Historical Novels Review previously published this review of A Duke at the Door in the November 2022 issue. (408 pages, Sourcebooks)
Historical Romance
Here’s my review of a sub-genre of historical fiction that I don’t usually read. From the bare-chested cover and the mention of a duke in the title, you may have guessed this is Regency romance, but with a paranormal shapeshifter fantasy twist. It’s a humorous, light read with an unusual combination of lovers. Fun in a tongue-in-its-cheek way with a dose of occasional, intended silliness.
A Duke at the Door
This Regency paranormal romance, 3rd in Allen’s Beau Monde series, involves an unlikely romantic pair, a duke who is also a shapeshifter lion and Tabitha, a lady apothecary who wishes to remain unwed. The Welsh Duke of Llewelyn, after years magically trapped in a circus in his lion form, fears transforming even temporarily into his lion “essential self.” Not doing so endangers his life and well-being, just as the long years in his lion form proved debilitating. The Regent, a bear shapeshifter, hires Tabitha to assist Llewelyn in his recovery. She can’t resist this intriguing patient and learning about the secret shapeshifting world. Unfortunately, the danger to the duke and many in this community is not over.
Satire and Archaic Vocabulary in A Duke at the Door
Allen’s lighthearted portrayal of the minor characters and, most importantly, the villain adds satirical humor to the tale. This style avoids a sense of real danger, and the rescue scenes read as comic antics as much as heroic acts. Allen’s choice of archaic vocabulary, such as “lave” for “lick,” occasionally goes awry, sounding stilted, but does add to the tone of parody. For example, Tabitha’s conversation is described like this: “The lady ably switched topics like a swallow in a susurration.” Characters from previous books in the series enter the action with little introduction and past events are often referred to as inside knowledge, so readers will lessen confusion by starting with the first series book. (I did not and caught on fine.)
If you’d like to know more about the author, you can go to Susanna Allen’s website.
If you’d like to purchase a copy, here are the links for Amazon (affiliate link) or Bookshop.org.
Further Reading
If you enjoy the Regency period in a more serious style, you can read my reviews of C.S. Harris’ What Angels Fear, When Gods Die, and When Blood Lies