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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this story!! it always frustrated me reading about overpowering toxic masculinity, overprotective men who undermine the ability of a woman
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I must admit, this book wasn’t really my cup of tea. Although I did like Serpent and Dove (especially the first book), this one fell short on multiple fronts for me.
- I couldn’t connect with any of the characters
- The story couldn’t keep my attention, there were a lot of moments where I was tempted to put the book down for an undetermined amount of time
- It often felt like this story could have been told just as well in a lower page count
- The main storyline disappeared into the background a lot in my opinion. At certain times, Célie just didn't seem to care about what happened to her anymore?
Some things I did like in this book:
+ We got to know more about the vampires, who they are, their way of living,...
+ There was some character growth in this book
+ The narrator of the audiobook has a pleasant voice and conveys the story rather well
Nevertheless, if you're looking for a vampire-human slow burn romance with lots of other supernatural creatures and a woman trying to forge her own path, you might want to give this one a try.
- I couldn’t connect with any of the characters
- The story couldn’t keep my attention, there were a lot of moments where I was tempted to put the book down for an undetermined amount of time
- It often felt like this story could have been told just as well in a lower page count
- The main storyline disappeared into the background a lot in my opinion. At certain times, Célie just didn't seem to care about what happened to her anymore?
Some things I did like in this book:
+ We got to know more about the vampires, who they are, their way of living,...
+ There was some character growth in this book
+ The narrator of the audiobook has a pleasant voice and conveys the story rather well
Nevertheless, if you're looking for a vampire-human slow burn romance with lots of other supernatural creatures and a woman trying to forge her own path, you might want to give this one a try.
The Scarlet Veil brings us back into the world of Cesarine and Belterra, of witches and Chausseurs, of magic and intrigue. This time, we're following Célie, who you may remember from the Serpent and Dove trilogy. She's joined the ranks of Chausseurs and is doing what she can to find her place there; much to her fiancé Jean Luc's dismay. He's doing what he can to treat her like she's made of glass and to keep her from harm's way, but Célie, who, if you recall, killed Morgane Le Blanc isn't as fragile as Jean Luc and the Chausseurs seem to think. After a string of murders ravage the streets of Belterra, Célie learns two things: her friends are working to find the killer without her, and that all is not as it appears. While visiting a loved one in the cemetery, Célie stumbles upon a body and is quickly pulled into the very case her friends excluded her from solving. Abducted, Célie ends up on a mysterious island, Requiem, where she learns that vampires exist...and that they may have sinister plans for her.
I couldn't get enough of this story! Célie definitely steps into her own in ways that I didn't expect--the Célie we know from Serpent and Dove is a bit prissy. She's prim and proper and pretty haughty, which she still is, but she's so much more than that. Célie is surprisingly deep, and I'm so thankful that we've finally gotten her point of view! The vampires you meet along the way are also so complex, and you can't decide from moment to moment if you love them or hate them. In that same vein (ha! see what I did there?!), I should go ahead and warn you, from a romance perspective, this duology is going to be a slooooow burn. If it goes where I hope it goes, that is.
There are also so many parts, especially in the castle on Requiem, that gave me Haunted Mansion vibes--when you read it, if you're a Disney person, you'll know what I'm talking about. It was such a freaking mood!
On a more serious note, this story grappled with anxiety and panic attacks, post traumatic stress disorder, grief, and addiction beautifully. It confronts how so often people are treated as fragile when they're "going through it," but how that anxiety, grief, addiction, etc. isn't the person--it isn't everything that they are, and they don't need to be treated as if they might break just because they have suffered and are coming to terms with life during, and after, that suffering. It humanizes so many emotions that we are often numb to or judgmental of so beautifully.
Then there's the Epilogue. It's just...flawless. Sure, this book leaves you on a pretty massive cliffhanger, but...it's worth it. I already know that the sequel is going to be everything.
I seriously don't know how I'm going to survive until I get more time with Célie, Michal, and the gang.
If you've ever had your heart ripped out by Shelby Mahurin, you may be entitled to compensation...in the form of reading more and putting yourself through it all again willingly. Does that count as compensation?
I couldn't get enough of this story! Célie definitely steps into her own in ways that I didn't expect--the Célie we know from Serpent and Dove is a bit prissy. She's prim and proper and pretty haughty, which she still is, but she's so much more than that. Célie is surprisingly deep, and I'm so thankful that we've finally gotten her point of view! The vampires you meet along the way are also so complex, and you can't decide from moment to moment if you love them or hate them. In that same vein (ha! see what I did there?!), I should go ahead and warn you, from a romance perspective, this duology is going to be a slooooow burn. If it goes where I hope it goes, that is.
There are also so many parts, especially in the castle on Requiem, that gave me Haunted Mansion vibes--when you read it, if you're a Disney person, you'll know what I'm talking about. It was such a freaking mood!
On a more serious note, this story grappled with anxiety and panic attacks, post traumatic stress disorder, grief, and addiction beautifully. It confronts how so often people are treated as fragile when they're "going through it," but how that anxiety, grief, addiction, etc. isn't the person--it isn't everything that they are, and they don't need to be treated as if they might break just because they have suffered and are coming to terms with life during, and after, that suffering. It humanizes so many emotions that we are often numb to or judgmental of so beautifully.
Then there's the Epilogue. It's just...flawless. Sure, this book leaves you on a pretty massive cliffhanger, but...it's worth it. I already know that the sequel is going to be everything.
I seriously don't know how I'm going to survive until I get more time with Célie, Michal, and the gang.
If you've ever had your heart ripped out by Shelby Mahurin, you may be entitled to compensation...in the form of reading more and putting yourself through it all again willingly. Does that count as compensation?
Special thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warning: This book includes on-page alcohol consumption, sexual content: (Visiting and working in a brothel (mildly descriptive), virginity, kissing, and lap-sitting. Lots of descriptions of blood, violence, and death. Deals with the loss of loved ones, trauma, and panic attacks.
I’m not even sure where to start with this review because whenever I think about this book, I immediately get a serotonin boost, and my brain kind of melts, but like… in the best way possible?! How can I love this series as much as the Serpent & Dove series? I was hesitant to pick this up because I knew it would be about Célie and I am a Lou & Ried stan for life. In the original series, I hadn’t found her character all that exciting, but she SERVED in this book. She was relatable and lovable. In fact, all the new characters we met were so much fun and added so much to the story. And Michal is everything we didn’t know we were missing in our lives.
Delving into the actual plot of the story, it is set after the original Serpent & Dove trilogy so readers would find this story more enjoyable and understandable if they read S&D first. The plot moved quickly; I never felt as if I was stuck at any point. I loved the new setting and magic systems that we got to explore and the mystery itself was very entertaining to watch unfold. Did not see the ending coming whatsoever, so be prepared for a WILD ride.
Honestly, the only thing I wanted differently with this book was more. More Célie and Michal, more time in this brand-new world, and more mystery. But we all know I’m just a greedy little book goblin, so don’t judge the book on that account. I would not change a single thing about this book. Shelby Mahurin knows exactly what she’s doing and needs no instruction from me.
My favorite part about The Scarlet Veil (besides the stunning atmosphere) is that we got to see a whole new side of Célie. I find it so important because I was even guilty of judging her for being so normal in the original trilogy. Personally, I do not think there are enough books with normal, sensitive, fearful yet brave heroines. We all know and love Lou and Coco because they would never hesitate to get in anyone’s face just to prove a point; we strive to be like them. And while there is nothing wrong with being like Lou and Coco, the fact is that most of us aren’t like them. We are Célie. We feel stuck because people tend to demonize being sensitive and kind. They turn fear into something that needs to be shamed and then we see these characters that are so much like us, and we hate them. If anything, I hope this book helps young adults see that it is okay to be different, it is okay to be sensitive, and afraid. It does not make us any less. This story is invaluable for young adults today and will be a great addition to any public or private library collection.
Overall, the S&D trilogy will forever be one of my favorites and this book is no different. I will rant and rave about these books and characters until my last breath. Shelby, thank you for creating such an entertaining and inspiring world for us to get found in. It will forever hold my heart.
I would recommend The Scarlet Veil series to anyone who loves the mystical and fantastical, especially hot vampires, and gothic atmosphere and intrigue. My best recommendation is to listen to gothic instrumentals while reading (The vibes will speak for themselves). Recommended reading would be Mahurin’s other series Serpent & Dove (same author), Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco (spicey vibes), Belladonna by Adalyn Grace (gothic mystery), and for a more mature audience King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair (Purely for the vampire aesthetic)
Content Warning: This book includes on-page alcohol consumption, sexual content: (Visiting and working in a brothel (mildly descriptive), virginity, kissing, and lap-sitting. Lots of descriptions of blood, violence, and death. Deals with the loss of loved ones, trauma, and panic attacks.
I’m not even sure where to start with this review because whenever I think about this book, I immediately get a serotonin boost, and my brain kind of melts, but like… in the best way possible?! How can I love this series as much as the Serpent & Dove series? I was hesitant to pick this up because I knew it would be about Célie and I am a Lou & Ried stan for life. In the original series, I hadn’t found her character all that exciting, but she SERVED in this book. She was relatable and lovable. In fact, all the new characters we met were so much fun and added so much to the story. And Michal is everything we didn’t know we were missing in our lives.
Delving into the actual plot of the story, it is set after the original Serpent & Dove trilogy so readers would find this story more enjoyable and understandable if they read S&D first. The plot moved quickly; I never felt as if I was stuck at any point. I loved the new setting and magic systems that we got to explore and the mystery itself was very entertaining to watch unfold. Did not see the ending coming whatsoever, so be prepared for a WILD ride.
Honestly, the only thing I wanted differently with this book was more. More Célie and Michal, more time in this brand-new world, and more mystery. But we all know I’m just a greedy little book goblin, so don’t judge the book on that account. I would not change a single thing about this book. Shelby Mahurin knows exactly what she’s doing and needs no instruction from me.
My favorite part about The Scarlet Veil (besides the stunning atmosphere) is that we got to see a whole new side of Célie. I find it so important because I was even guilty of judging her for being so normal in the original trilogy. Personally, I do not think there are enough books with normal, sensitive, fearful yet brave heroines. We all know and love Lou and Coco because they would never hesitate to get in anyone’s face just to prove a point; we strive to be like them. And while there is nothing wrong with being like Lou and Coco, the fact is that most of us aren’t like them. We are Célie. We feel stuck because people tend to demonize being sensitive and kind. They turn fear into something that needs to be shamed and then we see these characters that are so much like us, and we hate them. If anything, I hope this book helps young adults see that it is okay to be different, it is okay to be sensitive, and afraid. It does not make us any less. This story is invaluable for young adults today and will be a great addition to any public or private library collection.
Overall, the S&D trilogy will forever be one of my favorites and this book is no different. I will rant and rave about these books and characters until my last breath. Shelby, thank you for creating such an entertaining and inspiring world for us to get found in. It will forever hold my heart.
I would recommend The Scarlet Veil series to anyone who loves the mystical and fantastical, especially hot vampires, and gothic atmosphere and intrigue. My best recommendation is to listen to gothic instrumentals while reading (The vibes will speak for themselves). Recommended reading would be Mahurin’s other series Serpent & Dove (same author), Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco (spicey vibes), Belladonna by Adalyn Grace (gothic mystery), and for a more mature audience King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair (Purely for the vampire aesthetic)
Shelby Mahurin did it again !
I love the Serpent and Dove trilogy with all my heart, and being reunited with all these amazing characters felt like coming home 🫶🏻✨
And I’m so happy we got Célie’s story because I knew there was potential there and I was not disappointed !
What to expect ⚔️
🩸Vampire x huntress
🏰 Forced proximity
✨ Magic and lore
🔥 Journey of self discovery
🪦 Mysterious murders
👻 Ghosts, witches, hunters and many magical creatures
🌫️ Spooky season vibe
Célie is clever, intuitive and perceptive, kind and thoughtful, a little sneaky and stubborn when she sets her mind on something. She always leads with her heart 💗
Her strength is a quiet one. So quiet that she struggles to see it herself when everyone around her treats her like a breakable thing. Her patience with those asses at Chasseur Tower, especially Jean Luc, should be sanctified. I just wanted to shove that engagement ring down his throat for him to choke on it 🤬💍 and punch some well-deserving faces 👊🏻🦷💥
But she knows deep down she is not a porcelaine doll who needs to be coddled. She slowly defines who she wants to be and what she will not accept anymore 👏🏻🦋 She will not be overprotected and discarded in a golden cage. She will have a say over her own life.
So as she embarks on a murder investigation, she explores new horizons within herself and into the unknown 🌄
Special shoutout✌🏻
- Lou and Coco are the bestest of friends and it was so good having them back ❤️
- Michal. Just him. I was enthralled at first sight and he is 🔥 him appraising Célie and pushing her to explore who she is was 🫶🏻
- EVERYTHING ELSE !!! The lore, the atmospheric setting, the magic ✨
I love the Serpent and Dove trilogy with all my heart, and being reunited with all these amazing characters felt like coming home 🫶🏻✨
And I’m so happy we got Célie’s story because I knew there was potential there and I was not disappointed !
What to expect ⚔️
🩸Vampire x huntress
🏰 Forced proximity
✨ Magic and lore
🔥 Journey of self discovery
🪦 Mysterious murders
👻 Ghosts, witches, hunters and many magical creatures
🌫️ Spooky season vibe
Célie is clever, intuitive and perceptive, kind and thoughtful, a little sneaky and stubborn when she sets her mind on something. She always leads with her heart 💗
Her strength is a quiet one. So quiet that she struggles to see it herself when everyone around her treats her like a breakable thing. Her patience with those asses at Chasseur Tower, especially Jean Luc, should be sanctified. I just wanted to shove that engagement ring down his throat for him to choke on it 🤬💍 and punch some well-deserving faces 👊🏻🦷💥
But she knows deep down she is not a porcelaine doll who needs to be coddled. She slowly defines who she wants to be and what she will not accept anymore 👏🏻🦋 She will not be overprotected and discarded in a golden cage. She will have a say over her own life.
So as she embarks on a murder investigation, she explores new horizons within herself and into the unknown 🌄
Special shoutout✌🏻
- Lou and Coco are the bestest of friends and it was so good having them back ❤️
- Michal. Just him. I was enthralled at first sight and he is 🔥 him appraising Célie and pushing her to explore who she is was 🫶🏻
- EVERYTHING ELSE !!! The lore, the atmospheric setting, the magic ✨