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The Devil On Horseback
Enamored by the handsome and arrogant Charles-Auguste, a wealthy French aristocrat, 18-year-old Minella is drawn into a complicated world of danger, betrayal, and murder. Denying her own suspicion that he has murdered his wife, she struggles with her fascination for the seductive and mysterious count. Against the backdrop of the incipient French Revolution, Minella’s life becomes a series of adventures that all lead to an exciting and unexpected climax. Davina Porter’s passionate narration transports readers back to a time when romance was a prerequisite to sex and family. Reminiscent of Charles Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities, the historic setting and the powerful heroine captivate any reader who enjoys a book that is impossible to put down.
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First published January 1, 1977
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About the author
Victoria Holt
372 books1,375 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Eleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia
Eleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subject matter between her books; the best-known, apart from Plaidy, are Victoria Holt (56 million) and Philippa Carr (3 million). Lesser known were the novels Hibbert published under her maiden name Eleanor Burford, or the pseudonyms of Elbur Ford, Kathleen Kellow and Ellalice Tate. Many of her readers under one penname never suspected her other identities.
-Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
June 15, 2022
Victoria Holt is a polarizing figure for those of us in the Gothic aisle of academia. Her Mistress of Mellyn (1960) bears significant responsibility for spurring a major genre revival during the 1960s and 70s. Though this era produced far more pulp paperbacks than masterpieces, I would describe it as a Gothic renaissance. For many, however, Victoria Holt is the writer who cheapened Gothic literature by overshadowing the bombastic ingenuity of novels like Frankenstein and Wuthering Heights with plots that are, more or less, trifling romance.
I happen to believe Holt's critics tend to be those who've never read her, but I also see their point. It would be disappointing if The Devil on Horseback was the first Gothic novel that popped into someone's head over, say, The Mysteries of Udolpho. Just as it would be disappointing if Alex Cross was the first literary detective that came to mind over Sherlock Holmes or C. Auguste Dupin. Even still, for pushers of Gothic like me, I'm okay with any gateway drug. Especially if it inspires someone to try the "hard" stuff, like Horace Walpole, Ann Radcliffe and Matthew Lewis.
The Devil on Horseback is a perfectly enjoyable novel. Not great and far too long, but well-written. Even memorable, perhaps, for its effective use of the French Revolution as a backdrop. The romance is indeed trifling, but satisfying in a pseudo-Gothic way. The Comte Fountaine Delibes is a fearsome creature, vaguely satanic, prone to witty bickering, not shy about his mistresses, and may have killed his wife so he can properly propose to the wholesome eighteen-year-old Minella. With so many red flags, he seems like a horrible choice of mate. And yet Minella cannot deny her growing love for him. He says he loves her in return, but can one trust a man like him? What would her mother say?
Like much of Gothic literature, including the classics, it is the story of a girl who must decide between her heart and what society expects. When the world wants women to stay home and stay mum, Gothic novels tend to emerge with heroines who pursue education and danger. Certainly in 1977, when this book was first published, it was met with enthusiastic reviews. Most agreed it was better, or at least "spicier," than previous Holt novels. Here's a small sample of interesting reviews I uncovered while browsing newspaper archives:
Associated Press, Dudley Lehew, October, 1977: There's a quality about The Devil on Horseback that seems to put the reader back in another time. That is, reading this novel is a lot like reading something that was written 30 or 40 years ago. It is a Gothic novel, and it has a rather interesting storyline. But it just seems to be from another era, sort of out of step with today's style. Perhaps it can best be compared to reading your older aunt's favorite childhood novel.
Calgary Herald, Alberta, Canada, March 18, 1978: Victoria Holt is one of the best known and most successful of the romantic suspense writers. She didn't invent sex, of course, but its startling appearance in The Devil on Horseback makes it seem almost as if she did [...] Our heroine, Minella Maddox, falls madly in lust with another woman's husband the first time she sees him. His wife -- poor dear -- is frigid. His daughter -- soon to be an unwed mother -- is a sex-pot. And our heroine Minella has her own terrible case of the hots.
Palm Desert Post, Palm Desert, California, October 26, 1978: This is the latest in the string of best sellers by the Queen of the Gothics [...] As in many of her books, Victoria Holt has picked a setting equal to her characters, The French Revolution. It's a most pleasant way to learn a bit of history.
I happen to believe Holt's critics tend to be those who've never read her, but I also see their point. It would be disappointing if The Devil on Horseback was the first Gothic novel that popped into someone's head over, say, The Mysteries of Udolpho. Just as it would be disappointing if Alex Cross was the first literary detective that came to mind over Sherlock Holmes or C. Auguste Dupin. Even still, for pushers of Gothic like me, I'm okay with any gateway drug. Especially if it inspires someone to try the "hard" stuff, like Horace Walpole, Ann Radcliffe and Matthew Lewis.
The Devil on Horseback is a perfectly enjoyable novel. Not great and far too long, but well-written. Even memorable, perhaps, for its effective use of the French Revolution as a backdrop. The romance is indeed trifling, but satisfying in a pseudo-Gothic way. The Comte Fountaine Delibes is a fearsome creature, vaguely satanic, prone to witty bickering, not shy about his mistresses, and may have killed his wife so he can properly propose to the wholesome eighteen-year-old Minella. With so many red flags, he seems like a horrible choice of mate. And yet Minella cannot deny her growing love for him. He says he loves her in return, but can one trust a man like him? What would her mother say?
Like much of Gothic literature, including the classics, it is the story of a girl who must decide between her heart and what society expects. When the world wants women to stay home and stay mum, Gothic novels tend to emerge with heroines who pursue education and danger. Certainly in 1977, when this book was first published, it was met with enthusiastic reviews. Most agreed it was better, or at least "spicier," than previous Holt novels. Here's a small sample of interesting reviews I uncovered while browsing newspaper archives:
Associated Press, Dudley Lehew, October, 1977: There's a quality about The Devil on Horseback that seems to put the reader back in another time. That is, reading this novel is a lot like reading something that was written 30 or 40 years ago. It is a Gothic novel, and it has a rather interesting storyline. But it just seems to be from another era, sort of out of step with today's style. Perhaps it can best be compared to reading your older aunt's favorite childhood novel.
Calgary Herald, Alberta, Canada, March 18, 1978: Victoria Holt is one of the best known and most successful of the romantic suspense writers. She didn't invent sex, of course, but its startling appearance in The Devil on Horseback makes it seem almost as if she did [...] Our heroine, Minella Maddox, falls madly in lust with another woman's husband the first time she sees him. His wife -- poor dear -- is frigid. His daughter -- soon to be an unwed mother -- is a sex-pot. And our heroine Minella has her own terrible case of the hots.
