I am a huge fan of Serpent & Dove so I was SO excited to be approved to read The Scarlet Veil early. Shelby Mahurin really knocked it out or the park with this one! She took a character from Serpent & Dove who wasn’t very likable (Celie) and really changed my perspective on her. By the end of the book I was sympathizing with her and rooting for her.
I loved being able to return to the world of Serpent & Dove. The new characters and addition of vampires built on what was already established in the previous series in a positive way.
This book had everything you could want in a fantasy book. A strong female lead, relationship drama, a compelling vampire love interest, enemies to lovers, and a compelling storyline.
I loved this book! I’m already mad that I have to wait for the next one!

It shouldn't have been possible.

Celie.
Jean-Luc.
Vampires.

Those three things shouldn't have come together and made me swoon. Yet, somehow, Shelby has turned my old hardened heart back into softened mush for VAMPIRES and that is what this review is really about-- how I've made the terrible mistake of giving up on them.

Just kidding-- it's also about how Celie's character ARC was impressively written, and I held onto every thought, moment, mistake, and epiphany of growth without being annoyed at her struggle or internal monologue overly droning on (because it didn't! What a relief).

IF YOU CAME FOR THE VAMPIRES then you will be pleased. IF YOU CAME FOR ANY OTHER REASON, then you will still be pleased because… yes. Yes to everything I don't think I can say without providing too many spoilers and yes to Vasiliev. Like, maybe if I say that three times he will suddenly appear? Could that work?

I'm done because I'm going to reveal something pivotal and someone will be disappointed and so-- if you are someone who enjoys Shelby's writing, you'll love this. I think the voice and tone exceeds the Serpent & Dove series (don't attack me, I still love those!). If you're new to her, and thinking this is where you'd like to start then I support that because it will not disappoint, and in fact, I think it will make you fall in love and, hopefully, support all of her future work as I plan to.


And of course, thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Scarlet Veil in exchange for my honest opinion

I read an eARC of The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin. Thank you, HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley.

I read this after I forgot it’s set in the world of Serpent and Dove. As someone who forgot Serpent and Blood after reading it, and reading this, I’m not sure I missed anything, but it definitely felt like I didn’t have information that I should have going in the book. Certain side characters had weight to them in the text that felt weird to be reading about, and certain things I should have known about Celie, while revealed later, felt more like things I should have “known all along” instead of things revealed for plot-relevant reasons.

But onto the story itself. It’s been six months since Celie joined Chasseurs. She’s not very good, mostly because her fiancé Jean Luc, basically encompasses the “nice guy” trope, and he won’t let her train with the other hunters, and it turns out, hides a string of deaths that she should have known about for her own safety, but instead he didn’t tell her “for her safety”. When she finds a dead body, and then overhears what he’s kept from her, she leaves.

Of course, after her friend gives her a cloak and an apology, she’s left by herself long enough to be conked on the head, find herself on a boat, and captured by a mysterious man who takes her to an island full of magical creatures, including “Eternals”.

I have to say, I think I read this at the wrong time. The story wasn’t bad, I could see a lot of things that other people would definitely enjoy, but for me, everything felt flat. I didn’t enjoy Celie, while working with the mysterious man, didn’t actually learn how to protect herself, and that the love interest needed a nice guy love interest to make this unsufferable gloomy man actually interesting. Though from other reviews, apparently he’s the type most find “hot”. While I’m stuck here hoping she gets with the blood-addicted cousin of the gloomy man because this guy is so insufferable, and I’m done with his type being the “main love interest” in books.

Anyway, this definitely has an audience, but I expect I’ll forget it as quickly as I did “The Serpent and the Dove”.

This was a fun read! I will admit that after loving Serpent and Dove and Gods and Monsters (we don't talk about Blood and Honey), I was slightly disappointed, but it was very minor. I just wish I had connected to the characters more. And really, I think the reason I struggled to connect to them was because the first 60% of the book was so slow. It was good, and I enjoyed reading it, but if you're looking at the development of the plot, there was very little. Especially when you consider the last 10% and the sheer chaos that went down. The chaos was fun though! It does make the wait for Book 2 rather painful... I didn't remember much about Celie from Serpent and Dove, which did serve as a minor problem. This is definitely a spinoff where the first trilogy is essential. Despite that, I can't wait for the second book!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for this earc

Let me start with the fact that you kind of really need to read S&D trilogy before reading this one because you need the backstory

That being said, please see a perfect example of “I tried copying ACOMAF plot but YA”. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not exactly a bad thing but you can also predict 80% of this book. You honestly wanted us all to believe that ACOMAF wasn’t the inspiration? Because Jean Luce sure looked like Tamlin to me. And Dimitri and Odessa sounded a lot of like the Inner Circle members.

As a lover of Vampire romance, you can also predict every scene Michal is in, including Celie watching him feed from a woman, Michal giving Celie his blood and of course turning her in the end. You couldn’t have written basic ABC plot if you tried.

Even the bad guy. I’m not a huge fan when the bad guy being the one character authors brings on without a reason and “saves” for a big reveal.

Even with all that, you can still enjoy this book because she used these plot lines because we all love them, just don’t expect have your mind blown. It’s a fun and easy book you can read between your favs.

My hope is that Shelby will take this book and builds something more out of it. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

First: Michal is hot.
Second: MICHAL IS SO HOT.
Third: I wish I could erase my memory and read this book over again from new CAUSE OMG WHAT. Obviously I will be reading this again and again and again and cannot wait to own a physical copy to READ AGAIN CAUSE DID YOU HEAR MICHAL IS HOT. Ok seriously. I adored The Scarlet Veil. It exceeded all of my expectations and was just so deliciously good. Any spare moment I had I was reading. I needed to know what happened next and I wish I could scream about everything and everyone and all the juicy bits but I’m not going to spoil anything so just trust me when I say you are going to devour this book and beg for seconds. I need book two. Please. Like what? WHAT?? That ending — I am just going to be in pain until I get book two in my hands. I LOVE CELIE SHE IS MY SWEET ANGEL BBY AND SHE DESERVES THE WORLD. There were so many parts in the book that just struck me in the heart, parts where I felt SEEN. I highly recommend this book and i'm just so excited to see readers reactions when they get this book in their hands. VAMPIRES ALL THE WAY!!!

ONE COFFIN...there's a scene with one coffin okay yup it's there and you want to read it

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for allowing me to read an early copy!

3.5 stars. This was a little slow for me and a bit repetitive. I also never like Celie in the previous series and can’t say my opinion is much changed after reading this. That said, the story is excellent and I love the addition of vampires.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. The Scarlett Veil I absolutely devoured. It was a great addition to the Serpent & Dove universe which I loved, and had SUCH amazing characters. They were so well constructed, and I felt like I was actually seeing them grow with their choices. Already dying a little inside waiting for book two, because that ending?? A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

3/5 stars

*thank you net galley for gifting me this book in exchange for an honest review*

This was a great book I would pick up during fall, to snuggle up with and divulge myself in a semi-spooky, haunted, engaging paranormal romance. It reads less a paranormal romance and more as a paranormal/fantasy mystery driven fiction book with a slow burn romance as the subplot.

I would recommend this for someone who has tired out from reading the predictable vampire romance and wants to read something that still has the swoony elements of a vampire love interest but what's something more than just a romance driven plot.

I loved seeing our female main character grow throughout the book as well!

Thank you so much for an advanced copy of The Scarlet Veil! This was one of my most anticipated books of 2023, and it lived up to all the hype.

I would like to think I could be a heroine in a vampire romance novel. You know, the steely, strong woman who resists the vampire's charms until the bitter end. The truth, though? I'm not that girl. I would be the girl who gets her throat torn out by a bloodlust-ridden vampire because I couldn't keep it in my pants for more than three chapters. I know this because I am a total simp for a vampire romance...and The Scarlet Veil is one of my new favorite vamp romances!

First, I went into this book wanting to love Jean Luc. His redemption arc in the Serpent and Dove series gave me hope because there were moments, towards the end of that series, that I actually liked him more than I liked Reid. This book ain't it, though. I was three chapters in probably when I had decided Jean Luc was not the move in this book. If you're like and had thoughts like this, be prepared for your mind to get blown by Michal. Michael, I am convinced, was created to satisfy the itch that needs scratching for ALL the Damon Salvatore girlies out there suffering in his absence. Michael is not just a vampire, he is THE vampire in my book. And, he is perfect for Celie IMO. Pure perfection. There were literally scenes where I was talking to the my Kindle (and Celie) because I do not know how she wasn't jumping his bones on every page.

Second, I loved Celie's character arc in this story. She feels undervalued and underrepresented (and honestly, what woman doesn't feel that way?), and worse, the people who are her best friends in the world consistently slight her. Jean Luc especially treats her like she's a fragile piece of glass, undermines her, and in some cases (IMO), belittles her. Her thirst to prove herself is almost tangible throughout the story, and at almost every turn, Michal is there supporting her. He believes in her, even if this belief isn't the warm/fuzzy kind. And, when things go to hell, as we know they will, he's literally the only one looking at her (IYKYK).

Third, this book introduces a new cast of characters as well as giving us a bit more of the Serpent and Dove gang. I liked that we saw Coco/Beau and Lou/Reid happy in this story while also creating a book that stands alone from that series (and those characters). Michal and Celie are front and center for most of the this story, and their chemistry is dynamite from the beginning. I also loved Odessa and Dimitri, flaws and all. And Requiem? I can see the island in my head clear as day (okay, a cloudy day because it's a vampire island, but you get the gist).

I have been waxing poetic about Brigid Kemmerer's Defy the Night for about a year now, and everyone who knows me will be glad to learn I have a new fantasy book to champion now - The Scarlet Veil! Shelby Mahurin has outdone herself with this book.

Rating: 5⭐️ (I wish I could give it six to be honest)

"The Scarlet Veil" by Shelby Mahurin is an epic fantasy , taking us on an exhilarating roller-coaster ride through a magical world filled with love, action, and unexpected twists. Mahurin's storytelling skills are on point, weaving together a spellbinding narrative that keeps us hooked until the very last page.

The characters in "The Scarlet Veil" continue to grow and surprise us, making us feel like we're part of their journey. Their decisions and sacrifices tug at our heartstrings, making this book an emotional rollercoaster.

With its immersive world-building and thrilling plot, "The Scarlet Veil" is a must-read for any fantasy-loving high school student. It's a fitting finale to a series we've all come to adore, leaving us both satisfied and eagerly awaiting future adventures in this magical universe.

eARC provided by NetGalley for honest review.

Disclaimer: As someone who did not finish the Serpent & Dove trilogy, there were some references and deeper meanings to certain scenes that did not have the same impact if I had finished the series.

3.75 stars

THAT being said, this story was a DELIGHT to read. Celie does not come across as some badass "i'm not like other girls" MC, she is very much full of self-doubt and walks amongst some of the most powerful people in Belterra and still feels herself small in comparison. It was fun watching her slowly emerge from the shadows of her friends and start feeling her BIG feelings and take a more headstrong approach to life. The only downside of this book is the very much "insta-love" between, what I'm expected to believe (but don't), the main love interests. I honestly could've done just fine without the whole "furtive glances" and "electric grazes" and I would've loved it if Celie reached some conclusions about her own life and future without the influence of "a man" but that's the YA aspect of the story rearing it's damned head.

I quite enjoy Shelby's writing and for that reason, when this book is released and its sequel thereafter, I will be reading them!

If you are looking for a wild ride that will make you beyond frustrated, and leave you out of breath, this is the book for you. Once I began reading I couldn't put it down. A sexy, dangerous vampire, a kidnapping, murder and intrigue? Yes please. This story has twists you never see coming, and I will admit, some are not what you want, but they are what you need. The only thing it left me wanting was more.

I’m Thankful that I received this Arc!

It’s started out with the vibe and world of Serpent & Dove! It was like being home. Though this is Cèlie’s story, and it transforms into Gothic Mystery. She is discovering her self-worth, what does she want to do with her life, and which relationships are worth keeping.

With the mysterious discoveries that are plaguing Cesarine, it leads Cèlie into a different world. Let me just say, the transition was prefect; Vampires, ghost, and dark castle. I really liked the new characters introduced along with the new setting. It really made it into it’s own story.

“I have walked amongst monsters, danced with ghosts, and come to know them as so much more. That is the true reality of the world. Of my world.”

Admittedly, it took me a little bit to get into The Scarlet Veil but once I was hooked, I was hooked. Célie was the type of FMC we need more of! She was equal parts badass and fragile. Michal was giving vampire-Rhysand and I was here for it. The cliffhanger at the end will have you VERY ANXIOUS for book 2! This is going to be a super slow burn romance and the perfect fall read!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you #NetGalley and #HarperCollins Children's Books for allowing me to read The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin.

First, I want to say that this book I was hesitant about because I did not like Serpent and Dove and in fact did not finish the book. I believe that in The Scarlet Veil, you do not need to read the others to understand because I got enough context and background information about what was going on and about the characters to understand. I feel like people who have read her work before would like this as well as people who are new readers of her work would enjoy this book.

Basic Overview of the book:

Célie Tremblay is on a mission to prove that she is a capable woman not only for herself but also for others. She is trying to solve the case of several murders taking place in Belterra. People are being found with their blood drained from their bodies and only two marks on their necks. Célie is determined to prove herself as a capable huntswoman amongst the Chasseurs. Everyone including her fiance Jean-Luc sees her as a fragile doll that can break any minute, but she knows she is much more capable than what they believe. She also knows that what has been happening is very strange and doesn't make any sense. To find out if Célie figures out who is killing all these people you need to read The Scarlet Veil today!

Spoilers Ahead!

The plotline of the story is a slow burner at first if I am going, to be honest at the beginning I was annoyed with Celie, I thought she was pathetic. Then, I put the book down for a couple of weeks and came back. After getting over the part where Celie believes she cannot do anything and she must be obedient to Jean-Luc that is when the plot changes.

Character Development:
First, I was worried typically fantasy books show a very strong heroine which is great, but I felt the Célie was a much more accurate representation of it. She doubts herself, she also goes through the emotions of understanding what is happening and what her role is.

