history buffs, it is an true treasure trove of trivia.
emilyrm's review against another edition
This was a weird one!
The first few chapters took me a couple of tries to get into, between the language and the exposition, but after that I settled in pretty easily.
I liked the cross-dressing siblings, especially Prudence, who is exceptionally competent and cool-headed. I was happy that she found happiness with Sir Anthony, but found him annoyingly paternalistic when he would insist on protecting her or doing things for her - she can take care of herself!
The plot was very silly, which was...mostly okay with me, but a bit much at times. (I felt similarly about Robin and Prudence's father - very silly and a bit much at times. I think he was supposed to be comedic, but I didn't really like him.)
Overall, I had mixed feelings about some aspects of the book, but enjoyed it more than not. I think that Cotillion was the better book (of the two Heyer novels that I've read), but this one had some interesting elements.
The first few chapters took me a couple of tries to get into, between the language and the exposition, but after that I settled in pretty easily.
I liked the cross-dressing siblings, especially Prudence, who is exceptionally competent and cool-headed. I was happy that she found happiness with Sir Anthony, but found him annoyingly paternalistic when he would insist on protecting her or doing things for her - she can take care of herself!
The plot was very silly, which was...mostly okay with me, but a bit much at times. (I felt similarly about Robin and Prudence's father - very silly and a bit much at times. I think he was supposed to be comedic, but I didn't really like him.)
Overall, I had mixed feelings about some aspects of the book, but enjoyed it more than not. I think that Cotillion was the better book (of the two Heyer novels that I've read), but this one had some interesting elements.
lcy_rose's review against another edition
4.0
My first Georgette Heyer read, it came *highly* recommended, and I have to say it was delightful! I fully cackled several times, and it really does do Twelfth Night style identity humor incredibly well.
kat_the_bookcat's review against another edition
5.0
This is my favorite Georgette Heyer book (so far... I have so many more to read)! The Scarlet Pimpernel meets Twelfth Night (and those are two of my favorites).
Prudence and Robin are brother and sister. Robin got involved in the Jacobite rebellion and will be executed if he's caught, so the two switch places. Prudence becomes the man, and Robin, the woman. From there, they fall into all sorts of adventures, and meeting Sir Tony (The Darling Mountain) and Leticia (the little ninny). When the two siblings start to fall in love with these new friends, it's only a matter of time till the gig is up!
Prudence and Robin are brother and sister. Robin got involved in the Jacobite rebellion and will be executed if he's caught, so the two switch places. Prudence becomes the man, and Robin, the woman. From there, they fall into all sorts of adventures, and meeting Sir Tony (The Darling Mountain) and Leticia (the little ninny). When the two siblings start to fall in love with these new friends, it's only a matter of time till the gig is up!
crystalisreading's review against another edition
3.0
an enjoyable Heyer. I prefer the Regency era personally--older settings seem more melodramatic to me. That, and I really couldn't stand the father in this story. what a horrible selfish narcissist, and yet he's viewed indulgently throughout the book. But I liked Prue, and Sir Anthony, and enjoyed their part of the story. an entertaining read.