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The Weight of Chains

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Gilles de Rais has control over every aspect of his life: the servants he employs, the village he lords over, the carefully crafted visage he shows to the world. He dictates where his subjects live, what they eat, if they live or die. He has ultimate power and wields it with a flourish to conceal the dark desires that lurk behind his smile and the despair within his castle in Machecoul.

When a wizard tasked with raising a demon loses control of the beast, Gilles's tight grasp on his world begins to slip. His cook plans to flee, taking her son away from the dangers of the castle. His guard wants to claim Gilles’s lifestyle as his own. His wizard frantically searches for a way to survive both his lord and the demon he has called into the world. And the villagers – like Jeanetta and her family –move through life in Machecoul too consumed with the task of surviving day to day, and oblivious to the turmoil building within the castle that is threatening to break out and consume them all.

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 19, 2015

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Lesley Conner

31 books32 followers

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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Frank Errington.
738 reviews59 followers
September 23, 2015
Review copy

I first met Lesley Conner a few years ago at the Horrorfind Convention in Gettysburg, PA. We soon became Facebook friends and developed a working relationship through her job as managing editor of Apex Publications and Apex Magazine. For the most part, her Facebook page is filled with mom stuff and posts about her role as a Girl Scout leader. Having read her first published novel, I find myself asking, "Where the hell did that come from?"

The Weight of Chains takes place in France, in 1436. As a result it did take me some time to become accustomed to the time period and the way the story was being told.

Much of the action takes place in the castle of Gilles de Rais and the nearby village of Machecoul. It's not long before were learn of Gilles' depraved nature and his disgusting peculiarities. This results in an extremely dark and twisted tale with several "Oh, no!" moments.

The Weight of Chains is an exceptionally well-imagined story with an ending that was so worth waiting for. Lesley Conner should be very happy with the outcome of her debut novel.

Kudos to Matt Davis for the beautiful and eye-catching cover art.

The Weight of Chains is available now in both e-book and paperback formats from Sinister Grin press. If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, you can read this one at no additional charge. Also, if you are an Amazon Prime member, you can read the book for FREE as your monthly selection from the Kindle Owners Lending Library.

Recommended.
Profile Image for Nev Murray.
448 reviews32 followers
October 1, 2015
"It could have been shorter. That is a personal thing. Don’t get me wrong, Lesley Conner can write. She paints a wonderful picture of the local and what life was really like for the people of that time. You do really feel as if you are wandering the streets with the characters and you do get a true experience of just how hard life was. You do feel quite sorry for the characters at times. I just wanted more “beef” in it. I wanted more horror. I wanted more hide behind the cushions moments."

See the full review here:

The Weight of Chains
Profile Image for Stephen Kozeniewski.
Author 38 books429 followers
August 29, 2017
THE WEIGHT OF CHAINS is a gripping book from beginning to end. It focuses on the story of Gilles de Rais, a medieval serial killer who preyed upon his own peasants in extraordinarily depraved ways. (Think Elizabeth Bathory but about a century earlier.)

While de Rais is a character, and occasionally the viewpoint character, Conner also focuses on the trials and travails of the various collaborators in his court (a cook who assures herself she just cleans up the messes but has nothing to do with them, a magician who acts as though he has been forced into participating in the depravity, and a guard who delights sadistically in procuring children for his master to murder) as well as a (presumably) fictional young peasant girl named Jeanetta.

I'm not very knowledgeable about the Middle Ages, so I'm not sure if all of the descriptions of day-to-day life are accurate, but it certainly felt authentic to me as a layman. Authentic and fascinating to step into a world where people just thought very differently. Spousal abuse was considered par for the course. Lords could buy and sell people like livestock. Child labor was not only not frowned upon, it was the norm, and the children themselves were desperate to contribute as much as possible to their families. THE WEIGHT OF CHAINS felt to me (again, I'm not very knowledgeable on the subject) like an accurate portrait of medieval life.

But it's also much more than that. It's a grisly horror story that will genuinely turn your stomach. What starts out as a serial killer story in a rather unusual setting slowly develops into a rumination on shared guilt, then a story of demonic magic, and finally, one of the most petrifying zombie stories I've ever scene. I don't want to say much more so I don't spoil it, especially as I definitely was not expecting the zombie development and it was delightful.

I was never not once not ever bored reading THE WEIGHT OF CHAINS, not even when it focused on characters pulling carrots in the garden or accidentally spilling a bowl of soup. All of the stakes - from a lost carrot to a lost fortune - were appropriate to the characters involved. The story never failed to be engrossing, and by the end it was thoroughly gross. A must-read for any fans of the Middle Ages, serial killers, demons, or zombies.
Profile Image for Jason Sizemore.
Author 123 books112 followers
May 20, 2017
The Weight of Chains (Sinister Grin Press) is an eye-opening debut novel from Lesley Conner.

Set in 15th century France, this historical-horror novel contains two fast-pace plot threads that combine for a satisfying and horrific conclusion. We’re introduced to Jeanetta, a hardworking eleven-year-old girl who has moved to the village of Machecoul with her family. In true peasant fashion, they’re poor and the family is always on the brink of starvation. To ease the burden on her family, Jeanetta is promised to a kindly, widowed smallpox survivor.

Gilles de Rais, the lord of Machecoul, is on a constant search for young boys… preferably fair-haired and no more than eight years old. The guy is a nasty piece of work who’s heinous crimes are documented facts. Unfortunately, de Rais is surrounded by a group of enablers, in particular, his guard, the sadistic Poitou.

As the novel progresses, Gilles de Rais’s appetites become more demanding. He enlists the help of a wizard named Prelati to summon the demon Barron with the hopes of trading blood for gold. Poitou’s search for victims becomes more aggressive as more and more boys are sent off to be a court Page in Paris by their master. It is when Poitou brings Jeanetta and her eight-year-old brother to Gilles de Rais’s castle that our two plots collide and we’re given a page-turning and somewhat unexpected conclusion.

The author has a knack for writing despicable characters: Gilles de Rais, Poitou, and Prelati all felt three dimensional and are memorable. Our young heroine, Jeanetta, comes across as a realistic eleven-year-old in an old soul’s body.

Be warned, there are buckets of gore and plenty of chilling scenes that will set off a whole set of trigger warnings. If you check out the Wikipedia page I linked earlier, you’ll understand why.

Parents with young children might wish to stay away from this one. I have a fair-haired eight-year-old son (Gilles de Rais’s favorite type) and the book made me uncomfortable at times for obvious reasons.

If you’re looking for a great Halloween read, then The Weight of Chains is worthy of your attention.

One last though: the final chapter is one of the best I’ve read in a horror novel.
Profile Image for Josh.
1,713 reviews167 followers
October 12, 2015
Murderous acts hidden in smoke and mirrors provides a foundation of lies for a brutal truth that shrouds the populace of Machecoul, a small town where boys never grow old.

Gilles de Rais is an eccentric living in a old castle that casts a very deadly shadow over Machecoul, only the residents don't know it. Seen more as a martyr than murderer, Rais kidnaps the youth and turns them into his playthings until their last breath escapes their tormented corpse, for once he's decided to indulge his lust, the unfortunate are already dead. All the while, the parents of these children are led to believe the disappearance is as result of them being shipped off to gain an education and a chance at a better life.

If I were to compare the writing I'd liken author Lesley Conner to Laura Benedict (who also writes atmospheric character driven horror stories). The unique place-setting and depth the each character make for an entertaining yet cringe-worthy read as Rais' terrors are realized in the fullest.

THE WEIGHT OF CHAINS is a classic character driven horror that compliments the gore with clever storytelling and a slow and steady plot which builds tension as the story progresses towards a blood thirsty finish.

http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
Profile Image for Tamara.
569 reviews55 followers
June 15, 2016
If historical French horror is not your normal type of book, do not be dissuaded. It isn't mine either. This is a horror thriller that will not disappoint. Conner offers a well-written and masterfully developed read of terror, not a history lesson with "creepy" undertones. You'll find more than creepiness within these pages. Please, give THE WEIGHT OF CHAINS a go! I am hopeful the author will answer readers' calls for a sequel.
Profile Image for Sally.
Author 34 books360 followers
September 3, 2022
Predating Elizabeth Báthory by more than a century, Gilles de Rais is one of history's most infamous serial killers. Here is a man who fought alongside Joan of Arc, but who is remembered not for his heroism or his valor, but instead for the hundreds of children he tortured to death out of lust and greed. Apparently, Joan's morality didn't really rub off.

In real life, his experiments at summoning a demon failed miserably, and he was executed a poor man . . . but with The Weight of Chains, Lesley Conner takes his story to an even darker place, envisioning a history where demons could indeed be summoned with the blood of innocents, and where Gilles de Rais gets just what he deserves.

This is an relentlessly dark and depressing tale, full of terror, tragedy, and even a touch of titillation. Conner does a remarkable job of driving home the reality of life in 15th century France, with landowners selling peasant families to one another, young women being sold into loveless marriages, and young men finding themselves little more than expendable resources for their lords. There's a very real sense of sorrow and horror to the world she presents, so much so that the torture of children and acts of human sacrifice are somewhat dulled in comparison.

Gilles de Rais, his sadomasochistic assistant Poitou, and his surprisingly successful wizard Prelati are despicable, deplorable men, but they are characters with real depth. They're almost tragic in their methods and their motives, with Poitou a man you hate yourself for sometimes feeling a little sympathy towards him, but they're genuine in their flaws. Jeanetta is perhaps the most tragic (and most heroic) character in the novel, a young woman force to grow up far too quickly, and it's her sincerity and compassion that keep the story from descending too deep into depravity.

This is not a shock-and-terror sort of horror novel, but one of dread and disgust. It's also a rather elegant story, slowly paced, with a lot of banalities surrounding medieval peasant life. Rather than picking her moments to grasp the reader by the throat, Conner gets her fingers around us early on . . . and then just continues to squeeze tighter and tighter. The Weight of Chains is not for everyone, and will probably compel more than a few readers to abandon it - not because of Conner's talent as a storyteller, but because of the horrifying reality of the story she has chosen to tell. Yes, she embellishes some aspects, and she takes a few liberties with the characters, but facts are facts, and the fact here is that Gilles de Rais (and men like him) is a monster.


Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary ARC of this title from the publisher in exchange for review consideration.This does not in any way affect the honesty or sincerity of my honest review.
Profile Image for Carrie Laben.
Author 23 books41 followers
February 1, 2020
I was excited to read this, and the premise - besides being a classic case of true horror - was set up well, with an appealing main character and the seeds of some fascinating themes about duty, complicity, and freedom in a highly stratified society. Unfortunately the pacing was clunky and repetitive. As a result the latter half of the book fell apart, with characters developed at length being (in some cases literally) tossed aside in favor of an ending that was neither conclusive nor meaningfully ambiguous, but just sort of... there, as a set piece.
Profile Image for Horror Underground.
94 reviews26 followers
October 21, 2015

Review from HorrorUnderground.org

The Weight of Chains
Sinister Grin Press
Author: Lesley Conner

Synopsis: Gilles de Rais has control over every aspect of his life: the servants he employs, the village he lords over, the carefully crafted visage he shows to the world. He dictates where his subjects live, what they eat, if they live or die. He has ultimate power and wields it with a flourish to conceal the dark desires that lurk behind his smile and the despair within his castle in Machecoul.

When a wizard tasked with raising a demon loses control of the beast, Gilles's tight grasp on his world begins to slip. His cook plans to flee, taking her son away from the dangers of the castle. His guard wants to claim Gilles’s lifestyle as his own. His wizard frantically searches for a way to survive both his lord and the demon he has called into the world. And the villagers – like Jeanetta and her family –move through life in Machecoul too consumed with the task of surviving day to day, and oblivious to the turmoil building within the castle that is threatening to break out and consume them all.

Taking place in France circa 1436, Conner masterfully weaves a period piece with seemingly little effort. The time period feels perfectly crafted and Conner makes it very easy to settle into the world. Sheering off all of the romantic sentiments of the era, Conner pulls us back into the mud and horror of living during this time. Each page feels gritty and gross with a high sense of realism. I still cannot wrap my mind around the fact that this is a debut novel.

After expanding her short story into a novel, Conner has amassed the largest list of dispicable and absolutely deplorable characters I have ever read. Having little room for niceties, the characters without sinister flaws are pulled and dragged through a crushing world of brutality. The emotional heft becomes daunting at times, but it does not slow down the story. It only enhances the victories in a Clive Barker by way of Game of Thrones style. Gilles de Rais has a taste for the young boys in the village that surrounds his castle. The entire village knows it, whether they say it or not, and this only adds to the crushing look at daily life in Machecoul. When not showcasing the atrocities of their lord, Jeanetta is entrenched in a very terrifying reality of her own.

When not crushing your spirits, Conner is also not afraid to take you on a trip through some dark corners. Rais’ tastes are not limited to just killing the children. While most of the vile acts are relegated to his character, he is also surrounded by men that have similar desires. The extreme nature of the subject matter, including the way in which they are described, keeps me from recommending this book to the average horror reader. Interested in the more extreme stuff? This is a great place to start.

Lesley Conner’s debut novel is easily one of my favorite of the year. The unfiltered look at extremes while presenting a fresh new story is something to behold. The novel is a bit long, but trust me, the ending is worth your patience. The tension builds and twists along, giving glimpses of things to come as each plot line develops. Not a fun read, but damn is it good.
Profile Image for Matthew Baker.
Author 2 books12 followers
December 16, 2015
I can sum up author Lesley Conner’s debut book THE WEIGHT OF CHAINS in two words: viscerally excellent. There are many other words that come to mind as well: brutal, clever, and engaging, just to name a few. But the first two are a good overall description for this tale. THE WEIGHT OF CHAINS is a story that is difficult to read in some parts, due to the subject matter, but even harder to put down. If you like horrifying historical fiction, this is a book you’ll want to check out immediately.

I can say without a doubt that Lesley Conner is an author to watch out for. I enjoyed this debut greatly, and I will definitely be checking out her future works.

THE WEIGHT OF CHAINS is written well and, although it is lengthy (measuring in at 430 pages), the story moves at a decent clip. Conner spends quite a bit of time putting down a solid framework on which to build the story, however this is not a negative at all. In fact, the in depth tapestry she weaves makes the story even more so immersive.

The characters are interesting and likable (everybody, that is, except for de Rais and his lackey, Poitou). They are fleshed out well enough so the reader is invested in each, therefore when the horrific events start to happen, the reader actually feels something for them.

The story and the events that occur within it are enthralling. I had never heard of Gilles de Rais prior to reading this book, however I am now doing a bit of back-study on him. The book paints a vivid (and terrifying) picture of who he probably was, and the combines that with an inventive storyline. The result is an excellent read that both horror fans and followers of historical fiction will want to delve into.

THE WEIGHT OF CHAINS is a big win for me, and I highly recommend it. Sinister Grin Press has a winner here, and I cannot wait to see what Conner does next. Check this one out today; it is available in a variety of formats.
Profile Image for Jess (freaks over books).
260 reviews33 followers
February 8, 2017
Wow, what an amazing book! I LOVE historical/gothic horror that is not over-the-top cheesy or littered with sleazy sex-scenes and pointless gore. This book centered around a medieval serial killer, Gilles de Rais, and it had just enough history and horror to keep me frantically turning the page to see what would happen next. There were things I disliked, sure, but they were extremely minor, like use to language and the repetition of adjectives and nouns, but that is just a personal pet peeve of mine. This was told from multiple points of view, which usually I do not get into, but it worked in this case and I really dug all of the characters, from the peasant girl, Jeanetta, to the cook, Colette, to Gilles and his horrible guard. The ending was a surprise as it REALLY just went from historical horror to just plain horror, and at first I did not think I would be into it, but I totally was. Can't wait for her next book.
Profile Image for Teri.
108 reviews
March 12, 2016
A horrific tale about the Master of a Village, Gilles de Rais, and his dark fantasies and how he acts them out. He holds tight to a few servants that he trusts to help him act out his dark, horrific desires. After he employs a wizard to summon a demon to provide him with all the gold he needs, things get out of hand and spiral downward. Gilles cannot control his desires and it leads to the demise of his entire castle.
This story combines several of the classic horror details, such as demons, blood shed and walking dead. Overall, it is written quite well and keeps you interested and the action moving until the very end.
*I received this book through a goodreads giveaway.*
Profile Image for Nikki.
50 reviews
April 19, 2016
Received this via a GR giveaway. Forced my way through it. A short story told in an extremely long version format. Nothing surprising happened & had no reason to care about any of the characters.
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