Reviews - The Scarlet Veil

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1.16k reviews for:

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)

alaina_fireheart's review against another edition

5.0

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 ✨

cozy_bones's review against another edition

5.0

4.5 stars

I went into this one pretty blind since I loved Serpent & Dove, I just knew it was about Célie. I wasn't completely sold on a book about her, but once I got a few chapters in I was shocked how relatable she was as a main character! Lou was fantastic in a brave and funny sort of way, but I never felt my face burning with shared embarrassment or rage at being underestimated for being soft.

The first half of this one was admittedly a little slower, but I was THRILLED that this slow burn really is a slow burn. No instant attraction, and it was so refreshing to see them slowly changing their minds as they worked on solving this murder mystery. That isn't to say there isn't a little heat either, parts of this story are deliciously teasing and I loved Michal as a love interest. He's mysterious, powerful, lonely, and has one of those wicked grins that keeps cropping up every time Célie unintentionally amuses him.

The second half really picked up pace and I got much more invested in the romance and the who-dun-it, which all came together so delightfully shockingly at the end. I loved the build up to this ominous All Hallows' Eve ball and I really need some fan art of the crew in their costumes!! I can't say the end was totally unexpected but I was glued to the pages regardless, and that epilogue?! I need book two!!

averibcole's review against another edition

5.0

4.5 stars rounded up!

As many of you know, the Serpent & Dove series is one of my favorite YA/NA fantasies (and has the loml Reid Diggory in it), and I was so excited when Mahurin announced this spin-off series.

If you like Phantom of the Opera but wanted Christine to get with the Phantom instead Raul, this is the book for you! I love a good vampire romance, and this was an absolute slay in that department. I loved the tension and chemistry between Celie and Michal. The vampire hierarchy and world was so atmospheric. My only complaint is I felt like this could’ve been shorter or at least more concise.

Thank you so much for an advanced copy, and I’ll be waiting with bated breath for the sequel!

rainelle_barrett's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous challenging dark tense slow-paced

The book was somewhat entertaining for me. The plot is clear and precise to the leading characters objective. The background story of the FMC, celie is remarkably detailed. I love reading about the different characters and how they contribute to the story. The action sequences are a added plus to how well the book reads. The twists in the book is surprising to the story. I will say that the book feels like it has a very slow pace to it. I would like the action or entertaining sequences to last more than one or two pages. I think that it’s great to Celie out on her own to help her kingdom out, but I felt that she could have a small team of defenders to travel and fight alongside her.