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The Devourer
PARIS, 1858.
Mercedes Fabron, pragmatic wife and childless mother, has her hands full running her husband’s fashion shop and navigating social etiquette. All of which would be considerably easier without uninvited ghosts haunting her night and day.
Out in the streets, people are dying of an undetermined cause. The newspapers speak of an unknown disease, the police speak of accidents. But when a dead man is found in her stairwell, Mercedes has every reason to suspect something much more sinister.
Only the ghosts know the truth, but they are too afraid to tell.
In fact, they are scared to death…
Mercedes Fabron, pragmatic wife and childless mother, has her hands full running her husband’s fashion shop and navigating social etiquette. All of which would be considerably easier without uninvited ghosts haunting her night and day.
Out in the streets, people are dying of an undetermined cause. The newspapers speak of an unknown disease, the police speak of accidents. But when a dead man is found in her stairwell, Mercedes has every reason to suspect something much more sinister.
Only the ghosts know the truth, but they are too afraid to tell.
In fact, they are scared to death…
440 pages, Paperback
Published September 15, 2017
5 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Chris Chelser
8 books7 followersChris has been writing dark fiction with a silver lining for some 20 years now, but has worked as a financial and legal business consultant before becoming a fulltime writer.
She lives in a study somewhere in the Netherlands where she writes unless coaxed out by her husband and son.
She lives in a study somewhere in the Netherlands where she writes unless coaxed out by her husband and son.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 20, 2019
This book has been on my review list for some time now, but I just got around to reading it. I thought it would be the perfect for the fraterfest readathon. The original cover and the synopsis hinted at things sinister, as a result I was prepared to be taken on a journey where I would be scared to sleep with the lights off. I am happy to report, this did not happen, however, there were some eerie and suspenseful moments, which had me fearing for the characters who were directly affected by the unknown entities.
While reading The Devourer, I had a picture in my mind of how I would write my review. However, by the time the story ended, the picture I had in my mind took on a different format.
Set in 1858 Paris, The Devourer tells the story of Mercedes a seamstress and part owner of a fashion shop, which she operates alongside her husband. She lost her daughter, and she still grieves the loss. Besides grieving the loss of her daughter, she was knee deep in other family issues that had the potential to break her. However, Mercedes proved to be a strong and smart woman. She possesses the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. This ability would take her on a journey where she would straddle the world of the living and the dead in an effort to save her daughter’s soul.
The author introduced me to a world of card reading, astral travel, angels and demons who devours the souls and energy of the living.
I found The Devourer to be an interesting and unique tale, but I have to admit it took me a while to get into the story. As result, it took me longer than normal to get through the book. However, as soon as the story picked up, I found myself immersed in Mercedes quest.
The story switched between the earthly and spiritual plains and provided POVs of the characters from both realms. The switch was seamless and easy to follow. I enjoyed both aspects, but I found the spiritual aspect to be more complex. There was numerous references to colours in regards to soul of the various entities, which were at times confusing. After awhile the references became a bit monotonous and boring. It took me awhile to understand the events in spiritual plain but as the author delved deeper in these things clearer. I slowly came to understand the actions of the characters from both plains. It was interesting to observe the living working with the dead, to achieve a common goal.
The story did not end the way I thought it would but after analyzing the events, I figured the ending created be more favorable.
Conclusion/Recommendation
To conclude, I found this to be interesting and intense read. This story is for persons who enjoy stories that features strong paranormal elements.
While reading The Devourer, I had a picture in my mind of how I would write my review. However, by the time the story ended, the picture I had in my mind took on a different format.
Set in 1858 Paris, The Devourer tells the story of Mercedes a seamstress and part owner of a fashion shop, which she operates alongside her husband. She lost her daughter, and she still grieves the loss. Besides grieving the loss of her daughter, she was knee deep in other family issues that had the potential to break her. However, Mercedes proved to be a strong and smart woman. She possesses the ability to see and communicate with ghosts. This ability would take her on a journey where she would straddle the world of the living and the dead in an effort to save her daughter’s soul.
The author introduced me to a world of card reading, astral travel, angels and demons who devours the souls and energy of the living.
I found The Devourer to be an interesting and unique tale, but I have to admit it took me a while to get into the story. As result, it took me longer than normal to get through the book. However, as soon as the story picked up, I found myself immersed in Mercedes quest.
The story switched between the earthly and spiritual plains and provided POVs of the characters from both realms. The switch was seamless and easy to follow. I enjoyed both aspects, but I found the spiritual aspect to be more complex. There was numerous references to colours in regards to soul of the various entities, which were at times confusing. After awhile the references became a bit monotonous and boring. It took me awhile to understand the events in spiritual plain but as the author delved deeper in these things clearer. I slowly came to understand the actions of the characters from both plains. It was interesting to observe the living working with the dead, to achieve a common goal.
The story did not end the way I thought it would but after analyzing the events, I figured the ending created be more favorable.
Conclusion/Recommendation
To conclude, I found this to be interesting and intense read. This story is for persons who enjoy stories that features strong paranormal elements.
January 30, 2019
The Devourer was a very interesting and original story. Chris Chesler did an amazing job with writing for the time period. I do have to say I loathed Eric's character (what a creep!!), although it is fitting of a man during that time period.
There is a very dark atmosphere to the book as well as very creepy parts. I must say that I had goosebumps more than once during this read. The Devourer is quite an intricate story with interwoven plots. If you like the paranormal as well as historical fiction, I would recommend to check this out.
Thank you to Netgalley, Chris Chelser and BooksGoSocial for this ARC.
There is a very dark atmosphere to the book as well as very creepy parts. I must say that I had goosebumps more than once during this read. The Devourer is quite an intricate story with interwoven plots. If you like the paranormal as well as historical fiction, I would recommend to check this out.
Thank you to Netgalley, Chris Chelser and BooksGoSocial for this ARC.
October 8, 2017
This novel, The Devourer is a very well written book, it was a pleasure to read such good prose and it shows that the author took her time to do the research needed to recreate Paris of other times and all the rest that that implies but also shows the knowledge of paranormal phenomena, like life after death, soul immortality, the reward of the just and the punishment of the wicked advocated by some schools of thought.
The number of characters is reduced and we don’t get those over complex plots and no ending number of subplots and this could go against the author in the end if the characters were one dimensional but it is not so in this case as the characters – specially the main character is so well rounded that she can absorb almost all of our attention.
It is a masterful psychological horror novel, you get all the paranormal with the reading of cards, runes, astral voyages (out of the body travel), disembodied beings who can be angel like guides or demons but don’t read these as completely good or completely evil entities – they might have a bigger percentage of one of these attributes but then they have varying amounts of the opposite characteristics which make them much more complex and believable.
I really enjoyed knowing more about Paris of times gone by, their life style, their beliefs, the fear of epidemics, etc. The psychological horror parts grabbed me and made me think about several issues, among them: forgiveness, suicide, honor, gilt, love, hate, letting go, self-loathing and self-forgiveness.
Regarding the plot I can’t tell you much as I don’t like to introduce spoilers in my reviews but roughly it is about a married lady – Mercedes Fabron who had lived through some trying family issues and she has a special gift and it is through this gift that she will encounter some entities who will change – for better or for worse her life, the life of the aforementioned entities and that of those around her in the world of the living.
The number of characters is reduced and we don’t get those over complex plots and no ending number of subplots and this could go against the author in the end if the characters were one dimensional but it is not so in this case as the characters – specially the main character is so well rounded that she can absorb almost all of our attention.
It is a masterful psychological horror novel, you get all the paranormal with the reading of cards, runes, astral voyages (out of the body travel), disembodied beings who can be angel like guides or demons but don’t read these as completely good or completely evil entities – they might have a bigger percentage of one of these attributes but then they have varying amounts of the opposite characteristics which make them much more complex and believable.
I really enjoyed knowing more about Paris of times gone by, their life style, their beliefs, the fear of epidemics, etc. The psychological horror parts grabbed me and made me think about several issues, among them: forgiveness, suicide, honor, gilt, love, hate, letting go, self-loathing and self-forgiveness.
Regarding the plot I can’t tell you much as I don’t like to introduce spoilers in my reviews but roughly it is about a married lady – Mercedes Fabron who had lived through some trying family issues and she has a special gift and it is through this gift that she will encounter some entities who will change – for better or for worse her life, the life of the aforementioned entities and that of those around her in the world of the living.
June 12, 2018
Reviewed for Readers Favorite
Life has not been easy for Mercedes, try as she might to be normal, she is not. She has always been able to see those who have passed on and she learned early in life that it was not a gift that others understood or welcomed. At least for right now, Mercedes is grateful for her ability as it allows her to keep her daughter in her life, even if it is only a half life. The Devourer is a dual story, first of Mercedes and her life and trials as well as secondly, a story of certain variation of spirit. Mercedes may not have always welcomed the spirits in her life, but she will find that it is up to her to protect them and in turn herself from an evil she never could have imagined. Author Chris Chelser has created a dual story of the living and the not-quite-dead and their interactions with each other and finally their need for the other.
The Devourer is paranormal or supernatural and suspense mixed together. The way the author, Chris Chelser has woven the story, it takes you chapters upon chapters to unearth the reason behind what is going one, and then you only get it in small layers, one at a time. From the onset you know that Mercedes is visited by her daughter, who has passed on, but it is not until much later in the book do you learn the tragedies that Mercedes has endured and the relief that her daughter has brought to her life. This is a complex book and although there is only intimate relations of the 1800's style described in the book, it is definitely a book for more mature readers. There are just so many layers of suspense and drama, good and evil, right and wrong. Definitely a book to be read by anyone who enjoys the afterlife ideal.
Life has not been easy for Mercedes, try as she might to be normal, she is not. She has always been able to see those who have passed on and she learned early in life that it was not a gift that others understood or welcomed. At least for right now, Mercedes is grateful for her ability as it allows her to keep her daughter in her life, even if it is only a half life. The Devourer is a dual story, first of Mercedes and her life and trials as well as secondly, a story of certain variation of spirit. Mercedes may not have always welcomed the spirits in her life, but she will find that it is up to her to protect them and in turn herself from an evil she never could have imagined. Author Chris Chelser has created a dual story of the living and the not-quite-dead and their interactions with each other and finally their need for the other.
The Devourer is paranormal or supernatural and suspense mixed together. The way the author, Chris Chelser has woven the story, it takes you chapters upon chapters to unearth the reason behind what is going one, and then you only get it in small layers, one at a time. From the onset you know that Mercedes is visited by her daughter, who has passed on, but it is not until much later in the book do you learn the tragedies that Mercedes has endured and the relief that her daughter has brought to her life. This is a complex book and although there is only intimate relations of the 1800's style described in the book, it is definitely a book for more mature readers. There are just so many layers of suspense and drama, good and evil, right and wrong. Definitely a book to be read by anyone who enjoys the afterlife ideal.
July 24, 2018
In Paris in 1858, Mercedes Fabron is a busy and successful woman running her husband’s fashion shop for women. Her husband runs the one for men. However Mercedes has lost several babies which caused her to be subjected to by the authorities for the death of four infants. Her husband, Eric stands by her to refute such a crime. Mercedes has a secret. What is it? She can see and communicate with ghosts which she ignores as they try for her attention 24 hours a day. Mercedes does let the ghost of her baby daughter visit with her. Even though the baby girl died at birth, she appears as a young child to Mercedes. Mysterious deaths are happening in Paris. Running an errand, she sees a person being killdeer by a ghostly presence known as a devourer. She is horrified. What is this monster doing? Why killing?
The author has written a suspenseful paranormal/supernatural story. The characters are well described. The book takes chapter on chapter to describe Mercedes life and then finally goes back in time to describe the tragedies Mercedes has experienced. Sex is described as appropriate in the 1800’s. The novel shows the choices Mercedes making decisions on right and wrong besides what is good or evil. It is a novel that I won’t forget as I was completed in Mercedes as she experiences her life.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book free from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I was not obliged to write a favorable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The author has written a suspenseful paranormal/supernatural story. The characters are well described. The book takes chapter on chapter to describe Mercedes life and then finally goes back in time to describe the tragedies Mercedes has experienced. Sex is described as appropriate in the 1800’s. The novel shows the choices Mercedes making decisions on right and wrong besides what is good or evil. It is a novel that I won’t forget as I was completed in Mercedes as she experiences her life.
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book free from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I was not obliged to write a favorable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
April 22, 2018
I really enjoyed this novel.
The author's research into the historical details really paid off in terms of the creation of a realistic feel to the setting. The pacing of the story was very good - there was a lot of action and the flow was very good.
What I found to be most poignant was the way the main character was trapped by her status as a married woman, by her station in life, and by the perceptions of others. I think the author did an exceptional job of conveying her powerlessness in the world, while still creating a very strong character.
I also really liked the author's treatment of the paranormal. It forms a very large part of the plot and I found the way this element interacted with the objective reality of the novel to be believable.
There are definitely a lot of unanswered questions for me. I would have liked more details on the past history of the main character - how she arrived at her place in life, the early days of her marriage, and so on. My sense is that there is a rich backstory that would be worth hearing.
It seems that this will be the only story about this character, which is too bad. However, I do look forward to reading more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book through Voracious Readers Only.
The author's research into the historical details really paid off in terms of the creation of a realistic feel to the setting. The pacing of the story was very good - there was a lot of action and the flow was very good.
What I found to be most poignant was the way the main character was trapped by her status as a married woman, by her station in life, and by the perceptions of others. I think the author did an exceptional job of conveying her powerlessness in the world, while still creating a very strong character.
I also really liked the author's treatment of the paranormal. It forms a very large part of the plot and I found the way this element interacted with the objective reality of the novel to be believable.
There are definitely a lot of unanswered questions for me. I would have liked more details on the past history of the main character - how she arrived at her place in life, the early days of her marriage, and so on. My sense is that there is a rich backstory that would be worth hearing.
It seems that this will be the only story about this character, which is too bad. However, I do look forward to reading more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book through Voracious Readers Only.
October 22, 2017
This book was a joy to read! On the surface it is a ghost tale set in 19th century Paris, which tickled my interest, but there is much more going on. The story starts with mysterious deaths happening in Paris, and how they influence the life of Mercedes Fabron, who leads a quiet but troubled life running a fashion shop with her husband. I mean, you'd be troubled too if you could see ghosts, one of whom is your dead child, right? The story quickly carries the reader into a parallel spiritual world, a daring creation of the author. The story becomes quite abstract and metaphorical at times, especially in the end, but don't be discouraged by this, because Chris Chelser really is gifted with words and you'll devour the story eagerly to find out what happens in this shadowy Parisian (other)world.
July 22, 2018
When we first met Mercedes, she is in a Paris fashion bouquet. We learn that she is the hostess of said shop, owned by her husband, Eric. We quickly discover that she has a gift or rather, a curse.
It's not an ability that others would understand, so she keeps it hidden away. She is also guilt-ridden that she has such an ability as she feels it's not natural. However, she is grateful for it because it allows her to continue to keep the company of her daughter, Danielle, who is no longer among the living.
Read more at Cats Luv Coffee
It's not an ability that others would understand, so she keeps it hidden away. She is also guilt-ridden that she has such an ability as she feels it's not natural. However, she is grateful for it because it allows her to continue to keep the company of her daughter, Danielle, who is no longer among the living.
Read more at Cats Luv Coffee
October 30, 2018
Other reviews tell you enough about the storyline, so I won’t go into that.
The story seems to be slowgoing, but the depth and attention to (interesting and often needed) detail is fantastic.
The world the lead character is living in is very small. But interestingly enough it is a seemingly unimportant character that has a major impact on her life.
The multitude of layers in this story is amazing. I am sure I will find new depths, plots and twists at a second reading.
The story seems to be slowgoing, but the depth and attention to (interesting and often needed) detail is fantastic.
The world the lead character is living in is very small. But interestingly enough it is a seemingly unimportant character that has a major impact on her life.
The multitude of layers in this story is amazing. I am sure I will find new depths, plots and twists at a second reading.
October 24, 2018
This tale, albeit an original one, was rather difficult for me to get into. I usually don't have much trouble with period pieces, but this book seemed to drone on and on, with very little payoff at the end of each chapter. It was a decent book, but just not my style.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews