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The Adventurers
Adventure, intrigue, and suspense during Napoleon's forlorn retreat from Russia in 1813. Jane Aiken Hodge was born in the USA, brought up in the UK and read English at Oxford. She received a master's degree from Radcliffe College, Harvard University. Before her books became her living she worked as a civil servant, journalist, publishers' reader and a reviewer. She has written lives of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer as well as a book about women in the Regency period, Passion and Principle . But her main output has been over twenty historical novels set in the eighteenth century, including Polonaise , The Lost Garden , and Savannah Purchase , the beloved third volume of a trilogy set during and after the American War of Independence. More recently she has written novels for Severn House Publishers. She enjoys the borderland between mystery and novel, is pleased to be classed as a feminist writer, and is glad that there is neither a glass ceiling nor a retiring age in the writers' world. She was the daughter of Conrad Aiken and sister of Joan Aiken.
508 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1965
47 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Jane Aiken Hodge
54 books81 followersJane Aiken Hodge was born in the USA, brought up in the UK and read English at Oxford. She received a master's degree from Radcliffe College, Harvard University.
Before her books became her living she worked as a civil servant, journalist, publishers' reader and a reviewer.
She has written lives of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer as well as a book about women in the Regency period, PASSION AND PRINCIPLE. But her main output has been over twenty historical novels set in the eighteenth century, including POLONAISE, THE LOST GARDEN, and SAVANNAH PURCHASE, the beloved third volume of a trilogy set during and after the American War of Independence. More recently she has written novels for Severn House Publishers.
She enjoys the borderland between mystery and novel, is pleased to be classed as a feminist writer, and is glad that there is neither a glass ceiling nor a retiring age in the writers' world. She was the daughter of Conrad Aiken and sister of Joan Aiken.
Before her books became her living she worked as a civil servant, journalist, publishers' reader and a reviewer.
She has written lives of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer as well as a book about women in the Regency period, PASSION AND PRINCIPLE. But her main output has been over twenty historical novels set in the eighteenth century, including POLONAISE, THE LOST GARDEN, and SAVANNAH PURCHASE, the beloved third volume of a trilogy set during and after the American War of Independence. More recently she has written novels for Severn House Publishers.
She enjoys the borderland between mystery and novel, is pleased to be classed as a feminist writer, and is glad that there is neither a glass ceiling nor a retiring age in the writers' world. She was the daughter of Conrad Aiken and sister of Joan Aiken.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 12, 2015
Started off very well, got my attention right from the start. I was so happy with the beginning and then things went downhill. The middle dragged as our characters became camp followers moving from town to town during the end of the Napoleonic Wars. Not much happened. End was rushed and very predictable.
February 15, 2019
Originally published in 1965 and now available as an ebook, this holds up very well.
Sonia von Hugel is hiding in the barn loft when first French soldiers and then Cossacks invade her family's castle and kill everyone they find. Seeing no other choice, she disguises herself as a boy and heads for her hated aunt's house. Along the way, she encounters adventurer Charles Vincent, who convinces her that they can make their fortune playing cards. Along with her governess, miraculously not dead, they accompany the Allies as Napoleon's forces are driven back. But Vincent has secrets--is he a spy, and for whom?
This doesn't have the shape of a modern romance novel, although there is more than one satisfying romance. It is best enjoyed as well-written historical fiction.
Sonia von Hugel is hiding in the barn loft when first French soldiers and then Cossacks invade her family's castle and kill everyone they find. Seeing no other choice, she disguises herself as a boy and heads for her hated aunt's house. Along the way, she encounters adventurer Charles Vincent, who convinces her that they can make their fortune playing cards. Along with her governess, miraculously not dead, they accompany the Allies as Napoleon's forces are driven back. But Vincent has secrets--is he a spy, and for whom?
This doesn't have the shape of a modern romance novel, although there is more than one satisfying romance. It is best enjoyed as well-written historical fiction.
February 15, 2019
1813 Sonia is left after witnessing the destruction of her father and the household at the hands of the French with the Napoleonic war raging. She escapes with her governess and an acquaintance, Charles. They pull together and travel as a family and gamble their way with across the continent to England. Another joins them along the way, Giles and a few others. As they make their way relationships begin to form and it is engaging to watch the interactions..
Well written and full of adventure with a romance of two couples happening! I enjoyed the story and would recommend to everyone!
Well written and full of adventure with a romance of two couples happening! I enjoyed the story and would recommend to everyone!
July 4, 2012
A fun book that loosely fits into my collection of "Austeniana," since it is set in the same Regency-world. It is at heart a novel of manners--whether the characters are in Chatillon threatened by a mob, or in a carriage bouncing along a rutted road through enemy lines, the emphasis is on conversation and correct behavior rather than action. Even the first, violent scene that hooks you into the story is set up to emphasize Sonja's feelings and relationships. It is told from a rather unusual perspective--the main characters are not Austen's English people looking out at the world but rather exiled, half-Anglos trying to reconnect with a homeland--and that gives the story a lot of its interest because I didn't know how it would all fit together in the end. It was a brilliant idea for Hodge to set the story among the "camp followers" who exist at the edges of conflict between Napoleon and the Allies and are constantly on the move, one day in friendly territory, the next day waking up to find that they are alone among enemies, making their living by their skill at whist. It was written in 1965, but has held up quite well. The story is fast-paced yet full of substantive historical detail (I will take it on faith that the author knows her 1813 chronology and historical personages better than I ever care to.)
November 19, 2015
I read this several times back in the '70s when it first came out and loved it. It's been sitting on my iPod in audio for years, so I finally listened and it held up well. The sudden reversal of the hero at the end is a little abrupt, but apart from that it's still a charming, sweet read.
March 6, 2019
I loved this, an old fashioned historical romance in the best sense of the word,
Sonia Von Hugel, half German half English, witnesses the abuse and killing of her father, and her household by French and Russian soldiers. In shock she runs away, trying to get to her aunt, and meets up with Charles Vincent, a young half French half English adventurer who lives on his wits through winning money at cards. They fall into a game of whist at the inn they met at, and once he sees her skill, Charles convinces Sonia to join him and work together to win their fortunes playing cards. She tells him what has happened to her family, and Charles visits her home and finds her governess Elizabeth Barrymore alive, the three of them set off to the Allied Headquarters. They plan to follow the Allies, and head towards Paris, the ladies will eventually travel to England from there, hoping to reunite Sonia with her estranged grandfather.
At the same time Giles, The Earl of Denbigh, and his nephew Phillip, are preparing to travel to Allied Headquarters in Germany, he refuses to let his controlling older sister join them. Elinor constantly meddles and interferes in his life, including thwarting him in his elopement with a vicar’s daughter in his twenties.
Denbigh is accompanying Castlereagh, and is charged with collecting intelligence by the mysterious Henry Fessingham, bachelor, MP and richest man in London. .
Sonia, Elizabeth and Charles run an open house in Frankfurt, playing cards to win money, and Elizabeth becomes Mrs Barrymore for propriety, eventually they welcome Denbigh and Phillip to their home, Denbigh is shocked to recognise Elizabeth, who he thought had died in her teens.. Charles becomes involved in information gathering for someone, starts to disappear at critical moments, and is mysteriously able to fund the household. As the war progresses, how will they survive the battles and the rioting. When their charade is unmasked by Denbigh’s investigations into their backgrounds, due to his suspicion of Charles, will the ladies be ruined for living with a man who they are not related to. Will both sets of lovers be reconciled, and who is The mysterious Henry Fessingham.?
Great characters, the historical period is detailed beautifully, an interesting, although relatively predictable plot, and a lovely resolution for Charles and Sonia, and Elizabeth and Giles.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Sonia Von Hugel, half German half English, witnesses the abuse and killing of her father, and her household by French and Russian soldiers. In shock she runs away, trying to get to her aunt, and meets up with Charles Vincent, a young half French half English adventurer who lives on his wits through winning money at cards. They fall into a game of whist at the inn they met at, and once he sees her skill, Charles convinces Sonia to join him and work together to win their fortunes playing cards. She tells him what has happened to her family, and Charles visits her home and finds her governess Elizabeth Barrymore alive, the three of them set off to the Allied Headquarters. They plan to follow the Allies, and head towards Paris, the ladies will eventually travel to England from there, hoping to reunite Sonia with her estranged grandfather.
At the same time Giles, The Earl of Denbigh, and his nephew Phillip, are preparing to travel to Allied Headquarters in Germany, he refuses to let his controlling older sister join them. Elinor constantly meddles and interferes in his life, including thwarting him in his elopement with a vicar’s daughter in his twenties.
Denbigh is accompanying Castlereagh, and is charged with collecting intelligence by the mysterious Henry Fessingham, bachelor, MP and richest man in London. .
Sonia, Elizabeth and Charles run an open house in Frankfurt, playing cards to win money, and Elizabeth becomes Mrs Barrymore for propriety, eventually they welcome Denbigh and Phillip to their home, Denbigh is shocked to recognise Elizabeth, who he thought had died in her teens.. Charles becomes involved in information gathering for someone, starts to disappear at critical moments, and is mysteriously able to fund the household. As the war progresses, how will they survive the battles and the rioting. When their charade is unmasked by Denbigh’s investigations into their backgrounds, due to his suspicion of Charles, will the ladies be ruined for living with a man who they are not related to. Will both sets of lovers be reconciled, and who is The mysterious Henry Fessingham.?
Great characters, the historical period is detailed beautifully, an interesting, although relatively predictable plot, and a lovely resolution for Charles and Sonia, and Elizabeth and Giles.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
February 14, 2019
A rag-tag group of three set out as adventurers to earn enough money to turn their lives around amid the shifting landscape of Germany and France during the Napoleonic Wars. Interesting concept, and I was interested.
However, this novel puts me in mind of a weakly-received historical epic - one that's mildly interesting enough to keep watching but is a tough slog to actually finish. It was well-written, but didn't particularly engage me.
While the beginning was promising (and quite dark), with humorous interludes and the start of a journey, it began to delve very deeply into the politics of the Napoleonic Wars and became rather dry.
Charles went from reminding me of Wilde’s Algernon to someone that just irritated me. Not only was he horrifically misogynistic, but he began to remind me of Louisa May Alcott’s Charlie, always thinking he is right and not listening to others until it is too late. His romance with Sonia did not interest me at all, and I personally felt Sonia could have done a lot better than any of her love interests.
Sonia was treated as a child - explicitly in many cases - by the majority of characters in the book. Yes, she was seventeen/eighteen and personality-wise still displayed many youthful tendencies but she also picked herself up multiple times after unspeakable tragedy. I feel like Sonia was portrayed excellently, but her fellow characters treated her more poorly than she deserved.
The only romance depicted throughout the book was the potential of a renewed one between Giles and Elizabeth. It was also the only romance in the book that I could even remotely care about or take interest in. I’d read a whole historical romance with that plot, I dare say.
The ending was sufficiently dramatic for me to finish the last few pages in a rush, but it did feel like there was a strange shift from dense historical to historical romance in the last 50 pages.
Overall, it was worth a read and I liked the concept, but it didn’t draw me in enough for me to fully enjoy it.
*An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
However, this novel puts me in mind of a weakly-received historical epic - one that's mildly interesting enough to keep watching but is a tough slog to actually finish. It was well-written, but didn't particularly engage me.
While the beginning was promising (and quite dark), with humorous interludes and the start of a journey, it began to delve very deeply into the politics of the Napoleonic Wars and became rather dry.
Charles went from reminding me of Wilde’s Algernon to someone that just irritated me. Not only was he horrifically misogynistic, but he began to remind me of Louisa May Alcott’s Charlie, always thinking he is right and not listening to others until it is too late. His romance with Sonia did not interest me at all, and I personally felt Sonia could have done a lot better than any of her love interests.
Sonia was treated as a child - explicitly in many cases - by the majority of characters in the book. Yes, she was seventeen/eighteen and personality-wise still displayed many youthful tendencies but she also picked herself up multiple times after unspeakable tragedy. I feel like Sonia was portrayed excellently, but her fellow characters treated her more poorly than she deserved.
The only romance depicted throughout the book was the potential of a renewed one between Giles and Elizabeth. It was also the only romance in the book that I could even remotely care about or take interest in. I’d read a whole historical romance with that plot, I dare say.
The ending was sufficiently dramatic for me to finish the last few pages in a rush, but it did feel like there was a strange shift from dense historical to historical romance in the last 50 pages.
Overall, it was worth a read and I liked the concept, but it didn’t draw me in enough for me to fully enjoy it.
*An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
February 9, 2019
The Adventurers by Jane Aiken Hodge. Agora Books, 1965; 2019.
n this unusual Regency era story, after witnessing her father’s murder, a servant’s rape and their household’s destruction at the hands of marauding soldiers, Sonia, her governess Elizabeth, and her chance acquaintance Charles decide to join forces to appear as a family and gamble their way across 1813 Europe to England. Giles, a fourth leading character, comes into their lives almost by chance, bringing along with him three other key characters. The plot includes two romances, two unrelated “long-lost” relationships and espionage. Historical details of the era underpin the story.
This is a remarkably engaging and well written story, easy to read, with likeable, credible, consistent well-developed characters, perhaps Jane Aiken Hodge at her best.
For many reasons - the writing, the plot, the subplots, the characters, the history - I warmly recommend The Adventurers.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of The Adventurers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
n this unusual Regency era story, after witnessing her father’s murder, a servant’s rape and their household’s destruction at the hands of marauding soldiers, Sonia, her governess Elizabeth, and her chance acquaintance Charles decide to join forces to appear as a family and gamble their way across 1813 Europe to England. Giles, a fourth leading character, comes into their lives almost by chance, bringing along with him three other key characters. The plot includes two romances, two unrelated “long-lost” relationships and espionage. Historical details of the era underpin the story.
This is a remarkably engaging and well written story, easy to read, with likeable, credible, consistent well-developed characters, perhaps Jane Aiken Hodge at her best.
For many reasons - the writing, the plot, the subplots, the characters, the history - I warmly recommend The Adventurers.
Disclosure: I received a review copy of The Adventurers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 18, 2019
I really enjoyed this regency romance, which felt very true to the time and depicted some of the horrors that occurred during the Napoleonic wars. Sonia's trauma and her struggles felt very real to me, even though I wished for more character growth on her part. I loved the second chance romance for Sonia's governess, but Sonia's own relationship with Charles fell flat for me for some reason. In either case, this was a well-written regency that had me turning the pages.
February 17, 2019
I’ve been rereading books my mother gave me when I was much younger. Lucky you, getting to read these reviews.
I seem to remember reading this book a lot. I had absolutely no memory of the middle third of the book. Like, none. I knew how it started and how it ended, but I apparently blocked out what felt like a slog All the way Across All of France. I suggest you do the same.
I seem to remember reading this book a lot. I had absolutely no memory of the middle third of the book. Like, none. I knew how it started and how it ended, but I apparently blocked out what felt like a slog All the way Across All of France. I suggest you do the same.
August 12, 2022
After forty years my reread of Jane Aiken Hodge #3. This is the best of the three so far. An excellent history lesson wrapped up in a cracking hist.rom. If you like Napoleonic history, adventure, drama and romance this is one for you as you follow Sonia and Elizabeth on their journey following the Allied advance on Paris.
October 20, 2017
Very well written. Mixes a little romance into a history of the Napoleonic wars. I exaggerate; it covers less then a year in Germany (it doesn't say which kingdom) and France.
May 15, 2020
Decent story
I liked this took place in Europe during Bonaparte defeat before exile to Elba, realistic view of cost of wars.
I liked this took place in Europe during Bonaparte defeat before exile to Elba, realistic view of cost of wars.
September 22, 2021
Set during the Napoleonic War so references to brutality and rape. Also contains some language. General story line is pretty predictable but still enjoyable read.
Read
March 24, 2022As always engaging
She mixes history with intrigue
and romance. Her characters are well developed and true to themselves. Well planned ending. Loved it.
She mixes history with intrigue
and romance. Her characters are well developed and true to themselves. Well planned ending. Loved it.
December 6, 2025
The story opens with a horrible massacre, although, thankfully, it's not described in too much gory detail. The novel is set in 1812, during the period when Napoleon and his army were retreating from Russia.
One young woman manages to escape, and meets someone whom she decides to trust, and to travel with. They, along with another companion, have several narrow escapes, with perhaps a tad too many coincidences for realism. But the characterisation is very good, and I did enjoy the conversations and interactions between the people. They are all flawed, and it wasn't obvious, at first, who could be trusted.
There's rather a lot of war-talk, some of which went rather over my head. But plenty of more interesting parts to balance it. Recommended to anyone interested in historical fiction of this era.
Three and a half stars, really.
Longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
One young woman manages to escape, and meets someone whom she decides to trust, and to travel with. They, along with another companion, have several narrow escapes, with perhaps a tad too many coincidences for realism. But the characterisation is very good, and I did enjoy the conversations and interactions between the people. They are all flawed, and it wasn't obvious, at first, who could be trusted.
There's rather a lot of war-talk, some of which went rather over my head. But plenty of more interesting parts to balance it. Recommended to anyone interested in historical fiction of this era.
Three and a half stars, really.
Longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/...
January 31, 2008
Another romance/historical/adventure I have enjoyed many times over the years. Also known as Royal Gamble.
During the Napoleonic wars Sonia Van Hugel's family is murdered while she hides in the hayloft. She dresses as a boy to travel to her aunt's home across Austria. She meets a gambler who befriends her and keeps her identity safe while they travel together across an increasingly dangerous country.
I love reading novels based during historical times for the richly researched context.
During the Napoleonic wars Sonia Van Hugel's family is murdered while she hides in the hayloft. She dresses as a boy to travel to her aunt's home across Austria. She meets a gambler who befriends her and keeps her identity safe while they travel together across an increasingly dangerous country.
I love reading novels based during historical times for the richly researched context.
Read
August 10, 2010The setting for this book was unusual. During the Napoleonic War, but coming from Russia, through the Germanic countries, into France. That alone was worth reading the book, getting a little historical information and ambiance. The main character was kind of a brat, and I got irritated at her sometimes, but I thought both the romances were worth it in the end. I liked how everything worked out.
September 6, 2010
What a classic. Have read this book many times over the past 25 years.
May 22, 2012
Classic Jane Aiken Hodge book. You know exactly who will end up with who but it is fun to read.
August 4, 2016
Interestingly set amidst the violence and intrigue in Western Europe as Napoleon's rule comes to a close.
July 25, 2016
Story of a young woman and her companions trying to get to England during Napoleon's retreat. Interesting setting and a pretty entertaining read.
December 31, 2015
Silly, but good for a listen when my brain is fuzzy from a cold.
March 2, 2015
Review to come
March 4, 2019
I really enjoyed this story. The historical aspect of the story is both captivating and scary. The characters were great. I really enjoyed the way the characters interweaved and then were apart throughout the story. Enjoyable read.
March 6, 2019
I found this book very hard to read. I used to read Jane Aiken Hodge a long time ago but could not finish this one
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews