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Montgomery/Taggert: Publication order #9
The Raider
Jude Deveraux continues her beloved Montgomery saga in America with this dramatic, passion-filled tale of rebellion and love -- a breathtaking adventure to be savored all over again -- or discovered for the first time!
The Raider
In colonial New England, the British are hunting a fearless, masked patriot whose daring foils them at every turn. He's known simply as the Raider.
Jessica Taggert, a proud-tempered beauty, thrills to the Raider's scorching midnight embrace, but despises Alexander Montgomery, the drunken town buffoon.
In truth, the cleverly disguised Montgomery lives two lives...and only his triumph over the hated Redcoats will free him, at last, to know the full pleasure of Jessica's love.
The Raider
In colonial New England, the British are hunting a fearless, masked patriot whose daring foils them at every turn. He's known simply as the Raider.
Jessica Taggert, a proud-tempered beauty, thrills to the Raider's scorching midnight embrace, but despises Alexander Montgomery, the drunken town buffoon.
In truth, the cleverly disguised Montgomery lives two lives...and only his triumph over the hated Redcoats will free him, at last, to know the full pleasure of Jessica's love.
387 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1987
367 people are currently reading
2154 people want to read
About the author
Jude Deveraux
199 books7,042 followersJude Gilliam was born September 20, 1947 in Fairdale, Kentucky. She has a large extended family and is the elder sister of four brothers. She attended Murray State University and received a degree in Art. In 1967, Jude married and took her husband's surname of White, but four years later they divorced. For years, she worked as 5th-grade teacher.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
She began writing in 1976, and published her first book, The Enchanted Land (1977) under the name Jude Deveraux. Following the publication of her first novel, she resigned her teaching position. Now, she is the author of 31 New York Times bestsellers.
Jude won readers' hearts with the epic Velvet series, which revolves around the lives of the Montgomery family's irresistible men. Jude's early books are set largely in 15th- and 16th-century England; in them her fierce, impassioned protagonists find themselves in the midst of blood feuds and wars. Her heroines are equally scrappy -- medieval Scarlett O'Haras who often have a low regard for the men who eventually win them over. They're fighters, certainly, but they're also beauties who are preoccupied with survival and family preservation.
Jude has also stepped outside her milieu, with mixed results. Her James River trilogy (River Lady, Lost Lady, and Counterfeit Lady) is set mostly in post-Revolution America; the popular, softer-edged Twin of Fire/Twin of Ice moves to 19th-century Colorado and introduces another hunky-man clan, the Taggerts.
Deveraux manages to evoke a strong and convincing atmosphere for each of her books, but her dialogue and characters are as familiar as a modern-day soap opera's. "Historicals seem to be all I'm capable of," Jude once said in an interview, referring to a now out-of-print attempt at contemporary fiction, 1982's Casa Grande. "I don't want to write family sagas or occult books, and I have no intention of again trying to ruin the contemporary market." Still, Jude did later attempt modern-day romances, such as the lighthearted High Tide (her first murder caper), the contemporary female friendship story The Summerhouse, and the time-traveling Knight in Shining Armor. In fact, with 2002's The Mulberry Tree, Deveraux seems to be getting more comfortable setting stories in the present, which is a good thing, since the fans she won with her historical books are eager to follow her into the future.
Jude married Claude White, who she later divorced in 1993. Around the same time she met Mohammed Montassir with whom she had a son, Sam Alexander Montassir, in 1997. On Oct. 6th, 2005, Sam died at the age of eight in a motorcycle accident.
Jude has lived in several countries and all over the United States. She currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina and has an additional home in the medieval city of Badolato, Italy.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
January 31, 2022
Content warning: fatfobia and rape discussed in review
Overall: ⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥 (There are 3 but they are very short and not developed or explicit so I give 1 flame for open door sex)
Humor: Yes
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (your ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and the Tartans Facebook group.)
Should I read in order?
I have no idea. Lol. I am following the chronological order found on her website (here: https://judedeveraux.com/books/the-mo...) This one though seems like a new time period and location so I think it would be fine read alone.
Basic plot
Alex Montgomery returns to America and sees the oppression that Americans face from the British soldiers. He disguises himself as the Raider and causes mayhem to the British. He ends up getting shot and again disguises his regular person in a ‘fat’ suit and wig while he recovers from his injuries. From here he lives a dual life as Alex and the Raider. Jessica is fighting against injustice as well and they end up working together.
Give this a try if you want:
- 1766 time period in east coast American
- Revolutionary War plot – British soldiers conflicting with colonists
- You’re okay with content warnings including rape on page (that turns into dubious consent – she’s given a ‘choice’ if you can call it that – discussed in more detail below), and lots of talk of being fat.
- Lower steam – there are 3 open door scenes but none are long or explicit.
- You like a secret identity plot – this one goes through almost the entire book
My thoughts:
This book has been out for over 30 years so I’m just going to get into specfics here. Turn away if you don’t want spoiler warnings!
Content Warnings:
Overall: ⭐️⭐️
Plot/Storyline: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡
Romance: 💞💞
Sensuality: 💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥 (There are 3 but they are very short and not developed or explicit so I give 1 flame for open door sex)
Humor: Yes
(These are all personal preference on a scale of 1-5 (your ratings may vary depending what gives you feels and how you prefer you sex scenes written, etc) except the Steam Scale which follows our chart from The Ton and the Tartans Facebook group.)
Should I read in order?
I have no idea. Lol. I am following the chronological order found on her website (here: https://judedeveraux.com/books/the-mo...) This one though seems like a new time period and location so I think it would be fine read alone.
Basic plot
Alex Montgomery returns to America and sees the oppression that Americans face from the British soldiers. He disguises himself as the Raider and causes mayhem to the British. He ends up getting shot and again disguises his regular person in a ‘fat’ suit and wig while he recovers from his injuries. From here he lives a dual life as Alex and the Raider. Jessica is fighting against injustice as well and they end up working together.
Give this a try if you want:
- 1766 time period in east coast American
- Revolutionary War plot – British soldiers conflicting with colonists
- You’re okay with content warnings including rape on page (that turns into dubious consent – she’s given a ‘choice’ if you can call it that – discussed in more detail below), and lots of talk of being fat.
- Lower steam – there are 3 open door scenes but none are long or explicit.
- You like a secret identity plot – this one goes through almost the entire book
My thoughts:
This book has been out for over 30 years so I’m just going to get into specfics here. Turn away if you don’t want spoiler warnings!
Content Warnings:
September 16, 2019
Well, there was literal bodice-ripping in this book. It was pretty mild though. The Raider generously gave Jessica the option of either succumbing willingly and being made love to or raped on the rocks.
I was frustrated with all the characters at one time or another. They each wanted to have their cake and eat it too. Alex Montgomery would have had sex with a willing 16 year old Maiden if he hadn't known her father. Jessica wanted what she believed to be two men. Alex Montgomery would kiss his married Lover from Italy but not his wife. The married Lover from Italy would have sex with Alexander Montgomery but never wanted Alex's wife Jessica Taggart to meet her husband. Everyone had a double standard, thinking only of themselves and their own sexual needs.
The Raider masquerade was fun though. If the melodrama of the bodice-ripper appeals to you, you'll probably like this one. Both the hero and the heroine are the epitome of perfect Beauty known around the world with the additional benefit of bright Minds. Who can blame these two perfect bodies from wanting to taste others while also attempting to keep the other away from anyone else?
I was frustrated with all the characters at one time or another. They each wanted to have their cake and eat it too. Alex Montgomery would have had sex with a willing 16 year old Maiden if he hadn't known her father. Jessica wanted what she believed to be two men. Alex Montgomery would kiss his married Lover from Italy but not his wife. The married Lover from Italy would have sex with Alexander Montgomery but never wanted Alex's wife Jessica Taggart to meet her husband. Everyone had a double standard, thinking only of themselves and their own sexual needs.
The Raider masquerade was fun though. If the melodrama of the bodice-ripper appeals to you, you'll probably like this one. Both the hero and the heroine are the epitome of perfect Beauty known around the world with the additional benefit of bright Minds. Who can blame these two perfect bodies from wanting to taste others while also attempting to keep the other away from anyone else?
July 24, 2012
The first romance novel I ever read, at the tender age of 12, was Jude Deveraux’s Velvet Promise. I immediately finished the series. Swooned repeatedly. And then devoured her backlist. Once I finished her books, I went through Julie Garwood, Judith McNaught and Elizabeth Lowell, then onward to Lisa Kleypas and Julia Quinn. Later, I would branch out to contemporaries, paranormal romance, urban fantasy and erotica, but it was Jude who started it all.
Somewhere between High Tide and The Summerhouse, I stopped putting her on my “Must Buy” list. But re-reading any book from that magnificent backlist always feels like stepping back into the warm embrace of a cherished aunt. Re-reading The Raider was no exception.
Though it may not be her best, I find The Raider immensely enjoyable. Forget the fact that the heroine, Jessica Taggart, is so dense even the secondary characters want to smack her. Forget the plausibility of a man able to completely conceal his true identity in the very small colonial town in which he was born and raised. Forget the fact that there is no believable way the same very muscular and virile man could have padded himself enough for others to think he was a fat almost-invalid. (Okay, so they pad his belly and his thighs but his shoulders are still magnificently broad? What about his buttocks? His arms? Shouldn’t he have jowls if he is really that big? Seriously, wouldn’t he need Hollywood worthy prosthetics to pull off this rouse?) None of that matters. What matters is the book is a damn good time and an enjoyable way to pass four or five hours.
Characters are an aspect of craft where Jude has always excelled. Even though Jessica is stubborn to the point of being a hazard to her family, even though she’s dense almost to the point of stupidity, she remains a character to route for. I think this is because she’s a fighter. She’s works hard sunrise to sunset to put food on the table for her multitude of brothers and sisters. She’s struggled to rise and compete in a man’s world and she’s done it all on her own terms. And, throughout the book, she’s faced with a very realistic problem, one most women can relate to. Though she has feelings for Alex Montgomery, the good friend who’s a constant source of support, she’s drawn to the mysterious Raider. Of course, in her case the man that she wants and the man who is the healthy choice are one in the same. In real life, this situation is rarely so convenient.
Alex is the classic Deveraux Montgomery/Taggart hero, cut from the same mold as all the others. But it is a good mold. A mold that has produced numerous NYT bestsellers and a career that has spanned decades. The mold is so seductive that at the end of the book, I found myself mourning the fact that we never got Adam and Kit’s stories. The mold works, damn it!
One of my primary reasons for wishing this had been the beginning of a trilogy is the setting. I loved reading a historical that took place on American soil during the time of our Revolution. It was such an exciting, romantic, idealistic time. Warbrooke, Maine, Deveraux’s fictional Montgomery home base, is the perfect setting for these sentiments. I’ve never read another romance with this sort of setting but, in a genre saturated to the dripping point with Regency and Victorian novels, I found it kind of refreshing to read one taking place during a point in American History.
Deveraux is famous for her almost obsessive research. One of the things I’ve always appreciated about her writing is that, all the facts are there, the research has clearly been done, but I don’t feel like I’m being beaten over the head with it. Some other writers who I will not name sometimes feel like they must prove to the reader that they have spent countless hours learning about a particular subject by writing multiple paragraphs wasting countless words describing that subject in perfect detail.
Yeah, I know you did research to determine exactly which Chippendale chair sat in your Dashing Duke’s Victorian drawing room but that doesn’t mean I need to know the exact model or how such a piece was built. And, yes, it is super awesome that you delved into the idiosyncrasies of basket weaving to develop your crafty heroine, but that doesn’t mean that I need to know about the exact kind of straw she uses, from whence it hails and why it is superior to all other sorts of straw, thank you very much. Weave the details into the story. Pun intended. Jude has always been good at this. I get a little history lesson without feeling like I’m being lectured and, more importantly, without wasted words.
But she does break other romance genre “rules” that I’m sure would have most modern editors stamping the manuscript with a big ol’ “reject” in scarlet ink. The first and most notable was the head hopping. We’d move from Alex to Jessica often and without warning, sometimes on a paragraph to paragraph basis. Another rule broken is, as often is the case during the bodice-ripping era, the heroine, is drop-dead, traffic-stopping gorgeous. These days, it’s more the norm to give the lady some flaws or make her average so the average reader will find her more relatable. Let’s be honest, most of us aren’t leaving a trail of mayhem in our wake whenever we don a flattering dress, and the focus on the heroine’s physical beauty, particularly by the hero, can be a little grating. There’s also a smattering of force-seduction dialogue that may turn off more modern readers.
Despite all the “rule breaking”, I would recommend this book to any lover of romance just as I would almost any book from Deveraux’s backlist. Because they are fun. Because Jude in her prime was as good as, or better than, any other author from that era. And because you can’t know where we are headed unless you know where we’ve been and Jude and her bodice-ripping cohorts provide valuable lessons in romance novel history.
Somewhere between High Tide and The Summerhouse, I stopped putting her on my “Must Buy” list. But re-reading any book from that magnificent backlist always feels like stepping back into the warm embrace of a cherished aunt. Re-reading The Raider was no exception.
Though it may not be her best, I find The Raider immensely enjoyable. Forget the fact that the heroine, Jessica Taggart, is so dense even the secondary characters want to smack her. Forget the plausibility of a man able to completely conceal his true identity in the very small colonial town in which he was born and raised. Forget the fact that there is no believable way the same very muscular and virile man could have padded himself enough for others to think he was a fat almost-invalid. (Okay, so they pad his belly and his thighs but his shoulders are still magnificently broad? What about his buttocks? His arms? Shouldn’t he have jowls if he is really that big? Seriously, wouldn’t he need Hollywood worthy prosthetics to pull off this rouse?) None of that matters. What matters is the book is a damn good time and an enjoyable way to pass four or five hours.
Characters are an aspect of craft where Jude has always excelled. Even though Jessica is stubborn to the point of being a hazard to her family, even though she’s dense almost to the point of stupidity, she remains a character to route for. I think this is because she’s a fighter. She’s works hard sunrise to sunset to put food on the table for her multitude of brothers and sisters. She’s struggled to rise and compete in a man’s world and she’s done it all on her own terms. And, throughout the book, she’s faced with a very realistic problem, one most women can relate to. Though she has feelings for Alex Montgomery, the good friend who’s a constant source of support, she’s drawn to the mysterious Raider. Of course, in her case the man that she wants and the man who is the healthy choice are one in the same. In real life, this situation is rarely so convenient.
Alex is the classic Deveraux Montgomery/Taggart hero, cut from the same mold as all the others. But it is a good mold. A mold that has produced numerous NYT bestsellers and a career that has spanned decades. The mold is so seductive that at the end of the book, I found myself mourning the fact that we never got Adam and Kit’s stories. The mold works, damn it!
One of my primary reasons for wishing this had been the beginning of a trilogy is the setting. I loved reading a historical that took place on American soil during the time of our Revolution. It was such an exciting, romantic, idealistic time. Warbrooke, Maine, Deveraux’s fictional Montgomery home base, is the perfect setting for these sentiments. I’ve never read another romance with this sort of setting but, in a genre saturated to the dripping point with Regency and Victorian novels, I found it kind of refreshing to read one taking place during a point in American History.
Deveraux is famous for her almost obsessive research. One of the things I’ve always appreciated about her writing is that, all the facts are there, the research has clearly been done, but I don’t feel like I’m being beaten over the head with it. Some other writers who I will not name sometimes feel like they must prove to the reader that they have spent countless hours learning about a particular subject by writing multiple paragraphs wasting countless words describing that subject in perfect detail.
Yeah, I know you did research to determine exactly which Chippendale chair sat in your Dashing Duke’s Victorian drawing room but that doesn’t mean I need to know the exact model or how such a piece was built. And, yes, it is super awesome that you delved into the idiosyncrasies of basket weaving to develop your crafty heroine, but that doesn’t mean that I need to know about the exact kind of straw she uses, from whence it hails and why it is superior to all other sorts of straw, thank you very much. Weave the details into the story. Pun intended. Jude has always been good at this. I get a little history lesson without feeling like I’m being lectured and, more importantly, without wasted words.
But she does break other romance genre “rules” that I’m sure would have most modern editors stamping the manuscript with a big ol’ “reject” in scarlet ink. The first and most notable was the head hopping. We’d move from Alex to Jessica often and without warning, sometimes on a paragraph to paragraph basis. Another rule broken is, as often is the case during the bodice-ripping era, the heroine, is drop-dead, traffic-stopping gorgeous. These days, it’s more the norm to give the lady some flaws or make her average so the average reader will find her more relatable. Let’s be honest, most of us aren’t leaving a trail of mayhem in our wake whenever we don a flattering dress, and the focus on the heroine’s physical beauty, particularly by the hero, can be a little grating. There’s also a smattering of force-seduction dialogue that may turn off more modern readers.
Despite all the “rule breaking”, I would recommend this book to any lover of romance just as I would almost any book from Deveraux’s backlist. Because they are fun. Because Jude in her prime was as good as, or better than, any other author from that era. And because you can’t know where we are headed unless you know where we’ve been and Jude and her bodice-ripping cohorts provide valuable lessons in romance novel history.
August 6, 2022
I added a star because there was some humor in the book.
June 7, 2020
The worst Heroine I have yet had the misfortune to meet...
Usually, Im on the 'meh ,nothing to do so I'll just read this, with Jude Dev:..But this was just...Ughh!!
There is strong, and then there is mean and bitchy, and not to forget, just shallow and unkind.
Usually, Im on the 'meh ,nothing to do so I'll just read this, with Jude Dev:..But this was just...Ughh!!
There is strong, and then there is mean and bitchy, and not to forget, just shallow and unkind.
February 29, 2012
I'm pretty sure I probably read this when I was 12 or 13, along with every other Jude Deveraux book I could get my hands on. However, I didn't remember it at all so it was like reading it for the first time. Jude Deveraux was the only historical romance author I'd ever read until this year, when I was recommended Lisa Kleypas and Judith McNaught.
All I know is that I get wrapped up in the ridiculous situations that occur in these books. I don't think I'm ever as entertained as I am when I read a good historical romance. This one was one of the weaker ones I've read but it was still fun.
Where else can you read about a woman who is torn between a chubby, "bald" man who wears ridiculous wigs and who also can't do anything sexual and a sexy masked man who revs her engine but who isn't reliable and who disappears all the time? Where else can you read a story where these two men are the same person but our heroine somehow can't see it?
Anyway, the ridiculous plot was pretty silly and the characters were kind of dull when compared to other historical romance characters. I think it was because Alex managed to be a complete twat even as two different people-Alex and "The Raider". As Alex, he was a bumbling, unattractive douchewad and as "The Raider", he was an attractive douchewad.
Not saying that Alex didn't have the small moments of sweetness but he wanted Jess to fall in love with him for him and not his good looks, yet he had so many moments where he was so awkward and lame. Girls don't usually like it when you don't want to have any physical contact with them. Girls don't usually like when you slowly make your way to save them(that part made me laugh a little, though). Girls don't usually fall in love with weak, awkward men.
And then as "The Raider", he was a different kind of twat. I liked how considerate he was when he asked if she wanted to "make love" or be raped. And then when she protested, he was like, "Okay, you choose rape." Although, it seems to be a commonly known fact that in historical romances, "rape" is just a word that means "giving her what she wants".
Oh dear. It's sad but true. I've read so many historical romances where the women are like "no!" or "I can't do this" or "I don't want to do this", etc. It always ends up with the woman giving in because it feels good.
:/
Ummm. Yeah. So it wasn't awful but it was one of the most mediocre historical romances I've read. If someone wanted to read Jude Deveraux, I think I'd recommend "Remembrance" because I loved that book so much when I was a teenager. I loved that middle section of the story. I remember loving a lot of her books but can't remember which ones, specifically.
All I know is that I get wrapped up in the ridiculous situations that occur in these books. I don't think I'm ever as entertained as I am when I read a good historical romance. This one was one of the weaker ones I've read but it was still fun.
Where else can you read about a woman who is torn between a chubby, "bald" man who wears ridiculous wigs and who also can't do anything sexual and a sexy masked man who revs her engine but who isn't reliable and who disappears all the time? Where else can you read a story where these two men are the same person but our heroine somehow can't see it?
Anyway, the ridiculous plot was pretty silly and the characters were kind of dull when compared to other historical romance characters. I think it was because Alex managed to be a complete twat even as two different people-Alex and "The Raider". As Alex, he was a bumbling, unattractive douchewad and as "The Raider", he was an attractive douchewad.
Not saying that Alex didn't have the small moments of sweetness but he wanted Jess to fall in love with him for him and not his good looks, yet he had so many moments where he was so awkward and lame. Girls don't usually like it when you don't want to have any physical contact with them. Girls don't usually like when you slowly make your way to save them(that part made me laugh a little, though). Girls don't usually fall in love with weak, awkward men.
And then as "The Raider", he was a different kind of twat. I liked how considerate he was when he asked if she wanted to "make love" or be raped. And then when she protested, he was like, "Okay, you choose rape." Although, it seems to be a commonly known fact that in historical romances, "rape" is just a word that means "giving her what she wants".
Oh dear. It's sad but true. I've read so many historical romances where the women are like "no!" or "I can't do this" or "I don't want to do this", etc. It always ends up with the woman giving in because it feels good.
:/
Ummm. Yeah. So it wasn't awful but it was one of the most mediocre historical romances I've read. If someone wanted to read Jude Deveraux, I think I'd recommend "Remembrance" because I loved that book so much when I was a teenager. I loved that middle section of the story. I remember loving a lot of her books but can't remember which ones, specifically.
