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A review by stephdaydreams
The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin
5.0
There words immediately come to mind as to how I felt after reading The Scarlet Veil:
Consumed
Devoured
Obsessed
This book consumed me entirely. I was thoroughly enthralled with its story, its cast of characters, its world-building, with all of it. I absolutely ate up the deliciously slow burn romance. And that ending! Good grief, that ending! I will not stop crying, screaming, flailing about until the sequel is out. I need more, more, and more!
This book served each of its tropes gorgeously. I came into its world without having read the Serpent & Dove trilogy and believe even without reading those books, this book provided enough context and background to characters those readers will be familiar with. It’s a book friendly to both previous readers and new ones. It’s a book that welcomes you warmly even as its narrative weaves a tale that will prickle your skin, chill your bones, and set fire to your heart.
》The Lead《
Oh my lovely Célie. She is the exact type of heroine I most adore. Soft, kind, gentle, resolved, intelligent, and determined. I must admit I was initially a bit worried when I saw the note of “huntswoman” in the blurb. I wondered if she’d be another weapon-toting lead who is strong in the very physical sense, not to mention mouthy and sassy, basically another traditional fantasy heroine. I unfairly judged her before I got to know her, because it turns out Célie can barely lift a sword, much less swing it. In fact, she is a character who is constantly judged without first getting to know. She is overlooked and underestimated constantly. She is deemed by many as nothing more than a fragile doll who needs to be protected, holding a position she has not earned. Because her strength is different, because it’s not found in the force of her fist, in the weight of her muscles, in the quickness of tongue, because it comes from her heart, her resolve, her determination…in the things that cannot be measured, she is seen as a less than. She is judged before she has a chance to show who she is. To even learn for herself who she is— who she wants to be. Her journey is one that both broke my heart and inspired it.
She is vulnerable yet courageous. She may not possess the expected traits of heroines on the type of adventure she is thrust into, but she shows that she still has all that is required to take on such a journey.
She can still lead to the best of her abilities.
She is not secondary.
》The Romance《
The second Célie meets Michal I was hook, line, and sinker. It was them for me. Just them. Luckily the romance isn’t as quick to develop as my opinion of their potential. No, in fact this narrative lets the romance simmer gorgeously. It’s very much a slow burn romance and rightfully so— there’s trust that needs to be earned, understanding to be dealt, and a camaraderie to build. Not to mention a whole history to learn of a people Célie believed only to exist in scary tales at bedtime.
I loved how these two slowly learn more about one another and change their perspective, especially Célie, and I loved how being opening to new perspectives it also helped Célie to come into her own agency and potential.
This romance is one I can’t wait to see further developed, and one I desperately hope has a happy ending by journey’s end.
》The Stakes《
The world-building and plot are built fantastically. The ambiance set has you peeking over your shoulder to make sure nothing spooky is lurking around the corner. Everything came to life vividly in my mind as I read along. The descriptions are beautiful, the atmosphere is the perfect mix of gothic, whimsy, dread, and romance. And the storytelling is incredibly strong. All of it combine to make you feel the high stakes involved, and the ending cements that.
》The Veil Beyond《
I came into this story without having read the Serpent & Dove trilogy, while I’m sure having read that would bring me closer to the recurring cast of characters, I thought this book provided enough context so it can stand very well right on its own. Truly this book shined so spectacularly on its own.
I loved Célie, I loved Michal, I loved the entire cast. I loved the storytelling, the gripping hold it possessed me with with its chilling sightings of spectres, grief, and heartbreak. I loved it all.
I will finish by saying brace yourselves…brace yourselves for an explosive ending.
That ending had me raving and ranting like a lunatic, and I won’t lie— I am so so so scared of what that ending can hold for the future— but I am also so very ready for what’s next. I am buckled in and ready for what the rest of this ride will hold. I have a feeling it will be glorious.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Spoilers about the ending:
Consumed
Devoured
Obsessed
This book consumed me entirely. I was thoroughly enthralled with its story, its cast of characters, its world-building, with all of it. I absolutely ate up the deliciously slow burn romance. And that ending! Good grief, that ending! I will not stop crying, screaming, flailing about until the sequel is out. I need more, more, and more!
This book served each of its tropes gorgeously. I came into its world without having read the Serpent & Dove trilogy and believe even without reading those books, this book provided enough context and background to characters those readers will be familiar with. It’s a book friendly to both previous readers and new ones. It’s a book that welcomes you warmly even as its narrative weaves a tale that will prickle your skin, chill your bones, and set fire to your heart.
》The Lead《
Oh my lovely Célie. She is the exact type of heroine I most adore. Soft, kind, gentle, resolved, intelligent, and determined. I must admit I was initially a bit worried when I saw the note of “huntswoman” in the blurb. I wondered if she’d be another weapon-toting lead who is strong in the very physical sense, not to mention mouthy and sassy, basically another traditional fantasy heroine. I unfairly judged her before I got to know her, because it turns out Célie can barely lift a sword, much less swing it. In fact, she is a character who is constantly judged without first getting to know. She is overlooked and underestimated constantly. She is deemed by many as nothing more than a fragile doll who needs to be protected, holding a position she has not earned. Because her strength is different, because it’s not found in the force of her fist, in the weight of her muscles, in the quickness of tongue, because it comes from her heart, her resolve, her determination…in the things that cannot be measured, she is seen as a less than. She is judged before she has a chance to show who she is. To even learn for herself who she is— who she wants to be. Her journey is one that both broke my heart and inspired it.
She is vulnerable yet courageous. She may not possess the expected traits of heroines on the type of adventure she is thrust into, but she shows that she still has all that is required to take on such a journey.
She can still lead to the best of her abilities.
She is not secondary.
》The Romance《
The second Célie meets Michal I was hook, line, and sinker. It was them for me. Just them. Luckily the romance isn’t as quick to develop as my opinion of their potential. No, in fact this narrative lets the romance simmer gorgeously. It’s very much a slow burn romance and rightfully so— there’s trust that needs to be earned, understanding to be dealt, and a camaraderie to build. Not to mention a whole history to learn of a people Célie believed only to exist in scary tales at bedtime.
I loved how these two slowly learn more about one another and change their perspective, especially Célie, and I loved how being opening to new perspectives it also helped Célie to come into her own agency and potential.
This romance is one I can’t wait to see further developed, and one I desperately hope has a happy ending by journey’s end.
》The Stakes《
The world-building and plot are built fantastically. The ambiance set has you peeking over your shoulder to make sure nothing spooky is lurking around the corner. Everything came to life vividly in my mind as I read along. The descriptions are beautiful, the atmosphere is the perfect mix of gothic, whimsy, dread, and romance. And the storytelling is incredibly strong. All of it combine to make you feel the high stakes involved, and the ending cements that.
》The Veil Beyond《
I came into this story without having read the Serpent & Dove trilogy, while I’m sure having read that would bring me closer to the recurring cast of characters, I thought this book provided enough context so it can stand very well right on its own. Truly this book shined so spectacularly on its own.
I loved Célie, I loved Michal, I loved the entire cast. I loved the storytelling, the gripping hold it possessed me with with its chilling sightings of spectres, grief, and heartbreak. I loved it all.
I will finish by saying brace yourselves…brace yourselves for an explosive ending.
That ending had me raving and ranting like a lunatic, and I won’t lie— I am so so so scared of what that ending can hold for the future— but I am also so very ready for what’s next. I am buckled in and ready for what the rest of this ride will hold. I have a feeling it will be glorious.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Spoilers about the ending: