The Devil's Blade

Name: The Devil's Blade
Brand: Hachette UK
Availability: InStock
Author: Mark Alder
ISBN: 9781473231429

Author: Mark Alder

Narrator: Anna Bentinck

Unabridged: 12 hr 59 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Gollancz

Published: 04/02/2020

Categories: Fiction, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Ghost, Occult & Supernatural

Synopsis

The story of Julie D'Aubigny is well known. Her tumultuous childhood, her powerful lovers, her celebrated voice. Connected to most of the nobility of 17th century Paris, feted for her performance, unwilling to live by the rules of her society, she took female lovers, fought duels with noblemen and fled from city to country and back again.

But now the real truth can be told. She also made a deal with the devil. He gave her no powers or help, but he kept her alive for only one reason. To take revenge...

About Mark Alder

Mark Alder is the pseudonym for fantasy author M.D. Lachlan. A journalist who has written for several national papers, he lives in Brighton with his family.

About Anna Bentinck

Anna Bentinck was trained at Arts Educational College and has worked extensively for BBC radio. Animation voices include the series 64 Zoo Lane. Film credits include The Trojan Women, Alice in Wonderland and To The Devil a Daughter. Her many audio books range from Tess of the d'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy, Shirley by Charlotte Bronte, The Five Children and It, by E. Nesbit, One Day by David Nicholls , Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel, The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, Sanditon and The Watsons by Jane Austen to The Bible.

Reviews

Goodreads review by James

I received a review copy of The Devil's Blade in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Mark Alder and Gollancz for the opportunity. This is the first time that I have read anything by Mark Alder. When Gollancz e-mailed me asking if I would be interested in reviewing The Devil's Blade......more

Goodreads review by Susan

It turns out this book was exactly what I needed to leaven my lockdown melancholy: a subversive, irreverent main character skewering obnoxious aristocrats. If there's a What Julie Did Next to follow, I'll be there for it.......more

Goodreads review by Eryn

They say the Devil made her, but I know better. ~ Mark Alder, The Devil's Blade On All Hallow's Eve, thirteen noblemen gather together to summon the Devil. A virgin sacrifice is required, and who better to sacrifice than a 16-year-old girl who sings like an angel in the streets. Panicked by the revela......more

Goodreads review by Artemiz

The Devil’s Blade had got its inspiration from Mademoiselle Maupin, who lived in Paris at the time when Louis XIV was the king of France. She was a fencer and an opera singer. Author has used his creative licences to make the story more magical and more extraordinary. In a way, Juliet with her balde......more

Quotes

Alder's glorious romp draws inspiration from the already incredible life of 17th-century noblewoman and duellist Julie D'Aubigny, spinning a fast-paced tale of pacts with the Devil, love and revenge. The i

If you're looking for swashbuckling, diabolical intrigue, class hatred and a rather touching lesbian romance, this is going to fill in your empty hours rather neatly.

From backstage at the Paris Opera to the court of the Sun King himself, this bloody, funny and very literal bodice-ripper shows that the devil may have the best tunes, but Mark Alder runs him a close second. Daily Mail