An enchanting look into old Hollywood as a young woman gets the role of a lifetime while dealing with drama behind the scenes and learning the history of the character she is meant to portray. It is 1950s Hollywood and the hottest role to play is Salome, and with a big budget movie happening and the role of a lifetime on the line everyone is desperate to get it. Yet Vera Larios, an unknown Mdican ingenue, snags the role. Vera becomes the talk of the town and the main object of envy of Nancy Hartley, a model who is as violent as she is obsessive in getting what she thinks she deserves. The two actresses are determined to make it in the Golden Age of Hollywood... but scandal follows them at every corner and romance is a messy business. Then there is the tale of princess Salome herself, a woman who becomes obsessed with a prophet who foretells the doom of her father... while dealing with her own family struggles and struggling for freedom and what her heart desires. This is a story of three women who want so dearly, and must risk everything to get what they want. This was such a fascinating read and really captures the old feel of Old Hollywood. I liked how the stories intertwined and how each of the characters was so distinct. The story itself really immerses you into the time period and captivates you until the end.

Release Date: August 6,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Del Rey for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I don’t have the best record with Silvia Moreno-Garcia novels, but The Seventh Veil of Salome is one of the most beautiful novels I’ve read this year, and definitely the most beautiful novel I’ve read since early spring.

Moreno-Garcia has made this book as much of a juxtaposition as the titular character Salome is: it’s all at once grand and intimate, fantastic and mundane, showing us the glory of old Hollywood on one page and the sordid underbelly on the other. There’s a lot going on inside these pages: the main story with the dual third-person POVs of Vera and Nancy, interspersed testimonials from supporting characters in the main story written as if they’re in a documentary, and the story of the fictional character Salome. This whirling mix of narrative styles and plot devices keeps this book moving, keeps it interesting, keeps it fresh, and helps the reader to understand all of the characters more and more as the book moves on. As an added bonus, it also helps to ratchet up the tension and chemistry between everyone, too. One petal of the story unfurls and you’re rewarded with another petal of the adjacent story unfolding. It’s a domino effect of sorts, where the story just keeps unfurling like a beautiful flower blooming with lovely words, impeccable worldbuilding, and fascinating characters.

I absolutely, positively loved this book. I haven’t had much luck with historical fiction this year, so this was a very welcome read. This was a lush, decadent, technicolor dream read. I’ll definitely be needing a copy for my own shelf.

I was provided a copy of this title by Netgalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Historical Fiction

The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a masterful storyteller.
Sylvia Moreno-Garcia masterfully crafts an immersive tale, with an intricate plot and a cast of colorful characters, while utilizing evocative prose.
The Seventh Veil of Salome is a riveting historical epic that swept me up in its lush descriptions and complex characters consistent with everything else its author has written thus far.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House | Del Rey for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I’ve been hooked on Silvia Moreno-Garcia novels ever since I read Mexican Gothic. And honestly, her books only get better with time. A few days ago, if pushed, I would have probably list Silver Nitrate or Velvet Was the Night as my favorite of hers—but goodness, The Seventh Veil of Salome may have just claimed that spot for itself. If ever there was a book made just for me, it was this one. I’m a sucker for anything set in Hollywood’s Golden Age. Give me all the out-of-date Hollywood gossip about my favorite stars and their films. And to have this set while filming a biblical epic? Fantastic. I’ll be humming the music from The Ten Commandments or Ben-Hur for the rest of the weekend.

The book switches perspective and time period quite a bit and, for this reader at least, this style worked particularly well to tell the story Moreno-Garcia set out to tell. Some chapters are told documentary-style, with a minor character looking back to talk about the filming of The Seventh Veil of Salome. Others are excerpts from the gossip rags. The rest of the chapters are told in third-person and focus on one of our three female leads: Vera (the debut actress playing Salome), Nancy (her rival), and the titular Salome. Each of our three main characters are layered and complex and I was invested in all of their stories equally—yes, even Nancy’s even though I hated her. Through this story, Moreno-Garcia is able to discuss the ugliness not just of the Hollywood studio system but society at large, showing that sexism and racism are systemic and ingrained in both.

Goodness, that ending though…

This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The book will be published on August 6.

I’m always saddened when my reading experience of a new novel by a favorite author doesn’t pan out the way I’d hoped, and that’s unfortunately the case with The Seventh Veil of Salome. I have read a good number when it comes to Moreno-Garcia’s backlist, mostly her work in historical fiction and fantasy—like Gods of Jade and Shadow, The Return of the Sorceress, and Silver Nitrate—but I’ve also delved into some of her other works with her noir novel, Velvet Was the Night, and her take on gothic literature, Mexican Gothic. And going into The Seventh Veil of Salome, I was fully expecting to love this story too. I liked the writing style—it was up to Moreno-Garcia’s usual quality. What didn’t work out as well for me was the actual plot, no other qualms, and it was entirely subjective on my end. Will I read another novel by Moreno-Garcia? Yes, absolutely. But going forward, I’ll be a little more nitpicky when it comes to which ones I pick up.

Disclaimer: this copy of the book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchanged for an honest review, thank you!

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the way it was told, interweaving the story of Salome with the present tense historical Hollywood scenes and then the retrospective (like a documentary) bits from those who had been involved in the Hollywood part.

Those retrospective scenes showed that something big had happened, but it was unclear (and you want to keep it unclear! don't let yourself find out the ending) exactly what that was. As the story progressed, I really felt the tension building and building. And in the final section we get faster flashes from one POV to another, further building the tension to the point where everything came out. What a journey!

Silvia Moreno Garcia writes another compelling and jaw dropping novel, it's not surprising. The parallel time lines are fascinating and make it go by in a flash. I think everyone is going to go absolute ham for this one, not just because I did

The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Rating: 3/5

1950s Hollywood is NOT a very friendly place for women. They are needed for film but are expected to do as the acting house says as far as public appearances and dating lives.

Nancy has been trying to make a name for herself for a few years now and is positive she is right for the role of Salome in the next biblical film to take over Hollywood.

So when Vera is handpicked from her job as a receptionist in her father’s dental office in Mexico City to be Salome, Nancy is furious.

This book is told through the perspective of Nancy, Vera and Salome, with a few bystanders in between.

It took me awhile to get into Salome’s story. I did a lot of skimming through her chapters until the end when I could sense something was coming.

It wasn’t my favorite but I’ll read anything SMG puts out. She’s so great at world building, historical facts and making the last 20% of a book unputdownable. Her endings are always on point and this book was no different.

Thanks to #netgalley, the publisher and the author for this e-arc!

Out this Tuesday, August 6th!

Dark, sexy, rich... Moreno-Garcia truly doesn't miss! The way she brings to life Golden Age Hollywood is so vivid it felt like I was watching a movie while I read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this novel. I was intrigued by the concept of a dual timeline novel of the Biblical Salome and a 1950s tunic and sandals Hollywood movie about her. How would the two things relate? At first, the transitions were jarring, but over time the similarities between the young starlet playing Salome and Salome herself (who is largely a fictional construction) started to become clear. Both occupy worlds where they have few good options and are surrounded by associates and family members that definitely do not have their best interests at heart. They have to learn quickly how to navigate impossible situations. The Hollywood story was a fascinating look into what it must have been like to experience that studio system, especially as a young Mexican woman. Salome's world was just plain brutal. The use of the dance of the seven veils as a moment of self-discovery in both timelines was sublime. The author can seemingly write about anything and do it successfully. Highly recommend.

Another banger from Moreno-Garcia! This one was so interesting in that it was told from a few different points of view. The first is obviously Salome and her take on the famous biblical tale. The next was from the actresses involved in the film being made about Salome - so this was definitely different from what I have read from her before.

All told, this was amazing and makes me realize how much I love stories set in old Hollywood!

The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Pub date: August 6th, 2024.

Set in the 50s, the novel follows the major characters of Nancy Hartley, a Hollywood actress aspiring to get the main role in The Seventh Veil of Salome movie, and on the other hand, Vera (Francisca Severa Larios) who used to be a receptionist in MX and because of her personality and fluency in the English language makes it to Hollywood studios.
The novel opens with the biblical character Salome, and we follow her in a different storyline through the book.

Scandals, gossip rags, romance, glamour, art, and everything that can be related to The Golden Age of Hollywood is in this novel.
As in all of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's novels, it is so well-written, and the historical part is very accurate. It shows how life was in the movie Studios, especially for non-white actors and as well it offers other facts about real Hollywood stars from that time.
The novel explores desire, obsession, envy, racism, love, and passion.

The storytelling is presented in multiple narrations, which I found very engaging, and the last part was very addictive that I couldn't put it down. Even if I'm not very into Hollywood, I was immersed into this world and story.

At the end of the novel, there's a list of the soundtrack for this book and I love this about the author, because she puts her heart and a lot of care in each of her books Ifocusing in every detail and I think this could be her best work.

Highly recommended!
Thank you Netgalley and Random House/Del Rey for the digital-ARC.

A role of a lifetime. Be it Biblical or be it Hollywood in its Golden Era of the 1950's. Silvia Moreno-Garcia steps into a completely different direction for her readers in The Seventh Veil of Salome. We'll follow the footsteps of three women pursuing a sense of self from three opposing positions in life. And Moreno-Garcia lights the way with very artistic bonfires.

Vera Lavios has always been in the shadow of her talented sister, Lumi. Lumi held so much promise and illuminated sunshine in the eyes of their mother. That is until Lumi chose a husband and a family before a career. Vera then accompanied her mother to Hollywood. Vera had been spotted in her father's dentist office in Mexico City by a Hollywood agent. The raven haired beauty would be perfect for the lead role in a new production.

The Seventh Veil of Salome was in development in Pacific Pictures where Joe Kantor was diligently making script changes under the scrutiny of Max Niemann, the producer. Vera had limited experience in plays and on the stage. But Vera knew music and dance as if it were part of her. That's what landed her the part when she aced her screen tests. There was chemistry between her and the leading man. But was it enough to set the course of action to the final act?

And then Moreno-Garcia switches gears and brings in a layer of the ancient Salome herself in a parallel storyline. Salome is portrayed as a young beauty caught in the snare of her tetrarch step-father and her mother, Herodias, who plots for a solid marriage of convenience for Salome. It's all about alliances. But Salome's head is turned by the preaching of Jokanaan (St. John the Baptist). It will all conclude as in famous plays and famous paintings.

Nancy Hartley has been in Hollywood for over six years. At the age of twenty-six, she's no longer the young ingenue. Innocence has never been Nancy's strong suit at any rate. But when Vera hits the studio, Nancy is filled with resentment. She has a misguided sense of self and foolishly thinks that the role of Salome should go to her. Believe me, Nancy has all the dark colors of racism, jealousy, and a tinge of sociopathy in her handbag ready to draw out at a moment's notice.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia has really outdone herself in this novel. Her research of times of the past is always stellar. What also stands out is her creativity and cleverness with such an original storyline. She provides ancient history with Salome while shining a light on how the stars of Hollywood maneuvered their way through studio guidelines, gossip columns, over-the-top parties, magazines like Hollywood Confidential and the hammer of censorship. The young and innocent are no longer the young and innocent.

My only concern was with the quick wrap-up at the end. The lead-up was so finely detailed with great dialogue and sparks of humor along with biting words and slapping insults. We almost could have used another volume to complete the tale. But know this: When Silvia Moreno-Garcia is in the house, it's to a standing ovation. Bravo, as always.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Random House and to the talented Silvia Moreno-Garcia for the opportunity.

Brilliantly done, a genre I generally dont really enjoy reading, but I was fully pulled in by these women's stories and with the old hollywood setting. I also loved the parallels between Salome and the Hollywood narratives.

Once again Moreno-Garcia proves they are a master of their craft. The Seventh Veil of Salome transports the reader into another time and place, allow them to be a part of 1950's glamor Hollywood, and become engrossed in the lives, struggles and successes of three very different yet very similar women.

The story itself starts out slow, yet seductive and allows the reader to feel some kind of way, to develop feelings and thought, judgements even about the women, their roles and their actions all while slowly opening the world and their motives to the larger pictures. I loved the voice the author gave to Salome, someone not fully developed in other works.

I won't give spoilers, but let me just leave you with this... Moreno-Garcia is one of the most talented writers today and no matter the story, genre, or the characters, they bring their magic to every page and it is felt by this reader for one! What a lovely experience.

In The Seventh Veil of Salome, Moreno-Garcia not only demonstrates her mastery of diverse storytelling but also offers a profound commentary on gender and power dynamics. I loved how the author intertwines the lives of her characters to illuminate a central theme: the pervasive influence of patriarchal structures.

This book is not reminiscent of the genres SMG typically leans into, and it truly shows how versatile this author is. And, as always with SMG books, the atmospheric quality of her writing enhances the reader's engagement, drawing them into the settings she creates.

I didn’t feel as connected to these characters as I have in her past novels, but I still really enjoyed this one.

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Del Rey and NetGalley for this eARC!

I've been a longtime fan of Silvia's work, and, again, this didn't disappoint. I loved the braiding of the main story plot with the biblical/religious story. The narration device worked so well. This is historical fiction novel is yet another jewel from Silvia. I'm always mesmerized by how easily she can write different (but somewhat similar) books. I highly recommend this!

Ironic enough, at the start of this year, I went to a special art exhibit in Houston and saw one of the Salome paintings in person. I didn't know much about The Seventh Veil of Salome—let alone that the woman is a figure from the Bible and other notable works like Oscar Wilde's play. I felt drawn to the painting for some reason, and after reading this book, it feels a bit like foreshadowing and tbr destiny to have seen it months before reading a book about the same figure. I didn't see the painting Silvia specifically references in the book, but instead, I saw Gustav Moreau's Salome Dancing before Herod (aka Salomé dansant devant Hérode). The feeling I find in the painting, especially after reading this book, is chills. In the painting I saw, Salome has her hand raised much like what Salome does in the book near the end of the dance, and it's created a starker image and emotions for that scene in my head. I'm pretty obsessed with the connection between this painting I took a photo of in January to the book following the same figure.

Honestly, at first I was not sure the three POVs combined well. While I saw the correlation between Salome, Vera, and Nancy, I still felt initially that Salome was an odd choice to include. This story could've very well been just a tale of Nancy and Vera along with the documentary style POV interviews sprinkled throughout the book. It wasn't until the very end where I truly felt the deep connection between these three women. Silvia perfectly wrote that scene, much like the perfectly executed dance sequence by Salome/Vera, which I'll discuss more later. I felt the rightness of Silvia's words, and it elevated my feelings tenfold. These three women showed that humanity has not changed over the course of thousands of years—that a woman struggling to make a career or a woman newly fresh in the world of cinema could relate to a princess destined to make religious history. I loved that concept upon reflection, but it took me some time to get to that opinion.

A part of me still wishes Salome could've had her own book to herself, but that's the selfish history nerd within me speaking. I adore Ancient history in fiction (Greek mythology, Babylon, Egypt, etc.), so I loved to see her interactions with the men at the time as well as the historical context since I am Catholic. I think Silvia could definitely write a historical book from this era, and I would gobble it up in one sitting.

The best part of the book? As soon as Vera began dancing for the movie. The writing mimicked the intensity and hunger of the dance, and it balanced the emotional toll as well as the physical. I loved that Silvia started to blend POV realities between Vera and Salome. At first it was wholly Vera on stage, but then midway through the dance, there's a complete shift to Salome in front of the partygoers. it's to the point where readers know the characters have combined within the dance. It's as if the ghost of Salome, the ghost of dance even, came to Vera and took her over. It's very figurative and well done. Like I mentioned above, this scene was the turning point for my enjoyment because the Ancient scenes with Salome truly connected to the modern day ones.

All in all, Silvia wrote another banger. I'll never get over her books, and I cannot wait to read the next one. Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the review copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The lovelives and struggles of three women drive the narrative of The Seventh Veil of Salome. The Salome of history and two women in 1950s Los Angeles starring in a Golden Age of Hollywood epic sword and sandal film interpretation of Salome’s life. Nancy has been in Hollywood for four years, and has the looks, fashion sense and training to be a star, but has so far not hit the big time, she thought the role of Salome would be hers. Instead she leaves in a cheap hotel room and her on and off again drug dealing boyfriend Bennie wants more for the two of them. Vera was ‘discovered’ in her father’s dental office in Mexico and given the role of Salome despite almost every other starlet trying out for the starring role.

This Silvia Moreno-Garcia novel is full historical fiction like Velvet Was the Night. The narrative is presented like a movie script or oral history with each section headed by a character's name moving back and forth in time. All of them hint toward the tragic ending of broken hearts and lost loves. All of our main characters are trapped by circumstances, social mores or the authority figures in their lives. Vera is under the strict thumb of her mother, and Vera is not the mother’s ideal child, that would be her sister Lumi the best at everything. Nancy has Bennie and a bookie father who feels he has provided far too many chances. Salome has her mother and Uncle, and the potential of two suitors, neither of them the one she loves.

The Seventh Veil of Salome is a parallel narrative of tragedy homage to Hollywood at the zenith of the major movie studio and a behind the scenes story of making a movie. With all the baggage of egos, casual racism, gossip and societal expectations that stardom entails.

Recommended to readers of historical fiction, making of features, or tragic stories of lost opportunities.

The Seventh Veil of Salome was so, so enjoyable. I was not familiar with the play Salome, but I am familiar with the biblical story of the daughter of Herodias. Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s adaptation of the story was riveting and full of intrigue and emotion. The Old Hollywood parallel story was also enjoyable, and it brought to mind another recent novel set during the golden age of Old Hollywood, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.”

Vera is a relatable, strong main character, and it was easy to root for her throughout the novel. Salome is an engaging character as well, although her motivations were sometimes unclear to me. The two stories continuously ran parallel to one another and never seemed to fully intersect (outside the making of the movie). I noticed a few lines from Joe Kantor’s fictional script that made it into Salome’s story, but that was the clearest indicator I found that demonstrates the stories relate.

I enjoyed: the references to real actors and real Hollywood anecdotes, the political intrigue of Salome’s story, the edge-of-your-seat anticipation of dealing with ruthless and unpredictable characters, and the romance. Ultimately, I really like this book! Once again, I find that Silvia Moreno-Garcia is adept at combining an engaging, well-paced plot with highly developed characters. I think this would be a great selection for a book club. It’s clear that Moreno-Garcia did a lot of great research, and there is so much to ponder and discuss in this book! 4.5/5 Stars