<b>”I am not a doll. I am a Bride of Death, and I will use every weapon in my arsenal against him. Every secret.”</b>

Célie and Michal. She’s a huntswoman and he’s a vampire! Set in the Serpent & Dove world, TSV is eerie! Dark and haunting! The perfect autumn, paranormal book!

🕯️ what’s on your fall tbr?

✨ THINGS AND STUFF ✨
-vampire hunters & vampires
-help, I’ve been abducted!
-hundred castle
-a ball on all hallows eve
-enemies to lovers
-oh no, I fell in love with my captor!
-d’artagnan the magnificent talking cat
-she’s a softie
-Witches and werewolves and mermaids, all inhabiting the same isle
-a mystery!
-#IsThisAKissingBook: “I have to kiss you,” I whisper. Again, he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear with startling affection. “I know.”

Song: like a vampire by catrien

This is SIGNIFICANTLY better than the S&D trilogy! The only downside is you really do have struggle through that trilogy first to truly appreciate this story. I honestly debated putting this down when I realized how heavily it was going to be tied into the Serpent & Dove world but I'm really glad I didn't and now I'm desperate for the next book because that cliffhanger was cruel. I loved all of the new characters in this book while still getting a dose of the old characters, and the plot already feels like it has so much going for it. Definitely, cannot wait to pick up the next book.

Also, bonus points for this being an absolutely perfect fall/Halloween read!

I was so so so happy to be back in the world of Serpent and Dove. I love Lou and Reid. I love the world and the different types of magic. Thats series has a special place in my heart.

[POSSIBLE SPOILERS}

So The Scarlet Veil picks up after the end of the third book in the Serpent and Dove trilogy. Celie has joined the Chaussers and wants to prove herself after helping defeat Morgane. She is trying to find her place in the world and where she fits. When she comes across a dead body, everything changes.

Honestly, I have very mixed feelings about this book. I love the world. I loved seeing my old favorite characters. I loved the introduction to vampires. I felt like the story was fun and I loved the murder mystery aspect.

What I really struggled with was Celie as a character. At times she seemed very timid and then within the same scene she would be mouthing off and then go back to being timid. I just couldn't wrap my head around who she was.

Overall, this wasn't my favorite but I do think if you liked the Serpent and Dove series you should definitely read this!

I admit, I was a little apprehensive about The Scarlet Veil only because Celie was not my favorite character from the Serpent and Dove trilogy. But Shelby Mahurin changed my mind and this book is amazing!!

The Scarlet Veil begins not too long after the end of Gods and Monsters. Celie has joined the Chasseurs and is engaged to Jean Luc but she's having some trouble convincing the rest of the brotherhood that she belongs. Jean Luc isn't super into the idea either and he gives Celie lots of special treatment but never really lets her get involved. That all changes when she discovers a familiar body in the cemetery, drained of all blood. This isn't the first body recently to be found like this and all of Celie's friends, Lou, Reid, Coco and Beau, are working together to find out what's going on. Before Celie can be of more help, she's abducted by creatures she was always told were a myth.

I looooved this book!! The only problem I had with it is the fact that I'll have to wait so long until the next one! I had started to kind of like Celie in Gods and Monsters but her character arc and development in this book is phenomenal and she comes into her own by the end. The new cast of characters are well developed and I cannot wait to see more of them in the next book! Mahurin writes believable and relatable characters and the banter is always the best!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins publisher for sending this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'll definitely be ordering this for our library!

Deliciously dark yet beautiful, a book that will make your paranormal dreams come true... Even the ones you don't want to admit to having.

When I say I love a gothic story that has a paranormal twist I mean I love it, it makes my heart sing and makes me forget the troubles of the real world.

The Scarlet Veil is one of the best examples of this genre that I've read in a very long time.

Celie has spent the past six months trying to prove herself, to the Chasseurs, to Jean Luc, to everyone, and just when she thinks she has she realizes she has no idea what's going on in the world around her.

If you loved the world of Serpent and Dove, or love vampires, or just love stories that let you explore your dark side this book is phenomenal and is worth every second you'll spend reading it.

Thank you to Harper Collins Children's Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy, I have voluntarily read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Only a really great writer can make you care for a character you never cared for before and Shelby Mahurin did exactly that! This book couldn’t have come out at a better time as we’re heading towards October. Writing was impeccable and I love really loved Celie’s character. I like reading about fantasy characters who are also relatable given the genre. I had such a fun time reading this book and the plot had different elements that worked really well together.

This book blew me away! I wasn't a big fan of Célie before, but this book made me fall in love with her character. This book had murder mysteries, gothic castles, and a tantalizingly slow-burning romance between Célie and Michal. Their chemistry was off the charts! Plus, we get to see the old gang early on, which was a pleasant surprise. Célie is a different fantasy heroine: soft, kind, and relying on her wits. Her struggles and character growth are so relatable. The plot is a fantastic mix of mystery, romance, and betrayal, with a haunting atmosphere that keeps you hooked. I can't wait for the sequel! Overall, this book is a gripping, atmospheric read that left me begging for more.

I’ll admit, in the S&D series, Célie was kind of a throwaway character. She was the girl who loved Reid, and who Reid loved, before Lou stumbled into his life. She was the girl who tagged along in their adventures and inexplicably fell for Jean Luc.

But damn, Célie Tremblay is SO MUCH MORE. The trauma she suffered at the hands of Morgane la Blanc—and her PTSD—is tangible on these pages. She’s multi-faceted, with seemingly no regard for her own life if it means her loved ones are safe and healthy. And when she’s thrust into a terrifying new environment, she doesn’t cower and hide. She finds ways to survive over and over again.

And while I love the glimpses of our favorite characters from S&D, this new cast is chef’s kiss. I would sell my soul to Michal Vasiliev in a heartbeat, just saying. The scene in Les Abysses and then in the attic afterward? 🥵 arguably the hottest things Shelby has ever written.

The last 15% or so of this was one of the most wild rides I've been on in a minute, and there were many times when I simply wanted to get off. But...I endured. And...wow. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to wait another year for book two with that ending. My mind is still reeling.

All that to say, I absolutely loved this story. Dark and gothic, full of an incredible cast of characters and Mahurin's signature stunning prose. I thought it lagged just a touch in the middle, but it didn't affect the story overall. That could be just a me thing.

WARNING SPOILERS

I love vampires (buffy and vampire diaries you will always be famous) so I was very excited to read The Scarlet Veil! I had only read the first book (Serpent and Dove) in the series that The Scarlet Veil was a spin off for and I was a little nervous to read this because I did not like the first book in that series sadly. But once again I do love vampires so I decided to give this a try and I did end up enjoying it a bit more then the other books!

It wasn't anything crazy or new for a vampire book but I did still found it to be enjoyable and yet a little underwhelming at the same. The first half is enjoyable but kind of drags on to long and then the rest of the book, even when the crazy twists started happening, was still pretty underwhelming plot wise. It was just very predictable and not anything I haven't read before. Like usually when I read a book that is similar to other books I have read I still loved them, but this book just didn't leave me feeling blown away or like satisfied like I feel like more could have been done with the plot and the ending, like it's just so similar to other vampire stories that I didn't really feel anything for the story.

I think the best part was the characters. I didn't really like any of the characters from the series before this except maybe Coco and sometimes Lou, but I loved the new vampire characters and the ghosts! My favorites were Odessa, Dimitri, Mila, and our main character Célie. They were super interesting and I liked their backstories. I didn't really like the romance though. The romance between Célie and Michal was just ok, like it wasn't anything special and I didn't feel any strong feelings for them as a couple. Like once again I've seen romances like Célie and Michal's before and those were better and made me root for the couple instead of leaving me with no strong feelings for them whatsoever. Hopefully I'll start liking their relationship in the sequel once it develops more because even though this was a vampire romance book there wasn't really a romance.

Célie was a great main character. I liked having a soft heroine who is allowed to be a sad girl and who also loves the color petal pink (which is one of my favorite colors too, Célie!!!) I liked how even though she wasn't physically strong she was strong in her one way and was resilient when facing danger. She wasn't afraid to get emotional and I also really liked the way her trauma and PTSD was explored was a integral part for her development as a character. That part of this story was written really well.

I also liked the atmosphere of the island (the fabric store scenes were very fun. I love a pretty dresses and also a talking cat.) And also the GHOSTS. I love ghosts I want more ghosts GIVE ME GHOSTS!!

Dark and seductive, The Scarlet Veil will bewitch you from the first page. Set on a haunting, gothic island inhabited by beautiful, deadly vampires, The Scarlet Veil is full of twists and turns that will keep you muttering, “just one more chapter” long into the night.

