There’s no doubt that Silvia Moreno- Garcia has beautiful writing. I knew The Seventh Veil of Salome was going to be amazing just based on the premise. Being Mexican- American makes me feel really proud of Silvia-Moreno Garcia accomplishments. I loved how the story takes place in Hollywood during the 1950’s. Vera’s story was beautiful and sad. And my heart will always ache for this character. I have many thoughts, but I need to collect myself before I put them into coherent words. What I can say for certain is that I absolutely loved it. I went to Barnes and Noble and I had to buy myself a physical copy because the cover is absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much NetGalley for giving me this amazing opportunity.

I cannot get enough of Silvia Moreno-Garcia, it doesn't matter what she writes. This is a historical fiction foray for Moreno-Garcia, this time taking us to the Hollywood of the 60s. There were no traditional numbered chapters, the narrative rotated through multiple POVS; mainly those of the star of the picture, Salome of the title, and a bitter bit player. But, there are numerous other POVs sprinkled throughout the story which made for a very interesting structure. I particularly enjoyed the Salome point of view - Moreno-Garcia took some liberties with the Herodian dynasty, but it was a very compelling storyline. I saw the ending coming as I got closer to it, but it still took my breath away. Overall, another beautiful read from an auto-buy author!

The Seventh Veil of Salome is a historical fiction that follows the stories of three women navigating life under different circumstances. Nancy has been trying to make it in Hollywood since childhood and was hoping to get her big break as Salome in a big-budget Hollywood film. Unexpectedly, Vera, a Mexican woman, is casted to play the role leaving Nancy feeling robbed. Vera must now not only navigate the complex world of 1950’s Hollywood but also free herself of imposed expectations by her controlling mother. The third protagonist is Princess Salome, a biblical character who lives under the challenging influence of her uncle and mother and must make a choice between heart and duty.

Moreno-Garcia did a beautiful job crafting each of these women’s stories and balancing their alternating perspectives. I loved the attention to detail and effort Moreno-Garcia made to bring 1950’s Hollywood to life with references to Mexican and American movie stars and films. She did not shy away from the complexities of not only being a woman but also a woman of color during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Topics of race and gender extended from the big screen into daily life and societal expectations for women. I also enjoyed the pacing of the book, which is something I’ve struggled in the past with her previous books.

Vera, Nancy, and Salome are characters I quickly came to love and appreciate for how they came to handle their own unique challenges (okay, maybe not Nancy because IYKYK). Overall, this book felt different from the previous works of Moreno-Garcia that I’ve read and I absolutely loved it.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of the most consistently brilliant writers working right now. Her work spans genres, centuries, and countries — but no matter what it’s about, when you open a new Moreno-Garcia book, you know it’s going to be great. Her new historical drama, The Seventh Veil of Salome, is no different.

The Seventh Veil follows the stories of three women: Vera Larios — new to Hollywood and starring as Salome in a new take on the historical epic, Nancy Hartley — an unhappy actress willing to do anything for her big break, and Salome herself — trapped in a life she can’t control, desperate for love and revenge. The lives of these three women weave and echo one another, setting the stage for a tragic love story of biblical proportions.

I loved this book. I loved the characters, loved the way the three narratives wove together, loved the way Moreno-Garcia plays with different textual styles. The novel doesn’t hide the fact that it’s a tragedy, but still I found myself rooting for a miraculous last-minute escape — this, in my opinion, is the mark of a good story with compelling characters. You want them to find happiness, even though you know that they won’t.

Moreno-Garcia’s books are always meticulously researched, and this one is no different. I enjoyed the way Moreno-Garcia referenced real-world celebrities and events, making the story fit into the larger historical context of the Hollywood studio system. It made the novel feel more vibrant, immediate, and alive.

The Seventh Veil of Salome is another masterfully-crafted and thoroughly enjoyable addition to Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s body of work. I would recommend it not only to fans of historical fiction, but to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted narrative.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGally for this e-gally.

I really struggled to enjoy THE SEVENTH VEIL OF SALOME—at this point I just need to accept that Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a writer who has such interesting ideas that sound so appealing to me, but the execution of those ideas is hit or miss.

An old Hollywood story will always catch my eye, especially when it's told in the style of interview or snippets of different perspectives so that the whole story gets pulled together. I love how Moreno-Garcia writes about place: her settings are vivid and inviting. Generally quite interesting and enjoyable to read.

But the characters fell flat for me. They fell flat for me, and made it a slog to keep reading because they just didn't keep my attention. My mind kept wandering from the page, and I couldn't pull myself back. Other readers seem to really have enjoyed SEVENTH VEIL though, so I'll chalk this up to the book just not being my cup of tea!

I published my review on Goodreads and Amazon.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Silvia Moreno-Garcia for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Seventh Veil of Salome coming out August 6, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’ve read a few books by Silvia Moreno-Garcia now. She’s one of my favorite writers and I’ll always check out her books! This book felt similar to Silver Nitrate with the old Hollywood theme, but felt different with the Biblical aspect to it. I haven’t read much about Salome, so I thought that was really fresh and interesting. I think classic Hollywood is a fascinating topic and I love to watch old movies. There was certainly a lot of drama that happened back in the day and I think this book perfectly captures the struggles and price of fame. It may seem like it’s all glitz and glamour, but there’s also a dark side. I loved it!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys classic Hollywood novels!

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for the e-ARC!

She’s done it again! But with a slightly different flair.

The Seventh Veil of Salome follows the journey of three different women, Vera, an aspiring actress who is the lead in the eponymous movie, Nancy, a failed actress and model who is clawing her way to the big leagues by any means possible, and Salome, the biblical character of the New Testament. We see their stories develop, culminating into a final climax of deadly consequence.

I really liked this story - as I was reading, I would walk away and still think about the characters in my head to try and piece together the mystery. The charm and perils of old Hollywood were so vividly described (althought TW for racism, sexism and SA). The setting was so beautifully described and I was sucked into it instantly.

The format is a little bit different than what Moreno Garcia usually writes: the main plot reads like a documentary, so you get an well fleshed out picture of the general story from various minor characters’ POV.

The characters were also well written - I really loved the depiction of Salome (who I first learned about through this book) and I’m now inspired and curious to learn more about her story. I really hated Nancy, which you really are supposed to, and she really reminded me of Juniper Song from R.F. Kuang’s Yellowface. You hate her so much but you can’t say she isn’t sympathetic.

The pacing was pretty consistent, which is sometimes a struggle with multiple POVs, but it was executed fantastically. I give this four stars instead of five mostly because when I compare this to Silver Nitrate (my favorite of Moreno Garcia’s books), it doesn’t deliver the same gravitas that I liked in that book.

You CANNOT go wrong with this book, and this is perfect for those who are starting out with historical fiction and want something a little bit different.

Totally by coincidence, I've read a few novels set in the golden age of Hollywood this year and The Seventh Veil of Salome is my favorite so far. However, I wanted more, and it's difficult for me to put my finger on what that is. It's fine, and great to read about the era partially from an underrepresented perspective.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of my favorite authors of all time. In every book, she tackles a different genre and does something special with it. In The Seventh Veil of Salome, she takes on historical fiction, a bible-inspired story, and 1950s Hollywood. In classic Silvia Moreno-Garcia style, she takes on an exploration of women's lives and the choices they make in a patriarchal and racist world while also giving us. a very interesting narrative style. Here, we go back and forth between the story of Salome, the actress playing her in a 1950s film, and the would-be actress in the 1950s that would kill for the Salome role.

If I were still in school, I would write an essay on the recurring themes in Silvia Moreno-Garcia's novels. She loves complicated heroines, the history of cinema, and interesting family dynamics. There really is something to explore in the relationships that her heroines have with their mothers and sisters.

I cannot recommend this book enough. Just go read it!

As a Latina, reading this book about old Hollywood was both captivating and deeply resonant, shedding light on the discrimination and racism faced by actresses of color during that era.

The multiple points of were initially challenging to follow, making the first half feel slow to read. However, halfway through I began to really enjoy it and especially loved the suspense.

Vera Larios is cast in the most coveted role in Hollywood to star as Salome in an upcoming epic sword and sandals film. Vera is new to Hollywood, a complete unknown. She has no idea how to deal with the seedy underworld of that society as young woman. She is also a Mexican woman in a system that favors whiteness. Nancy Hartley was also up for the role in the movie. She is a mostly small time actress who has seen her career stall. Vera becomes an obsession for Nancy who sees her as taking what was hers.

This books was incredible. I always know I am in for a good time with a Silvia Moreno-Garcia book. She builds worlds and characters better than most other authors. This is a purely historical fiction novel. It is beautifully written and well paced. I was completely wrapped up in the story and characters. I can see this being a book that I revisit. I can't wait to see what she does next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the e-arc!
Another stellar book by one of my favorite authors, Silvia Moreno-Garcia! This is a historical fiction set in 1950s Hollywood where Salome has the chance to be in a huge movie about a famous artist. She is set to film this movie with Vera after being chosen as an enemy of Nancy, who is jealous of Salome's newfound success.
Just like Moreno-Garcia's previous works, she really brings drama, mystery, and thrill. The setting of the golden age in Hollywood creates a lush atmosphere of luxury and indulgence often associated with this time period. This book really loves the reality behind these gilded dreams of fame and fortune. All three of our main characters are unbelievably hungry and interesting in their own way.

