Customer Reviews

The Raider

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The story is a variation of the Scarlet Pimpernel and Zorro but with a ton of humor added. I loved this book. I have read this book many times over the years. I still get a good giggle from it every time. YOU MUST HAVE A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR to enjoy this book. The dialog, hero , heroine , plot, background characters & character development are great. There's never a dull moment and the end was absolutely hilarious.

This book had everything you need to create a good romance: a dashing hero, a beautiful heroine and, most of all...PASSION! Jude Deveraux developed Jess and Alex's personalities and motivations very convincingly, to the point where you feel as though you know them well enough to be friends by the time you finish the book. The Raider was an emotional roller coaster, and I felt all the pain and joy they did. I was so engrossed, I read it in a day. The love scenes are ample & steamy, and the plot is a good one. A fast paced book with an intricate plot that I cannot help but enjoy. The Raider has a strong (but not obnoxious) heroine who is in no way ordinary, a back story which is compelling but doesn't get in the way of the love story, and of course a wonderful hero.

This was the first book I ever read of Jude Deveraux's. I was 16 and I fell in love with it. I have reread it about 4 times since then. The banter between the two lead characters is the best part of the book. She thinks he is just a foppish dandy, little does she know.....well that would spoil it for all of you. I recommend this book, its a keeper. Jude, hurry up and write something....I'm waiting!!!!!!

I did enjoy this book even though I was ready to through it in at times. Deveraux kept me curious - I had to find out when and how Alex's secret would be discovered. I must say that at times I was annoyed like "enough already, tell Jess the truth." As well as could she be that dense to not figure it out on her own? Even though I felt it dragged the anticipation a bit thin, I am glad I finished it - I did enjoy it. Give it a chance and I hope you will too!

One of Jude Devereaux's best books. Another Montgomery, Alexander, is the town buffoon by day, the dashing Raider who steals the heart of Jessica Taggert by night. Great when she finally falls in love with Alex's soul, not his face. Jude should stick to classic stories like this.

The year is 1766, during the pre-Revolutionary America. The redcoat English wreak havoc in New England, confiscating lands and properties and abusing the Americans. Alexander Montgomery has been sailing all over Europe for years when one day he is told that his father has been injured and that his sister has married an Englishman who has taken over their estate. When he arrives to America, he cannot believe what he sees. Men and women are being abused, men are being hanged for the slightest things and the English confiscate whatever little merchandise the Americans obtain. So Alexander decides to take justice in his own hands by assuming the identity of the Raider, a man who dresses all in black (including a mask over his face) and rides on a black horse and saves the day. Unfortunately, now there's a price for his head, which is why he has to hide in a fat suit wearing colorful, extravagant clothes and a hideous powdered wig. Jessica Taggert has always hated Alexander and wastes no time in ridiculing him when she sees what he has apparently become. The Raider, on the other hand, becomes an acquired taste for her -- she dislikes him at first, but then he becomes her ideal romantic hero. What will she do when she finds out that fat, lazy Alexander and the mysterious Raider are one and the same?

It is so nice to read about how the Montgomerys and Taggerts become related to one another. It appears that the Taggerts were poor and they either worked hard to get rich or had money due to their connection with the Montgomerys. The secondary characters are great, especially Nathaniel, Eleanor, Nick and Sayer. The protagonists, however, got on my nerves big time, especially Jessica. All she does throughout the novel is put Alexander down, even when they become friends. Throughout the novel, she tells Alex how fat and useless he is and how no one wants to marry him due to his looks. She says this even when she doesn't mean to be cruel. How could she be so tactless? She is one of the most unlikeable heroines I've ever read. Why Alex wants her to love him for who he is rather than love him for being the Raider is beyond me. Then again, he wants her because of the way she swings her hips underneath her fisherman garb, which means he is no better than she is. Of course, that is what Deveraux intends to do with this story (in one chapter, Nick asks Alex if he'd love Jess if she weren't beautiful), but she goes overboard with Jess's constant criticism. This is very likely meant to be funny, and at times it made me laugh, but other times I just wanted to smack Jess around. Alex is more likeable. His disguise is sort of a cross between Scarlet Pimpernel and El Zorro. I enjoyed this storyline because I have always liked the Zorro/Robin Hood-type of characters. The Englishmen are no doubt painted as villains here. I know some US history and while the English did do those things, they also did good things for this country as well. Anyway, the novel is all right, by far not my favorite Deveraux novel though. The ending seems rushed and the villains are sorted out in literally one paragraph. Ugh. Anyway, this isn't this author's best work. If you want to read something remarkable by Deveraux, give A Knight in Shining Armor a whirl, followed by The Duchess, The Heiress, The Princess and Sweet Liar. I also look forward to reading her other books.

This was my first Jude Deveraux book and I read it years ago and 2 days ago I got bored and picked it up again. It's action packed humorous and very very romantic. With this book I found the love scenes to be very hot and steamy! but Alex Montgomery is one of the main characters that keep Jessica Taggert on her toes in utter confusion. There's never a dull moment and the end was absolutely hilarious I wish it had been a little bit longer, but nevertheless it's a good read.

Alex Montgomery is called back to his family's home town in colonial New England to somehow right the wrongs perpetrated by the British and his scheming customs officer brother-in-law. Thru a series of mishaps he finally arrives home disguised as an overweight fop, injured from an encounter with British soldiers, and hiding his one experience as the black-garbed Raider--supporter of the Americans and enemy of the British. Alex is disgusted that no one--the townspeople, his own family, and lovely Jessica Taggert--seems to see thru his padding and peacock clothes to the "real" man. And so his double life begins--sometimes as the dramatic Raider affecting rescues with a Zorro-like flair--sometimes as the plodding but compassionate Alex quietly working to help an angry and courageous Jessica. Both "heros" vie for Jessica's heart. Both "heros" criticise the other to Jessica. One eventually wins her heart and mind--and her angry but hysterical-to-read revenge when she discovers that both "heros" are the same man. It is frustrating to watch Alex and Jessica take so long to figure things out (especially as most people around them have already discovered the Raider's identity!) Still, this is a quick-moving and rewarding story.

A man of mystery who strikes daring deeds against the hated Redcoats claims the heart of Jessica Taggert. Alexander Montgomery drinks while his country is shaken by the throbs of independence. Their story is told by Jude Deveraux in the tale WISHES.

A good beach read for a new generation of romantic fiction fans who love a good story. Excellent dialogue between the main characters.

Nash Black, author of SINS OF THE FATHERS and TRAVELERS.

WONDERFUL book! I loved the adventure and historical context of The Raider! But more importantly, I LOVED the characters! I don't know why everyone is saying bad things about Jessica - I think she was absolutely incredible. Yes there were times where I questioned why she hadn't figured out that it was Alex - why couldn't she look at his eyes, hands, or lips and know who he was? But I loved the ending and the way she accepted him. Overall wonderful read - perhaps not the VERY top of my list, I think that place is held by Eternity then Mountain Laurel, but certainly close! Definitely pick up The Raider for the American version of The Scarlet Pimpernel and Zorro!

The story is a variation of the Scarlet Pimpernel but with a dash of humour added. I loved this book. I liked both characters and I was glad that the heroine stayed faithful once she got married. I loved the fact that Alex was jealous of his alter ego. Made me laugh out loud. Hope that I discover other JD books as good as this one.