What an absolute wild ride this book was! When a new to the scene actress, Vera Larios, secures a big role as Salome in a film in the 50s, she is overwhelmed by this big change in her life and Hollywood itself.
Told in multiple POVs, with foreshadowing of some kind of harrowing event, it really kept me on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen. With one of the characters’ thinly concealed rage ready to burst at any point, I knew it was going to be a doozy - and it was!
I highly recommend this book for anyone with an interest in old Hollywood and character studies. This may be my new favorite SMG!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own. My quote from the ARC might have changed in the published copy.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia weaves a biblical tale and parallels it with Hollywood in the 1950's. I plunged headfirst into this narrative and I don't think I looked at my surroundings until I reached the end. I liked the concept of the Salome story as the next biblical hit for a Hollywood studio and how the entire story was placed alongside the imagined script.

You speak to Salome, daughter of Herodias and Archelaus. Granddaughter to Herod the Great. Great-granddaughter of Antipater. I am of the most royal blood Idumea.

In addition, the author includes a detailed author's note and a Spotify playlist of music she listened to as she was writing the book.


#TheSeventhVeilofSalome #NetGalley.

Publication Date 06/08/24
Goodreads Review 16/08/24

I’m constantly so impressed with how Silvia Moreno-Garcia can genre hop while also making all of her books feel so much like *her*. The Seventh Veil of Salome is historical fiction with an oral history feel and drama that only 50s Hollywood could bring.

Vera is a Mexican woman who was plucked out of home to star in the Biblical Epic of Salome as the lead character. But Hollywood is gossip and racism and sexism and not just glamour. This was told through the views of Vera, her director and other colleagues, the woman who wants her job, and a series of gossip rag articles, as well as the plot of Salome the film. This feels like it’s doing well what Evelyn Hugo was trying to do. This is a sweeping drama, a tragedy, a commentary on 50a Hollywood / celebrity culture and totally made me bawl at the end. This is for you if you want a Latina heroine written by a Latina and love Hollywood, especially in its Golden Age!

SMG's storytelling is captivating! If it wasn't for life I I could have finished this in a weekend lol

Set in the 1950s SMG does an amazing job showcasing the Hollywood life during that time, vices, racism, and chisme. Salome is the role to have and finding an actress was difficult until Vera was discovered on a whim in Mexico while working as a receptionist and Nancy was desperate for the role and becoming a Hollywood star, Salome in love with a preacher speaking against her uncle and mother, she had a tough decision to make to determine the outcome of her future, They all have their own internal struggle and they were beautifully laid out for the reader to follow. The tension building for that ending was amazing!

This historical drama with a biblical spin is my favorite read by SMG and definitely recommend!

Thank you NetGalley for the eArc. This is my honest review.

**4.5 out of 5 Star Review: The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia**

*The Seventh Veil of Salome* by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a captivating historical novel that seamlessly blends the glitz and glamour of 1950s Hollywood with the dark, manipulative world of Biblical antiquity. With a narrative that deftly weaves together the stories of three complex women—Vera Larios, Nancy Hartley, and the infamous Princess Salome—Moreno-Garcia once again proves her mastery of storytelling across genres.

**Thoughts:**
From the very first page, I was drawn into the richly detailed world of Golden Age Hollywood, where the veneer of luxury and fame quickly reveals itself to be a fragile illusion. Vera Larios, the young and inexperienced Mexican actress thrust into the limelight as Salome, is a character you can’t help but root for. Her journey from an insecure ingenue overshadowed by her more glamorous sister to a confident woman who finds her voice and her power is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Silvia Moreno-Garcia beautifully captures Vera’s internal struggle as she navigates a world that is determined to mold her into something she’s not.

Nancy Hartley, on the other hand, is a character you love to hate. Ambitious, ruthless, and desperate to claim the role of Salome for herself, Nancy’s actions are driven by jealousy and a deep-seated fear of being overlooked in an industry that prizes youth and beauty above all else. Her descent into paranoia and obsession is masterfully written, making her both a tragic and terrifying figure.

And then there’s Salome herself, the Biblical figure whose story serves as both the heart of the film within the novel and a mirror to the lives of the women who portray her. Moreno-Garcia’s depiction of Salome is fascinating—she’s a woman who must navigate a treacherous world of power, desire, and betrayal, making choices that will either elevate her or lead to her downfall. The parallels between Salome’s story and the challenges faced by Vera and Nancy in 1950s Hollywood are striking, offering a powerful commentary on the ways women’s lives are shaped and controlled by the men around them.

The novel’s structure, which shifts between the perspectives of Vera, Nancy, and Salome, is expertly handled. Each woman’s story is compelling on its own, but it’s the way their narratives intertwine that gives the novel its depth and resonance. The historical detail is impeccable, bringing the world of mid-century Hollywood to life with all its glamour and grime. Moreno-Garcia’s prose is lush and evocative, perfectly capturing the mood of each scene, whether it’s a tense encounter on a film set or a quiet moment of introspection.

**Final Thoughts:**
*The Seventh Veil of Salome* is a mesmerizing blend of historical fiction, women’s fiction, and thriller that keeps you hooked from beginning to end. Silvia Moreno-Garcia has delivered a novel that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining, filled with complex characters and a narrative that challenges as much as it delights. While the ending might not be what everyone expects, it’s executed with a level of finesse that’s characteristic of Moreno-Garcia’s work.

This novel is a must-read for fans of Moreno-Garcia, as well as anyone who loves a good period piece filled with drama, intrigue, and strong female characters. If you enjoyed *The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo* or *The Night Circus*, this one should definitely be on your reading list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Del Rey for the ARC. All opinions are my own, and I can’t wait to see how readers react to this brilliant, layered story.

I would say this was a pretty mixed bag for me, but that's probably not due to the book itself and more due to the fact I had absolutely no knowledge of the story of Salome until I picked this book up. So for the parts of the book that follow Salome I wasn't getting what I was probably supposed to be getting in terms of deconstruction and reinterpretation, and instead found myself a bit bored by that part of the narrative. But I really loved the Hollywood timeline and following Vera Larios as she tries to maneuver through the muck that was the show business industry at the time, and the racism, classism, and misogyny that comes with it. I really enjoy books that tackle Hollywood of old, and Silvia Moreno-Garcia really captured the gilded venom that was (and still is) present.

THE SEVENTH VEIL OF SALOME is another genre jump from Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and while some of the historical timelines didn't engage me, the others did.

DNF

I'm sorry to say that I'm not not the right audience for the book. I'm all for historical fiction especially old Hollywood stories but I can't bring myself to care about Salome. Maybe I'll finish this another time.

I see there are loads of people who enjoyed this so please do try it out.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for the advanced e-copy!

I have no idea where to begin with this but - Silvia Moreno Garcia is one of my favourite authors, regardless of the genre I’m reading. She’s so gifted and talented beyond belief and I loved every second of this. I just love Garcia’s storytelling and her way with words and this was truly no exception. Highly, highly recommended!

My favorite thing about diving into a new Silvia Moreno-Garcia novel is the feeling of being completely surprised. Every single novel is utterly unique and spans across many genres. The one thing they have in common? They are all absolutely brilliant.

The Seventh Veil of Salome effortlessly weaves the biblical tale of Salome with the Golden Age of Hollywood. It explores the lives of three women separated by time & circumstance as they fight to survive in a world ruled by men. With a distinct Film Noir feel the writing fully immersed me in the story and I could feel the emotions pouring from the page. As tragic as it is harrowing, this story is a beautiful read that had me captivated from the very first page.

The Seventh Veil of Salome is a new all time favorite of mine and I cannot wait to dive back in and read the story for a second time.

Thank you so much DelRay Publishing for the advanced copy!

Ugh, I just love anything Silvia Moreno Garcia writes. Whenever I am in the mood to read something GOOD, I pick up one of her books and oh boy this one did not disappoint. I especially love the way this author writes romance. Even though a lot of her books aren't necessarily straight-up romances, I think she writes characters with very intense and believable, complex emotions, and it just makes the romance so good. I loved this one! It felt so glamorous and treacherous at the same time. 5 stars again!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read about half of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's works and I will not stop now. I really loved the Seventh Veil of Salome. This was a step away from SMG's usual magical realism and gothic horror, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride. The story came together well and was easy to follow along. I was interested from page 1 and was left feeling like i need more SMG.

The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia was an absolutely fantastic read. I always appreciate how Moreno-Garcia writes female characters. They're very well-developed and she truly makes you understand why they do the things that they do. I loved every character. The plot was great, too. It was well-written, entertaining and I couldn't put the book down. I liked how the story is told through multiple narratives and how it jumps from one to the other. It was so immersive and all I want to do since finishing the book is watch old Hollywood movies. I will definitely be recommending this book to every single person I know.

Set in 1950s Hollywood, The Seventh Veil of Salome tells the story of Vera Larios, a Mexican ingenue who unexpectedly lands the starring role in a blockbuster movie, and Nancy Hartley, a frustrated and scheming bit player who thought the part was hers.

I enjoyed being immersed in the making of this film. I felt for naive Vera. She arrives in Hollywood ill equipped to deal with gossip, manipulative studio executives, racism, and a rival in Nancy. Nonetheless, Vera focuses on doing her best to make herself and her family, including her overbearing and not easily pleased mother, proud. Playing Salome, battling the studio, and dealing with her rival teach Vera some important life lessons. I cheered for her transition into a woman who is determined to do what makes her happy and refuses to accept anything less.

It was masterful how the Biblical story of Salome is intertwined with Vera and Nancy’s story. The parallels between Salome, who is trying to navigate Herod’s court, and the two actresses are intriguing. This might be my favorite part of the book.

