Unfortunately this book was not for me, it was a bit slower than I would like and it just didn't hold my attention. I am sure other people will love it!

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.

Thankyou to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and Chris Chelser for the opportunity to read a copy of The Devourer in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
I thought this book was a really creepy read. The storyline had me hooked from the very beginning. I loved the main character and the atmospheric feel of the book. I was up all night reading this spine tingler.
Definitely well worth a read for fans of the genre. I look forward to reading more from this author.

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.

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.

Something we also learn quickly is that her husband is a pompous jerk. Apparently, blessed with "short-man syndrome", he overcompensates for his physique with his fists and his attitude. In short (see what I did there?), Mercedes spends her life under his thumb, constantly trying to avoid his suspicion and anger. Unfortunately, in the time period the book is set, the husband has complete law over his wife and can do as he pleases.

The narrative jumps back and forth between Mercedes POV and that of an unknown male presence. He calls himself a parasite and explains that he has an appetite for the energy of the living. We know that the narrative has shifted because the unknown male is typecast in italics. This. was. so. annoying! Pages upon pages of italic.

Eventually, Mercedes encounters this unknown presence and with her unique gift, they forge a very tenuous bond to rid Paris of another entity that is the cause of an epidemic that is making people drop dead.
Literally. They call them "droppers."

The plot of The Devourer is expansive. It's many layers interwoven into one story and treads heavily into the spiritual realm. We see tarot reading, runes, out of body travel, angels or guides, and demons or parasites. The world that the author builds in 19th century Paris is well described. We see numerous levels of social standing and how those characters live.

I just wish I wasn't so annoyed by the characters. I loathed Eric. I'm not sure why the author needed to have such an incredibly abhorrent man written into the story. He belittles and beats his wife. He accuses her of adultery and dishonesty. He even goes as far as to have a doctor diagnose her with female hysteria. You know what the "cure" for hysteria often was? Orgasm. Seriously. Google it if you don't believe me.

I understand that these were the extremely stupid beliefs at the time that the author has set this book. I get it and God bless those people who actually had to live it. I'd have been in the looney bin faster than you can say wandering womb. It just felt like an unnecessary distraction from the storyline and didn't really further the plot for me. The supernatural aspect of the book took a backseat to the interaction between Mercedes and her dirtbag husband.

If you enjoy historical paranormal fiction, you may really like The Devourer. The author did an amazing job in describing the period in which it was set and also on the various supernatural aspects. I just couldn't establish a rapport with the characters.

A unique & interesting book.. A little scattered at times, but all in all, it's a wonderful, intriguing novel about what exists where we cannot see...