Simon the Coldheart

Beauvallet Dynasty #1

by Georgette Heyer

A valiant orphan rises to knighthood—and finds love with an enemy—in this historical romance of chivalry and adventure during the Hundred Years’ War.

At the dawn of the fifteenth century, England is locked in a bitter war with France. Simon, the illegitimate son of Geoffrey of Malvallet, finds a home in the service of the Earl of Montlice. Distinguishing himself on the field of battle, Simon rises through the ranks until he becomes a friend to the Prince of Wales himself. But Simon’s true test will come when he is sent to overtake the French territory of Belremy.

Though Simon conquers the city, the castle proves difficult to penetrate. Coming face-to-face with the beautiful and defiant Lady Margaret, Simon sees in this bold enemy a spirit to match his own. But can he convince this woman of his love when she would sooner die than surrender?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Fiction, Medieval, Classics

344 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1925

About the author

Georgette Heyer was a prolific historical romance and detective fiction novelist. Her writing career began in 1921, when she turned a story for her younger brother into the novel The Black Moth.

In 1925 she married George Ronald Rougier, a mining engineer. Rougier later became a barrister and he often provided basic plot outlines for her thrillers. Beginning in 1932, Heyer released one romance novel and one thriller each year.

Heyer was an intensely private person who remained a best selling author all her life without the aid of publicity. She made no appearances, never gave an interview and only answered fan letters herself if they made an interesting historical point. She wrote one novel using the pseudonym Stella Martin.

Her Georgian and Regencies romances were inspired by Jane Austen. While some critics thought her novels were too detailed, others considered the level of detail to be Heyer's greatest asset.

Heyer remains a popular and much-loved author, known for essentially establishing the historical romance genre and its subgenre Regency romance.

Reviews

[Carol, She's so Novel ꧁꧂ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5✶

A character flaw of mine is that I really hate admitting I'm wrong.

*shuffles feet, looks embarrassed*

I was wrong about Simon the Coldheart.

Members of the Georgette Heyer Fans Group can let their eyes glaze over this section, as they have heard this story many, many, many times before!

My late father (who introduced me to the works of Georgette Heyer) loved this novel as a young boy. Being blissfully unaware that this was one of the titles that the strong minded Heyer had suppressed, he spent many fruitless hours as an adult scouring bookshops trying to find another copy. So I was thrilled to find this . Dad was a fussy devil and I thought I had finally found the perfect gift! Well Dad read this book - & this time round, he hated it. I tried it and I hated it too!

Fast forward to the present. Dad has been on my mind a lot recently, so I thought I would reread this as a tribute to him. I allowed 2 weeks for the read as I thought this was one of GH's leaden titles where I have to force myself to push on, but this was not the case! I rocketed through this read in a couple of days. The first half of the book has "baseborn" Simon giving himself the surname Beauvallet and becoming a page to his father Malvallet's sworn enemy, Fulk. (Note:this enmity never amounts to much)

Fulk comes to love Simon as much as he loves his son, the romantic poet Alan. Rather than being jealous, Alan also adores Simon (I swear I kept hearing that old meme

Women want to be with him, men want to be him

right through this read!In spite of a singular lack of charm or humour, we are to believe Simon perfect)

Malvallet's son Geoffrey becomes the third member of a devoted trio and like another Heyer male friendship and loyalty is a very strong theme.

In spite of all this, the tale was told at a rollicking speed. I really didn't want to put it down! 4✶ until the final third, which was a romance tacked on to the end. I liked the fierce and beautiful Margaret a lot

it was her rescue from the rapacious Raoul did make me want to giggle and reminded me very much of the 1920s cinema - understandable since this was written in 1925, when the author was a young & naive 22/23 year old!

If you read in the same spirit you watch movies from the same era I don't think you will be disappointed. If you are hoping for the deft plotting and wit of GH's Regencies, you will be.

Simple as that.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon Beauvallet was born in 1386 and at the tender age of fourteen years, he made his way to Fulk of Montlice where he became page to Fulk. Fulk's young son Alan, and Simon soon became friends, although Simon didn't waste words, was cold and complex. As he grew older and advanced in Fulk's world, Simon vowed never to marry, and he kept that vow. His combat skills in the months and years of fighting were legendary and when he met his half brother, Geoffrey of Malvallet, they became firm friends, although on opposite sides of the divide.

In France and after the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, Simon and his men went to besiege Belremy, claiming it for England and the King. He eventually met the Lady Margaret of Belremy, a woman described as an Amazon, a tiger. She would not surrender her home to the cruel Simon of Beauvallet, although the people had already submitted, so Margaret and her lady escaped the castle...

Simon the Coldheart is the 1st in the Beauvallet Dynasty series by Georgette Heyer and the first of her books I have read. Originally published in 1925, this book covers the period from the late 1300s to the early 1400s during the Hundred Years' War between England and France. I enjoyed the story very much, but was bogged down in their manner of speech. Lots of "thee", "thou" etc filled the dialogue, plus words I'd never heard of... I just went with the flow, rolling my eyes, especially at the voluminous Fulk! Simon the Coldheart was a read I enjoyed, and recommend to fans.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

I love Georgette Heyer's books. Every one I've read. This one was a little slow in the beginning. And a good bit longer than it probably needed to be, but... in the end so incredibly worth it. Very romantic.

[Wealhtheow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Simon is the bastard son of a local lord. When he is 14, he walks miles to get to his father's rival, Fulk of Montlice, and offers him his service. Within a few short years, he is knighted by the king and then, after foiling a plot, given lands of his own. Through grim determination, he becomes one of the foremost men in fifteenth century England. But then he goes to war in France, and he meets his match--the beautiful and fearless Lady Margaret of Belremy. When two stubborn minds meet, who will gain supremacy? (Simon, of course--Margaret's just a lady! It's only a matter of time before she's weeping and fainting and stuttering with her overpowering lurrrrve.)

Simon is the manliest man who ever manned. Every single character thinks he is the awesomest dude who ever drew breath, and says so every time they're present. At first the ridiculousness of it annoyed me, but by the end I was able to put aside my expectations of how actual humans behave and just got into the story.

[Tweety · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon is the unrecognized illegitimate son of Geoffrey of Malvallet. At 14 he hasn't much chance of being his own master unless he becomes a squire to someone of consequence. Simon compares his father to Fulk of Montlice (Malvallet's enemy) and decides that Montlice is the better man and goes to him, determined to become part of his household. Their meeting is just a promise of what is to come.

"Impudence! Why camest thou to the great door? Know ye not the scullions' entrance at the back?"(Montlice)
"I have never approached my goal through the back door, my lord, nor ever will. I march straight."(Simon)

The two become great friends, even when their opinions cross.

"What I have I hold!" Fulk roared at him once, pointing to the device on his shield.
"I have not, but still I hold." Simon retorted.
"Am I to be braved by you, mongrel-whelp?" he barked. "It will be the whip for you, or a dungeon-cell!"
"And still I shall hold." Simon answered him, folding his arms across his great chest.
"I will tame you, wild-cat!" Fulk cried, and drew back his fist to strike. But even as he would have done so, he checked himself, and the red went out of his eyes. A grin came, and a rumbling laugh. "I have not, but still I hold," he repeated. "Ho-ho!" Chuckling, he smote Simon on the shoulder.

I think that's what makes this book so special. Simon may be a cold fish and called 'The Soldier' by the King, but he sticks to the few he calls friend and without realizing it comes to care deeply about them. His friend, Alan Montlice is called 'The Poet' and Simon's half brother Geoffrey Malvallet is 'The Knight' and together they form the King's three graces. Their friendship and understanding of each other is endearing.

I freely admit that Margot of Belrémy is very haughty and cool. Her motto says "Conquest or Death", and she intends to keep it though it brings her in opposition to Simon of Beavallet. Really, she's the perfect fit for Simon. Both are cold and stubborn. I can only imagine what their children would be like.

Geoffrey Malvallet has a sweet side story with the Countess Margot's Lady-in-Waiting, Jeanne. They added a lot to the story, especially Jeanne since she knew Margot so well.

If you like Heyer or medieval tales I would give this book a shot. It's not as polished as her later books, but the characters are living and breathing, and each of them stands out.

PG Quite a few medieval swears. Things like S'death, S'blood, Christ's Wounds etc. I really hate these swears, I feel that they are totally unnecessary. And attempted rape and murder. Some mention of fist-cuffs.

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nicely old fashioned historical novel of the English-French conflicts of the early 1400s. Written in 1925 the language and the dialog might sound stilted to modern ears, but the story is exciting and enjoyable. Heyer fans take note--all the romance happens in the last third of the book.
ETA: Just finished a long over-due re-read. I will confess to being a fan of Rafael Sabatini and Baroness Orczy--both best selling authors of the early 20th century--so I felt right at home in this book. Indeed, this books reads, to me, like an attempt at a Sabatini-style adventure.
The main thing that will be grate on a modern reader's sensibilities is the portrayal of Margaret of Belramy, the heroine. Boy howdy, she is definitely a product of the literary style of the day! The romance between Simon and Margaret is very full of her 'I hate you' and his 'I will tame you'. Heyer did not yet have a good grip on how to write an enemies-to-lovers storyline featuring two very strong-willed characters. The secondary romance between Geoffrey and Jeanne, however, is sweet and nicely done.

[Kerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised by just how much I enjoyed this book.

I've never read any of Georgette Heyer's historicals before, unless you count Beauvallet, which seems to straddle the boundary between historical and romance.

I'd heard that Heyer's historicals weren't as good as her romances and since this was the next in my Heyer Author Read (I haven't actually got very far through it yet), the whole thing had kind of languished.

Having found myself unable to choose between books lately, I made a list of books I wanted to read, sorted them by alphabetical order and used a random number generator to pick what I was going to read next. This is what came up.

Choice made, I hit the next snag; I only had this in ebook format as a PDF. Since my Kindle died, I've been reading on my phone and that was totally impractical. Then I had a good idea - why not try the PDF in the Kindle app on the family iPad. I was amazed at just how easy the PDF was to read that way and started the book.

I read and read, captured by a book as I haven't been in a long time. I went to bed each evening, iPad in hand, and read well after I should have turned the light out (back-lighting being what it is, I probably actually had).

I can tell you what should be wrong with the books - at the most basic level, there's an awful lot of tell rather that show and a severely bad case of written medieval dialogue. But I didn't care. I was taken by
Simon from the beginning and that liking never wavered. (Okay there were a couple of chauvinistic moments, but you get those in modern books so I can't really complain about it appearing in a medieval set novel published in 1925.) I didn't mind in the least that the "romance" part of the story didn't show up until halfway through. I liked Margaret and I'm sure she and Simon made a good couple, but this was Simon's book, rather than a book about Simon's romance.

Even better than the romance was Simon's relationship with Geoffrey and Alan, which was a lovely example of brotherhood, and Fulk was a wonderful character. I hadn't expected him to become one when he was first introduced at the beginning, but he was lovely, gout and false grumpiness and all.

My English history is very rusty - a very vague memory of studying King Henry IV, Part 1 long, long ago in high school and a year's extramural study on Medieval England at university, almost as long ago. That meant I had to take it on trust that Heyer had things pretty much right in her history, but it certainly seems to hold together for the ignorant. I'll be looking up Henry V (on Wikipedia for starters I admit) and checking out the things he got up to, even if he didn't have a real Simon of Beauvallet at his side.

In conclusion, I really enjoyed this book, even though I didn't expect to do so. If you're interested, I suggest you don't listen to what "they" say and try it for yourself.

[Mela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece of genre.

It is my first historical fiction of Heyer (excluding "An Infamous Army" which is something between historical fiction and historical romance). And it was a great pleasure. I have spend all my train travel (many hours) with this book. I hadn't noticed when I reached the place.

On one hand, it is written lightly, with many adventures and interesting (and of course a little funny) characters. On the other hand, Heyer made a great job as a historian. She used even old English (it could be a little difficult to read for some people but for me it was next level/side of the book). There are so good description of the people, how they probably lived and thought that you can feel that you are with them.

It was an amazing experience and I have learn a little more about a few historical facts (which I could easily check in online sources).

What could I or should I write more? If you know only Heyer's Regency romances but you like also other periods of history you won't be disappointed. If you like historical fiction you will enjoy this book too.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of Heyer's best. Pleasantly different in style from her other books because of the historical difference. The style is hard to get into at first because of the use of Old English in dialogue, and general stiffness in narration, but that same stiffness becomes a subtle and powerful device to create historical ambiance by the end.

Great characters. The cold and calculating hero. The fiercely passionate female ruler. The hot-under-the-collar socialite half-brother. The poetic wimp who finally finds his battle strength. The stubborn boy who worships his master. The loud and gruff but secretly tender mentor. I really enjoyed watching these personalities heckle each other.

Some of the politics were lost on me, and those particularly long paragraphs about this duke moving north on this front and that general commanding a siege in order to win back that set of provinces was incredibly boring. The heat of moment, blow-by-blow action of the battles was occasionally exciting, mostly tolerable, and only intermittently wearing and tedious. Fortunately, I was able to enjoy the book as a whole despite skimming these parts. Unlike a Tom Clancy Novel, the technical details are not the majority, and are mostly unnecessary in order to follow the plot and understand the workings of the characters.

Heyer understands what makes a character likable. Even though Simon is a human calculator, you still grow attached to him as a reader. He is out to win, but sets himself apart from detestable antagonists with a firm set of admirable principles which he will not break in order to find himself a faster victory. It is by these impressive principles that those around him grow to trust and love him, despite his cool and indifferent demeanor. They know they can trust him to uphold what he sees as right, and his version of right is so very likable.

Margaret is impressive and endearing in her passionate and creative efforts to reach her goals. She, like Simon, cares little for making pleasantries or maintaining relationships unless they are a means to an end. Her end is to keep her lands free of English rule, and she sets her sights on this so strongly that you admire her for never wavering from her goal, never fearing the challenges that face her in her path. Until Heyer screws up her character with damsel-in-distress disorder, she is relentless and fearlessly confrontational as Simon, but much more passionate and dramatic, as well as more centered on her singular goal than on the general cool calm logic that Simon employs.

It was pleasant from a feminist point of view to see a strong woman so determined to do what she thought best. She employed all measures outside the social norm that were available to her determined and creative brain. She really thinks outside the box in order to reach her goals.

It was frustrating from a feminist perspective because even though both Simon and Margaret have overpowering feelings for each other, Margaret's passion led her to happily compromise all her most important goals and priorities, while it only led Simon to commit a single tactical error he later regretted. But in the end, this was a novel written in the 1920's about a couple in the 1420's. I suppose bringing a woman to heel was the happy ending everyone was looking for.

Personally, I like to imagine that after five years and three kids, when the enchantment ends, she regains her spirit and determination and uses her unusual and creative genius to make sure her newly created goals reach fruition, frustrating and eventually humbling her previously unhumbled husband.

I did not shelve this as a spoiler review because the only thing I gave away was the happy ending, which every Georgette Heyer romance gets.

[kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heyer's Simon the Coldheart opens with a 14-year-old Simon, bastard and stubborn, approaching Fulk of Maltice for a place as his squire. Thus begins the adventures of the Lord of Beauvallet, which include knighting, lording, fighting, digging, wardening, . Joined by his half-bro Geoffrey and his adopted bro Alan, he meets the tiger-lady of his dreams, Lady Margaret, except she's FRENCH and EVERYTHING'S RUINED.

1. If you can get over the "historical accuracy" misogyny, Simon is an interesting character study. He's determined to the detriment of all else. Seeing him exceed is like watching the outcome of the movable object meeting the unstoppable force. It's hard to turn away, knowing he faces dire odds and yet perseveres. It's very heroic.

2. But it's also a story about a man, meaning that Margaret is only introduced to be a foil to Simon. Her drive is to thwart him (which, he deserves to be thwarted by the woman alleged to be his match in my opinion!), but even that doesn't come to fruition because Simon is Such a Man that he foils her plots and makes her submit.

THERE IS LITERALLY A CHAPTER ENTITLED "HOW HE ACCEPTS LADY MARGARET'S SUBMISSION"!!! GROSS.

And yes, I get that she's "submitting" to the rule of King Henry and swearing her fealty to England but IT'S STILL PRETTY GROSS. Especially when Simon brings up the fact she must ALSO submit to HIM, and he "would have her life" because he wants to marry her and she doesn't have a choice because she ~owes him her life because he saved her from the man assaulting her.

There's this disgusting tone of "you ran away so you kind of deserved what happened to you and I'M ok with it because now it means I get what I want, which is YOU" to the whole situation with Raoul which just gets grosser the more I think about it. I mean, Simon witnesses her being forcefully kissed (and kills her assailant) and a day after their return, SIMON COMMITS THE SAME CRIME.

WHAT THE FUDGE.

3. Simon's relationship with his bros, Geoffrey and Alan is basically the best part. Alan is the soft-hearted Poet and while occasionally derided for his "unmanly" pursuits, does not change who he is to impress anyone. Geoffrey pretty much just wants to be bffs with Simon, his bastard half-brother. Together, the three young knights form the Power Rangers of Medieval England.

In addition, his pseudo-father Fulk is a riot. Fulk is a storming, shouting bear of a man, made of honey and daisies underneath. He's just a big bag of kittens, basically.

4. While enjoyable, the problematic parts are just too much problem for me. Intentionally, I think, it keeps a wide berth from the inner lives of its characters, leaving them as a historical pantomime, giving them the feeling of legends and myths. There's nothing too deep about the text; nothing too personal. Simon the Coldheart is a story you tell yourself, but nothing more.

[Kelsey Dangelo-Worth · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK. So, there’s this tough, cold-hearted illegitimate knight that rises through the ranks, becomes best friends a poet lady’s man and his courtly and courageous half-brother, but no woman can tame him. Then, he goes to war against the French Countess, Margot, a fiery Amazon that leads her men into battle and fails to submit. Will Simon bring her to submission, or will it be he that finds himself submitting?
Think this sounds like a trash history romance? Think this is clichéd garbage?
Oh, no. No, my friend.
This is so much more.
This is a “trash” fun tale of high romance, adventure, and chivalry in history for those of us who are so snobby that the poor writing and bad history of trash and even most contemporary writing makes it so painful and unbearable that we are not having any fun at all.
Because this is actually well-written. Oh, so wonderfully, perfectly, refreshingly well-written! And well-researched. Excellent history that I just want to climb into. Sure, the old language takes a bit getting used to, and there’s some 1920s sexism that leaks through, but it is worth it for the powerful, refreshing, original characters. The characters are distinctly, wonderfully written. The period, characters, and action are beautifully drawn, and perfectly, masterfully so: pulling the reader in, but also to keep the action moving forward. There are no lengthy descriptions or overly done explanations; the writing is tight and forceful. The best part is the dialogue between the characters. The banter reminds me that of Jane Austen or Shakespeare. It was hilarious and brilliant, crisp and clever. Most of all, though, the book was fun. It was a time travel to high adventure and romance that was brilliantly done.
Those of us called prudes for not liking trash, and snobs for needing proper writing free from modern sensibilities and language, and overdone tropes, apparently need to seek out the 1920s for “trash” beach reading.
I’ve never read anything like this book, but I’ve been looking for it forever. I can’t wait to read everything that this author has penned. For all my friends that like high adventure, chivalry, history, romance, and good writing, you have found what you are looking for. Grade: A+

[Abigail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Published in 1925, Simon the Coldheart is one of a handful of early novels that Georgette Heyer sought to suppress during her lifetime, and one of her few medieval romances. It concerns the founding of the house of Beauvallet, also featured in the author's subsequent Elizabethan adventure of the same name, published in 1929.

It is the story of the indomitable Simon, bastard son of my Lord of Malvallet, who sets out to win his own place in the world, eventually gaining lands, title, and acclaim as a soldier. But it is only when he crosses swords with the warlike French countess, Lady Margaret of Belremy, that his cold heart is finally melted...

I vacillated between enjoyment and exasperation while reading this novel, which I would most likely never have picked up at all, were I not attempting to read Heyer's entire oeuvre. To be fair, I am no great fan of the genre, for although fascinated by medieval European history (the novel opens in the year 1400), I generally find works of historical fiction set during the period to be hopelessly anachronistic. That said, I did enjoy the first portion of Heyer's book, which concerns Simon's youth and coming of age, and the adventures which eventually made him my Lord of Beauvallet.

But when the narrative turned to romance, I soon perceived that tired old theme of "the strong woman who needs to be tamed," which irritates me no end. The middle section, in which Simon lays siege to Belremy, was full of lots of this "masterless wench needs to learn her place" kind of talk, and I was very close to surrendering the novel, unfinished. But I pushed through, and found the ending somewhat improved.

All in all, I am glad this was reprinted, and that I read it. If nothing else, it was a timely reminder that there is something in a strong woman and leader that makes men (and sometimes women) want to tear her down...

And of course, the completist in me would have been displeased if I had given up! :)

[H2bourne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining story that has good character development. I enjoyed reading how the characters interacted with one another, seeing how the three young men, Simon, Geoffrey, and Alan forged such a strong, loyal friendship as well as how Simon and Margaret eventually developed such a strong bond with each other despite their tempestuous beginnings. Overall, this was a well-rounded story that included historical action, humour, even romance. The declarations of love from Geoffrey to Jeanne were amusing especially with Jeanne's replies. Fulk's (Earl of Montlice) loud, boisterous insults (really his way of showing affection) had me chuckling a few times. I was particularly entertained by his letters to Simon where he seemingly blusters in annoyance and yet his deep affection sounds through loud and clear. Overall, this was an enjoyable way to pass the time on a hot summer day relaxing in a (shaded) hammock.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously, I hated everything about "mastery" here -- it's so gross in the context of romantic and other personal relationships. But this book gets some stars for medieval accuracy, good friendships, and overall entertainment value. It was a fun addition to my Henry V phase. (And let me tell you, I am glad I read my Shakespeare first, because I would have been lost in the woods without a refresher on the historical context. Heyer does not provide much in the way of assistance there -- she just expects you to know things, which is flattering but undeserved.)

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars because I, personally, enjoyed it, but not a very good book, and certainly not Heyer's best. If I read the forward correctly, she even tried to have it banned.
Simon the Coldheart is about Simon (shocker!), a knight known for his frigid ways. Part 1 begins with him as a page, and follows him till knighthood. Part 2 is when the "plot" (esque? Maybe?) begins. Since his youth, Simon's stuborness gets him everything. When he desires to become a page, he simply walks into the castle. He quickly becomes a general with no rival but the King himself. He has won every battle...
Until he meets the Lady Margaret. Determined to conquer her castle, Simon may have met his match in the stuborn, fiesty countess.
Or at the very least, loose the heart no one thought he had.

Spoilers Included In Review
Ummmmm....enjoyable reading and I really liked a lot of the secondary characters, but Simon really was a bore. His half-brother Geoffrey, friend Alan, even King Henry are more likable and interesting. Geoffrey's romance had me in stiches of smiles. But Simon got boring after a while.
And Margaret! Talk about a disapointment. Her castle never had a chance. Her character was so emotional, one minute burning in fury and the next collapsing in tears. I had hoped she would give Simon some difficulty! And their romance! Arrrgghhhh, I'm not opposed to "wooing with daggers", it can make some amusing scenes, but there really was little contest. Though at one point Simon gets a little "worried", there is no real strain on him. Margaret does not humble him, he humbles her. And that is what I disliked the most strongly about this book.
Sexist comments about woman's weakness? Okay, I can take that.
Dialouge peppered with "if I don't do such and such, may I be demned eternally"? I can take.
Even slightly cliche groupings, (for example, that "powerful trio" of The Soldier, The Knight,and The Poet)
But! How disapointed I am in Margaret. The main love interest! Simon is already a boor. I was hoping she would tame him. But does she? No, not really. He still gets everything he wants by stuborness. He sees and conquors. Margaret gives up with less fight than her castle! Though of course, through plenty of "agonizing".
Though I enjoyed the plot well enough, Margaret/Simon annoyed me excessively. I liked the secondary characters and plot, that is what made this book for me.
I believe one revewier said this was only for "dedicated fans of Heyer". I'd agree. Don't make this your first experience with her. It is not her best (though I would argue it beats some of her regency...just a few. Just saying)

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

My 50th Georgette Heyer

The action-adventure part was interesting enough, but Simon the Coldheart was a one-note hero. The heroine showed promise, but halfway through their introduction, Margaret falls prey to damsel-in-distress disorder. Needless to say, it was a little meh.

[Seema Bakhtiyar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well Simon the Coldheart definitely is one of the very good works of Georgette Heyer. The book is divided into two parts, the first highlighting about his childhood, growth and progress towards magnanimity; while the second shows us that how after having achieved a cult status he is struck with unexpected love in his life.
As you read the first part, Simon really grows endearing and you cannot help but love him, even for all his coldness and reserve. Amazingly crafted character. All his attributes are beautifully compiled in the character and one would genuinely respect the character and be interested in what is to happen to him. What I like is his confidence in his ability to achieve whatever he desires and that too on his own, without seeking favours from anyone. It really touches my heart when Simon refuses help from his own father and at the same time does not hold any hatred and resentment for him; while also later on in the book gives him all the due respect of a father and without ill will listens to him. But throughout the story, the man who really bears out as a father to him is truly and only Fulk! Loved their relationship, their squabbles and Simon's stubbornness! Really enjoyable camaraderie!
Lady Margaret is a strong character indeed. She does match Simon in many of her attributes, which is always the way in Georgette Heyer books, that the hero and the heroine have to share common values and tastes. But still she is not my favourite Georgette Heyer heroine.
Fulk, Alan and Geoffrey are truly appreciable characters who genuinely love and respect Simon, even King Henry (the son) for that matter. Fulk for all his roaring and calling names is a softie at heart and Alan is really sweet.
What I really find missing is that many of these supporting characters are too sweet for being real. I mean how can a person be cool after knowing that he has a step brother, like Geoffrey does. But again this is my point of view and I find I also very comforting to know that Simon who was alone till he met Fulk got people who loved him dearly, the way that he deserves!
Overall brilliantly written story, good plot, great character sketches.

And as I always say for all Georgette Heyer books, IT IS A MUST READ!

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really admire Georgette Heyer's research and her incredible ability to give voice to her characters. This was actually the first Georgette Heyer novel placed in my hands. I have since started to read Arabella and more of her Regency type books...which I love completely!
I did skim this book a lot, because it was filled with so much information, at times. I found that I would get lost in the Old English: dost, thee, thou, methinks, art thou. Which is true to the time period, but its just my preference that for me its difficult to take what is being said seriously. Especially, when a character cries, 'Methinks you look very fine" or "Stop, art thou tired!".
Very well researched.

** I’m rereading this in January 2021 and after reading almost all of Heyer’s books in the last 11 years, I see now how great this book is and how amazing Simon is as a character. Funny how this was one of the first books I found of hers, and if you don’t know her style you might not fully get how perfect she carves out characters and scenes. This book has some swoon worthy scenes that make it. Especially the second half.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jacket flap of the version I have (1979 by Dutton, first published in GB in 1925) notes this volume is an early novel of Heyer's that was never published in US prior to Heyer's death. It's instructive and fun to read an early effort by a novelist who later became quite accomplished. Increasingly I find my appreciation of Heyer is greatly enriched by her ability to write convincingly from both the male and female perspectives, as some favorite authors, such as Lucy Maud Montgomery, seem unable to do. This one takes the reader back in time to the late Middle Ages, making good use of period references, and incidentally laying an artistic and logical-historical framework for the chivalrous behavior of the Regency Period which Heyer specializes in with so much authenticity. Fascinating tie-in, both historically and artistically.

[D.D. Chant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this book.

Again, it's not your typical Georgie Heyer. This is a medieval setting, not regency. Now, the reason I'm so fond of this book is the friendship between Simon, Alan and Geoffrey. Everything works against them being friends, but they overcome the obstacles because... well, basically because they're awesome.

I will just note that, although this book contains some romance, it's more of an adventure. I love that about it; there are battles, politics and intrigue, along with strong themes of loyalty and honour.

If you like more romance than history in your historical romance, then this probably isn't the book for you. However, if you want a more than a standard 'boy meets girl and they fall in love' with nice dresses scenario, (Oh, stop looking at me like that: we ALL read them!!!) then give this book a try. ;-P

[Linore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely one of Heyer's joyrides of a book. You can well imagine her smiling mischievously as she wrote it, knowing exactly how rollicking a romp she was creating. The Medieval setting is drawn well enough, and the dialogue, as is usual in her books, resonates with humorous period correct oaths and exclamations. The hero is over the top, and the heroine somewhat underwhelming, (especially as the story moves on) but what's that when the rest of the book is such fun? All in all, a worthwhile adventure.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this so much!!
It was a different tone than the regencies I’ve read of hers, but the Robin Hood-esque vibe and historical aspects… all the knights and conquering heroes… -sighs in rapturous damsel-
I actually thought the damsel was mostly annoying but I did admire her sticking to her guns and determination in several ways too.

Again, I loved it!

[Samra Faruki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I literally have no idea how this book is classified as a romance because it’s not.
It was hardly a romance.

[VMom · Rating 1 out of 5]

Before Rambo, there was Simon, the soldier's soldier, the self-made legend in his own time, hard and unyielding, except to little boys, who can twist him 'round their wee pinkies. He's got no time for love, he thinks, but of course he falls for the first woman who tries to stab him.
As you might guess, this novel was not to my taste. Actually, I had the most problems with the leading lady, who mostly reminded me of a 40's era silver screen star: spit-fire one moment, swooning the next.
I will admit that the dialogue between the supporting couple was mildly amusing.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

2020: Not Georgette Heyer's best, but a quick, fun read. Fulk makes me smile.

2011: Immature Heyer, but still far more natural "historical" dialogue than any imitator past or present. Thank you to Heyer's son for disobeying her wish to suppress this early work.

[Lake · Rating 2 out of 5]

5 stars for Margaret, the woman of my dreams
1 star for Simon, the big bore
-25 stars for using threatened sexual assault by a cartoonish villain to make Margaret, a stabby badass!!, a damsel in distress for Simon to boringly rescue. And all that submitting and mastering talk.

I guess it all averages out.

[Mina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up

Not heyer’s best, but I liked it! The medieval-esque setting was fresh and interesting, Simon was a really interesting character, and it’s a good plot. Read this when I was supposed to be sleeping lol

[Hannah Conner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent novel of medieval knights, ladies, and battles. The characters are varied and believable. So refreshing to read a book where men can be courtly, or poets and musicians, and still truly manly. Deep male friendships, deep female friendships, a villain, love, castles... I recommend this as an excellent visit to the middle ages.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love this novel.

[Mabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I unexpectedly enjoyed this. Quite an unlikeable main character, but I found him interesting for the characters around him. A pretty impressive effort for a second novel!