The Scarlet Veil

I would first like to say, thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of Shebly Mahurin's book The Scarlet Veil in exchange for a review.

I did not read Shelby Mahurin's other book series Serpent and Dove. So, I went into this book blind and I do not regret that decision. The Scarlet Veil took me a total of 20 hours to completely read because I was that engulfed in the story and characters.

Scarlet Veil follows Celie Trembly, who is engaged to Jean-Luc the Captian of the Chasseurs (Hunters). We start with the background of Celie and why she wanted to be the first woman Chasseur. However, we also learn that Jean-Luc treats her differently from the rest of the Chasseurs. He treats Celie as a fragile doll that needs to be protected and safeguarded at all times. This behavior does not feel right with Celie. Celie also learns that Jean-Luc has been keeping something from her. It is not until her friend is murdered that everything for Celie starts to change. From Michal kidnapping her and taking her to a hidden island, to trying to solve murder investigations that might be connected. This is where the story truly starts for our characters.

I do not want to give away more of the story but I truly enjoyed this book. However, there are some aspects that I did not like. For most of Part 1 of the book, the dialogue was “cheesy” almost too cheesy. I do believe that this was a part of the premise of the book to show how (almost) everyone treats Celie. It was not until the final act that Celie finally has this moment of “I am worthy, I am more than a doll”. I do wish it was sooner. In my opinion, Celie's “crybaby/victim” mentality was the biggest pitfall of this book. I truly wanted her to have great character development before the book ended. It is okay though.

When it came to Celie and Michal. I wanted more. Like... A whole lot more. This makes me excited for Book 2. As for the cliffhanger. It was predictable but it will still leave one wanting more from Scarlet Veil. If all of Shelby's books are written like this then Shelby will become my favorite author of all time.


Alright with all that being said here are some twigger warnings/content warnings because “It is better to prevent than to heal” (Shelby Mahurin).

Violence
kidnapping
Slight Depictions of blood/gore
Strong language (I know some find issues with books containing cussing but I would like to let you all know there was a total of 4 times).
Death

I must confess that I'm fashionably late to this party, as it turns out “The Scarlet Veil” is a spin-off from another series by this author. Now, I'm left wondering where I've been hiding all this time. In my defense, it's been a while since I've come across a good vampire book. However, let me regale you with the tale of this unexpected 5-star gem that I didn't even know I was searching for.

First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Netgalley and HarperTeen for providing me with the opportunity to dive into this E-Arc. I'll admit, I approached “The Scarlet Veil” with minimal expectations, particularly because I tend to be quite the book snob when it comes to vampire stories. You see, the only ones that have genuinely captivated me in the past have been the Anita Blake series, up until now. But oh, my goodness, this book was an extraordinary revelation—everything I never knew I needed.

Shelby's writing flows effortlessly, as if I were spending time with a close friend. I adore her style, and this book, in particular, showcases her storytelling prowess beautifully. Right from the outset, I found it utterly impossible to tear myself away.

Enter Célie, a character archetype that often lurks in the shadows of YA literature. We're accustomed to protagonists like Lou or Coco (both of whom I adore), but characters like Célie usually play supporting roles. This book's message, I believe, lies in the fact that characters like Célie can indeed take center stage. Even though they lack physical strength, earth-shaking powers, or reckless bravery, they can achieve remarkable feats.

Célie is a gentle soul navigating the world, striving to make a difference. Yes, she sheds tears frequently, finds herself in avoidable predicaments, and occasionally requires rescue. Yet, Célie embarks on an internal journey throughout the narrative that is nothing short of mesmerizing, and I cherished every step of her transformation.

Now, let's talk about Michal. I'll admit, I was initially suspicious of him, but around the 60% mark, I found myself warming up to his character more and more. His relationship with Célie resonates with the timeless “Beauty and the Beast” motif, and witnessing its evolution was truly enchanting. As a devoted fan of all things “Beauty & the Beast,” I couldn't have been more delighted.

I regret not being able to read this before its publication day, but let me assure you that I devoured this book in a single day, in one epic reading marathon, and I would gladly do it all over again. Furthermore, I am now eager to delve into the trilogy that gave birth to this captivating world. I adored “The Scarlet Veil” wholeheartedly, and I implore you to follow the link below and embark on this enchanting journey.