THE SILVER DEVIL

Rating:
Summary: A remarkable historical romance
Review: Sadly, Teresa Denys, an editor in her non-writing life, died several years ago, so there will be no more astonishing novels like The Silver Devil or Flesh and the Devil. Dark, intense and so emotionally accurate in their depiction of the brutal underbelly of Renaissance intrigue, it is hard to describe them as historical romances. Politically incorrect it may be, but I have never read anything like the Silver Devil. The reviewer who described it as Revenge tragedy is so right - all wrapped up in an historical romance.

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece!
Review: The Devil is TRULY devilish and irresistably alluring. The virgin a sacrifice to the Devil and also his salvation (sort of, you can't completely change a true devil). The background and the plot a beautifully woven Renaissance tapestry. Ms. Denys' writing is so superb that EVERY single word is essential, not to be missed. It's a pity there's no higher ratings to give it. It's an ultimate work of art. I found, after years of reading, it's hard for any one, even Ms. Denys herself, to top it.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book
Review: This book is intense and leaves the reader gripped to the book.I read this book when it first came out, and still read it veryoften. No one writes like this anymore. Her second book, The Flesh and the Devil, was even more compelling.

Rating:
Summary: A Dark Romance
Review: This book is intense. I read it years ago and at least once a year I have to re-read it. An amazing work of fiction. It grabs your attention and creates characters so real you think about them days, weeks, months, later. I wish it was easier to find a copy of this out-of-print title so more could enjoy the mesmirizing romance created by this gifted author. Set in Rennaisance Italy in the 1600's, it is the story of a Duke and his mistress. The dialogue is quick and subtle. The plot is moved along quickly with action and intrigue. It is on my list of the top ten books I have had the privelege to read, and I have read many. I think the book was a bit ahead of its time when first printed in 1978. Now it would not so much shock people as intrigue them.

Rating:
Summary: I was disappointed.
Review: This book tops my list of all-time favorite romances. Simply put, there's no other book like it. Certainly there's never been another hero remotely like Domenico. The story is about a Duke (Duke = King), somewhat uneasy on his throne, who sees a peasant girl in a window, buys her from her brother and forces her to become his mistress. But that short synopsis doesn't do justice to the intensity and complexity of the story, which weaves you through the politics of Renaissance Italy through the eyes of a woman who's more used to cleaning kitchens than consorting with noblemen, or the richness of the writing and characters.

Domenico, the Duke, is a remarkably complicated man. How many heroes have there been who would have a man horribly tortured because he was afraid the man had stolen his mistress's affections, have a man's legs broken because the other man was taller than him or who is clearly bisexual? Raised from birth in an atmosphere of distrust, obsequiousness and betrayal, he comes to us a man who has had most of the worst facets of his character rewarded throughout his life. There is a decidedly cruel streak in Domenico, and yet he's amazingly attractive - to both the men and women in the story, and to the readers. One might say he exudes sex appeal.

Be warned, this is a dark story - with a happy ending, of course. It's a cult classic that deserves more readership. It breaks my heart that we'll never see another story from Denys, but I thank her for writing a book I've enjoyed reading over and over through the years.

Rating:
Summary: An All-Time Favorite
Review: This book tops my list of all-time favorite romances. Simply put, there's no other book like it. Certainly there's never been another hero remotely like Domenico. The story is about a Duke (Duke = King), somewhat uneasy on his throne, who sees a peasant girl in a window, buys her from her brother and forces her to become his mistress. But that short synopsis doesn't do justice to the intensity and complexity of the story, which weaves you through the politics of Renaissance Italy through the eyes of a woman who's more used to cleaning kitchens than consorting with noblemen, or the richness of the writing and characters.

Domenico, the Duke, is a remarkably complicated man. How many heroes have there been who would have a man horribly tortured because he was afraid the man had stolen his mistress's affections, have a man's legs broken because the other man was taller than him or who is clearly bisexual? Raised from birth in an atmosphere of distrust, obsequiousness and betrayal, he comes to us a man who has had most of the worst facets of his character rewarded throughout his life. There is a decidedly cruel streak in Domenico, and yet he's amazingly attractive - to both the men and women in the story, and to the readers. One might say he exudes sex appeal.

Be warned, this is a dark story - with a happy ending, of course. It's a cult classic that deserves more readership. It breaks my heart that we'll never see another story from Denys, but I thank her for writing a book I've enjoyed reading over and over through the years.