Customer Reviews

The Saint: A Novel

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

It almosts amazes me how much I like this series by Madeline Hunter. I usually don't have much patience when it takes the hero and heroine forever to get things worked out, but here the wait is so worth it. To those critics who say Vergil is just too "nice", well, duh, the book is called "The Saint" for a reason. Read the other stories in this series for the bad boys. For the nice guy who is trying his best to restore respecabitily to his family after many other members have nearly brought it down, and falling for the "wrong" girl in the process, read this wonderful book. I agonized for Vergil, as he fell in love with his ward, awkward enough, who wants a career that brands women as much less than respectable. Those who accuse Vergil of being uptight are forgetting the rigid rules of that age. He thinks as a man of that time period should, and I for one am glad that Ms. Hunter didn't give her characters modern "anything goes" views that would have been out of place in a historical novel. If you don't care for the strictures of the era, then stick to contempory romances instead of giving low marks for what amounts to author's accuracy. If, on the other hand, you can appreciate the historical confines in which the author had to work, then you will enjoy this tender and steamy love story.

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

This second tale in the "Dueling Society" series will capture one's attention from the beginning. With plenty of intrigue to deepen the plot, the reader will be unable to put this book down, waiting for what comes next.

Vergil Duclairc, also called Laclere, likes to have things done his way. Since his older brother, the Viscount, died, he has had to take on much responsibility for his family - a responsibility and title he had never desired. His brother's death changed him, forcing him to become less carefree about his actions. As a result of the now strict code Vergil keeps for himself, he is called "the Saint" by those close to him.

Bianca Kenwood is an American. She has come to England with her companion, Jane, as the ward of Viscount Vergil Duclairc. However, she has no desire to be under the thumb of one such as he... she desires to go to Milan to seek training and fulfill her only dream, to be a professional singer. Her plan is to get Vergil to relinquish his duty as her guardian so she can go to Italy, using money from her inheritance.

These two are at odds from the moment they meet. Bianca only wants to be granted her freedom, whereas Vergil has other plans for her... and her inheritance. He is on a mission to find out what drove his brother to take his own life, all the while preserving his family's name and good standing in society. Bianca is only a means to an end for him, until he begins to realize he cares for her more then a guardian should. She chafes at his strict control over her so she is determined to do whatever it takes to get him to release her, though in time she grows to question whether or not she wants to be free of him for good.

However, the mystery deepens as Vergil begins to uncover a chain of events in which his brother was just one link, putting his and Bianca's lives in danger. Will he solve the mystery behind his brother's untimely demise? Can Bianca and Vergil overcome their differences to find the passion they both long for?

The reader is reintroduced to beloved secondary characters from The Seducer, showing what has become of them in the time lapsing between the two books. Vergil is a changed man, having been through a lot, making him grow up and mature from the romantic he was, to the driven man he has become, the "saint." Bianca is refreshingly innocent, or so she seems until one gets to know her better. Who she is truly, is a strong-minded young lady, with the gumption to do something about it. Naive in many ways, she still knows a lot more about life than would be expected of a young lady of the time. From the moment these two meet, with Bianca dressed up in an elaborate opera costume, the sparks fly, which neither one was expecting.

The plot is complex as well, unfolding in layers, which only enhance the story. Multiple secrets are entwined, causing Vergil's discreet investigation to take many turns, most of which only increase the risk of danger for his family. When he finds a string of blackmail incidents that all lead to one place, the mystery deepens as the reader, along with Vergil, strives to find the answers. Ms. Hunter skillfully weaves the tale, throwing a couple of wrong turns into the mix, by providing false trails to follow. This reviewer was delighted by the fact she had no idea who the real villain was, until the climactic scene resolving it all, which is quite surprising and not at all what was expected.

One will also be happy to visit with previously introduced characters. This book, though part of a series, is a stand-alone. However, this reviewer recommends reading The Seducer first, as it helps one to better know our hero and his friends. It also sets up the rest of the series nicely, providing enough additional information about those featured in the coming books to make the reader want to know more about them. A fast-paced, emotional story, this book comes highly recommended. Go out and get a copy today.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, October 2003. All rights reserved.

The Dueling Society Series:

The Seducer

The Saint

The Charmer

The Sinner

The Romantic


Over 400 pages long, yet I never got bored. It is rare when a story is that good. With surprising developments throughout, "The Saint" was a terrific read.

Viscount Virgil Duclairc was born a second son. His older brother's suicide meant a big change of life style. Duclairc is now a titled member of English society. He is sure that his brother was blackmailed into killing himself. Duclairc will not rest until he unravels this mystery. In the midst of all this turmoil, a new problem has been dropped in his lap. An elderly friend passed away and made Duclairc the guardian of an 18 year old American woman. With her modern independent thinking, it won't be easy to tame her for the English ton. The work will be worthwhile once Duclairc manages to arrange a marriage between young Bianca and his brother, Dante.

Dante is well- known as a rake who enjoys women. Duclairc is sure Dante can charm Bianca into marriage. The Duclairc family finances have been in poor shape for many years. With Bianca comes a large inheritance that will bring the family out of their troubles. With his hunt for the older brother's blackmailer at the front of Duclairc's mind, he is in no way ready to marry himself. Dante has agreed to go along with the courtship that is meant to become a marriage. Unfortunately, Bianca is not so easy to convince. She has wild dreams of becoming an opera singer... a job that would ruin her name in society.

Bianca is willing to do anything she has to in order to convince her guardian to let her leave his protection. She'll even cause scandal to make Duclairc fear that having her in his home will ruin his family. As much as he vexes her, Bianca can't deny that she is attracted to him.

Duclairc is drowning. His attraction to Bianca is growing every day. She fills his mind and heart, distracting him from his goals. When Bianca makes a final attempt at freedom, Duclairc sees it as the perfect opportunity to solve many of his problems at once.

Blackmail has been storming English society. Already, two men have died by suicide to save their families from disgrace. As Duclairc's investigation unfolds, he discovers that even friends can be the enemy. Which of his friends can he trust? When Bianca is targeted and stolen from him, Duclairc gives chase. He prays he will find her before it is too late.



Want to read the whole series? Here are the links for rest of the books:

The Dueling Society Series:

The Seducer (Dueling Society, Book 1)

The Charmer (Dueling Society, Book 3)

The Sinner (Dueling Society, Book 4

The Romantic (Dueling Society, Book 5

I enjoyed this book, (the second in the series) even more than "The Seducer" if that is even possible.

I love Vergil's type. Quiet, proper and dispassionate on the outside, but smolderingly sensual and passionate in the inside. It shows you that appearances can be deceiving and the contrast between what he appears to be and what he really is makes for a nice surprise and is incredibly appealing.

This book is intelligent and well thought. It actually has one of the best conversations about the reasons to marry (or not) that I have found in a romance novel. In other novels I have gotten really annoyed when the heroine refuses to marry the hero (or viceversa) for no good reason, when it is obvious that they are head over heels in love with each other. In this book, for the first time, I have read an intelligent discussion about the subject. She really loves him, but she wants to pursue her career, and he is not willing to permit it, moreover, she is not totally convinced that he is not pursuing her (at least in part) for her money, so she tells him that she needs some time to think things through, and he accepts this. The character really acted like adult people, which is not usual and that impressed me.

I once mentioned in another of my reviews that if I could put together Stephanie Laurens' incredibly sensual love scenes, with Jo Beverley's interesting plots and Judith McNaught gift for creating emotionally charged, heart wrenching scenes, I would have the perfect romantic novel. Well, this book is it.

I literally could not put it down. Madeline Hunter has made herself one of my favorite authors with this novel. And it is only the second one I read from her. I just hope she keeps writing about the Regency period since I'm not really into Medieval Romances. But according to the reviews those are very good too, so I might give them a try.

Please, don't miss this series. If you are tired of the silly romance novels out there and want to read something really good.

I did read this one right after the Seducer ~~ and was pleasantly surprised again that Hunter's writing is still intriguing and enthralling as I had hoped it would be! This one took me right in from the beginning and wouldn't let go of my imagination till the last page was turned.

Vergil Duclaire was introduced in The Seducer ~~ briefly ~~ his sister, the Countessa got more attention there, but this book is about his and Bianca's story. Bianca comes over to England from America to reclaim her inheritance. She has big plans for her future ~~ and Vergil, as her guardian, puts a damper into those grand dreams by being there everytime she turns around. Vergil finds himself enthralled with her even though he had no intention of getting married then or ever ~~ and he had intended Dante, his youngest brother, to marry Bianca to keep her wealth in his family.

And that is just the beginning of a fun novel ~~ swirling into mystery and intrigue that is typical of this series.

I have just been introduced to Madeline Hunter and so far, I am really enjoying her books. This one is just as fun as The Seducer and I can't wait to read The Charmer! At least I know that I can sit back and just relax while Hunter takes me away.

11-21-05

I thought this book was really good - I enjoyed the characters but the biggest problem I had was with the last page. It seemed to just be cut off - the ending was just really abrupt and didn't feel like an ending at - felt like it stopped mid-thought. Otherwise would have been a 5 star.

The story was very entertaining. Enjoyed reading it. It kept you wondering who was actually the bad guy. Had a few surprises.

I like the fact that Vergil is so square in the eyes of society but loses his head completely over Bianca. Hunter is always good at creating tension, and this book is no exception. Another great read. Don't bother with the Charmer though, it's not that charming.

I had read good things and liked the summary of the book so I went for it. I was waiting and waiting for something to click in this story but it didn't. The idea was good but it wasn't executed well. I didn't like certain aspects of the book either. The hero wasn't appealing enough to me and the other characters appeared to often in the book and were sometimes confusing. I don't know if I will ever read another of her books. The ending was ok but it didn't pull at any of my strings like I felt it should.

This series is one of the best I've ever read. I absolutely loved this book. Madeline Hunter manages to weave rich romantic tapestries that leave you closing the book with a smile and a wistful sigh. I find Hunter to be peerless in her writing, which was again demonstrated by "The Saint." The story is highly sensual and the feelings developing between Vergil and Bianca are deep.

The only criticism I have is that Bianca's spunkiness can sometimes border on irritating, and Vergil's obsession with Bianca's money is likewise a little abrasive. But don't miss this book, it's wonderful!