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The Monster Within
For centuries, the Chevaliers de Rouen pledged to fight the monsters that inhabit France until their last breath. In the mid 1800s, Michel-Leon Parisee is the last of his line. The whispering memories of the chevaliers who passed before him offer help but have also driven other chevaliers mad with their constant advice, so Michel-Leon is forced to maintain a careful balance. When an ancient hunger threatens Paris, Michel-Leon must gather every tool he has to fight a terrifying threat that has eluded destruction before.
Constantin Severin is fey kissed, a man who walks the line between the fantastical and the mundane. He is determined to kill the magicman, the monster who destroyed his childhood, and rescue its young victims. In doing so, Constantin is in danger of becoming what he hates most. He needs a chevalier, but Michel-Leon is consumed with his own battle. Constantin must set aside old suspicions and his wandering ways if he is going to bargain for the help he needs.
Together, they can find the strength they need to battle their respective demons. They can learn they don’t have to fight alone, but it will take trust. It will take letting down long erected barriers, and it will take love. If they fail, Paris will be destroyed by the creatures that threaten it when the swarm hatches and decimates the city.
Constantin Severin is fey kissed, a man who walks the line between the fantastical and the mundane. He is determined to kill the magicman, the monster who destroyed his childhood, and rescue its young victims. In doing so, Constantin is in danger of becoming what he hates most. He needs a chevalier, but Michel-Leon is consumed with his own battle. Constantin must set aside old suspicions and his wandering ways if he is going to bargain for the help he needs.
Together, they can find the strength they need to battle their respective demons. They can learn they don’t have to fight alone, but it will take trust. It will take letting down long erected barriers, and it will take love. If they fail, Paris will be destroyed by the creatures that threaten it when the swarm hatches and decimates the city.
427 pages, Paperback
Published October 15, 2024
About the author
Marguerite Labbe
39 books128 followersMarguerite has been accused of being eccentric and a shade neurotic, both of which she freely admits to, but her muse has OCD tendencies, so who can blame her? Her husband and son do an excellent job keeping her toeing the line, though. Together with her co-author Fae Sutherland, Marguerite has found a shared passion for beautiful men with smart mouths.
When she's not working hard on writing new material and editing completed work, she spends her time reading novels of all genres, enjoying role-playing games with her equally nutty friends, and trying to plot practical jokes against her son and husband. Her son is learning the tricks too quickly and likes to retaliate. You'd think she'd learn.
When she's not working hard on writing new material and editing completed work, she spends her time reading novels of all genres, enjoying role-playing games with her equally nutty friends, and trying to plot practical jokes against her son and husband. Her son is learning the tricks too quickly and likes to retaliate. You'd think she'd learn.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 17, 2025
Overall, this an entertaining story of two men with troubled pasts, both bent on saving the world. Michel-Leon wants to save everyone, while Constantin is focused on innocent children, like he once was. Together, their skills and desires make a formidable team as they protect 19th Century France from the coming swarm.
The Monster Within is filled with a wonderful cast of characters, with strong personalities that blend and clash in a myriad of ways. From Michel-Leon and his unrelated familial relationships with Regine and Janvier, to the partnership he forms with the wayward Constantin.
While most of the story is compelling and entertaining, there are some minor issues mostly involving pacing. The first time Michel-Leon and Constantin are together the scene ends rather abruptly. Later, Constantin has a change of heart that happens mostly off page, making it feel like his initial concerns weren't much of an issue. Our heroes dealt with the first big bad well, with a fleshed-out encounter that involved a lot of different moving parts, but the other antagonists were too easy, and I never felt our protagonists were in danger of losing.
In the end, this feels more like a building of the characters and world in preparation for more. I don't know if the author has more planned, but the story sets up that expectation throughout. Despite the noted issues, I did enjoy the read and look forward to reading other pieces by Marguerite Labbe.
The Monster Within is filled with a wonderful cast of characters, with strong personalities that blend and clash in a myriad of ways. From Michel-Leon and his unrelated familial relationships with Regine and Janvier, to the partnership he forms with the wayward Constantin.
While most of the story is compelling and entertaining, there are some minor issues mostly involving pacing. The first time Michel-Leon and Constantin are together the scene ends rather abruptly. Later, Constantin has a change of heart that happens mostly off page, making it feel like his initial concerns weren't much of an issue. Our heroes dealt with the first big bad well, with a fleshed-out encounter that involved a lot of different moving parts, but the other antagonists were too easy, and I never felt our protagonists were in danger of losing.
In the end, this feels more like a building of the characters and world in preparation for more. I don't know if the author has more planned, but the story sets up that expectation throughout. Despite the noted issues, I did enjoy the read and look forward to reading other pieces by Marguerite Labbe.
October 23, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
The Monster Within is a historical fantasy story with some steampunk-esque themes from author Marguerite Labbe. It’s set in mid-nineteenth century Paris, France and references a few historical figures, like Joan of Arc and Gilles de Rais. Initially, Michel-Leon and Constantin are introduced separately, though I believe their timelines run parallel to each other. From a narrative perspective, this worked just fine, since they weren’t interacting with each other. I found that once they were on the same page, the narrative perspective was often noticeably muddled. It wasn’t to the point of being unreadable, but it did necessitate re-reading passages and trying to consciously assign “Michel-Leon” and “Constantin” to bits of dialogue and internal thoughts.
Despite some narrative blurriness, our two MCs are wonderfully fleshed out and very individual.
Fans of historical paranormal stories and books with a desperately intense slow-burn couple will find so much to enjoy in this story.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
The Monster Within is a historical fantasy story with some steampunk-esque themes from author Marguerite Labbe. It’s set in mid-nineteenth century Paris, France and references a few historical figures, like Joan of Arc and Gilles de Rais. Initially, Michel-Leon and Constantin are introduced separately, though I believe their timelines run parallel to each other. From a narrative perspective, this worked just fine, since they weren’t interacting with each other. I found that once they were on the same page, the narrative perspective was often noticeably muddled. It wasn’t to the point of being unreadable, but it did necessitate re-reading passages and trying to consciously assign “Michel-Leon” and “Constantin” to bits of dialogue and internal thoughts.
Despite some narrative blurriness, our two MCs are wonderfully fleshed out and very individual.
Fans of historical paranormal stories and books with a desperately intense slow-burn couple will find so much to enjoy in this story.
Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.
October 17, 2024
Fantastic mystery with fantastic characters, this thriller (dare I call it horror?) story has some sweet, poignant moments between two men dedicated to bringing down a monster--or two. It also has a mysterious spider-like monster hiding in Paris and a creepy orphanage master who is more than a simple human. Monsters come in all shapes and sizes.
TBH, those who know me know I am totally a wuss when it comes to horror stories but this one, despite the creepy monsters who come out of the fog and steal humans and the despicable non-human monster who preys on children, captured me from the beginning and didn't let go.
I have admired this author's work for years and I'm very impressed with the character development in this story on top of the outstanding plot. Definitely highly recommend this one.
Reviewed a prepublication copy and my review is totally my own opinion. I will reread this one in future-- monsters and all.
TBH, those who know me know I am totally a wuss when it comes to horror stories but this one, despite the creepy monsters who come out of the fog and steal humans and the despicable non-human monster who preys on children, captured me from the beginning and didn't let go.
I have admired this author's work for years and I'm very impressed with the character development in this story on top of the outstanding plot. Definitely highly recommend this one.
Reviewed a prepublication copy and my review is totally my own opinion. I will reread this one in future-- monsters and all.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews