Describe Books In Favor Of These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy #1)

Original Title:	These Old Shades
ISBN:	0099465825 (ISBN13: 9780099465829)
Edition Language:	English
Series:	Alastair-Audley Tetralogy #1
Characters:	Leonie "Leon" de Saint-Vire, Justin "Satanas", Duke of Avon

These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy #1) Paperback | Pages: 352 pages

Commentary In Pursuance Of Books These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy #1)

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?

Declare Based On Books These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy #1)

Title	:	These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy #1)
Author	:	Georgette Heyer
Book Format	:	Paperback
Book Edition	:	Anniversary Edition
Pages	:	Pages: 352 pages
Published	:	July 3rd 2001 by Arrow (first published 1926)
Categories	:	Romance. Historical Romance. Historical. Historical Fiction. Fiction. Regency. Regency Romance

Rating Based On Books These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy #1)

Ratings: 4.08 From 15372 Users | 1308 Reviews

Appraise Based On Books These Old Shades (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy #1)

Set in the Georgian period, about 20 years before the Regency, These Old Shades is considered to be the book that launched Heyers career. It features two of Heyers 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 youd be as happy as young

"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 (17541838).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. 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 for

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.

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

"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

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

*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.