February 8, 2022
This Montgomery/ Taggart series is the first one that takes place in America. In Jude Devereaux’s website list this is #8 in the series. We know that this branch of the family is descended from Miles and his love Elizabeth Chatworth. The towns name is Warbrooke the Montgomerys original name de Warbrooke after the Black Lyon in the first book. The fathers name is Sayer Montgomery and his 3 sons are Adam, Kit and Alexander and one sister Marianne. It takes place in Massachusetts in 1766 10 years before the American Revolution. The H is Alexander and the h is Jessica Taggart. They grew up in the same town and played together as children. Jessica is the beauty of the town but doesn’t know it. Alex received a letter begging him to come home as Marriane married a man who was evil and trying to ruin their family and the town. Alex answered and his friend Nicholas Ivanovitch the cousin of the Czar brought him to America in his boat. Alex could see how the English soldiers bullied and treated the Americans so unfairly. He became the Raider a masked man with a black cape and black horse. Reminds you of anyone? Zorro! Alex pretends to be a fat lazy effeminate man during the day. Raider has all the women in town swooning. Alex the Peacock actually helps the Taggart family by protecting Jessica and offering her marriage taking care of her whole family. Over time he points out Raiders flaws and she eventually realizes she loves Alex for who he is on the inside. He fools everyone except Nathaniel Eleanor and Jessica’s younger brother. Eventually everyone in the family find out except Jessica, Marianne and her evil husband Pitman. Her sister tells her who Alex really is and she decides to punish him for deceiving her. A great humorous cheesy Zorro tale with a happy ending.
April 23, 2023
En klassisk historisk romance, som man omgående fastnar i och inte kan släppa.
Hjälten, den maskerade Stigmannen- likt Zorro, på en svart häst som hjälper invånarna i staden när britterna kommer och gör allt för att få invånarna att dansa efter deras pipa.
Hjältinnan, den fattiga flickan Jessica Taggert, som inte backar för att hjälpa sina medmänniskor oavsett vad det innebär för henne själv och som faller pladask för Stigmannen.
Alex, rikemanssonen, som kommit hem efter att systern efterlyst hjälp att stoppa hennes make som är på engelsmännens sida.
Alla deras kamp mot orättvisan, triangeldramat och familjerna som ska överleva.
Det som dock drar ner betyget är att vi idag har kommit längre i våra tankar om romantik. När hjälten ger hjältinnan valet att frivilligt älska med honom annars så våldtar han henne, då inser man att boken är skriven i en tid som vi glatt lämnat bakom oss.
Hjälten, den maskerade Stigmannen- likt Zorro, på en svart häst som hjälper invånarna i staden när britterna kommer och gör allt för att få invånarna att dansa efter deras pipa.
Hjältinnan, den fattiga flickan Jessica Taggert, som inte backar för att hjälpa sina medmänniskor oavsett vad det innebär för henne själv och som faller pladask för Stigmannen.
Alex, rikemanssonen, som kommit hem efter att systern efterlyst hjälp att stoppa hennes make som är på engelsmännens sida.
Alla deras kamp mot orättvisan, triangeldramat och familjerna som ska överleva.
Det som dock drar ner betyget är att vi idag har kommit längre i våra tankar om romantik. När hjälten ger hjältinnan valet att frivilligt älska med honom annars så våldtar han henne, då inser man att boken är skriven i en tid som vi glatt lämnat bakom oss.
January 31, 2020
Recuerdo q leí este libro xq me había enamorado perdidamente de la saga Montgomery y esperaba algo igual. No lo encontré, tal vez porque el tiempo y la ambientación es distinta. Me gustó, es q la narración la hacen ambos personajes, Alex y Jessica, así q podemos tener los puntos de vista de ambos pero en líneas generales, es una historia un tanto trillada, donde Alex acude al rescate de su pueblo, q está en las manos abusivas de su cuñado. Se hace pasar por "El Corsario", o lo q es lo mismo, una versión anglosajona de El Zorro. Para distraer y q nadie lo asocie con el héroe del momento (y así tener más libertad, y sobre todo q no lo metan a la cárcel) hace creer a todo el mundo q en realidad es un tipo inútil, gordo y tonto q se orina en los pantalones ante la sola amenaza de peligro (les suena de algo, don Diego de la Vega?)
Jessica Taggert, una adolescente que vive con su hermana mayor, Eleanor Taggert, y sus siete hermanos pequeños a su cargo. Son la familia más pobre de la ciudad, pero también la más orgullosa y de hecho Jessica me ha parecido una niña bastante malcriada e inmadura, q maltrataba bastante al "pobre" de Alex, cuando no era "El Corsario".
Obviamente la trama va de cómo se da la relación de Jessica con Alex, tanto cuando él es Alex, como cuando es El Corsario y resulta con escenas y dialogos bastante divertidos xq en algún momento, el pobre Alex termina muerto de los celos, de él mismo. Pero creo q al final la cosa se alarga demasiado y resulta más como en un concurso de "quien hace la broma más pesada a quien" y tengo q reconocer q me alegré mucho cuando finalmente terminó.
No es lo mejor de Jude Deveraux, y definitivamente está a años luz de los cuatro primeros libros de la Saga Montgomery, pero si no son muy exigentes, adelante.
Jessica Taggert, una adolescente que vive con su hermana mayor, Eleanor Taggert, y sus siete hermanos pequeños a su cargo. Son la familia más pobre de la ciudad, pero también la más orgullosa y de hecho Jessica me ha parecido una niña bastante malcriada e inmadura, q maltrataba bastante al "pobre" de Alex, cuando no era "El Corsario".
Obviamente la trama va de cómo se da la relación de Jessica con Alex, tanto cuando él es Alex, como cuando es El Corsario y resulta con escenas y dialogos bastante divertidos xq en algún momento, el pobre Alex termina muerto de los celos, de él mismo. Pero creo q al final la cosa se alarga demasiado y resulta más como en un concurso de "quien hace la broma más pesada a quien" y tengo q reconocer q me alegré mucho cuando finalmente terminó.
No es lo mejor de Jude Deveraux, y definitivamente está a años luz de los cuatro primeros libros de la Saga Montgomery, pero si no son muy exigentes, adelante.
September 14, 2018
The two main characters in this book left much to be desired. I kept saying to myself, "What? Are you still in high school?" at some of the truly idiotish things they did and said. In fact, the whole premise of the Raider, masked and unknown, versus Alexander Montgomery, fat and hedonish, did not work. Perhaps she was trying for a cross between the Scarlet Pimpernel and Zorro, but failed. I could weep for the unrealized possibilities. There was no detail about the few missions the Raider pulled off. He just successfully shows up with the intended raid accomplished. Wounded, most of the time, but lo and behold, a week later he is sound and healthy again! I really hope I never run into women like Jessica and Abigail. I certainly haven't so far. Ridiculous doesn't begin to cover it.
