You follow two different characters who are following dreams in different ways.
One is doing everything and anything, including being horrible and sleeping around, to try to become a star,
The other is plucked from her fathers office on chance to be the star of a film.

As we follow both we are dropped into the world of 1950's Hollywood, where scarlets, hopefuls and predators all intermingle.

The novel is beautifully detailed in the the 1950 world and politics of racism, homophobia and the communism scare.

This deserves the Daisy Jones and the six treatment. would love to see it as a mini series.

SMG!

The ability of SMG to completely enrapture me in her worlds is so amazing. The golden age of Hollywood and rivaling actresses and mystery and tension! This was absolutely so much fun to read!

4.5 Stars

Unless you’re new here, you should already know just how much I love Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I’ve definitely said this before and I’ll happily say it again, but no one else is doing it quite like she is. The range of genres and writing styles she has not only written within but mastered is simply unmatched. If you’re looking for SMG criticism, you will not find it here.

This book, once again, is a major pivot from her last release. And, in fact, it stands out from pretty much every one of her other books because it is purely historical fiction—with no other genre elements—from start to finish. So even though she’s done historical fiction, she’s never done it quite like this. And I knew she’d be able to pull it off purely because I know she understands drama and she understands social dynamics in a way that’s so precise.

What really blew me away about this story was its incredible use of plot structure, which is somehow both fairly straightforward at first glance but also completely unexpected in some ways. What I mean by that is that the story is structured in such a way where we’re following Vera through this linear timeline leading up to shooting the most pivotal scene in the film. But it’s broken up by these interludes depicting Salome’s story written from Salome’s point of view.

The Salome sections of the story are written in narrative prose. It’s not just a script of what Vera and the other actors are shooting in the film adaptation of Salome’s story, which would have been the obvious choice, the easy choice. But what makes it an even more nuanced structural choice is that those interludes aren’t just dropped into the story wholesale. The next interlude doesn’t pick up exactly where the last one left off, because it isn’t just a simple juxtaposition of character versus actress, but the two pieces are woven together in such a way that they actually inform each other. What Vera is experiencing herself allows you to fill in the missing gaps of Salome’s story without having to be told the entire thing from start to finish.

The only thing I wish was different about the story is that I wish we got to read from even more industry points of view in Vera’s sections. We kind of start out from the point of view of a scriptwriter, which I thought was really strong, but we rarely get to have that outside look on Vera’s journey in quite the same way. We do occasionally get to hear from some other voices, but it mostly boils down to one antagonistic character, who I kind of felt took up too much space. Especially because Vera’s role was so coveted by so many ambitious actresses, I wish we got more of a sense of these jaded industry professionals set against her. But because it’s mostly just the one actress, it’s borderline mustache-twirly at times, which is not my preference.

But that’s a very minor note. It did not lessen my reading experience in any significant way. This was absolutely brilliant and it did not disappoint!

Set in the golden age of Hollywood, a young woman from Mexico is plucked to star in the next blockbuster film. Vera, is picked to play the leading role of Salome, while Nancy, who counted on getting the role, boils with envy. As the story unfolds, we also learn about the life of Salome from her point of view. Will it be a happy ending for all three women or will it all end in tragedy?

An entertaining novel. I enjoyed reading Salome's story from her point of view and how Vera interpreted the character for the film she was a part of. I would class this as a mystery, with Nancy playing the villain and setting up her "boyfriend" to kill Vera for taking what she believed was her role. We can only imagine what life during the height of Hollywood films was like in the 1950s. It was a nice touch, depicting Vera never being married having lost the love her life and becoming a songstress instead.

Silvia Moreno-García delivers another masterpiece, where we learn the story of Vera Larios, a young Mexican woman who is chosen to star in The Seventh Veil of Salome, a "sword and sandal" style film, and who suffers harassment and envy from some of her co-stars and other people in the USA, for not being "white."
A very attractive story, impossible to stop reading until reaching the end, ideal for reading on the weekend. Highly recommended!
I thank the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think and feel about this book.

I wanted to love this book so so much, but it's my least favorite of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's books to date. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never really materialized the way I hoped it would. The premise was intriguing and after Silver Nitrate I couldn't wait to read this behind the scenes tale of old Hollywood. The strengths of this book included the way that Moreno-Garcia gave us a story of a complicated Hollywood movie set and how racism and jealousy worked against the protagonist from the start. The characters themselves were less developed than what we've read from Moreno-Garcia previously, and overall the story just felt flat.

I loved this book and its blending of Hollywood and a biblical epic. Moreno-Garcia might change genres with every book but this one suits her well. It's a thoroughly enjoyable read that touches on interesting topics.

Didn't love this as much as I did The Beautiful Ones and Gods of Jade and Shadow, but the thing about Silvia Moreno-Garcia is just how ambitious she is with her books. Not someone you can pigeonhole into one genre, SMG will tackle anything and everything, and will do it with style. So even if this wasn't one of my favorites by her, I'm always happy to recommend this to other staff whom I know love anything she writes.

