Georgette Heyer didn't want this book published. I am glad it did. Other than the medieval language of 'thou' and 'thee' getting in the way, this is a better read than some of her other books. There is love, action, and interesting characters making it an enjoyable quick read. ( )

Not a favourite among her books. ( )

My rule is, I rate books within their genre. Is this a 5-star book among all the books I've ever read in my life? Absolutely not. Is it a 5-star book among sappy romantic historical fiction? Without a doubt. This novel is unique because you spend quite a lot of time with our hero, waging war and buckling swashes and racking up titles from King Henry II and hangin' with the bros, before you even meet our heroine--who is your typical Heyer heroine, with tons of spirit and smart-assery.

Simon Beauvallet (a.k.a. the Coldheart) is quite a lot like Ross Poldark but with fewer issues with authority, an absolutely fearless yet humble guy and great leader of men, who will leap into a crazy and potentially lethal situation with both feet and figure it out when he gets there. It's not a spoiler to say that Simon turns out not to have a cold heart after all (surprise!) ( )

I had the feeling that I have read this before, but, if so, it must have been a very long time ago. This is not set in the usual Heyer Regency, this is set in the time of the start of the wars of the Roses, in early 1400s. Starting with Simon, an unacknowledged bastard son of Lord Malvallet, turning up at the castle of Malvallet's foe, Fulk of Montlice. He gets himself taken on as a page, and then worms his way into Fulk's affections. Simon is quickly the ideal knight, strong, stern, brave, commanding and, apparently, completely without heart. But the lie is given to that by his affection for children, and the number of his pages that he seems to employ. Simon is presented in contrast with his half brother, Geoffrey, and Fulk's son, Alan. The three, between them, are the different faces of manhood, soldier, courtier and poet. They form a quite attractive contrast and are well penned.
There's a lot goes on in here, lots of battles, sieges, attacks, plots and strategies (successful and not). It is all quite breathless, there's barely a chance to take stock and find your balance. The romance is a long time coming and is contrasted with the romance between Simon's half brother and Margurite's maid, the courtier and the soldier going about this is quite different ways.
This is a book Heyer wanted to suppress as being not up to her later standards. It's not as elegant as later books, the romance isn't as subtle or engaging as in later books. It's far too bent on Margaret giving into Simon's will than it is a meeting of minds. Later books manage this a lot better.
Having said all that, I enjoyed it. A less good Heyer is still better than a lot of what's out there. Not one I'd suggest to start with, but it's not that it should be avoided.

Re-read. I think the previous review still stands. There's plentry of adventure in here, and enough archaic language to satisfy those who want their history to look and sound different. The romance remains slightly weak, in that it is Margurite who yields to Simon, although you can see it coming, it feels a little like surrender when it does. So it remains as a 3 star book, good but not great. ( )

Well-characterised theme, almost 4-stars; surprisingly compelling story set in the 1400's (I was expecting to find the story laborious). Wooing and winning of Lady Margaret typical of its time but could be unsettling in today's context. This novel is a 'pre-quel' to a later story, "Beauvallet", set in the 16th Century. ( )