At the beginning of the book, we find Célie moving forward from the events in Gods & Monsters as a hunstwoman. However, when supernatural beings start to turn up dead, Célie finds herself immersed in the investigation far more than she intended. She also finds herself surrounded by a whole new group of mysterious, powerful beings. *Cough* they are vampires *cough*.

Without a doubt, this is Shelby Mahurin’s best book thus far in her writing career–and I’m not just saying that because I adore vampires. The Scarlet Veil was everything I wanted and needed it to be. Célie is an amazing main character. Her empathy is her super power. Célie always finds the good in a person and tries to do the right thing. Honestly, if I was thrown into a fantasy book, I would be a lot like Célie. She knows her strengths and weaknesses, yet she never backs down from a challenge or an intimidating opponent. She always tries her best, which only endears her to the reader. In addition to an amazing female lead, Mahurin’s atmospheric writing sets the scene perfectly. This book has all the vibes you would associate with vampires, which is why it is the perfect autumn read! The Scarlet Veil is an addicting combination of alluring vampires, ghosts, mystery, and a slow-burn romance. Did I mention that this book has the one coffin trope? Yeah. Need I say more?

I loved this! If you enjoyed the Serpent & Dove series, you'll most likely like this one too. While this is a spinoff, it does help to read the first trilogy. There are spoilers for those books below. The Scarlet Veil is told by Celie. She's engaged to Jean Luc and has become close friends with Lou, Reid, Coco, and Beau. Celie is the only woman Chasseur, but she's treated differently by Jean Luc who runs things. She is treated like a fragile doll. She does still have nightmares about her sister Pip, but she's also super smart. She overhears everyone talking about bodies that have been found. They have kept it from Celie and she gets pissed. She takes off to investigate more and is taken. What Celie discovers is a world of vampires. She starts to learn things about herself and gain some self esteem. These vampires are monsters, but they also seem to see Celie more than Jean Luc does. Michal is the king and she's staying with him. His cousins Odessa and Dimitri are also there. Even though she tries to hate them, Celie starts to enjoy her time with all three. She finds out that she's in danger, but it's not from the vampires. The killer wants her and will stop at nothing to get Celie's blood. I loved the new characters in this. The ending was a cliffhanger and I can't wait for the next book. This is a long one (over 600 pages), but the pacing was good after the slower first 1/4 or so. Even then, it wasn't a very slow paced book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Shelby Mahurin for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Scarlet Veil coming out September 5, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Célie Tremblay has always been a good girl: kind and beautiful, a daughter of whom every parent would be proud. She surprises the entire kingdom when she defies tradition to become the first huntswoman—including her new captain and fiancé, Jean Luc, who rules the huntsmen with an iron fist. He isn’t the only one concerned for Célie’s safety, however. Though her friends try to protect her from the horrors of her past, mysterious whispers still haunt her, and a new evil is rising in Belterra—leaving bodies in its wake, each one drained of blood.

Determined to prove herself in her new role, Célie tracks the killer to the lair of Les Éternels—ancient creatures only spoken about in nursery rhymes—and catches the attention of their king, a monster who hides his plans for her behind beautiful words and sharp smiles. Now Célie has new reason to fear the dark because the closer he gets, the more tempted she feels to give in to his dark hunger—and her own.

I was actually thinking this was a new series. It’s more of a spin-off series from Serpent and Dove. I was hoping for something new. It kind of felt like more of the same from Serpent and Dove. I did really like Reid and Lou as characters, but I wasn’t keen on seeing more of them. I usually love vampire stories so I really wanted to love this. I never really got into the characters. Celie could be a little annoying. I also thought it felt long in places. I think I was just hoping for something new.

4.5 ⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperTeen for the E-Arc!

I loved this book.

I must confess that I didn't expect anything from The Scarlet Veil. I loved the Serpent and Dove trilogy with all my heart but I was ready to move on when Shelby announced that her next book would be The Scarlet Veil, starring Célie and featuring vampires. I honestly wasn't very excited. I knew I was going to read it because I adore Shelby and I think Célie is an incredible character.

But oh. my. god. This book was everything. Everything I didn't know you needed.

Shelby's pen felt very familiar to me, I love the way she writes and this book is impeccable. From the beginning it was impossible for me to put it down.

Célie is a type of character that we often forget. We're used to finding female characters like Lou or Coco (I love them both) in YA books and we tend to find characters like Célie as side characters. I think that one of the messages of this book is that characters like Célie can be the main characters. Even though they aren't physically strong, don't have powers of great magnitude, or aren't incredibly (and stupidly) brave, they can accomplish amazing things.

Célie is a soft girl who is just trying to find her place in the world and help others. Yes, she cries a lot, and yes, she gets into certain problems that could be avoided and sometimes she needs to be saved from that situation. But Célie has to work out a lot of internal things throughout this book and it was amazing to be able to be there to accompany her all along that path. I loved her before this book, but I love her even more after this one.

And I loved all the new characters. I was very suspicious of Michal but after 60% of the book I started to like him more and more. His relationship with Célie is very the beauty and the beast coded. It was beautiful to see how it developed.

And yes, this is a Serpent and dove spin off so we can meet again with several characters from the original trilogy. If you ask me, yes, you need to read Serpent and dove before The scarlet veil duology. This book spoils a lot of things that happen in the Serpent and dove trilogy and you will probably have a hard time understanding the world if you go without any prior knowledge. But in the end is up to you.

I loved this book. So, please go pre-order it.

Dark and bewitching, The Scarlet Veil lured me in with its haunting, gothic atmosphere, heart-pounding twists, and deadly, alluring vampires.

After the events of Gods & Monsters, Célie finds herself moving on and focusing on her new position as a huntswoman. But when strange disappearances start occurring, ending in the horrific deaths of magical beings, she is desperate to find the person behind these crimes. Battling the whispers of her past and the conflicting emotions in her present, Célie happens upon an enigmatic newcomer, but is he friend or foe? Can she trust her instincts to find the culprit, or will her heart betray her?

The eerie, gothic vibes of this novel were so spot on! I felt truly immersed in the ghostly cities, looming with mystery and intrigue at every turn. I loved seeing Mahurin expand her magical world of Serpent & Dove and how she added more depth and characterization to Célie and her story. The impact of her pain and trauma were very present throughout her journey, and it was so inspiring seeing her take those aspects of her past and face them head-on, blossoming into a fierce force full of compassion and strength.

One of my ABSOLUTE weaknesses is when potential love interests team up to uncover a mystery! I adored the intense tension in their growing relationship, from adversaries to allies to something more. That aspect, plus the addition of the found family established in the previous series and this new book, just MELTED my heart. I loved seeing some familiar faces and the introduction of some new ones—who, similar to Célie, I was helpless and fell completely for.

If you love stories with a supernatural/paranormal element, vampires, a touch of mystery, a simmering romance, and will keep you on your toes, definitely add this to your lists!

4.25/5

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Célie Tremblay has been through a lot. But that didn’t stop her from joining the ranks of the Chausseurs as the first ever huntswoman. It’s not easy though - the men look down on her and her captain (and fiancé) Jean Luc can’t help but want to protect her. When bodies start turning up drained of all their blood, Célie is determined to help find the killer. She finds herself among creatures she didn’t know existed and the center of a plot she couldn’t have anticipated, all while she is still being haunted by the whispers of her past.

The Serpent & Dove series holds a very special place in my heart and it was so incredibly fun to dive back into that world again with this book. Célie was a major player in the original trilogy, but she was also primarily a side character that we didn’t get to see develop as fully (which is not to say she didn’t go through a journey). It was so entrancing to have her take center stage and blossom as the main character.

This story introduces us to vampires and ghosts, both playing an integral part of the story. Though Shelby incorporated a lot of vampire lore that has floated around for ages, her vampires still felt like a fresh take on an old favorite, introducing us to things like bloodlust as a disease. And while I’m not sure if it was intended, parts of Célie’s interactions with the ghosts made me chuckle a bit and lightened the mood in an otherwise dark book.

And when I say "dark," I don't just mean because Célie spends a lot her time in it (I mean, you know, vampires and all). There are a lot of darker themes that are tackled in this story and it is done so beautifully. The way in which Shelby portrays anxiety and panic attacks, PTSD, grief, and addiction digs its way deep into your heart so that you feel like you have a better understanding of what it feels like even if you have never suffered through it yourself. She also tackles the perception that people who are suffering are somehow fragile, that they need extra protection - and why they don't.