I'm always very intrigued by the premises of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's books, but I find that it usually takes a lot of grit and perseverance for me to get through them. This one is told through multiple POVs concerning three women: two actresses trying to make it in 1950s Hollywood and the biblical Salome. Even though these should be very different characters, the voices can sometimes be hard to distinguish without context. The conflicts in the story also felt a little shallow and could have been handled with greater depth. As a whole, I found this to be a somewhat underwhelming read, but I love that Silvia Moreno-Garcia continues to find ways to push the envelope on telling new stories.

3.5, rounded up. Silvia Moreno-Garcia takes advantage of the intrigue and allure of HUAC-era Hollywood here, and it certainly benefits the pacing of the narrative--I felt like I had to keep reading until the next POV change. (Speaking of, while jarring at times, I appreciated the anecdotes from those looking decades into the past; it provides some helpful context for the story.) The ending falls flat for me but may not for others. The best part of the book, though, is the magic with which Moreno-Garcia imbues Salome and her story.

Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for this e-ARC! The Seventh Veil of Salome follows Vera, a young Mexican actress in Hollywood after she is cast in the highly coveted role of Salome in an upcoming film. The novel switches POV between multiple people, including Vera, the movie producers, tabloid writers, jealous actors, and even Salmone herself as we observe the glitz and glamour of 1950s Hollywood, including the not glamourous racism and misogyny that Vera must constantly navigate on set and in her relationships. I've read some of SMG's work before and consistently have either a hit or miss, and SVS was right in the middle for me. I really enjoy SMG's vivid writing, not just in the great landscape of old Hollywood but also in the character work where we could so easily see and understand many of the characters (even the bad ones). That said, the primary areas that I needed a little more from this book was in the pacing and the characters. While the characters were well written, I often felt a bit disconnected from them and/or just needed something a little different from them. Similarly, I at times felt like the plot lagged a little, and I would have liked to see a little bit more of the layered action among the exposition throughout the story. Overall, this was a well crafted story that maybe wasn't for me specifically, but I think readers who enjoy cinematic drama and old school glitz and glamour will enjoy this book!

I think that this book was just not for me personally. It was well-written and the premise is something I would usually enjoy, but I didn't get the same experience from it that other readers did. I will still hand sell it based on the positive reviews by others and my love for the author at large.

This was an interesting read. it suffered from the affliction of surprise! I happen to be someone who prefers to know what she is getting into when I pick up a book, so when a book winds up being completely different than what I was expecting, it usually doesn't work in the book's favor. I have read 4 of Moreno's previous books, and own all of them so I was expecting something in a similar vein, some type pf horror. Her most recent release prior to this one was about the classic horror film industry, and the cover of this one implied that it would. be about a similar topic, but I was very surprised by what it ended up being, in fact my main complaint about this book is that it doesn't seem to know what kind of book it's trying to be.


This wound up being large in scope, but Moreno's flawless writing made this the 4 star reading experience that it was. Moreno has the unique ability to write horror in a literary manner, which is not easy to do but Moreno does an impeccable job. Moreno's books somehow manage to toe the line between horror, and mystery, which she pulls off quite effortlessly. Moreno is a top notch writer with unusually fine skills, while this is not my favorite book by any means, it's still good and worth the read.

This is unlike her other books and I loved it! Loved the 50s vibes and the mysterious atmosphere. And that cover is AMAZING

Silvia Moreno-Garcia delivers a captivating tale of ambition, desire, and betrayal in The Seventh Veil of Salome, a richly layered drama set against the dazzling yet ruthless backdrop of 1950s Hollywood. With its Technicolor sheen and undercurrent of darkness, the novel expertly intertwines the lives of three women: Vera Larios, an up-and-coming Mexican actress thrust into the limelight; Nancy Hartley, a bitter and determined bit player clawing for recognition; and Salome herself, whose ancient story of seduction and tragedy parallels the cutthroat ambition of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

The narrative sparkles with Moreno-Garcia’s signature style, blending historical intrigue with psychological depth. Vera’s journey from obscurity to stardom mesmerizes, capturing the intoxicating glamour and suffocating scrutiny of fame. Nancy’s descent into envy and desperation adds a sharp, suspenseful edge to the story. At the same time, Salome’s tale serves as an allegorical mirror, deepening the novel’s exploration of power, passion, and sacrifice.

What truly sets this book apart is its vibrant depiction of Hollywood as a character in its own right. Moreno-Garcia evokes the glitter and grime of the industry with precision, making every scene feel like a reel from a forgotten classic. The interplay of the women’s stories is compelling, though some readers may find Nancy’s arc slightly predictable compared to the more nuanced struggles of Vera and Salome.

*The Seventh Veil of Salome* is an enthralling mix of historical drama, feminist commentary, and gothic allure. It’s a must-read for fans of old Hollywood, with complex female characters and tales that explore the cost of ambition and the weight of desire.

The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-García is absolutely stunning!!! SMG steps away from her usual horror and NAILS historical fiction with this drama-filled story set in 1950’s Hollywood!

The old Hollywood vibes were immaculate. I loved the behind-the-scenes look at the industry, especially through the eyes of our MC, Vera Larios!

The way this book tackled racism felt very honest for the time period, and Vera’s unwavering strength and pride in her Mexican identity was so empowering.

The drama had me HOOKED. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, it was fast-paced, and the suspense at the end?? I was on the edge of my seat!

THE 411...

The Seventh Veil Of Salome is a dual timeline/multi-perspective Historical Fiction set during 1950's Hollywood and Biblical times (with background appearances of Jesus who at the time is performing miracles on the townspeople.) We follow three women as their stories unfold: Vera Larios - an unknown Mexican ingenue who is cast in the lead role of Salome; Nancy Hartley - an actress whose career has run dry and is starving for a lead role that will grant her access to a life of fame and fortune; Princess Salome - in love with a prophet who has angered many of the higher officials looking to silence him but not before he speaks on the misfortune that is to come onto Salome's stepfather.

We meet Vera Larios who's just been cast in a swords-and-sandals biblical movie that is being directed by a notoriously difficult to work with director. Vera has no acting experience whatsoever but she caught his eye as the only ideal fit to play the role of the beautiful Salome. In the bible, Salome is known for the beheading of John the Baptist. Vera who has spent most of her life being overlooked or dismissed by her mother for her darker complexion saw this as an opportunity to step into the limelight and a chance to breakaway from the toxicity at home. On the film set and in the media she encounters misogyny and racism from men and women. The men objectify her, the women see her as stealing their roles with her "exotic" features, while the media portrays hers as an explosive unpredictable Latina. As the movie begins to film, we get an inside look at Hollywood during this time as the cast of Salome parties and gives the media the tea for their headlines. Nancy Hartley on the other hand is desperately trying to secure a lead role by any means necessary, Vera being a Mexican woman fuels her ire. We see an unhinged woman's downward spiral powered by hate and racism. The cunning Salome has suitors lined up but she's set her eyes on the one man she absolutely can't have and whose days are numbered. will she choose love or power?

It wouldn't be a SMG novel if it followed the same style of writing with each story she delivered. The Seventh Veil Of Salome is part documentary told through the lens of multiple characters reflecting on what transpired on the set of Salome. While also traveling back to the biblical times of Salome and John the Baptiste. Each of these ambitious women deliver such a captivating story that as much as I was enjoying the perspective I was in, I was also thinking of the other women's situations. Whether you're new to SMG or an avid reader of her books, the atmospheric writing alone will guarantee a rich reading experience. I'm not sure what is in SMG's pen but no matter the time period/plot, the ease with which you are transported make all of their books a must read.

I am always amazed at how talented Silvia Moren0-Garcia is at writing, whether it is gothic horror, magical realism, noir, or in this case historical fiction. I've said it before and I'll say it again that there is nothing she can't do.

Set in the golden era of Hollywood epics, Valeria is a Mexican beauty who has been cast in the titular role of Salome, to the chagrin of Nancy, a wannabe movie star who believes she has been robbed of the role and instead cast as a background character. The novel moves between the stories and testimonies of those on set and the biblical story of Salome herself. I must admit that as someone who was not raised with organized religion, I was unfamiliar with this particular story so I found those chapters to be the most compelling. Neither Nancy nor Valeria were particularly likeable to be so I had a difficult time caring about either one of them, although I was fascinated by the cunning and cruel nature of Nancy which made her more enigmatic on the page.

Overall, this was a solid work from Garcia with the same gorgeous and vivid storytelling that I have grown to love, but this one is definitely more of a slow burn than an action packed thriller. However, I must say that I do prefer her more ethereal/supernatural stories, but that is purely personal taste. Basically, if Silvia writes it, I will automatically move it up in my queue to read.

Recommended for those who love a good Hollywood noir and also those who love retellings of religious/mythological stories. 3.5 stars overall

Thank you to NetGalley, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and Del Rey for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second read by Silvia Moreno-Garcia but I am once again amazed by how she constructs such an interesting story while teaching you so much about the history of cinema, especially as it relates to Mexican cinema.

The Seventh Veil of Salome features three characters interwoven through time, tied by the story of Salome. I was not at all familiar with this story, but some of the chapters were told by Salome herself, which was a great way to discover the tale while also keeping up with our heroine, Vera Larios, and her opposition, Nancy in 1950s Hollywood. I've discovered that this Salome does not act like she does in the classic story, but I love that this book made me want to find out more.
The beginning and middle of each woman's story was so rich, that I felt a little disappointed by how abruptly they ended, although I think we learn from the book that this is just what happens to stories sometimes, they come to an abrupt end. Great read, very immersive and also just very cool.

Salome isn’t a memorable character in scripture, but Moreno-Garcia uses her story to add depth to the novel. The contrast between Hollywood’s gritty world and Biblical corruption is intriguing.

The book tells two main stories: one about a chaotic 20th-century film production, with a Mexican actress playing Salome and trying to sabotage her career, and the other about the real Salome. The Hollywood story is dark and fascinating, showing the struggles of non-white performers and the harsh reality of fame.

However, Salome's chapters feel slow and less engaging. While they become more relevant at the end, they distract from the more compelling Hollywood plot. A different approach might have worked better. 4/5 stars.