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These Old Shades

(Alastair-Audley Tetralogy #1)

Georgette Heyer

4.08 · Rating details · 14,965 ratings · 1,264 reviews

Under the reign of Louis XV, corruption and intrigue have been allowed to blossom in France, and Lord Justin Alastair, the notorious Duke of Avon, known for his coldness of manner, his remarkable omniscience, and his debauched lifestyle. Society believes the worst of Justin, who is clearly proud of his sobriquet, 'Satanas'. In a dark Parisian back alley, he is accosted by Under the reign of Louis XV, corruption and intrigue have been allowed to blossom in France, and Lord Justin Alastair, the notorious Duke of Avon, known for his coldness of manner, his remarkable omniscience, and his debauched lifestyle. Society believes the worst of Justin, who is clearly proud of his sobriquet, 'Satanas'. In a dark Parisian back alley, he is accosted by Leon, a young person dressed in ragged boy's clothing running away from a brutal rustic guardian. The Duke buys Leon, a redheaded urchin with strangely familiar looks, who is in fact Leonie, and she serves him with deep devotion. The Duke suspected the truth about his page--she was really none other than the wicked Comte de Saint Vire's legitimate daughter, deprived of her heritage by the comte's dastardly desire for a male heir.

Among the splendours of Versailles and the dignified mansions of England, Justin begins to unfold his sinister plans, and Leonie shoulds play a fine part in Duke's long-over-due schemes to avenge himslef on the Comte de St Vire. The duke's plan was simple: parade delicately handsome Leonie in front of his enemy and transforming her into the toast of the town, before his innocent ward reclaim her birthright, destroying her true father in the process. But the duke hadn't expected Leonie's breathtaking transformation or the tender emotions she awoke--and he'd already set his dangerous scheme in motion....

While, titian-haired Leonie, ward of the dashing Duke of Avon, has all Paris at her feet. Yet her true origins remained shrouded in mystery. And neither the glittering soirees nor the young aristocrats who so ardently courted her could still the question that plagued her young heart. Just one man held the secret, the one she feared most in the world--the iron-willed Comte de Saint-Vire, deadly enemy of the Duke. He would give her the answer--for a price. But could she betray the man she secretly, helplessly loved? And could this proud young beauty hear to face the truth when it came? ...more

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Paperback, 352 pages

Published July 3rd 2001 by Arrow (first published 1926)

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Jan 14, 2009 Danielle The Book Huntress (Back to the Books) rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Fans of historical romance and fiction

Recommended to Danielle The Book Huntress (Back to the Books) by: AAR Special Titles Listing

Shelves: scary-sexy-cool-dangerous-hero, older-hero-younger-heroine, sweet-romance, woman-in-pants, revenge, fop-dandy, bad-boy-rake-or-rogue, historical-fiction, georgian

Okay, I am officially a Georgette Heyer reader now. I can see why she is touted as the best of the best when it comes to historical romance. This book was thoroughly enjoyable. I tell you, Avon is a very singular hero. I have read few books with a hero whose dialogue was so expressive, yet ironic at the same time. His wit is so sharp that it could cut diamonds. What's really interesting is that Avon is considered the worst of the worst when it comes to being a debauched rake, yet you never see Okay, I am officially a Georgette Heyer reader now. I can see why she is touted as the best of the best when it comes to historical romance. This book was thoroughly enjoyable. I tell you, Avon is a very singular hero. I have read few books with a hero whose dialogue was so expressive, yet ironic at the same time. His wit is so sharp that it could cut diamonds. What's really interesting is that Avon is considered the worst of the worst when it comes to being a debauched rake, yet you never see him looking or acting anything less than elegant. I really admire that Heyer was able to convey this about him without going into his dirty deeds. All that occurs before the book begins. In fact, so much is conveyed and not expressly shown in this story, and done with remarkable skill. I have to say that I read this story, looking to Ms. Heyer to teach me (as a writer) the ability to create powerful dialogue that shows and does not tell. Avon is quite the character. He is definitely a dandy and a fop, wearing bright colors, dripping with lace and jewels, and high-heeled shoes. He even carries a fan that he uses. But he is a man of his time, with a masculinity that is not questionable. And to think we don't have to see him bedhopping to believe in his masculinity!! I thought that Ms. Heyer did a fantastic job in showing Avon's transition from being a cold man with a heart of stone to a loving person. You see this in his manner changing towards friends and family. And you see it in how he interacts with Leonie, who gives him her steadfast, unconditional love from the very beginning.

Avon is bent on revenge, but he exemplifies the saying, "Revenge is a dish best served cold." He waited over twenty years to obtain his revenge on his enemy. When the tool of his revenge stumbles into him on a Paris street, it takes a while for you to see how he/she plays into it. Avon concocts a shallow, bored, remote demeanor that is very misleading. The whole while, he is feeling and seeing everything that goes on around him. He sees right through Leon's facade, realizing that she is a girl. Her unique coloring, Red hair and black eyebrows, immediately brings to mind his worst enemy, Saint-Vire. Yet it takes the reader a little while to put the puzzles together. You are not bored though, as the story unfolds and you get to realize what Avon's plan is. For the lines in this story are so laugh out loud funny, you might want to be careful where you break out this book. I'm sure people thought was I was crazy in the moments I read this story in public, because I would burst out into hilarious laughter. As for the revenge plot, you have to read this book until nearly the very end to see how marvelously and skillfully Avon executes his plan for revenge. I have to say, 'Bravo.' And to be honest, it couldn't have happened to a better person.

One of my favorite characters in this story is Rupert, Avon's younger brother. Why? Because he made me laugh so hard. He had the best lines. I firmly believe that Loretta Chase must have thought of him when she wrote Bertie in Lord of Scoundrels, although Rupert is not nearly as unintelligent as Bertie is portrayed to be. Rupert does a very good job as serving as comic relief in a story that would have been quite dark without these moments of humor. Because of his contribution, I cannot even consider this a dark read. This is also in part to the back and forth dialogue between characters which has the cadence and the humor that endears comedic movies of the 1930s and 40s to this reader and movie buff. The scene with the horse that Rupert 'borrowed' and its livid owner who comes to Avon's home for redress was laugh out loud hilarious. Definitely like a scene from 1940s slapstick comedy at its best. Some of the characters that add to the wonderful atmosphere are Fanny, Avon's sister, Marling, her staid husband, and Hugh, Avon's less staid, but certainly moral friend, who often disproves of Avon's behavior, but is a steadfast friend all the same.

Leonie is a character that I liked, although at times her ingenue nature was a bit much for me. The older I get, the less I really enjoy the very young, vivacious, extremely audacious-mannered heroines. I did not let that lessen my enjoyment of this story, for Leonie is the perfect foil for Avon. This older, very jaded hero needed a very young, sweet heroine with a zest for life. He would not have fallen in love and committed to a happy ending as a happily married man otherwise. In fact, I think his cold heart would have grown colder through the years, probably pushing everyone away who loved him, had it not been for Leonie's advent into his life.

Leonie is the character that everyone loves. I suppose she might be considered a 'Mary Sue' by some, but again, I don't quibble, for this story needed a character like her for it be successful. Also I reject the notion that an old fashioned, feel-good story doesn't have its place in the world. They most certainly do. And at the end of the day, the escapades of this hoyden do make you smile and feel good.

This novel gave me a very good look into 18th century life in France and England, for which I was grateful. It is said that Heyer's book stand up against the most stringent historical accuracy sticklers. She is a testiment to the genre of historical romance, which is always taking hits as being low-brow fiction. I wonder why this has not been made into film, for I feel it would make a wonderful movie. And it has an appeal outside of those readers who enjoy romance.

This book was a joy to read, and it has made me an eager fan of Heyer. I would love to read more of her books, and since I've heard that she had some older, sensible heroine (one of my favorite types in historical romance), I expect to enjoy those books just as much, if not more.

For those romance fans who haven't read Heyer, take it from me. You really should give her a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed. ...more

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Apr 06, 2013 Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: squeaky-clean-romance, georgian, suspense

"La vengeance est un mets que l'on doit manger froid." (Revenge is a dish that should be eaten cold.)

--Credited to Charles Talleyrand, French diplomat (1754–1838).

Revenge and a Cinderella-type plot make a great combination in These Old Shades, one of Georgette Heyer's more well-known historical novels, set in the later 1700's.

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The half-French Duke of Avon is walking down the street when a small body hurtles into him. He looks into the face of this young urchin and suddenly sees the potential ...more

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Feb 08, 2017 L A i N E Y rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, regency, much-heard-of

"If you desire to do good to la petite, send her to me"
"My dear father, I have never desired to do good to anyone"

When I first started this book this was my reaction to my fellow reading buddies "Doesn't the writing feel... off? It's not as flowing as my other experience with Heyer". And way too many French words/phrases?

That made me curious so I checked the publishing date, turns out this book was published in 1926 - almost 40 years before my favorite book of hers, Frederica. So it was one of ...more

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Apr 14, 2018 mark monday rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romantica, into-the-past, z-georgette-heyer

what a wonderfully odd book. I had so many different kinds of guilty feelings that popped up while enjoying this... but the end result was that it turned out to be far from a guilty pleasure. it was pure pleasure, perfectly free from guilt! guilt's such an ugly, ungainly emotion anyway, who needs it.

one of the basic premises of the novel should have disgusted me to no end: that aristocrats should be solely with other aristocrats, and the "base born" should be with their ilk only. never the two what a wonderfully odd book. I had so many different kinds of guilty feelings that popped up while enjoying this... but the end result was that it turned out to be far from a guilty pleasure. it was pure pleasure, perfectly free from guilt! guilt's such an ugly, ungainly emotion anyway, who needs it.

one of the basic premises of the novel should have disgusted me to no end: that aristocrats should be solely with other aristocrats, and the "base born" should be with their ilk only. never the two shall meet! even in the case of aristocratic bastards, the poor things. that attitude is not just displayed by literally every character, it drives the narrative forward. there's no getting around the idea; one just has to accept that this was a sign of the times if there's going to be any enjoyment. it was a struggle for me, particularly as the novel has a bit of a cameo from Madame de Pompadour, whose very existence (and power) within the court of King Louis XV is a slap in the face of such nonsense. still, that divide constitutes the rules of the game, and since I wanted to play this game, I had to accept its rules.

our hero Lord Justin Alastair aka "Satanas" is the worst kind of condescending, high-handed, fashion-obsessed snob. the sort who revels in his poor reputation and who takes an unseemly pleasure in cutting insults, fake smiles, and cold revenge. he is good to his friends and family, in his way, but is loathe to have that goodness recognized - indeed it seldom is, as the recipients of his goodwill nearly always focus on his nasty insults rather than his quiet generosity. and of course, he has a sordid history as a shameless rake, one which he embraces. all of those things should have made me despise him, and I did - at least in the beginning. but then, shockingly, I recognized myself in him! (minus the fashion obsession.) the blackened coal that I have in place of a heart began to warm to him and soon I was hanging off of his every word and deed as if they were my own. to love oneself is certainly the beginning of a lifelong romance.

our heroine Leonie should have driven me up the wall with her juvenile antics and especially her insanely, insipidly worshipful attitude towards Lord Alastair. it was really too much. but Heyer does such a splendid job in surrounding that sycophancy with other layers: Leonie is, in a way, a natural. there is no pretense to her. she is also given to bloodthirstiness and violent displays of temper, which I found delightful. and she has a backstory that hints at physical abuse and neglect, and above all a history of abandonment, that adds tragic layers to what could be a purely annoying character. while her personality traits made her character act much younger than her years, that background helped to create a character who was also suffused with a sort of melancholy, and a familiarity with despair. she is a surprisingly rich and original creation.

the title should have annoyed me because it has nothing to do with the actual story, but is rather a sly jest made by the author in acknowledgement that this book is sort of a remake. "these old shades" of past characters, now reborn. I usually dislike authorial cutesiness. but I love the title. it is weirdly resonant, despite being basically a quip.

I neglected to read the back cover of the novel before starting it, so I may be one of the few Heyer fans who didn't realize that "Leon" was actually a girl disguised as a boy. I gradually figured it out, but it took some time. that oversight combined with the portrait of Lord Alastair as an arch and distinctly effeminate (although deadly) dandy made the first quarter of the book a strangely homoerotic experience. it was rather creepy: jaded older queen "buys" a young man right off of the streets and proceeds to make the boy his page, and then trots him out to be drooled over by high society. but it was also rather fun. it is a testament to this book's charm that the fun wasn't reduced an iota when Leon became Leonie. this was a really satisfying book and I am looking forward to reading more by the author. ...more

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Apr 28, 2019 Beverly rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 08, 2013 Willow rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: angels, 18th-century

I enjoyed These Old Shades. I think Heyer writes vivid, opinionated characters and she captures the Georgian period beautifully. I must admit though, I’m not sure this book is for everybody. There’s a lot of yakking. These characters talk, talk, and even more talk. Heyer doesn’t directly tell you what her characters are up to either, so you have to get to know them by what they say. Some of the dialogue is pretty hilarious, and some of it is kind of repetitive. To me this makes the characters I enjoyed These Old Shades. I think Heyer writes vivid, opinionated characters and she captures the Georgian period beautifully. I must admit though, I’m not sure this book is for everybody. There’s a lot of yakking. These characters talk, talk, and even more talk. Heyer doesn’t directly tell you what her characters are up to either, so you have to get to know them by what they say. Some of the dialogue is pretty hilarious, and some of it is kind of repetitive. To me this makes the characters more visceral, but it can also slow down the action. You definitely get to know the two lovers.

I thought the Duke was a hoot. He has somewhat questionable morals, and in truth he starts out as the villain of the story. He’s carrying around a twenty year old grudge that he simply MUST get even for. He’s very clever though and amusing, and let’s not forget smooth, so you can’t help but root for him. I have to admit, in the beginning he sort of gave me the impression of being a perv with the way he takes young Leon under his wing, but then you find out he has a whole different agenda.

Of course, some of my more skeptical impressions of the Duke, may be due to the fact that Leonie was so naïve and worshiping, I thought she was a child. Of course later on you find out she kept a lot of things to herself. When she feels comfortable, a lot more personality comes to the surface and she gets a lot more lippy. Lol

After I finished this I realized that the Duke and Leonie are polar opposites. Where she is trusting, he is cynical. Where she is impulsive, the Duke is calculating. She is innocent, and the Duke is not. They truly do compliment each other. It’s no wonder they fall in love.

Of course not all was peachy. There were some eye rolling moments, like Heyer’s snobby assertion that being noble and refined is something you’re born with and will show even if you are raised by a pig farmer. Thus it cannot be learned (which I think is a bunch of hooey). But I’m sure there are some blue blood nobles out there who’d disagree. Yet this antiquated view actually fits perfectly with the period and gives a true aristocratic vibe, which in many ways is preferable to the politically correct views that seem to infiltrate historical fiction now.

So for my review, I give ****1/2. I thought this book was a lot of fun. I will forever think of the Duke as a young, smooth talking Peter O’Toole and Leonie as Milla Jovovich from The Fifth Element. lol
Speaking of movies, how come they've never made a book or miniseries from one of Heyer's books. I think her books would be perfect for the Jane Austin crowd. ...more

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Apr 21, 2013 Anne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, dear-sir-i-am-in-love-with-you, favorites, laugh-out-loud-funny, georgette-heyer, classics, swoony-heroes, owned, grab-during-fire, historical-romance

Update: I have it on good authority that this is an accurate representation of me while thinking of this book (or should I specify, the hero!):

By the way this book only gets better and funnier with each re-read I do! ;) Love these crazy people forever <3

{Please note that the following ~~essay~~ review contains spoilers}

I'm not sure that I can entirely express how much I truly love this book and how absolutely amazing it is.
I remember reading The Black Moth by the same author a while ago, and ...more

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Jun 05, 2007 Kelly rated it really liked it

Recommends it for: regency or georgian lit fans

Shelves: owned, fiction, partialprejudicedandignorantopinion, brit-lit, romantical, shes-quite-an-original-my-dear

This is one of my favorite romance novels, ever. I am not even afraid to review it here on this pretentious book site, I love it so much. I have worn through my copy of it. It is lovely beat up and bent back to the pages of all my favorite parts. The Heyer hallmarks are all here: great characters, hilarious plot, breaking the genre rules, a somewhat effete hero (but in a manly way). The main character, Leonie, is absolutely adorable. I don't even care if others find her annoying, she makes me ...more

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Oct 30, 2017 Vivian rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017-odyssey, romance-hist, library

GAH! I adore Georgian period romances. The ridiculous extravagance and theatricality of action and costume are simply divine.

"I thought you disliked melodrama, my friend?"
"I do; but I have a veritable passion for--justice."
"You've nourished thoughts of vengeance--for twenty years?"

Other pluses which definitely made this a win: Heroine disguised as a boy, swordplay as well as hoydenish behaviors overlaid with a sweet naïveté; and an older sworn bachelor and renown rake charmed back into life's ...more

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Oct 31, 2017 WhiskeyintheJar/Kyraryker rated it liked it

Shelves: historical, series, 1700s

I think I'm too much a product of my time. Having a hero who was 40yrs and a heroine who was 19, combined with the hero constantly calling her infant and for 80% of the story portraying her as very young, innocent, and wide-eyed, I couldn't and didn't want to buy into their romance.

If you liked Val from Hoyt's Maiden Lane series, you're going to love our hero Justin, definitely an inspiration for him. I was a big fan of Justin and his wit, he's constantly miles and moves ahead of everyone ...more

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Mar 05, 2015 Hana rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2015-reads, historical-fiction, 18th-19th-century, romance

The literary equivalent of those marvelous British period dramas with utterly glorious settings and luscious costumes.

I can never resist this sort thing. Pages of details of soft white brocades, ruffle upon ruffle, falling over great hoops, auburn hair piled in elaborate curls, pearls against soft pale skin, and perfect accessories like...chicken-skin fans.

And since this is 18th century France before the Revolution, the men are just as gorgeous and even more colorful....

When we first meet the ...more

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Jun 12, 2007 Trin rated it did not like it

Shelves: historicalfiction, romance, english-lit, genderfuck

Most fandom people I've talked to either love or at least rather like this book, but it seems it's my turn to feel all "bwah?" and left out, as Punk does with The Dreyfus Affair and Siria does with Swordspoint. I hated it. I despised pretty much all the characters, other than Hugh and Rupert—Leonie was irritating, and Avon was just creepy. I know he was supposed to be "Satanas"—the devil of a man who isn't really that bad, but I found him neither enjoyably naughty nor charming; he was just ...more

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Mar 01, 2015 Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: georgette-heyer, historical-romance

Group Read Georgette Heyer Fans Group

This was my favourite book as a very young teen & I have read it more than any other title!

GH was not altogether happy with The Black Moth & decided to bring back Devil Belmanoir - this time as the romantic hero. This is well known, but also Lavinia & Richard become Fanny & Edward, Frank Fortescue becomes Hugh Davenant, Diana becomes Lady Merivale. I don't think Lord Merivale is Jack - he lacks Jack's whimsical sweetness. But their & ...more

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May 14, 2019 Sam (AMNReader) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Sam (AMNReader) by: Georgie-who-is-Sarah-Drew

Shelves: read-in-2019, audible, romance, anti-hero, print

A quick, zany, humorous book-- and my second Heyer, recommended by Georgie-who-is-Sarah as a better offering than Beauvallet. I'd have to agree, though that same swashbuckling feel exists here. Her writing is bold and upbeat.

I am still, somehow, by the end of their evolving and strange relationship, convinced of Justin's love for Leonie.

I had tons of fun with this, time reading is only due to print copy.

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Sep 08, 2012 G. rated it did not like it

I'm a fan of romance novels, especially historical, so I tend to read quite a bit of them. I know that Georgette Heyer is sort of a legend in this subgenre, but I have never read any of her books before now. I chose to read These Old Shades because it's part of a trilogy. I thought, hey, I'll read the three books and then decide what I think of her writing. Sadly I didn't enjoy the first installment. At all.

I found the Duke of Avon to be a rather fashionable reptile with a fan (yes, you read I'm a fan of romance novels, especially historical, so I tend to read quite a bit of them. I know that Georgette Heyer is sort of a legend in this subgenre, but I have never read any of her books before now. I chose to read These Old Shades because it's part of a trilogy. I thought, hey, I'll read the three books and then decide what I think of her writing. Sadly I didn't enjoy the first installment. At all.

I found the Duke of Avon to be a rather fashionable reptile with a fan (yes, you read that right). Do not get me wrong, I enjoy these fashionable anti-heroes (see Eloisa James' the Duke of Villiers), but Heyer's Avon felt rather cardboard. There wasn't much to him really, apart his vapid need for revenge and calling Leonie "my infant", which made me very, very uncomfortable.

Now, Leonie. Apparently she's nineteen. I disagree. I believe that the girl has the emotional and and intellectual maturity of a teenage girl. I'd give her fifteen at most. But that isn't the worst part. That was Leonie's obnoxiousness and tendency to call everyone stupid. She's just extremely annoying and silly. The moment she opened her mouth, I wanted her to shut up. I admit I wanted to strangle her upon occasion. I didn't really see anything deeper inside her personality as Avon did. Leonie's really just an infant.

As to the romance between Avon and Leonie, all I can say is that, boy, am I skeeved. This pairing just did not work for me; there just wasn't any chemistry between the protagonists. Also, the age difference just made my skin crawl. And that, believe me, is quite an achievement, because age differences between couples have never fazed me before. I also don't give a damn if it's the man or the woman (if it's hetero romance) who's older. But this time it just felt so wrong. It's not that Avon is twenty-plus years older than Leonie (and a reptile), but rather that she has the maturity of a kid, despite her being nineteen. Honestly, it felt like Avon himself saw her as a child, calling her "my infant" all the time. Even after their unfortunate nuptials. Eww.

Soooo... one down, two to go, and then I'll make my decision whether to read more of Heyer's work. But really, I'm hoping that this one was just an odd miss and I'll enjoy the other two in this trilogy. ...more

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Oct 24, 2016 Naksed rated it liked it

Shelves: may-december-romance, implausible, manwhore-gets-the-virgin, 18th-century, historical-romance, guardian-and-ward

A guardian-ward romance set in the reign of Louis XV, with a dash of Pygmalion, and a revenge dish served very, very cold, Georgette Heyer's These Old Shades was quite delicious, once I was able to ignore and set aside the hopelessly out of touch and destructive hypothesis that is at the core of the novel. That is, nature will always win out over nurture. So if an aristocratic, well-bred, pure-blood being is unwittingly ripped from its natural surroundings and thrust upon a dung heap, it will ...more

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Dec 24, 2016 Laure rated it really liked it

You would never know (or feel) that this book is made of 300 pages or so - it reads very quickly, enchantingly so. Very enjoyable as always.

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Aug 01, 2016 Seema Khan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Anyone looking for a touching and lasting tale of love!

Shelves: favourite, historical-fiction, georgette-heyer, romantic, there-ought-to-be-a-movie-on-this, must-read, unmatched-writing, awesome-characters, my-fav-hero, my-fav-heroine

This review is just a picture of how personally I take my books and how involved I get! Great many spoilers and fan girl babbling ahead!

Now I don’t know how this happened but it was just a coincidence that I read The Black Moth before reading These Old Shades and I hadn’t read any of the blurbs about these books before beginning them either. While I read it, there was some clicking going on in my mind that something is familiar, that I know some of these things. I also felt that Satanas was so ...more

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Feb 11, 2014 Amy S rated it really liked it · review of another edition

While I am not a tremendous Heyer fan, I do enjoy knocking them back like m&ms. That probably doesn't make sense to anyone but me. So by that I mean, like m&ms they don't have a lot of substance or weight, and it really annoys me that I keep eating them, and yet I can't seem to stop.

My understanding is that this is one of her first novels. It concerns Justin, the Duke of Avon, and Leone who -- whoopsie -- turns out to be Leonie. The Duke of Avon is supposed to be a first class rake of ...more

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Apr 11, 2007 Res rated it it was ok

Shelves: romance

The character of Leonie is immensely likeable (though, like Amanda in Sprig Muslin, she'd make more sense as a 15-year-old than at her stated age, which is 19). I don't quite see in her what Avon says he sees, the results of a life of terrible, constant loneliness.

Avon is more problematic. Partly it's a Georgian-culture problem -- it's hard for me to distinguish between an ordinary, irresponsible nobleman of fashion and an actual rake in the old, non-playful sense of the word. We know he ...more

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Jun 20, 2017 Tandie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fangirl-pressure, romance, brain-candy, hoopla, ratings-bueno, romance-clean, historical-fic, surprise-im-in-disguise, duckling-2-swan, gimme-a-rake

I enjoyed this Heyer novel, but not as much as I was expecting to.