Palm Desert Post, Palm Desert, California, October 26, 1978: This is the latest in the string of best sellers by the Queen of the Gothics [...] As in many of her books, Victoria Holt has picked a setting equal to her characters, The French Revolution. It's a most pleasant way to learn a bit of history.
June 26, 2013
This is the first Gothic romance that I have ever read and it literally amazed me. This was an impulse buy on my recent holiday in Wales. I was happy and relaxed; it was a sunny day and I was just yards away from the beach. It was initially the blurb that captured my imagination.
There is nothing better than someone who sparkles. I have a friend Lindsay who I have admired from afar for many years and she is a veritable blue stocking. But the men love her. She gives off this air of intrigue and mystery and sort of “catch me if you can” but she is never caught. Perhaps for the brief interlude but she is too involved in her research work for Cancer Research. She was there when I was awarded my French degree and I was thrilled as she is so busy workwise. Academics are on a different level.
So I can see Lindsay when I think of “Minella Maddox, who secretly names her new employer the Devil Count when she first sees him astride a magnificent black horse. Although stung by his arrogance, she is compellingly drawn by his dash satanic looks and devilish charm. She accepts an invitation to France – as companion to his rebellious daughter.”
And in addition, as I soon discovered whilst reading, the novel had the backdrop of the French Revolution, a subject that has always fascinated me. Images of the tumbrils taking the aristocrats to their deaths at the Guillotine in the Reign of Terror, the roar of the crowds and the fear in the hearts of everyone in Paris that perhaps this was their last day on earth.
Here we have an extremely proud individual, Comte Fontaine Delibes, a man who automatically assumes he is entitled to take on whoever he feels as a mistress, it is his right as the owner of his estate at that time, and yet who brings an unbridled passion into the heart of this young girl just at the threshold of womanhood.
Minella is impressionable because she is new to the “needs and wants” of life. She is an eighteen year old girl who is being trained by her mother to be a school teacher, living on the estate of Sir John Derringham in Sussex. Whenever visitors came to Derringham Manor they would become temporary pupils and one of these proved to be Margot, the daughter of the Comte Fontaine Delibes. Her hatred for the count turns to intrigue and finally to love and he surprisingly enough (am I am so cynical) actually does love her and I being an incredibly romantic female (to my shame) fell for it hook line and sinker.
We all have choice in life and I do believe that our own destinies are somehow set out for us. By why would this young girl be so entranced with this self-centered count? Unfortunately, young girls are always intrigued by a challenge and this was to be had.
The word choice keeps vibrating in my mind as I think about this incredible book of passion, love, betrayal and the way that destiny prevails. So what does Minella decide? Well, to put it tritely, she follows her heart regardless of the outcome. Something that I have always done. We only have one life and as I look at the stars through my telescope, see this amazing galaxy and I still wonder…And I dream…
I just adored this book…Perhaps I will be able to find a first edition and that would just cap it for me.
There is nothing better than someone who sparkles. I have a friend Lindsay who I have admired from afar for many years and she is a veritable blue stocking. But the men love her. She gives off this air of intrigue and mystery and sort of “catch me if you can” but she is never caught. Perhaps for the brief interlude but she is too involved in her research work for Cancer Research. She was there when I was awarded my French degree and I was thrilled as she is so busy workwise. Academics are on a different level.
So I can see Lindsay when I think of “Minella Maddox, who secretly names her new employer the Devil Count when she first sees him astride a magnificent black horse. Although stung by his arrogance, she is compellingly drawn by his dash satanic looks and devilish charm. She accepts an invitation to France – as companion to his rebellious daughter.”
And in addition, as I soon discovered whilst reading, the novel had the backdrop of the French Revolution, a subject that has always fascinated me. Images of the tumbrils taking the aristocrats to their deaths at the Guillotine in the Reign of Terror, the roar of the crowds and the fear in the hearts of everyone in Paris that perhaps this was their last day on earth.
Here we have an extremely proud individual, Comte Fontaine Delibes, a man who automatically assumes he is entitled to take on whoever he feels as a mistress, it is his right as the owner of his estate at that time, and yet who brings an unbridled passion into the heart of this young girl just at the threshold of womanhood.
Minella is impressionable because she is new to the “needs and wants” of life. She is an eighteen year old girl who is being trained by her mother to be a school teacher, living on the estate of Sir John Derringham in Sussex. Whenever visitors came to Derringham Manor they would become temporary pupils and one of these proved to be Margot, the daughter of the Comte Fontaine Delibes. Her hatred for the count turns to intrigue and finally to love and he surprisingly enough (am I am so cynical) actually does love her and I being an incredibly romantic female (to my shame) fell for it hook line and sinker.
We all have choice in life and I do believe that our own destinies are somehow set out for us. By why would this young girl be so entranced with this self-centered count? Unfortunately, young girls are always intrigued by a challenge and this was to be had.
The word choice keeps vibrating in my mind as I think about this incredible book of passion, love, betrayal and the way that destiny prevails. So what does Minella decide? Well, to put it tritely, she follows her heart regardless of the outcome. Something that I have always done. We only have one life and as I look at the stars through my telescope, see this amazing galaxy and I still wonder…And I dream…
I just adored this book…Perhaps I will be able to find a first edition and that would just cap it for me.
November 25, 2012
Synopsis:
From the moment that beautiful eighteen-year-old Minella Maddox saw Charles-Augueste, the haughty, arrogant Comte Fontaine Delibes, his satanic looks thrilled her with a sense of danger and excitement. The Comte, too, liked what he saw. He decided that he would marry Minella, and nothing would be allowed to stand in his way . . . not even his wife
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just finished this and I'm exhausted. This one had me tied in knots with all the twists and turns.
The heroine of the book is the English daughter of the local schoolmarm who comes to the attention of the dark, and married, French Comte. When her mother dies, the school fails and she finds herself the companion of the H's daughter, who has her own set of aggravating issues.
The story is set during the time of the French Revolution, so there was that angle to add to the suspense. There were many conspiracies and dastardly deeds and everyone [illegimate sons, adoptees, and OW (not just the wife)] was a suspect up until the very end, which was a serious nail-biter for me.
I noticed quite a few scathing reviews from those who, I imagine, didn't appreciate a married hero, so this might prove to be a dealbreaker for those who can't abide by cheating whoredogs. But if you like dark and dangerous anti-heroes, heroines that aren't exactly pushovers, and lots of seat-pinching excitement, then you might enjoy this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2016
A rather watery version of the much stronger plot and characters from Holt's fabulous Demon Lover. Devil on Horseback's heroine is by contrast stupid, wishy-washy, and weak, while the male protagonist is too tamed and earnest to provide the frisson that a great, gothic, anti-hero could provide. But the most frustrating part of all this was that it took four fifths of the book to finally arrive at the French Revolution, which has been painstakingly hinted at through pages and pages of meticulously described minor incidents involving insolent servants and small acts of vandalism. But when the revolution actually happens, we are rushed at a dizzying pace through historical events, concluding in a rescue and escape to England seemingly copied from the Scarlet Pimpernel's Handbook, "Rescuing aristos from Madame Guillotine for Dummies." Another couple of pages and Napoleon is now in charge! Wow. This book was very disorganized, meandering, dull, and uninspiring. I want to think that this was the poor, first draft that eventually became Demon Lover, which was a lot better thought out and memorable.
April 16, 2024
A- for narration; B+ for content Review from 2013
I read lots of Victoria Holt’s gothic romances when I was in my twenties. I still have several battered old paperbacks sitting on my shelves, of which The Devil on Horseback is one, although I haven’t read it for quite some time. But when I saw it was one of the – sadly few – titles available in audiobook format, I pounced on it eagerly. The Devil on Horseback is narrated by Davina Porter, who I am sure many will recognize as the voice of the Outlander series (although I confess this is my first time listening to her). But I liked her voice in the sample I listened to; her precise delivery seemed perfect for a young, well-bred English lady of the eighteenth century, and I was intrigued to learn how she would handle the rest of the characters, the majority of whom are French.
The protagonist is nineteen-year-old Minella Maddox, daughter of a widowed schoolmistress. She and her mother run a small girls’ school near the estate of Sir John Derringham and his family. Minella helps her mother with the teaching and befriends one of the pupils, Margot, daughter of the enigmatic Comte Fontaine-Delibes. Minella also attracts the attention of Joel Derringham, heir to the Derringham estate, something which thrills her mother, but which is not welcomed by the young man’s parents. Davina Porter does a good job in differentiating the voices of the two Derringham men, and of Joel’s two sisters, one of whom is clearly a lot friendlier than the other. She gives Margot a slightly husky quality and I could actually see her facial expressions in my mind on those occasions she was being dismissive (oh, the utility of the wonderful Gallic shrug) or mischievous.
When Minella’s mother dies and the school begins to fail, she realizes she is going to have to find some other way to support herself financially. Joel is sent away on the Grand Tour, but a lifeline is thrown to her in a roundabout way by Margot, who has disgraced herself by having an affair with one of the estate workers and is going to have his child. The Comte offers Minella a solution to her dilemma – travel to France with Margot and remain with her in seclusion until the baby is born, and then accompany her to Castle Sylvain as her companion.
Minella accepts, somewhat reluctantly. The Comte is already a figure of fascination for her, with his air of danger and handsome, dark looks – but he is married and, although she is aware of his interest in her, has no desire to become his mistress. (I feel I should point out that although the Comte is Margot’s father, she is a couple of years younger than Minella – he was seventeen when she was born; so although there’s a fourteen or fifteen year age gap between them, it’s no bigger than that found in many other historical romances.)
It soon becomes clear that the Comte’s feelings for Minella run deeper than she suspects and when his wife dies unexpectedly, he falls immediately under suspicion. Minella is torn and even though she has fallen in love with him, she cannot quite believe in his innocence, especially in the face of the constant gibes and comments of the members of the household.
The story is long, complex and incredibly entertaining, all set against the backdrop of the highly-charged undercurrents that are running through French society – and given the story is set mostly in 1789, it’s not difficult to work out where things are heading.
Holt’s gothics are told in the first person and are very heroine-centric. By that I mean that although there is a strong romantic element in her books, the hero is often a rather distanced, enigmatic figure. If you’re someone who doesn’t like it when the central couple spends quite a lot of time apart, then her books might not be for you.
But what Holt does so well is to gradually build up a fascinating and detailed picture of the heroine’s life and the events in which she takes part. She takes the time to set the scene and bring the reader/listener fully into the heroine’s world, through her attention to period detail and her ability to tell a good story. At the risk of making a sweeping generalization, the majority of romance novels today tend to introduce the hero and heroine to the story (and to each other) fairly quickly, and stories are often told from both their points of view. By limiting herself to the heroine’s point of view only, Holt’s heroes tend to remain rather peripheral, even though her skill as a writer still enables us to learn something about their thoughts and motivations.
The use of first person narration also means that the choice of performer for an audiobook of one of Holt’s titles is crucial, as there is a lot of description and introspection in the books, which need to be voiced consistently and naturally – and most importantly in a way that remains engaging to the listener.
Overall, I enjoyed Ms. Porter’s performance. She did an excellent job with the female characters and the proliferation of French accents; and Minella came across with just the right degree of youth and backbone. She sustained the narrative passages with aplomb and really bought them to life, but I felt she was less successful with the male voices. She took the Comte to such a low register that it sounded almost as though she was struggling to sustain it at that pitch, although I do think that she caught his sardonic nature rather well for the most part, and brought a pleasant softness to his tone when flirting with Minella. I also found it difficult to immediately recognize which of the other male characters was speaking when there was more than one in any particular scene.
My biggest problem with the story was with the way that Minella kept asking the Comte for “more time” to make her decision as to whether to marry him, even though it was clear she loved him and she was secure about his feelings for her. It takes a cataclysmic event – the storming of the Bastille (the advent of the French Revolution) for her to admit to herself that she had been stupid to deny them even a little time together and that it’s something she will regret for the rest of her life. Help, however, comes from a very unexpected quarter… and that’s all I’ll say about the plot, because the end is a real nail-biter!
But even with the reservations I’ve expressed, The Devil on Horseback was entertaining and suspenseful and I have no hesitation in recommending it to listeners who enjoy well-crafted stories packed with engaging characters, adventure and period flavour.
I read lots of Victoria Holt’s gothic romances when I was in my twenties. I still have several battered old paperbacks sitting on my shelves, of which The Devil on Horseback is one, although I haven’t read it for quite some time. But when I saw it was one of the – sadly few – titles available in audiobook format, I pounced on it eagerly. The Devil on Horseback is narrated by Davina Porter, who I am sure many will recognize as the voice of the Outlander series (although I confess this is my first time listening to her). But I liked her voice in the sample I listened to; her precise delivery seemed perfect for a young, well-bred English lady of the eighteenth century, and I was intrigued to learn how she would handle the rest of the characters, the majority of whom are French.
The protagonist is nineteen-year-old Minella Maddox, daughter of a widowed schoolmistress. She and her mother run a small girls’ school near the estate of Sir John Derringham and his family. Minella helps her mother with the teaching and befriends one of the pupils, Margot, daughter of the enigmatic Comte Fontaine-Delibes. Minella also attracts the attention of Joel Derringham, heir to the Derringham estate, something which thrills her mother, but which is not welcomed by the young man’s parents. Davina Porter does a good job in differentiating the voices of the two Derringham men, and of Joel’s two sisters, one of whom is clearly a lot friendlier than the other. She gives Margot a slightly husky quality and I could actually see her facial expressions in my mind on those occasions she was being dismissive (oh, the utility of the wonderful Gallic shrug) or mischievous.
When Minella’s mother dies and the school begins to fail, she realizes she is going to have to find some other way to support herself financially. Joel is sent away on the Grand Tour, but a lifeline is thrown to her in a roundabout way by Margot, who has disgraced herself by having an affair with one of the estate workers and is going to have his child. The Comte offers Minella a solution to her dilemma – travel to France with Margot and remain with her in seclusion until the baby is born, and then accompany her to Castle Sylvain as her companion.
Minella accepts, somewhat reluctantly. The Comte is already a figure of fascination for her, with his air of danger and handsome, dark looks – but he is married and, although she is aware of his interest in her, has no desire to become his mistress. (I feel I should point out that although the Comte is Margot’s father, she is a couple of years younger than Minella – he was seventeen when she was born; so although there’s a fourteen or fifteen year age gap between them, it’s no bigger than that found in many other historical romances.)
It soon becomes clear that the Comte’s feelings for Minella run deeper than she suspects and when his wife dies unexpectedly, he falls immediately under suspicion. Minella is torn and even though she has fallen in love with him, she cannot quite believe in his innocence, especially in the face of the constant gibes and comments of the members of the household.
The story is long, complex and incredibly entertaining, all set against the backdrop of the highly-charged undercurrents that are running through French society – and given the story is set mostly in 1789, it’s not difficult to work out where things are heading.
Holt’s gothics are told in the first person and are very heroine-centric. By that I mean that although there is a strong romantic element in her books, the hero is often a rather distanced, enigmatic figure. If you’re someone who doesn’t like it when the central couple spends quite a lot of time apart, then her books might not be for you.
But what Holt does so well is to gradually build up a fascinating and detailed picture of the heroine’s life and the events in which she takes part. She takes the time to set the scene and bring the reader/listener fully into the heroine’s world, through her attention to period detail and her ability to tell a good story. At the risk of making a sweeping generalization, the majority of romance novels today tend to introduce the hero and heroine to the story (and to each other) fairly quickly, and stories are often told from both their points of view. By limiting herself to the heroine’s point of view only, Holt’s heroes tend to remain rather peripheral, even though her skill as a writer still enables us to learn something about their thoughts and motivations.
The use of first person narration also means that the choice of performer for an audiobook of one of Holt’s titles is crucial, as there is a lot of description and introspection in the books, which need to be voiced consistently and naturally – and most importantly in a way that remains engaging to the listener.
Overall, I enjoyed Ms. Porter’s performance. She did an excellent job with the female characters and the proliferation of French accents; and Minella came across with just the right degree of youth and backbone. She sustained the narrative passages with aplomb and really bought them to life, but I felt she was less successful with the male voices. She took the Comte to such a low register that it sounded almost as though she was struggling to sustain it at that pitch, although I do think that she caught his sardonic nature rather well for the most part, and brought a pleasant softness to his tone when flirting with Minella. I also found it difficult to immediately recognize which of the other male characters was speaking when there was more than one in any particular scene.
My biggest problem with the story was with the way that Minella kept asking the Comte for “more time” to make her decision as to whether to marry him, even though it was clear she loved him and she was secure about his feelings for her. It takes a cataclysmic event – the storming of the Bastille (the advent of the French Revolution) for her to admit to herself that she had been stupid to deny them even a little time together and that it’s something she will regret for the rest of her life. Help, however, comes from a very unexpected quarter… and that’s all I’ll say about the plot, because the end is a real nail-biter!
But even with the reservations I’ve expressed, The Devil on Horseback was entertaining and suspenseful and I have no hesitation in recommending it to listeners who enjoy well-crafted stories packed with engaging characters, adventure and period flavour.
August 5, 2016
Wow, what an interesting read! I could not put this book down, but surprisingly it was not because of the romance between the hero and heroine, which was sadly lacking. It was because of the intriguing story-line, the French Revolution, the plight of one of my favorite secondary characters ever (the heroine's spoiled best friend and hero's daughter, Margot), and then there was the love triangle between the hero and the heroine's other suitor Joel.
I never thought that I would enjoy a romance without any real romance, lol. The hero and heroine rarely spent much time with each other and when the hero was expressing his love for the heroine I was rolling my eye because I didn't understand how that could happen in just a few meetings.The romance was really just a back drop to everything else that was going on, but I was still captivated by the tale. Victoria Holt really knows how to tell a story. I thought the writing was excellent. 3.5 stars
I never thought that I would enjoy a romance without any real romance, lol. The hero and heroine rarely spent much time with each other and when the hero was expressing his love for the heroine I was rolling my eye because I didn't understand how that could happen in just a few meetings.The romance was really just a back drop to everything else that was going on, but I was still captivated by the tale. Victoria Holt really knows how to tell a story. I thought the writing was excellent. 3.5 stars
October 10, 2023
Extremely enjoyable and engaging Holt, even if it’s too damned long for its own good. The male protagonist was absolutely repugnant to me, though.
July 15, 2023
This is Holt's French Revolution book, I first read it when I was in high school (no, I'm not telling you how long ago that was!) and I remembered really liking it.
Folks, you can't go home again.
Oh sure, Holt could write and she paints evocative pictures with words. I also understand why I liked this so much when I read it as a teen - it's Soap Opera Drama Llama.
But the Gothic atmosphere is super thin, the "hero" completely vile, with a heroine who keeps making excuses for him - especially at the end. Even the "twist" at the end which should save the hero's reputation (I guess?) doesn't. I mean the guy is just that terrible. On top of that the French Revolution is thinly painted and simplistically drawn.
On the bright side, the audiobook version from Recorded Books is very well done.
Folks, you can't go home again.
Oh sure, Holt could write and she paints evocative pictures with words. I also understand why I liked this so much when I read it as a teen - it's Soap Opera Drama Llama.
But the Gothic atmosphere is super thin, the "hero" completely vile, with a heroine who keeps making excuses for him - especially at the end. Even the "twist" at the end which should save the hero's reputation (I guess?) doesn't. I mean the guy is just that terrible. On top of that the French Revolution is thinly painted and simplistically drawn.
On the bright side, the audiobook version from Recorded Books is very well done.
December 27, 2018
Bu kadar beğeneceğimi ummuyordum... Boşuna dememişler ne varsa eskilerde var diye....
April 18, 2016
Melodramatic and "clean" as far as romance goes (I know some people care about that). Although, IIRC the hero does smooch the heroine while his wife is still alive. And before he and the heroine get married. So maybe it's really disgustingly immoral.
Anyway, I might have read this book when I was a youngster, because I did read a lot of VH's books. Lately I've been working on reacquainting myself with them. I definitely got more of a thrill out of them when I was 12. This one is what I'm realizing is pretty typical - a grumpy hero, inexplicable attempts on the life of the innocent heroine, a young man who is nice and takes an interest in the heroine, a crazy old lady, and hordes of menacing possibilities.
In this particular case, you can add in "overwhelming stupidity" as the heroine decides to stick around in Revolutionary France when she has the option to get out. LOL. Yeah, not for love or money, my friends.
It was ok, not much more.
Anyway, I might have read this book when I was a youngster, because I did read a lot of VH's books. Lately I've been working on reacquainting myself with them. I definitely got more of a thrill out of them when I was 12. This one is what I'm realizing is pretty typical - a grumpy hero, inexplicable attempts on the life of the innocent heroine, a young man who is nice and takes an interest in the heroine, a crazy old lady, and hordes of menacing possibilities.
In this particular case, you can add in "overwhelming stupidity" as the heroine decides to stick around in Revolutionary France when she has the option to get out. LOL. Yeah, not for love or money, my friends.
It was ok, not much more.
December 10, 2021
2.5/3*
Una novela histórica y de intriga de Victoria Holt.
Tiene también romanticismo pero de una forma bastante secundaria .
Me ha gustado la trama histórica y las relaciones entre todos los personajes ,los momentos de intriga son muy buenos pero me ha faltado más romanticismo.También tiene giros que están muy bien
Me ha parecido más interesante la primera parte del libro pero hacia el final pierde un poco .
Y el final se desarrolla demasiado rápido.
En general me ha gustado .
Una novela histórica y de intriga de Victoria Holt.
Tiene también romanticismo pero de una forma bastante secundaria .
Me ha gustado la trama histórica y las relaciones entre todos los personajes ,los momentos de intriga son muy buenos pero me ha faltado más romanticismo.También tiene giros que están muy bien
Me ha parecido más interesante la primera parte del libro pero hacia el final pierde un poco .
Y el final se desarrolla demasiado rápido.
En general me ha gustado .
June 16, 2016
I actually didn't quite finish this book! the romantic male lead is a French nobleman (the Comte) during the French Revolution. there's a lot of weird politics included in this book. the Comte once ran over and killed a small child with his carriage, because he was in a bad mood and driving his carriage recklessly made him feel better - so he adopted the boy's twin and sends the family money. he has his own daughter sent away during a surprise pregnancy and the baby is fostered out and when the daughter comes home grieving, the Comte is like, she must marry as soon as possible (which makes the daughter even more sad). way back in the day, the Comte's dad had a dude imprisoned because he wanted to get at that dude's wife. I don't know, I think this French guy is supposed to be romantic because he's always played around and he doesn't respect or care about anyone, and the main character is supposed to be his One True Love who changes everything. ummm but he's been married the entire time he's talking to Minelle, this One True Love, and he keeps saying stuff like "but what if I weren't married...!" and Minelle is like oh man I need to get out of here, but then instead of explaining to anyone that this dude has asked her to become his mistress, and she doesn't approve, she just tells people she can't stay because she doesn't have any clothes, so they make her fancy clothes. and every time she has a conversation with him she has to run away from him back to her room, where she always notes that her face is flushed and her hair is in disarray. I just didn't want to read all of their creepy gross flirtations. especially when in the rest of the story all of these French people are sick of being oppressed and poor, while the aristocrats have been treating them horribly (as the Comte treats people). not romantic?!
p.s. just wanted to see Minelle say something like this:
p.s. just wanted to see Minelle say something like this:
December 22, 2015
4 and 1/2 stars... Proper Englishwoman Resists the love of a Dark French Count in France.
Another of Victoria Holt’s Gothic romances, this one set in 18th century France during the time leading up to the French Revolution. The hero is a domineering French count and the heroine a very proper English schoolteacher. Their lives become entangled when he pays a trip to England. Neither can deny the growing attraction to each other, despite he is married.
Aristocrat Comte Fontaine Delibes married young at 18 after already siring a bastard son with his mistress. But after giving him a daughter, his wife spurns him and the doctors advise against her having another child. Denied the son he wanted, the comte sets about having one mistress after the other—until he meets a young Englishwoman, Minella Maddox, “Minelle” who, along with her mother, teaches school on a wealthy estate.
Minelle agrees to travel to France and become companion to the comte’s daughter, Margot, when she gets in trouble and has to go away for a while. During this time, Minelle learns much about the intrigues of the comte’s family and the rising discontent of the French populace. Though she knows she should go home to England, she can’t bring herself to leave.
If you like Alpha male heroes, misunderstood for most of the book, a brave heroine and an intriguing mystery set in an interesting historical period, then you’ll like this one. It’s classic Victoria Holt and I recommend it.
Another of Victoria Holt’s Gothic romances, this one set in 18th century France during the time leading up to the French Revolution. The hero is a domineering French count and the heroine a very proper English schoolteacher. Their lives become entangled when he pays a trip to England. Neither can deny the growing attraction to each other, despite he is married.
Aristocrat Comte Fontaine Delibes married young at 18 after already siring a bastard son with his mistress. But after giving him a daughter, his wife spurns him and the doctors advise against her having another child. Denied the son he wanted, the comte sets about having one mistress after the other—until he meets a young Englishwoman, Minella Maddox, “Minelle” who, along with her mother, teaches school on a wealthy estate.
Minelle agrees to travel to France and become companion to the comte’s daughter, Margot, when she gets in trouble and has to go away for a while. During this time, Minelle learns much about the intrigues of the comte’s family and the rising discontent of the French populace. Though she knows she should go home to England, she can’t bring herself to leave.
If you like Alpha male heroes, misunderstood for most of the book, a brave heroine and an intriguing mystery set in an interesting historical period, then you’ll like this one. It’s classic Victoria Holt and I recommend it.
September 26, 2020
Another re-read for me.
This was my very first romance novel ever. I checked it out of my junior high library (which had all Victoria Holt's books!!)
Another buttheaded alpha male hero who I really enjoyed. At the time I was fourteen and recall thinking Charles (the hero) was gross because he was such a geezer (I think he's 35) HAHAHA! Oh, those were the days.
This is still my favorite Holt novel.
This was my very first romance novel ever. I checked it out of my junior high library (which had all Victoria Holt's books!!)
Another buttheaded alpha male hero who I really enjoyed. At the time I was fourteen and recall thinking Charles (the hero) was gross because he was such a geezer (I think he's 35) HAHAHA! Oh, those were the days.
This is still my favorite Holt novel.
October 6, 2018
Wow, this was a great read. There wasn't a ton of romance in this IMO but that was OK. I still thought the h/h were interesting together (when they were together) and had my opinion about the Count--I didn't believe the perception that others had of him. The story is somewhat slow but nonetheless still engaging. I loved Margot! She was a hoot and constantly into mischief. I also like Joel and Leon; both good guys IMO. I wish that this had been longer. My only beef is the short, abrupt ending.
5 stars for story and Davina Porter's narration
5 stars for story and Davina Porter's narration
April 7, 2016
4 and 1/2 Stars - Proper Englishwoman Resists the love of a Dark French Count in Revolutionary France
Another of Victoria Holt’s Gothic romances, this one set in 18th century France during the time leading up to the French Revolution. The hero is a domineering French count and the heroine a very proper English schoolteacher. Their lives become entangled when he pays a trip to England. Neither can deny the growing attraction to each other, despite he is married.
Aristocrat Comte Fontaine Delibes married young at 18 after already siring a bastard son with his mistress. But after giving him a daughter, his wife spurns him and the doctors advise against her having another child. Denied the legitimate son he wanted, the comte sets about having one mistress after the other—until he meets a young Englishwoman, Minella Maddox, “Minelle” who, along with her mother, teaches school on a wealthy estate.
Minelle agrees to travel to France and become companion to the comte’s daughter, Margot, when she gets in trouble and has to go away for awhile. During this time, Minelle learns much about the intrigues of the comte’s family and the rising discontent of the French populace. Though she knows she should go home to England, she can’t bring herself to leave.
If you like Alpha male heroes, misunderstood for most of the book, a brave heroine and an intriguing mystery set in an interesting historical period, then you’ll like this one. It’s classic Victoria Holt and I recommend it.
Another of Victoria Holt’s Gothic romances, this one set in 18th century France during the time leading up to the French Revolution. The hero is a domineering French count and the heroine a very proper English schoolteacher. Their lives become entangled when he pays a trip to England. Neither can deny the growing attraction to each other, despite he is married.
Aristocrat Comte Fontaine Delibes married young at 18 after already siring a bastard son with his mistress. But after giving him a daughter, his wife spurns him and the doctors advise against her having another child. Denied the legitimate son he wanted, the comte sets about having one mistress after the other—until he meets a young Englishwoman, Minella Maddox, “Minelle” who, along with her mother, teaches school on a wealthy estate.
Minelle agrees to travel to France and become companion to the comte’s daughter, Margot, when she gets in trouble and has to go away for awhile. During this time, Minelle learns much about the intrigues of the comte’s family and the rising discontent of the French populace. Though she knows she should go home to England, she can’t bring herself to leave.
If you like Alpha male heroes, misunderstood for most of the book, a brave heroine and an intriguing mystery set in an interesting historical period, then you’ll like this one. It’s classic Victoria Holt and I recommend it.
June 3, 2016
Some of my favorite Victoria Holt books are out of print, such as Manfreya in the Morning. But this is an excellent example of her writing. So many romance writers today seem to think that explicit sexual acts and descriptions are needed for romance novels. But that is porn; not romance. Victoria Holt knew how to write true romance with always a bit of mystery thrown in! Highly recommend any of her novels.
April 7, 2013
Do you love reading about the tension between two people as they fall in love, especially when the woman is beautiful, aloof, naive, and persued by a man who is irresistable, possessive, and maybe just a titch evil? Then you'd love every Victoria Holt novel ever written (which is like 5,000)! Devil on Horseback is set in the months leading up to the French Revolution, which adds ANOTHER layer of tension! Yes!
Seriously, I cannot get enough Victoria Holt.
Seriously, I cannot get enough Victoria Holt.
January 1, 2018
Thoughts on old-school gothic romance: no tongues, no second-base, use your imagination; the servant classes are either kind or utterly treacherous; when someone shoots at you, don't tell the help; castles are the best! Never marry a man who doesn't have one.
Enjoyed the hell out of revisiting the genre and author that helped turn me into an avid reader, and especially appreciated the audiobook performed by Davina Porter who also narrates Judith Ivory's wonderful Sleeping Beauty.
Enjoyed the hell out of revisiting the genre and author that helped turn me into an avid reader, and especially appreciated the audiobook performed by Davina Porter who also narrates Judith Ivory's wonderful Sleeping Beauty.
March 17, 2008
I read all of Victoria Holt mystery/romance books in my 30s. Holt books are a higher caliber of romance fiction than something like Harlequins. Historically accurate. Good recreational reading with something to keep you turning pages.
November 23, 2007
This is one of Holt's better works. It is set during the French Revolution and happily gets away from the whole Lord of the Manor falls for governess formula.
September 9, 2022
This story was so charming to listen to. I loved the narrator and her British and French accents. Minella is a stalwart character with a good, solid head on her shoulders, which makes her the perfect friend for flighty Margot. The daughter of a school mistress, Minelle (as Margot calls her) finds herself in France during the start of the Revolution, and also in the invisible clutches of Margot's father, Charles-Auguste (Le Comte). The historical aspects were volatile and the romantic aspects were full of chemistry, despite the large difference in age. This author is a favorite and her books are timeless.
Content: implied affairs/intimacy; kissing; mild war-type violence
Content: implied affairs/intimacy; kissing; mild war-type violence
June 5, 2023
This book was underwhelming, to say the least. I do give it some credit, as it was written in the 70s and romance novels were quite different. I read it because it was a book that my Grandmother had given to me, so I felt I owed it to her. I wish there could have been more. I don't feel we really got to know the main characters, especially the love interest, in the ways I wanted to. I honestly couldn't tell you what he did to make Minella fall in love with him. He was just frequently described as "exciting". I also think he was extremely shady. He clearly had little respect for his first marriage, or even women in general. And the fact that it takes place in the 1780s, during the fall of the French aristocracy, doesn't make any of the characters particularly amiable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2009
type of book: romance
I received this book from/at: BJ got it for free with a bundle of other books from old Southside library
my interest in this book is: needed something to read & the title intrigued me.
ideas expressed/message/plot: It's a girlie fantasy about a young girl who is very Jane Eyre. She is the daughter of an English school teacher who befriends a French classmate & falls in love with her (father/uncle? I can't remember) the man who si known as the devil on horseback.
when I finished this book I felt: girlie
quotes:
" 'You are telling me that you killed your wife,' I said. 'No, I'm not. But I will be honest and say that I wanted her out of the way. I despised her. At times I hated her, but never so much as when she stood between you and me. Vaguely before, I had hoped for remarriage that I might get a son. Now that you are here, I want it for other reasons too. I have dreamed often of a peaceful existence here in the chateau...our children growing up around us...the pleasant life going on and on...Then she died. She took an overdose of that sleeping draught because she knew she was suffering from the disease which killed her mother. It was lingering and painful. Do you believe me now?' I could not meet his eyes because I knew he would read my doubts there.
I received this book from/at: BJ got it for free with a bundle of other books from old Southside library
my interest in this book is: needed something to read & the title intrigued me.
ideas expressed/message/plot: It's a girlie fantasy about a young girl who is very Jane Eyre. She is the daughter of an English school teacher who befriends a French classmate & falls in love with her (father/uncle? I can't remember) the man who si known as the devil on horseback.
when I finished this book I felt: girlie
quotes:
" 'You are telling me that you killed your wife,' I said. 'No, I'm not. But I will be honest and say that I wanted her out of the way. I despised her. At times I hated her, but never so much as when she stood between you and me. Vaguely before, I had hoped for remarriage that I might get a son. Now that you are here, I want it for other reasons too. I have dreamed often of a peaceful existence here in the chateau...our children growing up around us...the pleasant life going on and on...Then she died. She took an overdose of that sleeping draught because she knew she was suffering from the disease which killed her mother. It was lingering and painful. Do you believe me now?' I could not meet his eyes because I knew he would read my doubts there.
February 27, 2012
I was hopeful when I started this novel, as it is set in the days just before the French Revolution, which is a period I love to read about. But this is not one of Holt's better offerings -- in fact, the only reason I bothered to finish reading it was because I had taken the book on vacation with me, and had few other reading options available at the time.
I spent most of the book being irritated by the characters (I dearly wanted the principal love interest to be trampled by a herd of pigs, as he is one of the creepiest jerks ever to romance a Gothic heroine). I guessed the "surprise" plot twist halfway through the book, and was disappointed that I turned out to be correct. The ending was trite and seemed forced, and there was never any real suspense about how things would turn out.
Holt has written a number of clever, suspenseful and entertaining books; this just isn't one of them.
I spent most of the book being irritated by the characters (I dearly wanted the principal love interest to be trampled by a herd of pigs, as he is one of the creepiest jerks ever to romance a Gothic heroine). I guessed the "surprise" plot twist halfway through the book, and was disappointed that I turned out to be correct. The ending was trite and seemed forced, and there was never any real suspense about how things would turn out.
Holt has written a number of clever, suspenseful and entertaining books; this just isn't one of them.
March 14, 2025
Set in 1789 England and France, The Devil on Horseback tells the story of Minella Maddox, a young English woman who lives with her mother nder the protection of the Derringham estate. The pair make their living teaching daughters of the gentry leading to the mother having aspirations of Minella to rise above her station at the expense of Minella's own well-being. Through the school, Minella becomes friends with Margot Fountaine Delibes, a young French woman who sees the world as a game in contrast to Minella's serious demeanor where she introduces Minellla to her father the notorious Count Fountaine Delibes whose reputation for being a wicked man isn't lowered when he begins to romantically pursuit Minella despite being a married man and being known for always getting what he wants.
The positives of this book
The relationship with Minella and Margot was sweet to see. Despite Margot being flakey and at times an airhead, she goes out of her way to defend and help Minella even when Margot is the one who really does need the help. Margot herself is rather funny as she comes up plans which can best be described as absurd it wouldn't be believable even when they occur. The story was very descriptive of the world where you can feel there is a powder keg waiting to explode as you get to the French portion of the story as everyone has a motive to betray one another where it does portray the Revolution more as a short term solution which doesn't address the fundamental aspects of why a Revolution was ever considered rather than the "eat the rich, the French can celebrate" mindset the French Revolution tends to normally be perceived. The book does show there are good people on both sections who were getting caught in the crossfire, but it is understandable why the old Regime either needed to be updated with little bloodshed or just being rid of altogether.
This book also highlights an interesting dynamic on how the French and the English aristocracies are portrayed. Both are terrible in their own ways; but the English one is seen as the smarter approach as they reminds people like Minella and her mother of their place despite trotting them around like prized pets while making sure to provide people with just enough tools to survive, quietly throw them under the bus when a problem occurs and discretion above all else. In contrast to the French, who flaunt their deeds whether they are good or bad, a strong superiority complex where the peasants must see the nobility as gods rather than benevolent providers and the lack of accountability.
The French portion is where this book shines as it does take about 70% of the story due to the English portion providing background for what will occur. You get the to see what is going on through Minella's eyes as she both sympathizes and condemns all sides of the French Revolution and is merely trying to survive with every person she interacts with since it is obvious to the person she is interacted with suspects she is not telling the truth but will play along with the game until it is necessary.
The negatives
A lot of this mostly goes with the Count. The Count is introduced as this wild, dangerous man but he comes off as someone who is all bark and no bite. Yes he does kiss Minella without her permission when they first meet, we do meet his bastard, it is revealed he had a killed a child in the past (but adopts the brother of the child as a karmic way of helping the family) and he does acknowledge to be interested in Minella while he is married but you never think he will risk Minella's reputation when they are alone together, he doesn't try anything to force her hand in becoming his mistress, the adoption benefits the Count at the end through this ridiculous twist which feels like a "and then" scenario where I kept wondering why was this needed?? It was not foreshadowed at all and felt too much like a Deus Ex Machina for the climax of the story.