Michal- At first, I did not know what to make of him, but I knew in the first chapter he appeared that Célie and he were going to fall in love with each other. I mean a dark hot vampire, who doesn't age and he is also mysterious and kidnaps Célie It was only going to be a matter of time.

The Romance:
Célie views of love are very limited, she believes that Jean-Luc and her are meant to be, but there is something wrong. Célie finds that Jean-Luc does not confide in her as much as she hopes and this really bothers her. He is also lying to her, which this information is what gets her kidnapped anyways because she is mistaken to be Coco.
Then, her relationship with Michal is I would say would be a typical Enemies to lovers trope. Célie wants nothing to do with Michal and cannot stand the sight of him and refuses to help him. Slowly, as the book goes on she begins to trust Michal, especially after meeting his sister. She starts to see him as someone who she might care about. In the end, their feelings start to get intense, but nothing really juicy happens because of the ending!

The Veil and Other Elements:

Besides vampires, I really thought the element of ghosts and that Célie has special powers because she is a Bride and can open and close the Veil is cool. Having this power, helps her to gain information to not only help solve the crime, but also Michal.
The ending:
Okay, my question is she alive? What is going to happen? Is the Epligoue of her or her sister I am not sure and the stitching is throwing me off, My last question is when is book two coming out?

I am not ashamed to say I was one of the millions of young girls obsessed with Twilight growing up. I read the books countless times, watched all the movies in theaters, and covered my walls with posters. For a while, the media was oversaturated with new takes on the classic vampire, from books to movies and TV shows. And then, as if staked through the heart, the trend shriveled and turned to ash.

Within recent years, however, with the so-called “Twilight Renaissance,” there has been a resurgence in vampire media. While maybe not as strong as it once was, the vampire trend is back from the dead, and Shelby Mahurin’s new book The Scarlet Veil is out for blood.

The Scarlet Veil is a spin-off of Mahurin’s popular Serpent & Dove Trilogy. The story follows main character Célie six months after joining a group of huntsmen known as the Chasseurs. After repeatedly being made to feel useless, Célie uncovers a murderous plot and must join forces with the vampire Michal to try to stop it.

I have not read the original Serpent & Dove books (though I hope to pick them up, having finished The Scarlet Veil), but I was too excited about the chance to read a new YA vampire book to pass up the opportunity. My lack of knowledge of Mahurin’s universe did cause some confusion in the early pages (there are several references to the characters and events from the original series, as well as some worldbuilding that isn’t thoroughly explained in this new book), but once the plot thickened, I was hooked.

I enjoyed Célie as a main character. In recent years, it seems YA heroines have to be badass 100% of the time. There’s no room for softness. That’s not the case for Célie. Her peers do not see her as strong, and her wanting to prove herself is an important recurring motive throughout the book. She feels overlooked and underappreciated, and I immediately empathized with her frustration. She may not be physically strong, but her determination carries her forward on her journey in this new, dark world.

The one person who just may see her for who she truly is is Michal, the (spoiler alert) love interest. I’m a sucker for a good slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance, and I absolutely ate this up. Célie didn’t know vampires existed until she met Michal, until she found a dead body drained of blood and was enlisted by Michal and his vampire relatives to find the murderer. Michal appears to be a pretty typical brooding YA hero: he’s cold and mean and he hates Célie… or so she thinks. The tension between the two builds slowly, and by the end I was desperate for them to be together.

I felt that the side characters were pretty well-developed, too. We learn their secrets and backstories alongside Célie as we wonder who is to be trusted. I did feel like I was missing out on the original Serpent & Dove characters; it’s assumed in this book that readers already know who they are, and I did not. However, I’m interested to see how everyone’s stories continue to align as this series moves forward.

I think what I enjoyed most about this book, though, is that the vampires are vampires. A lot of stories try to put new twists on the classic creature (like sparkling or being able to walk in the sun), but Mahurin keeps things pretty standard here, in the best way. The vampires are not ashamed of drinking human blood, they blister and burn in the sun, and they hide in coffins. It was all things I’ve seen before, and I loved it. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Overall, The Scarlet Veil is an engaging, Gothic read reminiscent of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. I eagerly await the rest of this series and hope to catch up on Serpent & Dove in the meantime.

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.

Loved The Scarlet Veil! Mixing the character of Celie with vampires was a genius stroke! She is a such a great character and this book gives her so much depth and redemption. Really nice to visit with older characters from the Serpent and Dove series too. I was crying laughing during a particular scene at the end. Shelby Mahurin is wickedly funny and talented in equal measure.

Are Vampires back? If this book is giving us any hints I think that is a resounding yes!! Where to start? First, I think I liked this even more than Serpent and Dove. Celie really finds herself in this and I adored how she grows from having almost lost herself and becoming a submissive person because of being in a relationship to feeling strong, confident and well... sexy.