I really enjoyed the great storytelling and insightful look behind the curtain of 1950s Hollywood in The Seventh Veil of Salome.

Really really enjoyed this. It was part bible myth retelling, and part old Hollywood glam tell-all, and who EVER would have thought that those two types of stories went together but they do. Another brilliant genre-bending tale from another absolute favourite author. Only two small details at the very end keep this from being a 5-star book for me.

In 1950s Hollywood, Vera Larios is an unknown Mexican ingenue cast in the lead as Salome for a big-budget picture. Plenty of people talk about her, including bit player Nancy Hartley, who will do anything to win fame. Both actresses are determined to make it to the top in Golden Age Hollywood, and this is also the story of Salome herself, desiring the prophet who foretold doom for her stepfather Herod. In a tale about three women trying to make it in a man's world, there will be tears and tragedy galore.

The Seventh Veil of Salome is told through various points of view, from Hollywood players to Vera, Nancy, and Salome herself. Hollywood is cutthroat and difficult to navigate, with everyone wanting an angle to get ahead. It's very much a white game, with so many different cuts at Vera for her Mexican heritage, color of her skin, and her inexperience with the Hollywood machine. She's also fielding her family issues, dating life, nascent paparazzi, and trying to please a rigid studio. Nancy is mean and petty, angling to get more but not willing to admit that she can't play the Hollywood game, either. This is juxtaposed with Salome's story, where she's being used as a pawn in a political game between her stepfather and Rome, with an undercurrent of unrest in the country.

We're right there in the thick of it with this story, and the way the threads are woven is seamlessly done. Some of the interactions are masterfully done, and I was utterly gutted with the following: "I'm not going to love someone in fractions, and I won't be loved in quarters or in halves. You take the whole of me, if you want it." The tension of the ending was well done, and didn't go the way I thought it would even though it made sense. So much of Hollywood is smoke and mirrors, and the ending reflects that well.

I was really intrigued when I started this story. I was told from multiple POVs, and almost felt like you were getting two stories in one. There was the story of Vera and Nancy, who were both actresses in 1950's Hollywood, and Salome, whose story takes place in more of an ancient time period.
I enjoyed how the stories were blended, and loved that there were multiple POV's. I thought the first half of the book, though was really slow moving. The pace picked up towards the end, and I was satisfied with the ending of the story, but it almost felt a little too abrupt. I would have loved there to have been a little more time spent on unfolding of the story at the end. With that said, this was an enjoyable, very different read, that I would recommend!

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a brilliant writer who expertly tackles different genres. Despite how good she is, her books don't always work for me, which was the case for The Seventh Veil of Salome. I didn't care for Salome's perspective and it stopped me from getting too invested in either Nancy or Vera.

Let me state upfront: Silvia Moreno-Garcia could write a list of names, and I would read it. I resonate with her writing, and this story was no different.

In the golden age of Hollywood, a twenty-one-year-old Mexican girl, Vera, is found and cast in the leading role of a Biblical epic, The Seventh Veil of Salome. Vera is thrust into the glitz, glamour, and seedy underside of fame that will come with a steep price. But, the story is also about Salome, the court of Herod, and all of the drama leading up to the beheading of John the Baptist, as told in the Bible.

This novel reads like a Hollywood tell-all and also a sweeping historical narrative. I was mesmerized by Vera and Salome, and I loved this story.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia takes on 50s Hollywood and the making of a biblical film. There’s all sorts of drama when Vera is cast on the lead part of Salome. I had trouble with the multiple POVs for a while, although things did start to come together and in the end it created a story that was well thought through.

Note: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Genre: historical fiction
Hollywood, 1950s

Nancy Hartley firmly believes she's destined for stardom and the role of Salome in the sword and sandals flick Seventh Veil of Salome is hers. She's perfect; she just knows she is. But when the studio casts Vera Larios, a dental receptionist from Mexico, Nancy is livid. Vera has little confidence, thanks in part to her mother, who has always believed her younger sister should have been the star, and naivete serves no one in Hollywood.

A stunning story about rage, jealousy, love, and passion in 1950s Hollywood. Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the master of the unlikable characters and the complexity of women on page. Anger and passion rule the narrative, as she weaves perspectives of Vera, Nancy, and Salome herself together towards what only feels like it could be tragedy. I couldn’t put this book down. Sometimes, SMG’s prose can veer on weighty, but the propulsion of the plot and intricacies of the characters kept me hooked on Seventh Veil.

I listened to the audiobook once released in conjunction with the eARC, and the full cast narration works really well for the format. The book vacillates perspectives between the three primary women - Vera, Nancy, and Salome - with interspersed POVs from supporting figures such as the script writer, other Latinx Hollywood folks, and juicy gossip columns.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia makes my blood boil in the best way. The rage she evokes from the realistic nature of her characters is a reflection on the truth of human emotion. Her writing is piercing and relentless even as it strikes the perfect narrative chords.