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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
This book was so unexpected!
I read the Serpent and Dove trilogy at the end of last year after DNFing it the first attempt when the second book originally came out. I ended up just not being in the right head space to read it that first time. The second time I read it I really enjoyed it and really fell in love with all the characters.
I picked up this book expecting more of the same from the same world but it was honestly so much better! The pacing was better and the story was so so great. I really loved the introduction of new magical creature ie. ghosts, vampires, necromancers etc. I also loved the discovery of Celie's sence of self in this novel and her coming into herself. I love her love interest and how their interactions are red and green flags mixed in the best way that us literary hoes love. All in all this book was a really fun read.
I am really looking forward to the second book in this duology. It will be an insta buy and this 5 book universe will live lovingly on my shelf as a top pick.
I read the Serpent and Dove trilogy at the end of last year after DNFing it the first attempt when the second book originally came out. I ended up just not being in the right head space to read it that first time. The second time I read it I really enjoyed it and really fell in love with all the characters.
I picked up this book expecting more of the same from the same world but it was honestly so much better! The pacing was better and the story was so so great. I really loved the introduction of new magical creature ie. ghosts, vampires, necromancers etc. I also loved the discovery of Celie's sence of self in this novel and her coming into herself. I love her love interest and how their interactions are red and green flags mixed in the best way that us literary hoes love. All in all this book was a really fun read.
I am really looking forward to the second book in this duology. It will be an insta buy and this 5 book universe will live lovingly on my shelf as a top pick.
The ending. THE ENDING. I will never forgive you Shelby Mahurin. Well, at least not until the next one came out.
Was it a bit long? Yes. Was it repetitive at times? Yes. Am I used to more adult romance books and would I have liked some spice? Yes. BUT. I loved this book. I don't even mind the lack of spice. (It's YA. This is not surprising. But I think it would've done well. Maybe book two *fingers crossed*).
I loved the OG coming back. Beau continues to delight. Lou is still her spunky self.
The Ansel reference. My heart.
Was it a bit long? Yes. Was it repetitive at times? Yes. Am I used to more adult romance books and would I have liked some spice? Yes. BUT. I loved this book. I don't even mind the lack of spice. (It's YA. This is not surprising. But I think it would've done well. Maybe book two *fingers crossed*).
I loved the OG coming back. Beau continues to delight. Lou is still her spunky self.
The Ansel reference. My heart.
medium-paced
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:
Spoiler
I almost lost it when I thought the epilogue was about Célie, but very curious how Filippa will come into play. But that ending for CélieI don’t want her to become a vampire nor die/become a ghost. What makes her character so great is that beautiful human beating heart, and I need it to keep beating strong
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I adored Serpent and Dove so when I came across the opportunity to read the Scarlet Vale as an ARC in exchange for an honest review, I jumped on it. I was nervous because Celie was so timid in the first trilogy. But I trust the author.
I am so glad I did. I adored this from start to finish. The new magical world introduced is rife with mystery. I cannot find out what happens to Celie next. She is daring and brave and the vampires add a lovely new cast of characters mixed in with all the old we already love. Highly recommend it to fans of the series.
I can’t wait to read what happens next!
I am so glad I did. I adored this from start to finish. The new magical world introduced is rife with mystery. I cannot find out what happens to Celie next. She is daring and brave and the vampires add a lovely new cast of characters mixed in with all the old we already love. Highly recommend it to fans of the series.
I can’t wait to read what happens next!
3.5⭐️
I felt like the whole castle part that lasted like 200 pages could’ve been WAY shorter, the whole guessing at what vampires are and how they work, while we as the reader already know all the lore, grew a bit tiresome ngl but I did like the REST of it!! And we also obviously knew Michal wasn’t the killer, I needed Célie to stop second guessing about his “evil” nature every two seconds girl be serious
Célie as a character I’ve loved her since Gods & Monsters but there were some scenes here where she lowkey pissed me off, it’s okay tho whatever. Her relationship with Michal I LOVED (even if it was really similar to ACOMAF lmao but I love feysand so it works)
There were like four different instances where someone went on to list all of Célie’s achievements that she accomplished in this book and like 1) it’s a bit cringe babes but I could overlook that if it weren’t for the fact that 2) I just saw her DO all these things, I don’t need a reminder ?
I will say tho the ending had me GAGGED!! I need the next book right this very second, I can’t believe I gotta wait until October or something
I felt like the whole castle part that lasted like 200 pages could’ve been WAY shorter, the whole guessing at what vampires are and how they work, while we as the reader already know all the lore, grew a bit tiresome ngl but I did like the REST of it!! And we also obviously knew Michal wasn’t the killer, I needed Célie to stop second guessing about his “evil” nature every two seconds girl be serious
Célie as a character I’ve loved her since Gods & Monsters but there were some scenes here where she lowkey pissed me off, it’s okay tho whatever. Her relationship with Michal I LOVED (even if it was really similar to ACOMAF lmao but I love feysand so it works)
There were like four different instances where someone went on to list all of Célie’s achievements that she accomplished in this book and like 1) it’s a bit cringe babes but I could overlook that if it weren’t for the fact that 2) I just saw her DO all these things, I don’t need a reminder ?
I will say tho the ending had me GAGGED!! I need the next book right this very second, I can’t believe I gotta wait until October or something
