I think this the first of Heyer's non-Regency historical fictions I've read, and I was worried at first that it wouldn't be quite as good as the others, but it was still a delight. ( )

High adventure, low on romance. Enjoyed the swashbuckling Beauvallet, but the romance was incredibly underdeveloped. I also enjoyed the writing, and look forward to another Heyer. ( )

Eh. It ends OK, but I barely made it through the first part. Nicholas is an idiot and Dominica is worse, at the beginning on his ship. He gets less annoying after we see him in England - slightly less annoying. I like Simon the Coldheart quite a lot - I've read and reread and enjoyed that book - but Mad Nicholas (his descendant), with the same determination, is not to my taste. The language is a bit odd, too (I understand both medieval and Regency phrasing much better); and I greatly prefer the earlier time - Elizabeth's court has too many twisty people and politics for me. Though they don't spend much time in court. If I believed there was any chance Nicholas wouldn't win through, the time in Spain would have been terrifying; as it was, I was mostly waiting, often with some impatience, to see what rabbit he'd pull out of the hat this time. Overall, I'm not sorry I read it, but I have no great interest in ever rereading. ( )

Almost a 4-star. Very swashbuckling and historically accurate in the same way it's prequel was. If I compare this to my favourite Heyer's it is definitely less compelling. ( )

Swashbuckling pirate meets lady, follows lady. Sweeps her off her feet. Not a typical regency setting, Elizabethan, and a bit more obvious a romance than usual.

Re-read review. This being a re-read, you already know that Nicholas Beauvallet, pirate and heir to an estate, is going to get his lady. To be honest, that's pretty obvious on the first reading of it as well. What this allows you to do on a re-read is to enjoy the ride, knowing that the end arrives safely. The pair of them spar from the first, when he captures the ship she is traveling back to Spain in. He promises to come and find her in Spain and take her to be his bride. There are then any number of schemes and escapades as he enters Spain, traces the lady and follows her to achieve his aim. Its is a load of fun, so sit back and enjoy the ride. ( )