Synopsis
A devastating love story. A bewitching twist on history. A blood-drenched hunt for purpose, power and redemption.
In 1785, Professor Sebastian Grave receives the news he fears most: the terrible Beast of Gévaudan has returned, and the French countryside runs red in its wake. Sebastian knows the Beast. A monster-slayer with centuries of experience, he joined the hunt for the creature twenty years ago and watched it slaughter its way through a long and bloody winter. Even with the help of Sarmodel, the demon he plays host to, bringing the monster down nearly cost him his life.
Now, two decades later, Sebastian has been recalled to the hunt by Antoine Avenel d’Ocerne, an estranged lover who shares a dark history with the Beast and a terrible secret with Sebastian. Drawn by both the chance to finish the Beast for good and the promise of a reconciliation with Antoine, Sebastian cannot refuse.
Some monsters, it seems, simply won’t stay buried . . .
Review
A reimagined, queer werewolf story set in 1700s France just before the French Revolution.
Professor Sebastian Grave of Larnaca has an indwelling demon, Sarmodel. As the footnote explains:
1. We have both agreed that “joined” is the most acceptable term for my/our condition—“possessed,” “demoniac” and “abomination” are inaccurate and most offensive.
Monsieur Jacques Avenel d’Ocerne, Son of the Baron d’Ocerne, comes begging for Sebastian’s help as the Red Winter, a Beast, attacks their lands once again in 1785. Then, we get flashbacks to when Sebastian helped the Baron in 1766 and the love and devastation that blossomed then.
We also get another flashback to do with Jehanne d’Arc and Sebastian’s adventures with a succubus, also his housemaid.
This was witty and filled with dark humour and bleak snark. The way it was narrated, Sebastian’s outlook, the historical backdrop, all reminded me of Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff. High praise if you know me as that is one of my favourite books.
Of course, my love! Watch as I ensnare an Olympian with the Crippling Yoke, on horseback, in the middle of a bridge covered in dogs, with the Archangel shooting a musket over my shoulder, I snapped back. Shall I stand on my head and fart the Pater Noster as well?
The rapport between the demon and Sebastian was fun and dark and deadly. The historical backdrop and the simmering tension made this even more immersive.
This story had so many unique elements and an incredible writing style… until around the 60% mark where I felt it lost its flair slightly. It did become more violent and gruesome, but that wasn’t what put me off. It almost read like the first half had been over with a fine tooth-comb, and the latter half was less deliberate.
I was also slightly unsatisfied by the ending. It almost set up for a sequel with the amount of questions left, but this is a standalone (as far as I know).
Despite my minor qualms, this is an incredible debut. It read like a tried and tested dark fantasy author. I finished it in a day and look forward to whatever Sullivan writes next.
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