Devil's Cub

By: Georgette Heyer

Narrated by: Michael Drew

Length: 9 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

The excesses of the young Marquis of Vidal are even wilder than his father's before him. Not for nothing is the reckless duellist and gamester called "the Devil's Cub". But when he is forced to leave the country, Mary Challoner discovers his fiendish plan to abduct her sister. Any only by daring to impersonate her can Mary save her sibling from certain ruin.

©2003 Georgette Heyer (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"My favourite historical novelist." (Margaret Drabble)

Beautifully written and paced

This is my favourite Georgie and the combination of characters, humour and romance is delightful.

Not happy with the narrator

One of my favorite Georgette Heyer novels. But the narrator, while being differentiating the characters well is just a bit unpleasant to listen to.

One of Georgette Heyer's. Best

Devils Cub is the sequel to These Old Shades and both are simply some of the best of Georgette Meyer's regency romance novels and most memorable characters. I highly recommend them both.

Next Generation Hijinks Make for Sparkling Sequel

It has been an age since I first read this sequel-next generation to These Old Shades so there was much that felt fresh and new about it.

This is probably the only time when readers approach a Georgette Heyer book that I will say one needs to read a previous book. The older generation of Alastairs and their friends mentioned in this one were the main players in These Old Shades. In Devil's Cub, they get nearly as much page time as the new generation.

Dominic Alastair, Marquess of Vidal, is the son of the Duke of Avon, referred to as Satanas in his younger days for his exploits, and Leonie, the irrepressible Frenchwoman who is still as fresh and sparkling as ever. Vidal is something of both parents which is enough to leave London and much of English society turned on its ear. His latest escapades involving a notorious duel and the seduction of a silly young social climber leave him hot footing it to France until things cool off. But, of course he doesn't plan to go alone and that is when the fun begins because his silly little lady has a more sensible and intelligent older sister who decides to foil both Vidal's seduction and her sister's ill-advised attempt to hook a wealthy, aristocratic husband.

Watching the pair cross verbal swords and seeing Dominic slowly fall for the quiet and quality character that is Mary Challoner and this serious miss fall for the rake was excellent. The high entertainment comes when Leonie and the duke's younger brother Lord Rupert involve themselves.

There is a secondary romance involving Vidal's cousin Julia and a staid young gentleman who doesn't meet Lady Fanny's approval. Their situation mixed with everyone trying to keep the Duke of Avon from knowing what was going on led to some amusing comedic times.

It was as entertaining as I remembered and getting it in audio this time around with new to me narrator Michael Drew giving excellent voice to all the characters was a sensational experience. Definitely recommend this one to others.

Amusing but tricky

Like all Georgette Heyer's work, this book is LOTS of fun, but unlike many, it brings up issues that the modern world considers seriously un-funny. Heyer's hero starts the book as somone who drives (horses) too fast and plays too hard, and since he is wealthy & athletic & has a high social position, he gets away with it. Heyer, though, never excuses his behavior. She shows you characters, and their behavior, from their own view-points, and in their own settings. It is up to the reader to decide whether their behavior can be excused (completely, somewhat, or not at all). So, although her hero's behavior, when he assumes that the heroine is a "lightskirt" who (he assumes - incorrectly) is trying to trap him into making her his mistress, is inexcusable by modern standards, it was all too acceptable by the standards of the mid-late 18th century. He does not actually assault the heroine, but not through lack of intent. Heyer does not excuse, and she doesn't, when brought to the point, shy away from telling you a few ugly truths, either.

#2 in the Allistair trilogy and one of her best

What did you love best about Devil's Cub?

My 14th Heyer (I'm consuming them at a gallop), with an abundance of classic elements, including: adventure, abduction, elopement, two duels(one with pistols, one with swords), a classic rake (actually 2 including the father), a level-headed heroine, humor, and farce. Leonie and the Duke are back, but mostly in the background, as parents. It's the duke's son Dominic now who's the center-stage rake, to be tamed this time by a sensible bourgoise, Mary.Very well-plotted, light, and complete fun!

What other book might you compare Devil's Cub to and why?

All Heyer's books seem to be of a piece, really, despite different plots. They are simply delicious fantasy-romances, and it hardly matters what they're about, though Heyer takes time over the plotting, however light. Our hero Dominic resembles many of her classic nobleman-rakes, including notably his father, Justin, Duke of Avon, Heyer's "uber-rake" of These Old Shades. Once you start reading Heyer it's hard to stop--it's addicting escapism that leaves you feeling quite satisfied and rushing back for more. You're propelled along by the clever dialogue and the interesting period details. For example,I find I now know how to distinguish a curricle from a phaeton from a barouche. Though what good that may do me, I'm sure I don't know. And I am not "queer in my attic!" as her characters are wont to say...

Have you listened to any of Michael Drew’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to several other narrators of Heyer's books, and I do think Michael Drew does very well indeed with this unabridged version.--He is actually quite good at capturing a sort of nasty, nasal drawl you might expect of our rakes-both-father and son. He is also very adept in his handling of all the women characters. He has several fine narrative moments; one of the funniest bits is the valet's discourse on the marquis's fashionable figure. Drew clearly milks this little scene for maximum laughs. Simply not to be missed!

Any additional comments?

Read and listen to as many as you can get your hands on--a healthy way to revive good spirits! I've heard it called mannerpunk; I'd say regency-crack.

Don't listen to the reviewers!!

I didn't get this book for the longest time because of all the negative reviews about violence, etc. I'm so glad I finally got it! One of my favorites!

And oldie...but a goodie

Gosh I've read Georgette Heyer books for 50 years and this is one of my favorites. When the books came out on audio, I was SOOOOO excited. Welllll....some books are better read than heard. Michael Drew is pretty good....I just wanted Devil and his Cub to have deep masculine voices. Instead, they sound like wimps. But....I still loved listening to an old favorite.

Fantastic story

I loved this book. Michael Drew is such a talented voice actor. He probably performs over 10 characters in this story and so amazingly well. The story itself is the best of Heyer's that I have listened to so far. Just an excellent experience all around.

Great Story

I have listened to several Heyer books and this is one of her best. Ms. Heyer has not disappointed so far. it's true the Vicount is quite colorful to say the least, but probably closer to the real thing than some of her other Vicounts. I enjoyed the story and the narrator very much.