Inspired by the biblical legend of Salome and its long cultural trail, this story focuses on 3 women; Vera Larios is unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight when she nabs the leading role in The Seventh Veil of Salome, the latest sword-and-sandal epic to emerge from the Technicolor machine of 19502 Hollywood; Nancy Hartley an aspiring actress who's so far been consigned to bit-parts, is instantly filled with fury, believing the role to be hers. Then there's Salome herself, who is caught in the middle of a power struggle in the first century while falling in love with a mysterious and rebellious preacher who threatens to bring turmoil to Galilee.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for this e-arc.*

Thank you to Random House publishing group and Netgalley for this eArc in exchange for an honest review. This gave me the best old Hollywood vibes. I also was intrigued by the story of Salome told in first person as well as the parallels with the main character. I am a huge fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia ever since I read Mexican Gothic, and I recommend her newest release!

An enjoyable read overall with a great use of history and voice. And with one hell of a twist! I really loved the atmosphere that SMG created with the old Hollywood setting. There were some elements and chapters that just didn't really grip me. But SMG's books have almost always hit at the four star mark for me and it was the same with this one.

My goodness this book was amazing. I don't know if I liked the Salome or the Vera storyline better, but the fact that both were able to be woven so perfectly was impressive. The ominous foreshadowing was the perfect amount, as it didn't over promise or tease but it definitely kept me interested. I don't normally gravitate to historical fiction but I found myself loving the Old Hollywood setting of this story. I think SMG is an auto-buy author for me!

No one can ever say Silvia Moreno-Garcia is not as versatile as all get out. This is the fifth SMG book I've read; each has been different, but you can still tell that the same author writes them.

This story is told through multiple points of view, mostly through the eyes of three women- Vera (a newcomer from Mexico playing Salome in a movie), Nancy (an actress who wanted the role of Salome and is still waiting for her big break after 5 years in Hollywood), and Salome herself.

I am not sure if it's ever clear if Salome's point of view is actually what the scriptwriter wants Salome to have experienced or if it is actually the narration of Salome's life, by herself.

This book reads like a Greek or Shakespearean tragedy, and I mean that in the best way possible. I felt for each of our characters at different moments throughout the book- maybe a little less so regarding Nancy, but still. Beyond just the story of Salome, both in Biblical times and 1950s Hollywood, we see Vera experience colorism and racism within the Hollywood community and her own family.

Honestly, if someone brought up a desire to read "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" I would steer them toward this book instead. This book has everything Seven Husbands has but is written by a Latine author talking about a Latine character.

This was a decent read, for me. I just wasn't fully captivated as I thought I would be. I struggled a little bit finishing this one. Everything was really slow and nothing really picked up until the very end that for me the ending was abrupt. BUT I do know a lot of people will like this. I will still recommend this book to the right audience.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's latest novel is a masterful blend of 1950s Hollywood glamor and ancient Judea’s drama. She excels at merging genres, creating rich narratives that captivate readers.

The story contrasts two eras: in 1950s Hollywood, Vera Larios, an aspiring Mexican actress, faces racial stereotypes and industry expectations, while the jaded Nancy Hartley battles envy and self-destruction. Both characters are well-crafted, with Vera's growth and Nancy's complexity providing deep insights into ambition and identity.

Parallel to this is the historical narrative of Salome, depicted with fresh intensity and independence. The novel switches between first-person and third-person perspectives, including interviews and diary entries, adding depth and building towards a compelling climax. Moreno-Garcia captures both the opulence of Hollywood and the starkness of ancient times with authenticity.

The book delves into themes of gender, race, and self-identity, reflecting on how these issues transcend time. While the novel includes period-specific racial slurs, it uses them to underscore historical realities. Despite some discomfort, the story’s exploration of societal expectations and personal sacrifice makes for a profound read.

Overall, "The Seventh Veil of Salome" is a captivating mix of historical and contemporary fiction, making it a must-read for fans of both genres.

This new book by Moreno-Garcia weaves together three women's stories: Vera, a young Mexican woman who is brought to Hollywood to start as Salome; Nancy, a wannabe actress in Hollywood that is struggling to break through; and Salome, in biblical times. Following the drama of old Hollywood, mixed with a story of how Salome came to request the head of John the Baptist.

Overall, I enjoyed this read! It was different than Moreno-Garcia's other works in terms of genre (and I did miss the mystery elements but maybe next book!) as it is pretty much historical fiction exclusively. I loved Vera's chapters and her as a character. Nancy was painful to read. Not because it was poorly written - I think she did a great job capturing entitled, racist white actors from this time period - but rather because it is just hard to read characters that are so cruel. Salome's chapters did not feel really relevant until the very end. Even after finishing it, I was left questioning the true parallels between the stories. I could see where she wanted to go, but I never got quite what I think she wanted us to get.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.