Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Devil's Own (Clan MacAlpin #2)

by Veronica Wolff (Goodreads Author)

3.79 of 5 stars 3.79 · rating details · 136 ratings · 16 reviews

Read Veronica Wolff's blogs and other content on the Penguin Community

After surviving slavery, Aiden MacAlpin has nothing but thoughts of vengeance. When his tutor Elspeth learns a secret to his past, it thrusts them both into a game of passion and deception that neither may survive.

Mass Market Paperback, 338 pages

Published March 1st 2011 by Berkley (first published January 25th 2011)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley

Tortured Heroes of Historical Romance

162nd out of 222 books — 167 voters

Best Medieval Romance Novels

240th out of 262 books — 311 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 337)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Oct 04, 2011 Melanie rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I reviewed this book for Romance Reader At Heart.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

This is my first time reading a Veronica Wolff novel, and I found the characters of DEVIL'S OWN to be one dimensional, the dialogue flat and unbelievable, and the voice through the story too cartoonish and not attuned to the time or place. The pace at which the story moved was excruciatingly slow, and the romance between Aidan and Elspeth forced to a point that no chemistry materialized.

To be fair, this is a secon...more I reviewed this book for Romance Reader At Heart.

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

This is my first time reading a Veronica Wolff novel, and I found the characters of DEVIL'S OWN to be one dimensional, the dialogue flat and unbelievable, and the voice through the story too cartoonish and not attuned to the time or place. The pace at which the story moved was excruciatingly slow, and the romance between Aidan and Elspeth forced to a point that no chemistry materialized.

To be fair, this is a second book in a series, so I'll admit that I felt a bit adrift. Aiden MacAlpin's kidnapping is explained in the prolog of the book; however, even that didn't help me connect to our hero. I wanted to feel for him as his life at the hands of his captors was no bed of roses, but again, I was left wanting more. I also found him to be churlish and boorish most of the time. Try as I might to read between the lines and give Aiden an excuse in acting the way he did, yet still, I couldn't connect.

And then we have our heroine Elspeth Farquharson, a bookish, plain, and timid girl who's drafted by our hero's sister to tutor him. While the job is welcomed for the money it will bring, Elspeth is happier at the prospect of spending time with Aidan and getting to know him better. This is the part of the story that I was looking forward to, their budding romance and consequent passion. Some authors rush and throw the couples into the relationship too quickly, some take their sweet time, and some know how to balance the pace of it. This author literally dragged the romance.

Now we come to the plot: Aidan's revenge on a man that kidnapped him seventeen years ago. One word: boring. What killed this story for me is Elspeth's `woolgathering', which the author felt to convey to us in italics that read as a `novel' in Elspeth's mind. That was unnecessary. It sounded false.

DEVIL'S OWN was supposed to be a tender love story set during the Restoration period in Scottish history, between two people who have nothing in common, yet find themselves drawn to each other. What a lost opportunity to enlighten us with the rich history of that era.

Suffice it to say, I won't be reading the book that preceded it.

Melanie
(less)

like · see review

Aug 24, 2011 Tina rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed-twolipsrevies-com

Aiden MacAlpin appreciates that he has survived hell on Earth and has his brothers and sisters to thank for that. But right now he is not feeling like kin; he feels like a stranger. His ambition to exact revenge on the man who sold him into slavery, into hell; he wants to make him suffer like he has suffered. His family cannot comprehend that.

Elspeth Farquharson has already resigned herself to a life of being alone and a spinster. That is before she meets the brooding Aiden. He is a real-life h...more

like · see review

Jul 29, 2011 Book Binge Blog rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, historical, berkley

In the previous book Aiden MacAlpin returned to Scotland after being kidnapped 13 years prior. He’s trying to deal with his many siblings and the differences in his life that came to be while he was a slave. Aiden’s one purpose in life is to find the man who kidnapped all those years ago but he knows nothing of the man except that he wears a black pearl earring. Determined to find him he submits himself to his sisters friend, Elspeth, for tutoring. But he has no money to pay for her assistance s...more In the previous book Aiden MacAlpin returned to Scotland after being kidnapped 13 years prior. He’s trying to deal with his many siblings and the differences in his life that came to be while he was a slave. Aiden’s one purpose in life is to find the man who kidnapped all those years ago but he knows nothing of the man except that he wears a black pearl earring. Determined to find him he submits himself to his sisters friend, Elspeth, for tutoring. But he has no money to pay for her assistance so he trades her for help on the farm that she runs.

Elspeth is a dreamer. Yes, she works hard on the farm that she lives on with her father, but she loves to read and dream about herself in a heroine’s role and when she meets Aiden she quickly puts him into her head as the hero. She comes off as clumsy and bookish but she soon charms Aiden with her mind and her kindness.

Elspeth’s father has different plans for his daughter and that is to marry her off to a rich man that can keep him in the life that he’s not accustomed to, but wants desperately. The man that he betroths her to, however, is none other than the man behind the slaver ship and the partner of the man that Aiden seeks to kill.

When I read back on the blurb and what I’ve written it sounds like the book is much more complicated than it truly is but that’s a good thing. A good thing because the major enjoyment for me with this story was the fact, that for the most part, it was just a simple love story. Aiden and Elspeth meeting, seeing each other on the farm, coming to know each other and falling in love. It’s just a sweet story and I very much enjoyed reading about two simple people falling in love without any angst. I love a good angst story as much as the next person but sometimes it’s just nice to read a simple boy meets girl love story. That’s not to say that there wasn’t some excitement going on in the book and toward the end especially there was some intense moments with Elspeth’s future but there was definitely an HEA.

I think if you’re looking for a historical romance without a Duke or an Earl or a Laird and just want to read about two regular people falling in love this would be a great book to read.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5

This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Tracy.(less)

like · see review

Jul 10, 2011 Readitnweep rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: highlander, historical, romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Aidan MacAlpin was kidnapped into slavery as a young boy. He escapes 13 years later and returns to a family he no longer feels a part of. His caring sister realizes he doesn't know how to read and arranges for tutoring with a neighboring spinster, Elspeth, who slaves away for her drunken farmer father, who is trying to marry her off to the high bidder.

Shy Elspeth comes out of her shell to involve herself in Aidan's plan to gain revenge against his captor and endangers herself in the process.

I go...more

like · see review

Feb 23, 2011 Bookaholics rated it 4 of 5 stars

Devil’s Own by Veronica Wolff
Scottish Romance- March 1st, 2011
4 ½ stars

Aiden MacAlpin was kidnapped and enslave in the tropics. This life has scarred him mentally and physically. Years later he finds his brother on a chance meeting and is returned safely home. But Aiden has changed and the home that he remembered is no longer there. His parents are dead and his brother is now happily married. Hollow except for the need to take revenge against his kidnapper, Aiden’s vengeance drives him. He plans...more Devil’s Own by Veronica Wolff
Scottish Romance- March 1st, 2011
4 ½ stars

Aiden MacAlpin was kidnapped and enslave in the tropics. This life has scarred him mentally and physically. Years later he finds his brother on a chance meeting and is returned safely home. But Aiden has changed and the home that he remembered is no longer there. His parents are dead and his brother is now happily married. Hollow except for the need to take revenge against his kidnapper, Aiden’s vengeance drives him. He plans to infiltrate the smuggling network, and he will do almost anything to murder his kidnapper. But his loving and meddling sister wants more for him. She hires Aiden a tutor so he can learn how to read and write. And then the unexpected happens.

Aiden captures the imagination of the bookish and shy Elspeth Farquharson’s. Elspeth has always known that she is rather plain and her timidity has never brought her suitors. When her friend suggests she tutor Aiden, she is thrilled. She can only reflect on the circumstances that have shaped him. The tutoring job will give her much needed money and it is the closest a woman like her will ever get to such a handsome and vivid man. But surprisingly, both soon grow to care for each other. But Aiden’s single-minded determination to find his abductor brings untold danger.

This is a wonderful, romantic book. I liked how the author slowly brings Aiden and Elspeth together. Many times, authors rush the two main characters and I don’t understand what they have in common except their physical attraction. In this story, both main characters are very sympathetic and even cute together. As they grow to care for each other I could feel their wonder in their new found love. Elspeth is a dreamer who is sweetly naïve and untarnished. In contrast, Aiden’s harsh past has made him a bit cynical. He is strong and fierce. But when he meets the timid Elspeth he can’t help wanting something more. He is soon attracted to her gentleness. But Elspeth also has depth and courage. The two main characters balanced each other very well.

Devil’s Own is a tender romance between two misunderstood people who find friendship and love.

Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club(less)

like · see review

Feb 23, 2011 Alice Janell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011

I won an arc of "Devil's Own" through the Pleasure Me Event on Monica Burns' blog. Historical romances may not be my favorite genre to read, but it's about highlanders...well, I just can't seem to say no.

There's just something about those men in kilts.

...anyway…

Veronica Wolff is a new-to-me author, but after the first few pages, she had me hooked.

Kidnapped and sold into slavery, Aidan MacAlpin returns to his home in Scotland only to feel like a stranger amongst the family he lost so long ago. He...more

like · see review

Sep 13, 2011 Stacy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was quite pleased that I branched out of my normal circle of authors to try this book. I love tortured heroes especially if the story line is well written. The heroine was just as lovely too, talk about a cherry on top!

Unfortunately, it is not the first in the series (I hate when I do that!) but it read quite well as a stand alone. Looking forward to going back and reading the previous book, Devil's Highlander.

The dialog was engaging and lively which is my favorite part of a book. The characte...more

like · see review

Aug 27, 2011 Lisa Jo rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical, keepers, physical-collection

Devil’s Own by Veronica Wolff is an exciting and emotional historical romance novel that is simply impossible to put down. With sparkling dialogue, perfect characters and an unforgettable love story, this novel is nothing else but a ‘Must Read.’

Aidan has recently been returned to his large Scottish family after spending the last thirteen years as a slave. His homecoming is awkward, but more than anything else, he wants revenge on the man who stole him from his home all those years ago. When his...more Devil’s Own by Veronica Wolff is an exciting and emotional historical romance novel that is simply impossible to put down. With sparkling dialogue, perfect characters and an unforgettable love story, this novel is nothing else but a ‘Must Read.’

Aidan has recently been returned to his large Scottish family after spending the last thirteen years as a slave. His homecoming is awkward, but more than anything else, he wants revenge on the man who stole him from his home all those years ago. When his sister insists that the neighboring farm girl tutor him in order to teach him how to read and write, Aidan is reluctant to agree. Especially after he meets the shy young girl, Elspeth Farquharson, and realizes she is quiet the distraction. Aidan needs this education and these lessons with Elspeth in order to hunt down his enemy, but she quickly becomes wrapped up in his dangerous plot. Now all Aidan has to figure out is what has become more important...Elspeth or his revenge?

For fans of tortured heroes (Me! Me!), Aidan is your man! As a slave for the last thirteen years he certainly has a lot of baggage, but he is still a stunning leading man. His need for vengeance is strong in the beginning, but what was striking was how Elspeth dramatically changed him. You see a tortured man who wants to be cruel and uncaring, but his relationship with Elspeth improves his character on so many levels that you can’t help but be in awe of this dashing man. It’s no wonder the heroine is madly in love with him.

Elspeth was absolutely charming and adorable as a heroine. She has romantic and fanciful notions that lead her to day dream for most of the day. Of course she wants Aidan to be the hero in those day dreams, but she is so unsure of herself that she constantly doubts her feelings towards him. As much as Elspeth changes Aidan, he changes her as well. Taking a lesson from the romance novels she loves so much, once she comes to know the true Aidan, she realizes she will do anything for her hero. It’s impossible not to love that.

The dialogue was clever and gave a distinctive voice to the characters. This smart and powerful romance novel introduced delicious passion, witty exchanges and stunning emotion. Along with the drama and the romance were light touches of humor, which was a wonderful addition to make this a somewhat lighter romance. What was perhaps most amazing to me was the build up of passionate tension between the hero and heroine. I don’t ever remember reading a book where I anticipated the first kiss more than in this novel. Then waiting so long to read about it and not even caring because it was that priceless. The build up and execution was breath taking and perfectly written by Wolff. As an author, she delivers on many levels with this novel....producing an exciting storyline, well crafted characters and a vibrant romance. She takes you on a fulfilling journey to a different time and place to experience a love full of tenderness and hope.

I truly cannot find anything that I did not like or love about Devil's Own. It was pure romance through and through. With Devil’s Own being book two of the Clan MacAlpin series, I hope the series is far from the end. Since there is a large cast of secondary characters, the MacAlpin siblings, I hope each will get their own story. Wolff has crafted a wonderful historical romance novel that I loved from the very first chapter and that I read in one sitting! It truly doesn’t get much better than this. If you are looking for a quality historical romance with a tortured hero who finds his heart, an adorably insecure heroine who discovers her courage and an exciting romantic journey look no further than Devil’s Own. It’s definitely a keeper!

Overall Rating: 5/5
Heat Level: 4/5

Lisa @ Once Upon A Chapter(less)

like · see review

Jan 24, 2013 Lenore A. rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

In this second book, we get to know what happened to Aidan (refer to in the first book) and understand his troubles. Of course, love conquers all and all that but, what got me hooked is the way that Veronica Wolff "does" her heroes. You can sense a deepness and sadness along with the need to survive and simply be.
I'm suspicious, though, because I love a man in kilts and a troubled soul.

like · see review

May 11, 2011 Patsyann rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book was a refreshing sequel. It was not very long and the chapters were short. The story moved at a steady pace. The characters were rich and fully developed. And what I like best...the secondary characters remained secondary and stayed to the side and came out only when needed. The romance stayed strong to the end!!
The hero and heroine were both changed by each other and that was the best part!!
This was a really good book and a keeper with the first.

ALPHA MALE 8
SPUNKY HEROINE 10
SOME SEX...more

like · see review

Mar 18, 2011 Kendra rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: z-added-in-mar-2011, romance, z-read-in-mar-2011

Enjoyed this one much more thn the first book. Flowed easier, not as abrupt and jerky in the first book. Sweet, simple little romance.

like · see review

Apr 19, 2011 Shalon rated it 3 of 5 stars

blah till about the middle...

like · see review

Oct 06, 2012 Maddie rated it 1 of 5 stars

A great idea for a story but I found this book boring.

like · see review

Jan 19, 2013 Sherri *The Lady Hillindale* rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, alpha-male, heroine-is-boring, hero-to-die-for, scottish-highland-romance, tstl-character

Great storyline with a to-die-for hero and a too stupid to be believed heroine. I get naive and I even get sheltered but this gal was a piece of work. Aiden deserved better.

AIDEN. *sigh* Swoonworthy, made-me-cry, sexy, determined, honest.....he is the best tortured hero (literally) that I have read in ages. He saved the book. 3 stars

3 likes · like · see review

Jul 04, 2011 Jessie rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book was much less enjoyable than I thought it would be. I was expecting a lot more quirk and plot.

like · see review

May 14, 2011 Tracy's Place rated it 4 of 5 stars

4.25 out of 5

like · see review

May 19, 2013 Heather Trahan marked it as to-read

May 18, 2013 Natasha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical

May 15, 2013 Elin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

May 12, 2013 Kim Strange rated it 3 of 5 stars

May 12, 2013 Kelley marked it as to-read

May 08, 2013 Leann rated it 4 of 5 stars

May 05, 2013 Kim marked it as to-read

May 04, 2013 Judy Owens rated it 5 of 5 stars

May 08, 2013 Lucy Hargrave rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-romance, scottish-romance

May 02, 2013 Greenprarie marked it as to-read

Apr 25, 2013 Emilie added it

Apr 23, 2013 Maurisa rated it 1 of 5 stars

Apr 16, 2013 Booklover baker marked it as to-read

Apr 16, 2013 Lori Gartin marked it as to-read

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (2)

Genres

Romance > Historical Romance

16 users

Romance

14 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Veronica Wolff

Once upon a time there was a girl. She liked horses and Shaun Cassidy and Gunne Sax dresses, like many of the other girls her age. She had a big, loving family and, since their dad was in the Navy, they moved around. A lot. She was shy, though, and generally preferred a day spent in the company of her Trixie Belden books to running around with the other kids, whom she really didn’t know very well...more Once upon a time there was a girl. She liked horses and Shaun Cassidy and Gunne Sax dresses, like many of the other girls her age. She had a big, loving family and, since their dad was in the Navy, they moved around. A lot. She was shy, though, and generally preferred a day spent in the company of her Trixie Belden books to running around with the other kids, whom she really didn’t know very well anyway.

She grew up and she still preferred the company of books, so she read, and she read some more, and she loved romantic stories, and stories about dragons and young men on quests, and stories by Jane and Daphne and Emily and Charlotte. But this girl realized that seeing all different kinds of places and all different kinds of people had become a part of who she was, and so she studied languages and art from faraway places. But she could be dramatic, and so she decided to study all of that while living in India. And then she studied in India again. For a long time. And she thought that, when she grew up some more, she would be a fancy professor and write linguistic papers and teach students about art and do other fancy-professor things.

But first she moved to California, where she had never been, because it seemed the place to move to start such a new and fabulous life. And she got a job to pay the rent. She discovered she still loved books that drew her in, and made her cry, and kept her awake till she had to scrunch her eyebrows to see the words clearly. And she realized too that she much preferred those books to the ones that mostly just taught her stuff and made her feel anxious that she wasn’t busy making grand statements in grand journals. And while she was figuring all this out, she needed money, and so she did what many of the other girls in California were doing and she got a job doing Internet stuff.

And she met her hero, and they married, and they got some pets and had some kids. But she still liked to go places in her mind as she stared out the window while doing things like washing bottles and burping babies, and so she started writing a story. And you can imagine the rest.

Now that she's grown up, she likes to see movies and read books, cut flowers from her garden, spend time with friends and drink wine, and go snowboarding. Not all at the same time of course. And she still loves stories about dragons, but mostly she loves stories about love.(less)

More about Veronica Wolff...

Books by Veronica Wolff

Master of the Highlands (Highlands; Veronica Wolff #1)

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Devil's Own

No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »

title link	preview: Devil's Own
avg rating	preview: Devil's Own Goodreads rating: 3.79 (136 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8705483-devil-s-own?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347262054l/8705483.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8705483-devil-s-own?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Devil's Own by Veronica Wolff[/url]

Devil's Own (Clan MacAlpin #2)

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website