First of all, I'm a Regency girl. Georgian era powdered wigs and high-heeled frou-frou men are just not my cuppa tea. The Duke, Justin, is nicknamed Satan. He's a rake. I always love villains, right? Well, Monsigneur is a POSEUR VILLAIN who wears Nancy pants!

I did love Leonie. She had enough spark and mischief in her to keep her from being a Mary Sue. Supporting cast was magnifique!

I was surprised to discover that I understood ...more

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Dec 05, 2017 Maureen Carden rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, supense, amusing, family, just-so-damn-good, set-in-england, favorites

I first read this 50 years ago. These Old Shades is my favorite Heyer book and some of the details had stayed with me for 50 years which is a pretty strong recommendation for a book. Stayed with me so much so that this is the first re-reading I have given it.
Heyer invented a genre and I think this was the true blueprint for all of the thousands of historical romances that have come afterwards.
I find These Old Shades to be the best written, most intriguing plot, strongest characters and most ...more

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Jan 19, 2009 Mir rated it it was ok

Shelves: unfinished

I'm finding the protagonists quite distasteful -- actually morally reprehensible, rather than merely "not to my taste" -- and their relationship creepy and unhealthy. From what I gather from other people who've read this, they don't have some catharsis or rupturing and become better people. And it isn't even witty in the usual Heyer manner. I'm dropping this one, at least until I am all out of other Heyer novels.

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Jan 13, 2010 Jacqueline J rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: owned, historical-romance, all-time-favorites, georgian-romance, older-man, revenge, favorites

I have hesitated to add a review of this because I'm pretty sure I can't do it justice. Brilliantly written, witty, fun and spot on historically. The Duke of Avon is one of the best heroes ever written. I love him and I can't see that anyone other than Leonie could have broken through his shell. Even though the romance is not torrid, you can see that absolute love he has for her. Sigh...

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Apr 08, 2011 Amy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: re-read-in-2019, favorite-characters, georgette-heyer, re-read-in-2017

2019 Review
Squeeeeaaaaaalllllll.
Major fangirling. Lovely re-read. Happy Amy.

March 29, 2017 Review 5 stars
It causes me almost physical pain re-reading my review from 2011...I must apologize. I was so young. However, on principle, I don't change reviews, only add to them. So here is my addition:
For many years, I have viewed These Old Shades as my least favorite of my favorite Heyer novels. While I have read and re-read her other works, I've generally avoided this one.
Which probably was a good ...more

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Jul 28, 2011 Maria Grazia rated it it was amazing

Shelves: read-in-2011

“Set in the Georgian period, about 20 years before the Regency, These Old Shades is considered to be the book that launched Heyer’s career. It features two of Heyer’s most memorable characters: Justin Alastair, the Duke of Avon, and Leonie, whom he rescues from a life of ignomy and comes to love and marry”.
My review
If you meet Satanas in a dark alley in the middle of the night and you are desperately seeking escape from a wretched life of violence and harassment, maybe you’d be as happy as “Set in the Georgian period, about 20 years before the Regency, These Old Shades is considered to be the book that launched Heyer’s career. It features two of Heyer’s most memorable characters: Justin Alastair, the Duke of Avon, and Leonie, whom he rescues from a life of ignomy and comes to love and marry”.
My review
If you meet Satanas in a dark alley in the middle of the night and you are desperately seeking escape from a wretched life of violence and harassment, maybe you’d be as happy as young Leòn at becoming his, body and soul, bought for a diamond pin. Very happy to become his page and wear good clothes, to follow him wherever his libertine life led him without complaining, without questioning.
Especially if Satanas is just a nickname for a rich, elegant, fascinating nobleman: Justin Alastair, the Duke of Avon. And mainly if he appears to you like this:
“ He walked mincingly, for the red heels of his shoes were very high. A long purple cloak, rose-lined, hung from his shoulders and was allowed to fall carelessly back from his dress, revealing a full-skirted coat of purple satin, heavily laced with gold; a waistcoat of flowered silk; faultless small clothes; and a lavish sprinkling of jewels on his cravat and breast”.
Leòn’s new life as Avon’s page will lead the youth from a murky Parisian backstreet to the corrupt splendours of 18th century Versailles and the dignified mansions of England. If you were the young boy saved by the illustrious man from a horrible life of ill-treatmments, wouldn’t you admire him immensely, though everybody else considers him selfish, arrogant and even cruel?
This is precisely what Leòn starts doing. The child’s worshipping admiration for the Duke - Monseigneur, as he calls him – becomes amusement to the libertine’s old friends and, strangely enough, a menace to his old enemy, the Comte de Saint-Vire. In fact, the reason why the Duke bought Leòn was that he was struck by the boy's unusual colouring, which reminds him of his enemy's red hair and dark brows.
When Leòn is revealed to be Leonie , the story gets even more intriguing with the Duke making her his ward to be introduced at Versailles … (read this brilliant page online)
This is the beginning of an incredible series of enticing fast-paced adventures mingling intrigue, romance and the unmistakable Heyer mark, her incredible wit. A real romp to read all in one go to the very end.
What is incredible is that we have these incredible gripping characters taking shape under our eyes through their delightful dialogue exchanges and the incredible pressing flow of actions; all of them, even the secondary ones (i.e. Mr. Manvers, the Curé or Madame de Saint-Vire) are very neatly connoted , though only with a few thorough brushstrokes.
The two protagonists are outstanding and peculiar, though they have the trademark Heyer clearly printed on themselves. Justin Alastair is …” known by the soubriquet Satanas, for his cold exactitude and prescient understanding of what his opponent will do next, as well as a certain elasticity in his moral fiber. The Duke has restored his family’s fortune through gambling; he is, as one would expect of one of the first peers of the realm, an arrant snob, careful, although certainly flamboyant, in his dress, and punctilious in manner” (from Vic Sanborn’s review at Jane Austen’s World).
Someone told me Leonie is possibly Heyer’s least admired heroine. This sounds so impossible to me! However , I read that she is one of the characters Heyers herself loved most and I myself loved her immensely. Leonie is as loveable as flawed, a whirling personality, an oddly naïve female rogue, an irresistibly charming - though very little accomplished - young lady, ravishing beautiful and disarmingly stubborn, brave and fragile at the same time. If she can wrap the formidable Duke of Avon around her little finger with a smile and a gaze full of admiration under her lashes, how can we resist her ?
The plot is very well designed but readers need a great fix of … suspension of disbelief, of course. As for me, I’ve gone through the story with a constant smile on my face and making a great effort to put it down from time to time.
These Old Shades is the first book in the Alastairs Trilogy and I’m glad about it . This means there is more delight expecting me and many other willing readers out there, in Devil’s Cub and in An Infamous Army.
My review is on my blog too, FLY HIGH, at http://bit.ly/oDl2vT ...more

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Nov 18, 2008 Sarah rated it really liked it

I enjoyed this, despite one or two minor annoyances:

1. The hero was referred to by any one of about eleven different names or titles randomly throughout - "Justin" "The Duke" "Alastair" "Avon" "His Grace". PICK ONE AND STICK WITH IT, HEYER.
2. Leonie was funny but a bit of a twerp, she definitely didn't act 19 and her worshipful ADORATION of Alistavonjustingraceduke got on my nerves, as did his condescending "come here and let me wipe my feet on you, my infant" attitude to her.
3. What reference ...more

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Nov 29, 2015 Lori rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-romance, georgian-novels, georgette-heyer

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 13, 2014 Ruth Turner rated it it was amazing

Shelves: georgette-heyer

*sigh* *places hand on chest to still fluttering heart* Justin Alastair hasn't lost any of his charm.

These Old Shades was the first Georgette Heyer book that I read, many, many, many years ago. It was always, and still is, my favourite.

Witty, charming, with wonderful characters that were a pleasure to revisit.

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Aug 30, 2009 Melanie♥ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: keeper, audiobook, worth-a-reread, re-read

This is the unabridged audio on CD.
One of my all time favorite Georgette Heyer titles masterfully read by Cornelius Garrett. He does an amazing job with the voice of the Duke of Avon. A story I have loved for years is given a new slant in this wonderful rendition.

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About Georgette Heyer

Georgette Heyer

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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 ...more