And because of all of that, though Célie is a familiar character, she almost feels brand new in a way. She still has a bit of an air to her, but seeing her in new environments, new situations, and with a new outlook on life was refreshing. While she still has a bit of the Célie we know from the original trilogy, she also sharpens her edges as the story progresses. The Célie that we see at the start of the book is definitely different than the Célie that we see at the end the book, changed by her experiences but also by the reminders from her friends that she has always been a force to be reckoned with.

Speaking of her friends, fans of the Serpent & Dove series will be happy to see some other familiar faces in this story! While I sobbed at every mention of [REDACTED], it was lovely to revisit with these characters that feel like old friends and see where they are now. And not only do we get to revisit with old characters, but we get to meet new characters who are nuanced and interesting, each appearing to be one way and showing a different side to themselves as the story moves on. They all managed to worm their way into my heart, though they don't always make it easy!

And that ending! I knew it had to be coming, but I just couldn’t picture how it would come together. Yet again, Shelby Mahurin leaves my heart racing with a cliffhanger that I’ll be thinking about for days, weeks, months to come. Brava.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
Upper YA • Fantasy Romance

🩸Enemies to Lovers
🩸Slow Burn
🩸He k!dn@ps her
🩸Vampires
🩸Unliving mystery
🩸Strengths comes in many ways
🩸Undercover mission
🩸All the cameos

Celie Tremblay is a gift from the heavens that must be cherished for all eternity. Yes, I know I said she was the worst. No, I wasn’t wrong. I was just not ready for this Celie and neither was she.

I love her. I would 🩸 for her. I want to grow up and be her. I want to give her all the stars in the sky. Because… because never have I ever encountered a FMC in fantasy like her. No, she wasn’t physically strong. No, she didn’t magically learn how to fight. No. Her strengths will always be those of the mind and those of the heart.

“I am Celie Tremblay, Bride of Death, and my strength has always and will always be in my loved ones. My friends.”

And if we are going to hold me to things I’ve said in the past then…. I vividly remember saying Jean Luc is a worst Chaol with no Tower of Dawn. I stand by it.

Now. You give me the witches (Serpent & Dove) AND the vampires (The Scarlet Veil)?! And you expect me to be calm and collected?! Yeah, didn’t happen. I lost it so many times… it’s honestly embarrassing 🙈

“Don’t cry, moje sunce. Never cry.”

But this book was just different. Special. The mystery and the darkness, the slow burn and the character growth. It was just sublime.

“You may feel like a different person now, but that doesn’t mean you were ever less. It doesn’t mean you were ever weak.”

Yes, that ending had me screaming YES! Only to be followed by 🤬 as soon as I turned to the epilogue 🫠

This was SO GOOD!!! I really loved Serpent and Dove and was so so excited to get back into this world. I loved the characters, the vampirism, and everything. I also really loved the romance in this, and absolutely cannot wait for the next book

I loved the Serpent & Dove series! I might have squealed like a little girl when I seen this stunning approval sitting on my shelf!
The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin was a fun and thrilling vampire romance story.
I love paranormal/fantasy romance and Shelby does a phenomenal job creating a world so stunning and characters so addicting!
The world building she created here was amazing. It was so original and captivating.
I could really imagine everything that happened in my mind. I was sucked into the story and it felt like I was one with the characters.
I hope she writes a book two and if so I’ll be waiting for it!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Well... That was a freaking fantastic story, and I need the next one like yesterday!!!
This sucked me in from the first page, and I could not put it down. Celie was always an intriguing character, but seeing her in this book and being able to be in her head really made me connect with her and I loved it! She has been through so much, and I loved how much her belief in herself grew throughout this story. The Scarlet Veil has everything you could possibly ask for vampires, ghosts, murder, mystery, and a smexy mysterious man who may have kidnapped Celie and taken her to his mansion on an island full of the supernatural.. I mean what else do you need?

I also really loved that along with this amazing storyline we get to see my other favorite characters Lou, Reed, Coco... and Beau.

This book was action-packed, full of mystery and suspense, and that ending!!! If I already hadn't preordered a copy of this I would definitely be doing it right after finishing this review. The next book can't come soon enough!!

This book will sink its teeth into you and will not let go. After the war we find Celie piercing together her new life as a fiancé and the first ever huntswoman. We get murder, mystery, magic and revisiting old friends in this new book.