April 1, 2020
*Reread/Rerate Review*
Decided to drop this down to 3 stars. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for the reread on this one? Who knows. I remember liking it a million years ago when I first read it but.. These two MC's. They are a hot freaking mess. Jessica, our FMC, won't listen to reason, and refuses to not put her life in danger every other page. Alex.. I don't even know. The idea behind his lies and disguise seems legit.. but to just come to it oh so abruptly and then stick with it for what reason? To seduce a girl? Because his antics as the raider seem less well thought out "Batman" and more trouble than they are worth for the most part. Besides if it weren't for Jessica's help he would have been dead or caught oh so many times. These two are so incredibly stubborn that, as far as "feels" go, frustration is the only one that was catching me. Its a wonder these two didn't kill each other before finally coming into some sense.
Maybe it caught me in a mood but I felt that these two made this story waaaaaay more painful than necessary which made me bump a star off my original rating. I wish I had written reviews back in the day when I originally rated this, so that I could see how my opinions differ etc. Still got those triple stars tho.. for old time sake.
Decided to drop this down to 3 stars. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for the reread on this one? Who knows. I remember liking it a million years ago when I first read it but.. These two MC's. They are a hot freaking mess. Jessica, our FMC, won't listen to reason, and refuses to not put her life in danger every other page. Alex.. I don't even know. The idea behind his lies and disguise seems legit.. but to just come to it oh so abruptly and then stick with it for what reason? To seduce a girl? Because his antics as the raider seem less well thought out "Batman" and more trouble than they are worth for the most part. Besides if it weren't for Jessica's help he would have been dead or caught oh so many times. These two are so incredibly stubborn that, as far as "feels" go, frustration is the only one that was catching me. Its a wonder these two didn't kill each other before finally coming into some sense.
Maybe it caught me in a mood but I felt that these two made this story waaaaaay more painful than necessary which made me bump a star off my original rating. I wish I had written reviews back in the day when I originally rated this, so that I could see how my opinions differ etc. Still got those triple stars tho.. for old time sake.
March 12, 2012
Gosh. I just don't even know where to begin with this one. The first half of the book was good. I laughed and the adventure in it was fun. But then, for the next 40% of the book, I wanted to chunk it across the room into the wall! It dragged in parts. It was horrifically stupid in parts. I wanted to slap both Jessica and Alex/the Raider. When a resolution was finally in sight, it improved again and became fun and funny once more.
I won't be running out to read anything else in this series, but I won't discount ever reading another book by Jude Deveraux....not anytime soon though.
I won't be running out to read anything else in this series, but I won't discount ever reading another book by Jude Deveraux....not anytime soon though.
March 5, 2018
Much better than the first few. Lots of secrets and lies but quite entertaining.
July 21, 2019
One of Jude's novels made it into my Top Reads of 2018. I went into The Raider fully expecting a super fun romp with a case of hidden identity thrown in for good measure. What I got was fat-shaming and a hero who gave the main character an ultimatum: 'make love' to him or he would rape her.
September 3, 2016
To see review with gif and overall rating click here.
This is sort of a weird one to read. Honestly, if we’re going to be objective it deserves one big fat star, if even that. It’s pretty horrible with bad characterizations, bad pacing, and a feeling of the book not being completely resolved—because I would’ve liked a little more fall out after the reveal—when it ended. BUT, BUT this is one of those cases the tropey goodness of the romance ran out and made it an enjoyable crack read. The thing is, I don’t know if I’ll be able to read The Raider again but for the couple hours I read it in total exhaustion. Man, it was hilaribad and the sort of book you’re not exactly proud about reading or enjoying. But it’s such a train wreck and you can’t help but continue reading it.
So, the main premises of this story is that the hero is like a Zorro figure in the colonial days and disguises himself as a large dandy. Of course because of this hijenks occur, especially since he’s attracted tot the hot shrew in town.
Yeah, it’s about as cringe worthy as it sounds especially since I didn’t understand how the idiotic heroine would think that the hero was the complete moron he portrayed when she touched him and could obviously feel padding not fat—but, but, yes the it’s fiction excuse comes in here.
Honestly, it was a neat set up and I do enjoy these tropes but the execution was quite hideous. I think one of Devereaux’s issues which is why I can never completely get into her books is that her characterization is so weak. Give this to another author: Judith McNaught, Lisa Kleypas, etc. and it could’ve been a “wow” book for me. Not that the book has it’s fan base, I came across it several times in recommended books BUT the characterization really was lousy.
Jessica, our heroine, is probably one of the worst female leads that I’ve read about in awhile. She is whiney, mean, and cruel, and not in a loveable or redeemable way. I think her being thrown in dirty water was suppose to be her “punishment” for basically making Alex the town’s punching bag but it didn’t work. I still hated her. And for being portrayed as being such a shrew in the beginning, her revenge against Alex when she found out about his secret identity was weak at best.
Alex—uh. I hated him less than Jessica if that’s something. Well, I did until he made his little sex ultimatum—either have sex with me or be raped. Seriously. And his whole reason for keeping up the charade after they got married was weak. You know, the book would’ve been more interesting if he revealed himself to Jessica post wedding and they had to keep up the charade. But nope, the reveal was put off so long I actually didn’t really care when it happened.
Like I said it was bad. But very entertaining, this time around. I’m actually looking for some romance novels that handle this trope better than this one. Surely, they have to be out there. However, if you want to be entertained by pure ridiculousness give The Raider a try. You’ll at least be cringing and snarking for a couple of hours.
This is sort of a weird one to read. Honestly, if we’re going to be objective it deserves one big fat star, if even that. It’s pretty horrible with bad characterizations, bad pacing, and a feeling of the book not being completely resolved—because I would’ve liked a little more fall out after the reveal—when it ended. BUT, BUT this is one of those cases the tropey goodness of the romance ran out and made it an enjoyable crack read. The thing is, I don’t know if I’ll be able to read The Raider again but for the couple hours I read it in total exhaustion. Man, it was hilaribad and the sort of book you’re not exactly proud about reading or enjoying. But it’s such a train wreck and you can’t help but continue reading it.
So, the main premises of this story is that the hero is like a Zorro figure in the colonial days and disguises himself as a large dandy. Of course because of this hijenks occur, especially since he’s attracted tot the hot shrew in town.
Yeah, it’s about as cringe worthy as it sounds especially since I didn’t understand how the idiotic heroine would think that the hero was the complete moron he portrayed when she touched him and could obviously feel padding not fat—but, but, yes the it’s fiction excuse comes in here.
Honestly, it was a neat set up and I do enjoy these tropes but the execution was quite hideous. I think one of Devereaux’s issues which is why I can never completely get into her books is that her characterization is so weak. Give this to another author: Judith McNaught, Lisa Kleypas, etc. and it could’ve been a “wow” book for me. Not that the book has it’s fan base, I came across it several times in recommended books BUT the characterization really was lousy.
Jessica, our heroine, is probably one of the worst female leads that I’ve read about in awhile. She is whiney, mean, and cruel, and not in a loveable or redeemable way. I think her being thrown in dirty water was suppose to be her “punishment” for basically making Alex the town’s punching bag but it didn’t work. I still hated her. And for being portrayed as being such a shrew in the beginning, her revenge against Alex when she found out about his secret identity was weak at best.
Alex—uh. I hated him less than Jessica if that’s something. Well, I did until he made his little sex ultimatum—either have sex with me or be raped. Seriously. And his whole reason for keeping up the charade after they got married was weak. You know, the book would’ve been more interesting if he revealed himself to Jessica post wedding and they had to keep up the charade. But nope, the reveal was put off so long I actually didn’t really care when it happened.
Like I said it was bad. But very entertaining, this time around. I’m actually looking for some romance novels that handle this trope better than this one. Surely, they have to be out there. However, if you want to be entertained by pure ridiculousness give The Raider a try. You’ll at least be cringing and snarking for a couple of hours.
July 23, 2015
I love Jude Deveraux & I love books from this era of romance writing (bodice rippers, if you will), but The Raider was a huge disappointment. I remember reading this when I was younger & liking it, but on this reread I have to say the two main characters are some of the shallowest, most self-absorbed people I've ever read about.
Jessica is OBSESSED with looks to the point of laughing at Alex for gaining weight and Alex is no better. He bemoans the way everyone sees him when he's in his Alexander disguise, but tells Jessica that some other woman would make toads look pretty! Double standards, much? He wants someone to see him for something other than the way he looks, but won't even give this woman a chance because she's not a classic beauty.
The book had potential and I probably would have loved it if the main characters hadn't been such thick-headed, judgmental asshats.
ETA: Had intended to give it 1 star, but towards the end it turned into the sort of JD story I've always loved (Particularly loved Eleanor & Nicholas. Would have much rather read a book about them!). Still, not a favorite & not one I'll be reading again in the future. Sad to see so much potential in a story destroyed by really awful characters.
Jessica is OBSESSED with looks to the point of laughing at Alex for gaining weight and Alex is no better. He bemoans the way everyone sees him when he's in his Alexander disguise, but tells Jessica that some other woman would make toads look pretty! Double standards, much? He wants someone to see him for something other than the way he looks, but won't even give this woman a chance because she's not a classic beauty.
The book had potential and I probably would have loved it if the main characters hadn't been such thick-headed, judgmental asshats.
ETA: Had intended to give it 1 star, but towards the end it turned into the sort of JD story I've always loved (Particularly loved Eleanor & Nicholas. Would have much rather read a book about them!). Still, not a favorite & not one I'll be reading again in the future. Sad to see so much potential in a story destroyed by really awful characters.
June 26, 2012
Alexander Montgomery returns to the colonies from travels abroad, only to discover the his hometown of Warbrooke, Maine has been tainted by the increasing British threat -- people are losing their property and their livelihood to lies and greed. Eager to do something, Alexander dresses himself as "The Raider" at night, but then, so he won't get caught and hanged, disguises himself as a far peacock during the day.
Jessica Taggert, who knew Alexander from their youths, makes a fool of him when he arrives, ridiculing the man who had hoped his family and neighbors would see through his ridiculous disguise. Despite this, she gradually becomes friends with Alexande, but it is The Raider she truly desires.
This book was a fun read, bringing in nice historical details that brought the story to life.
The book did stretch by credulity a bit too far, though. When Jessica hugged Alexander, I didn't understand how she couldn't have noticed he was stuffed, and not fat. I was also never quite sure what Alexander wanted from her when he grew angry that she liked one or the other of his personas.
But if you're looking for an exciting historical romance, you may enjoy this.
Jessica Taggert, who knew Alexander from their youths, makes a fool of him when he arrives, ridiculing the man who had hoped his family and neighbors would see through his ridiculous disguise. Despite this, she gradually becomes friends with Alexande, but it is The Raider she truly desires.
This book was a fun read, bringing in nice historical details that brought the story to life.
The book did stretch by credulity a bit too far, though. When Jessica hugged Alexander, I didn't understand how she couldn't have noticed he was stuffed, and not fat. I was also never quite sure what Alexander wanted from her when he grew angry that she liked one or the other of his personas.
But if you're looking for an exciting historical romance, you may enjoy this.
April 13, 2009
I am going to write the same thing for the Taggart and Montgomery series of Jude Deveraux. First, I can't believe that I read these books because they are so blatantly bodice rippers (not my style at all). And second, and more importantly, I devoured them all! Here is the scoop: We stopped at a friend's house in Tennessee on the last leg of one of our cross country trips about 11 years ago and I had run out of books. She gave me three of Deveraux's books in the Montgomery series and I kindly took them never expecting to read them (my God the covers alone were ridiculous!). Well, I gave in and read them because I needed something to do on the ride home. By the time we got home, I had already called the library and asked them to reserve all of the Taggart and Montgomery series books they had! I devoured them all and loved them? Here's the funny thing - I have never read any more Deveraux since that time (not even the last Taggart book or the last two Montgomery books). I can still vividly remember scenes from the books I read so many years ago!
Want to read
February 23, 2015
Found this at the annual library booksale. Can we TALK about what is happening on this cover? Why are they making out next to a poor disembodied horse's head? What's happening with her hair? Are they underwater? In the middle of a typhoon? Is her hair stylist an anime character? I want to read this solely based on the cover!!!
Oh! And while trying to find that image, I also found this. I see I am not alone in my delighted confusion. http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/20...
April 28, 2016
The story itself was okey, and most of the characters are favorable. BUT meet Jessica, one of the shallow, pathetic and headstrong(due to dumbness beyond saving) heroine I've ever read about so far. After finishing Jude Deveraux's Highland velvet I was so annoyed at the stubborn dim-witted heroine I decided to take a break from the 'velvet series' and read something with a more likable main character only to find myself disappointed again! Jessica was ungrateful, unreasonable and lack half amount of the intelligence her sister harbored and I truly felt sorry Alex decided to marry her and deal with a hotheaded binbo for a wife.
January 11, 2014
"Old skool" doesn't even begin to describe this book. The rapey sex scenes, the characters that make no sense, the idiotic "plot", the dialogue....... The reason I have it three stars as that it is reasonably well-written despite the above flaws, that as an example of eighties romance it is not particularly offensive or egregious, and that it has a certain nostalgia for me. I'm not sure it would be three stars without it.
July 27, 2014
The Raider was one of the first romance novels I read and I long considered it a favorite. I read it again and downgraded it from five stars to 3.5. I adore the supporting characters, from Sophy, Nick, Abby and her mother and young Nate. I love the pre-Revolutionary war setting.
I did not like the threat of rape, and Alex and Jessica annoyed me.
I did not like the threat of rape, and Alex and Jessica annoyed me.
April 1, 2015
i love the way Jude Deveraux crafts her novels, the quintessential hero and the jaw dropping heroine,and of course the historic setting.She really takes us to a different era.
Loved this book like all others for light reading.
Loved this book like all others for light reading.
March 15, 2015
This has probably been one of the most ridiculous romance novels I have ever read. It even felt like reading some kind of parody... BUT I could not put it down. It did a hell of a job entertaining me.
March 13, 2016
Final feeling: a shallow woman who belittles and insults her husband and a hero who threatens to rape the woman he loves? No thank you.
This could have been a great story. I'm disappointed and disgusted at characters created by Ms. Deveraux.
This could have been a great story. I'm disappointed and disgusted at characters created by Ms. Deveraux.
January 16, 2015
Review to come tomorrow? I'm too tired to write one right now.
December 6, 2015
I just relived my love for this author.
My friends, is there a book especially for Eleonor and Nick? Help please!! I cant seem to find it :/
My friends, is there a book especially for Eleonor and Nick? Help please!! I cant seem to find it :/
July 18, 2024
It’s no secret to my family and friends that one of my hobbies and interests are doll collecting, particularly vintage Barbies. I often spend hours scrolling through EBay looking for new finds and good deals in the form of “Buy It Now” listings. One day, while scrolling, I came across one of these listings selling a doll set that I have not seen before. It came out in 2003, so while it’s barely “vintage”, it still enchanted me with its beautiful detailing, gorgeous screenings, and artwork on the box. I am talking about the “Romance Novels Collection: ‘The Raider’ by Jude Deveraux Barbie and Ken Collector Doll Set.” While I never ended up getting the dolls, I always loved the way they looked in the box. The way multiple fabrics in various shades of blue made up Barbie’s fancy-looking peasant dress, the layers of clothing and particular placement held by double sided tape on Ken’s plastic body, and the artwork of lush greenery and the two leads staring out at an empty space with a sense of longing (or sense of being stoned, as a lot of other people have said about these particular dolls), it was all just perfect. And on the back of the box, you would find that these dolls are actually based off the two leads, Alexander Montgomery and Jessica Taggert from the novel, “The Raider.” From the description of the box as well as the look of the dolls, I figured the book would be a steamy, yet slightly corny Zorro retelling.
If I like something that much and find that it’s based off a book, I immediately try to find it on EBay or at my local library. I checked out “The Raider” and excitedly began to read. And having read this historical romance that inspired the gorgeous set, I can now confidently come to the conclusion that this book was… fine. It’s alright. There were a good amount of parts that I enjoyed, but for the most part, it was pretty dragged out. It often jumped from one character’s point of view to another that mainly consisted of “Should I tell her?” for Alexander and “Who should I choose?” for Jessica. And while it’s to be expected in a novel like this, it doesn’t have to be pondered on for as long as it was. As for the characters, I appreciate Alexander’s sweetness and much prefer when he’s being himself rather than the daring, yet morally-grey Raider. He was cool to me at first, but when I got to the scene when he gave Jessica the option to either submit to him and let the two make love or have him assault her on the rocks, it made it a little hard to root for him. And while we’re on the topic of Jessica, it is from my understanding that Deveraux likes to write her female characters as independent, sassy Scarlett O’Hara-types. While that may be true for her other novels that I have not read, what we have in The Raider is a stubborn, mean-spirited woman who would rather keep her family in poverty in order to “retain their name” than let her friend that she often taunts and humiliates offer to let them live with him so that they are taken care of. She eventually does give into the offer and develops feelings for him, but it’s hard to feel bad for most of the characters in this book. In my opinion, I would’ve liked to see more of the chemistry between Jessica’s sister, Eleanor, and Alexander’s rich Russian friend, Nicholas. I seemed more drawn to them rather than the leads, which most would consider to be far from a good thing if they are not the stars of the story.
I do appreciate the attention to detail on historical accuracy as well as the freshness of a Revolutionary American setting. While I do love Victorian romances, you have to admit they’re a little overdone. It’s clear that Deveraux knew what she was talking about and was knowledgeable in the time period she chose her story to take place in.
The romance aspect was not my favourite, despite it literally being the genre of the book. I’ve already discussed the previous scene with the Raider and Jessica, but there are multiple scenes where Jessica humiliates Alexander and shames him for his looks, which she is widely known for in the colonial town she lives in. And while I’m not opposed to the “enemies to lovers trope” (not my favourite thing in the world, but it works if it’s done right), this can hardly be called it. The characters do act a little nicer toward each other and the book actually does begin to feel romantic, but that isn’t until very late in the book when it feels like it’s about to end.
I love the idea of historical romances, and I do not mind if they get a little steamy at times. But this is not at all what I imagined the book to be just judging from the description, and I would much rather sit down with something where the characters actually act like they like each other. And with less rapey scenes.
While “The Raider” is generally regarded as a good book, there are some who share my opinion and have even reread the book after many years only to be met with disappointment. From my review, I have concluded that the book is simply okay but leaves a lot to be desired, but I’m sure those who pick the book up could admire the historical references and supporting characters.
If I like something that much and find that it’s based off a book, I immediately try to find it on EBay or at my local library. I checked out “The Raider” and excitedly began to read. And having read this historical romance that inspired the gorgeous set, I can now confidently come to the conclusion that this book was… fine. It’s alright. There were a good amount of parts that I enjoyed, but for the most part, it was pretty dragged out. It often jumped from one character’s point of view to another that mainly consisted of “Should I tell her?” for Alexander and “Who should I choose?” for Jessica. And while it’s to be expected in a novel like this, it doesn’t have to be pondered on for as long as it was. As for the characters, I appreciate Alexander’s sweetness and much prefer when he’s being himself rather than the daring, yet morally-grey Raider. He was cool to me at first, but when I got to the scene when he gave Jessica the option to either submit to him and let the two make love or have him assault her on the rocks, it made it a little hard to root for him. And while we’re on the topic of Jessica, it is from my understanding that Deveraux likes to write her female characters as independent, sassy Scarlett O’Hara-types. While that may be true for her other novels that I have not read, what we have in The Raider is a stubborn, mean-spirited woman who would rather keep her family in poverty in order to “retain their name” than let her friend that she often taunts and humiliates offer to let them live with him so that they are taken care of. She eventually does give into the offer and develops feelings for him, but it’s hard to feel bad for most of the characters in this book. In my opinion, I would’ve liked to see more of the chemistry between Jessica’s sister, Eleanor, and Alexander’s rich Russian friend, Nicholas. I seemed more drawn to them rather than the leads, which most would consider to be far from a good thing if they are not the stars of the story.
I do appreciate the attention to detail on historical accuracy as well as the freshness of a Revolutionary American setting. While I do love Victorian romances, you have to admit they’re a little overdone. It’s clear that Deveraux knew what she was talking about and was knowledgeable in the time period she chose her story to take place in.
The romance aspect was not my favourite, despite it literally being the genre of the book. I’ve already discussed the previous scene with the Raider and Jessica, but there are multiple scenes where Jessica humiliates Alexander and shames him for his looks, which she is widely known for in the colonial town she lives in. And while I’m not opposed to the “enemies to lovers trope” (not my favourite thing in the world, but it works if it’s done right), this can hardly be called it. The characters do act a little nicer toward each other and the book actually does begin to feel romantic, but that isn’t until very late in the book when it feels like it’s about to end.
I love the idea of historical romances, and I do not mind if they get a little steamy at times. But this is not at all what I imagined the book to be just judging from the description, and I would much rather sit down with something where the characters actually act like they like each other. And with less rapey scenes.
While “The Raider” is generally regarded as a good book, there are some who share my opinion and have even reread the book after many years only to be met with disappointment. From my review, I have concluded that the book is simply okay but leaves a lot to be desired, but I’m sure those who pick the book up could admire the historical references and supporting characters.
March 3, 2022
Alexander Montgomery se lăsă pe spate în fotoliu şi îşi întinse picioarele lungi pe covorul din cabina căpitanului vasului „The Grand Duchess”, privind cum Nicholas Ivanovitch îl certa pe unul dintre servitori. Alex nu mai văzuse niciodată un om atât de arogant precum acel rus.
— Îţi iau capul dacă îmi mai pui aiurea curelele, spunea Nick cu accentul său greu şi vocea aspră.
Alex se întrebă dacă, în Rusia, ducii încă mai aveau voie să decapiteze oamenii care nu le făceau pe plac.
— Pleacă, acum. Să nu te mai văd, spuse Nick gesticulând cu mâna spre servitorul umil. Vezi ce trebuie să îndur? îi spuse apoi lui Alex când rămaseră singuri în cabină.
— E foarte greu, îmi dau seama, aprobă Alex.
Nicholas îşi privi prietenul ridicând dintr-o sprânceană, după care se uită din nou la hărţile întinse pe masă.— Vom acosta la vreo 150 de mile la sud de acest Warbrooke al tău. Crezi că cineva va fi dispus să te ducă spre nord?
— Mă descurc, spuse Alex nonşalant, împreunându-şi mâinile la ceafă şi întinzându-se şi mai mult, corpul său lung ocupând aproape toată cabina.
Cu mult timp în urmă se învăţase să ascundă ce gândea. Nicholas ştia cam ce simţea prietenul său, dar Alex nu permitea nimănui să vadă cât de mare îi era îngrijorarea.
Cu luni în urmă, când Alex era încă în Italia, primise o scrisoare de la sora sa Marianna, în care aceasta îl implora să vină acasă. Îi scrisese că era mare nevoie de el acolo. Îi spusese lui Alex ce îi interzisese tatăl lor: că el, Sayer Montgomery, fusese grav rănit într-un accident la bordul unui vas şi picioarele îi fuseseră zdrobite. Nu se aşteptaseră ca el să supravieţuiască, dar trăia şi, acum, era ţintuit la pat, invalid.
Marianna îi mai scrisese şi că ea se măritase cu un englez, un inspector vamal al oraşului Warbrooke, care… Nu mai intrase în detalii despre ce făcea soţul ei, fiind prinsă, probabil, între loialitatea faţă de soţul ei şi cea faţă de familie şi oamenii din oraş, pe care îi cunoştea de o viaţă. Dar Alex simţea că mai erau multe lucruri pe care ea nu i le spusese.
Ea dăduse scrisoarea unuia din numeroşii marinari din Warbrooke, sperând să ajungă la Alex şi ca el să poată veni acasă. Alex primise scrisoarea la puţin timp după ce acostase în Italia. Goeleta cu care plecase din Warbrooke cu peste patru ani în urmă, se scufundase de trei săptămâni, iar el aşteptase pe coasta însorită a Italiei, fără să se ostenească prea mult să caute alt post de ofiţer de navă.
— Îţi iau capul dacă îmi mai pui aiurea curelele, spunea Nick cu accentul său greu şi vocea aspră.
Alex se întrebă dacă, în Rusia, ducii încă mai aveau voie să decapiteze oamenii care nu le făceau pe plac.
— Pleacă, acum. Să nu te mai văd, spuse Nick gesticulând cu mâna spre servitorul umil. Vezi ce trebuie să îndur? îi spuse apoi lui Alex când rămaseră singuri în cabină.
— E foarte greu, îmi dau seama, aprobă Alex.
Nicholas îşi privi prietenul ridicând dintr-o sprânceană, după care se uită din nou la hărţile întinse pe masă.— Vom acosta la vreo 150 de mile la sud de acest Warbrooke al tău. Crezi că cineva va fi dispus să te ducă spre nord?
— Mă descurc, spuse Alex nonşalant, împreunându-şi mâinile la ceafă şi întinzându-se şi mai mult, corpul său lung ocupând aproape toată cabina.
Cu mult timp în urmă se învăţase să ascundă ce gândea. Nicholas ştia cam ce simţea prietenul său, dar Alex nu permitea nimănui să vadă cât de mare îi era îngrijorarea.
Cu luni în urmă, când Alex era încă în Italia, primise o scrisoare de la sora sa Marianna, în care aceasta îl implora să vină acasă. Îi scrisese că era mare nevoie de el acolo. Îi spusese lui Alex ce îi interzisese tatăl lor: că el, Sayer Montgomery, fusese grav rănit într-un accident la bordul unui vas şi picioarele îi fuseseră zdrobite. Nu se aşteptaseră ca el să supravieţuiască, dar trăia şi, acum, era ţintuit la pat, invalid.
Marianna îi mai scrisese şi că ea se măritase cu un englez, un inspector vamal al oraşului Warbrooke, care… Nu mai intrase în detalii despre ce făcea soţul ei, fiind prinsă, probabil, între loialitatea faţă de soţul ei şi cea faţă de familie şi oamenii din oraş, pe care îi cunoştea de o viaţă. Dar Alex simţea că mai erau multe lucruri pe care ea nu i le spusese.
Ea dăduse scrisoarea unuia din numeroşii marinari din Warbrooke, sperând să ajungă la Alex şi ca el să poată veni acasă. Alex primise scrisoarea la puţin timp după ce acostase în Italia. Goeleta cu care plecase din Warbrooke cu peste patru ani în urmă, se scufundase de trei săptămâni, iar el aşteptase pe coasta însorită a Italiei, fără să se ostenească prea mult să caute alt post de ofiţer de navă.
May 12, 2024
This installment introduces us to the sprawling Taggert family and how their fortunes became intertwined with the Montogmerys. Admittedly, these Taggerts are painfully poor (no qualifiers on this, Jessica and her brothers and sisters live in a shack and are struggling by any standards) and the Montgomerys are decidedly not. You know, seeing as they pretty much own the town of Warbrooke. The point is while the Taggerts we meet in later books are well off, Jessica and her siblings are very much not.
That doesn't bother Alexander much. What bothers him is that the beautiful Jessica laughs in his face and mocks him when he returns home. But then, it could be argued that his disguise as a portly man of leisure who cares only for himself is pretty darn good. It fools everyone at first, even the people who know him best.
While Jessica and Alexander verbally fling barbs at one another, Alexander is also moonlighting as the dashing Raider who likes to kiss pretty women and swoop in to save the day. The pretty woman he likes to kiss the most? Jessica Taggert. So as Jessica and portly Alexander eventually put down their verbal swords and become friends, Jessica and Raider Alexander start dancing around one another in a more romantic sense. Or something. Let's just say that Jessica has a lot on her plate and Alexander is at the middle of all of it.
The Taggert family is fantastic (poor, proud, and completely dedicated to pulling their weight) and the games Alexander and Jessica engage in are kind of a lot (but also kind of funny since neither wants to admit things). A little romance and a dash of daring. I'M IN!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
That doesn't bother Alexander much. What bothers him is that the beautiful Jessica laughs in his face and mocks him when he returns home. But then, it could be argued that his disguise as a portly man of leisure who cares only for himself is pretty darn good. It fools everyone at first, even the people who know him best.
While Jessica and Alexander verbally fling barbs at one another, Alexander is also moonlighting as the dashing Raider who likes to kiss pretty women and swoop in to save the day. The pretty woman he likes to kiss the most? Jessica Taggert. So as Jessica and portly Alexander eventually put down their verbal swords and become friends, Jessica and Raider Alexander start dancing around one another in a more romantic sense. Or something. Let's just say that Jessica has a lot on her plate and Alexander is at the middle of all of it.
The Taggert family is fantastic (poor, proud, and completely dedicated to pulling their weight) and the games Alexander and Jessica engage in are kind of a lot (but also kind of funny since neither wants to admit things). A little romance and a dash of daring. I'M IN!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
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