There is a portion of the book where you are led to believe the Count is responsible for another murder but it gets resolved on its own where the Count comes off as a boring perfect person who is not allowed to have any flaws. Was it suppose to be so the audience would still want him with Minella?? At some point, I was rooting for her and Leon to pursue a relationship as they had more in common than her and the Count. The love story between Minella and The Count is rather weak as for nearly 60% of the book, Minella is not in love with the Count until she is and most of the book she is told many suspect he has killed his wife where she knows he is capable of doing it even though he tells her he didn't do it. To Minella credit, does try to find out whether it was an accident or suicide, but the evidence provided to her at the time is rather strong that it never feel believable that based on what has been presented to us about Minella, she never doubts the Count's word. I almost wonder what her reaction would have been had it been revealed he had killed his wife to marry her? Although that would have made their dynamic more interesting and the Count being the blackguard we are told he is perceived to be.
Overall
It was an okay read where I found the background portions fascinating and seeing the viewpoint of an English schoolteacher in pre-Revolutionary France does give fun insight into all the characters involved but I was hoping the male character would be as dark as he had been perceived to be or at least be placed in a situation where his deeds would come back to haunt and leaving him time to reflect. In terms of the Victoria Holt novels I have read, this one wasn't too terrible so I guess I am glad to give her another chance. I do have more of an interest in checking her books once again now than I did a decade ago at this point.
The positives of this book
The relationship with Minella and Margot was sweet to see. Despite Margot being flakey and at times an airhead, she goes out of her way to defend and help Minella even when Margot is the one who really does need the help. Margot herself is rather funny as she comes up plans which can best be described as absurd it wouldn't be believable even when they occur. The story was very descriptive of the world where you can feel there is a powder keg waiting to explode as you get to the French portion of the story as everyone has a motive to betray one another where it does portray the Revolution more as a short term solution which doesn't address the fundamental aspects of why a Revolution was ever considered rather than the "eat the rich, the French can celebrate" mindset the French Revolution tends to normally be perceived. The book does show there are good people on both sections who were getting caught in the crossfire, but it is understandable why the old Regime either needed to be updated with little bloodshed or just being rid of altogether.
This book also highlights an interesting dynamic on how the French and the English aristocracies are portrayed. Both are terrible in their own ways; but the English one is seen as the smarter approach as they reminds people like Minella and her mother of their place despite trotting them around like prized pets while making sure to provide people with just enough tools to survive, quietly throw them under the bus when a problem occurs and discretion above all else. In contrast to the French, who flaunt their deeds whether they are good or bad, a strong superiority complex where the peasants must see the nobility as gods rather than benevolent providers and the lack of accountability.
The French portion is where this book shines as it does take about 70% of the story due to the English portion providing background for what will occur. You get the to see what is going on through Minella's eyes as she both sympathizes and condemns all sides of the French Revolution and is merely trying to survive with every person she interacts with since it is obvious to the person she is interacted with suspects she is not telling the truth but will play along with the game until it is necessary.
The negatives
A lot of this mostly goes with the Count. The Count is introduced as this wild, dangerous man but he comes off as someone who is all bark and no bite. Yes he does kiss Minella without her permission when they first meet, we do meet his bastard, it is revealed he had a killed a child in the past (but adopts the brother of the child as a karmic way of helping the family) and he does acknowledge to be interested in Minella while he is married but you never think he will risk Minella's reputation when they are alone together, he doesn't try anything to force her hand in becoming his mistress, the adoption benefits the Count at the end through this ridiculous twist which feels like a "and then" scenario where I kept wondering why was this needed?? It was not foreshadowed at all and felt too much like a Deus Ex Machina for the climax of the story.
There is a portion of the book where you are led to believe the Count is responsible for another murder but it gets resolved on its own where the Count comes off as a boring perfect person who is not allowed to have any flaws. Was it suppose to be so the audience would still want him with Minella?? At some point, I was rooting for her and Leon to pursue a relationship as they had more in common than her and the Count. The love story between Minella and The Count is rather weak as for nearly 60% of the book, Minella is not in love with the Count until she is and most of the book she is told many suspect he has killed his wife where she knows he is capable of doing it even though he tells her he didn't do it. To Minella credit, does try to find out whether it was an accident or suicide, but the evidence provided to her at the time is rather strong that it never feel believable that based on what has been presented to us about Minella, she never doubts the Count's word. I almost wonder what her reaction would have been had it been revealed he had killed his wife to marry her? Although that would have made their dynamic more interesting and the Count being the blackguard we are told he is perceived to be.
Overall
It was an okay read where I found the background portions fascinating and seeing the viewpoint of an English schoolteacher in pre-Revolutionary France does give fun insight into all the characters involved but I was hoping the male character would be as dark as he had been perceived to be or at least be placed in a situation where his deeds would come back to haunt and leaving him time to reflect. In terms of the Victoria Holt novels I have read, this one wasn't too terrible so I guess I am glad to give her another chance. I do have more of an interest in checking her books once again now than I did a decade ago at this point.
August 6, 2016
I couldn't understand the logical, English heroine. She's given many opportunities to get out of there, several dire warnings, including attempts on her life, and she ignores it all. This is all before she even 'realizes' she's in love with the Comte, who has NO redeeming qualities at all, except maybe the illusion of excitement. Minella was 'overwhelmingly stupid' as another reviewer said, and it was painful to finish the book, knowing she would never do what was obviously the right thing, and go home to England! If not for wonderful Davina Porter's narration, I would have given it up half-way thru.
February 22, 2019
I have such a fondness for this ridiculous gothic romance. It's not always great, but I adore the protagonist - pragmatic, Englishwoman Minella, and I wouldn't be me if I didn't get all weak in the knees for the arrogant and mysterious Comte.
Yes, maybe there are some... slightly problematic elements with the appeal of characters like the Comte given his inherent power and class positioning over Minella but I can both recognize that and still love some good ol' fashioned gothic romance and that's exactly what I choose to do.
Yes, maybe there are some... slightly problematic elements with the appeal of characters like the Comte given his inherent power and class positioning over Minella but I can both recognize that and still love some good ol' fashioned gothic romance and that's exactly what I choose to do.
March 30, 2014
I really loved this book about an English schoolmistress who finds love during the French revolution. The historical setting was very vividly created. Minelle is strong, and loyal, and has a little bit of spunk, which made her a likeable character. Her love story is also good because she likes men who are not that great for her. Something about which I know. Overall, a great book that I highly recommend.
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