My first Silvia Moreno-Garcia book and I wonder why I haven't picked her books yet.
I was amazed with how complex the characters and storyline is, but at the same time the book was written very smoothly.
She is usually known for writing gothic literature but this historical fiction did not disappoint at all.
The book is a perfect blend of drama, complex layers and complicated characters and even better writing style.
The book has great character development, placing is equally good and also great mention to details.
The book has multiple plots and storyline / timelines going at the same time so can be confusing at the beginning but once you get the hank of it, there is no going back and you will not be able to put down the book.

Excellent book, loved it! Looking forward to more from this author! Apologies for the lateness of my review

Silvia Moreno-Garcia always delivers a different book from the one before. She switches genres, setting and mood in her books. I enjoyed the historic fiction with mystery elements. I loved the main characters. Moreno-Garcia knows how to write strong women. The climax was not as strong as hoped. There was a lot of build of but the ending didnt deliver. I did enjoy it and will keep reading books from this author.

The Seventh Veil of Salome is a clever juxtaposition of the story of Salome, daughter of Herodias who is the wife of the tetrarch Herod Antipas in first century Palestine, and Vera Larios, a Mexican actress in 1950s Hollywood who has been chosen to portray Salome in a sword-and-sandals epic.

The background of the historical Salome is one of power politics involving Ancient Rome and its client states. Rome is expanding its influence but not yet ruling absolutely. Its allies and collaborators therefore need to tread carefully, and Herod is concerned about a fiery preacher who been denouncing his rule (and morals). Salome, however, by Jokanaan...

Larios also inhabits a complex world. She has come into an increasingly paranoid Hollywood, a place stalked by the House Un-American activities Committee and still subject to the Puritan moral hypocrisy of various self-appointed censors but also one, haunted by racism (Larios, as a Mexican, is firmly an outsider and looked down on). Things are starting to change as the studio system declines, but this uncertainty only makes everyone even more insecure. Gossip sheets exploit this, trading in innuendo and stereotypes.

Beyond this dichotomy, the book is structurally fascinating since the film Larios is involved in is clearly the same "story" as that which the Salome sections tell (for example, some of the dialogue echoes). But the story is being rewritten as the book progresses (in a late episode, we hear the screenwriter describing the closing scene as he would have had it, the studio bosses having insisted on somethings else). The historical Salome's life is not, therefore, fixed, but mutable, a matter of contention and at the mercy of those same prejudices, Puritan constraints and political and commercial imperatives that rule Hollywood itself. That's appropriate for a character being portrayed by another woman, Vera, who is in turn manipulated and (mis)represented by family, publicists, witnesses, and the Press.

Witnesses? I use that word because while there are lengthy narrative sections where the camera follows Vera (if I can use that analogy) of Samole, there are also interventions in the voice of the many characters who play a part in this story - other actresses and studio figures, for example, and people who were lucky or unlucky enough to witness the events - and they all have their own spin, often informed (again) by prejudice and jealousy.

Vera has - as soon become evident - stepped into a nest of vipers, with others convinced that she doesn't merit the part - or that she doesn't, morally, deserve it. A Mexican? Surely not! The outworking of jealously and resent meant in an industry that embodies whim and fashion is both fascinating to see unfold and awful to anticipate, giving a real edge of noir as scenes unfold in seedy hotel rooms and down-at-heel diners, all leading up to... well I don't want to be spoilery... all leading up to the inevitable conclusion in the final reel. As a nasty chain of events unfold, innocents will be caught up, reputations ruined and the truth left to wither.

All in all and exciting, complex and atmospheric novel with a steely core of accusation.

Sadly, not for me. I find all of the characters detestable, the writing is basic, the historical exposition of the Biblical story is tedious, and the constant use of the word 'fuck' as verb, adjective and noun is beginning to seem like some kind of tic. This is one occasion when I feel a thesaurus would have helped. Abandoned at 6%.

I requested this as it’s a Moreno-Garcia, that’s all I need to know. It sounded interesting as well – it’s a faux historical documentary about the golden era of Hollywood and a tragedy on the set of a movie production. This is linked to the tale of Salome, which apparently is quite vague so leaves a lot for interpretation. This was interestingly told – in interview recaps and a mix of historical and move set scenes, and how these start to mirror each other. It was a quick read, but not something I’ll revisit.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia rarely misses and this was another win for me. I really enjoyed the writing, the author managed to create a very vivid world and great atmosphere. It almost felt like this could be two books - I'd love to read an even more fleshed-out story of Salome. Those bits felt so melancholy and intriguing, bringing me the same feelings I had reading Circe by Madeline Miller. The other half of the story felt very Taylor Jenkins Reid, with the look at a fictionalised starlet in the golden age of Hollywood. My two favourites to read so I had no choice but to enjoy this one.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC, all thoughts are my own.

As before when reading works by Silvia Morena-.Garcia, the story sounds intriguing but unfortunately the author loses me somewhere around the last third. I absolutely love 1930s/40s/50s Hollywood and am therefore willing to ignore some bumps in the road when it comes to pacing, tone, and storytelling. However, the story of Salome and the preacher was a bit too much for.

Solid three-star read, not my favorite but still liked it.

Set in 1950s Hollywood, it tells the story of the filming of “The Seventh Veil of Salome” from the perspective of various cast members during its shooting and the two actresses vying for the top role. Alternate chapters also follow the tale of the film itself. Not a favourite read but an entertaining and clever one. I’m a huge fan of Moreno-Garcia and will always pick up her books. 3.5

I enjoyed the timeline jumps and structure of the book. However, I thought some of the character perspective changes were clunky; I struggled to know and reber who was speaking in any given chapter. I also found that the chapters about Salome herself were not well integrated and felt a bit jolting.

Thanks: Received from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia does it again!

The Seventh Veil of Salome is historical fiction that starts off tackling the story of Salome, a minor biblical character trapped in forbidden love and forced to make difficult decisions about her future. From there the story unfolds weaving the story of Salome and Vera Larios, who unexpectedly lands the role of Salome in an upcoming flick despite having very little acting experience. She finds herself the centre of gossip, all in the name of 'free press' this all with a backdrop of racism in Hollywood of the 1950s.

We also follow Nancy, a Hollywood veteran has struggled to land parts after being in Hollywood for 4 years and believes that Salome should be hers. She is impulsive, scheming and determined to get back the role she can't believe went to an unknown Mexican girl. She struggles with accepting that her dream role isn't hers and sets out to do what she can to get it back.

The flow of the story is wonderful, there were no lulls and the addition of other smaller POVs added to the intrigue and understanding of the two main characters. The ending was unexpected but very satisfying, the way that Moreno-Garcia is able to weave together the strands of this book to create a beautiful feminist storyline along with it being historically accurate is to be admired.

This book for me is a 5 star and I am grateful to netgalley and Quercus for providing me the arc.

Ohhh I just loved this! The weaving together of the biblical tale of Salome and the Hollywood retelling of her story with Vera Larios as the leasing lady was seamless. Silvia Moreno-Garcia has become one of my favorites. Everything in the book felt lush and vibrant and immersive.
Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey (Random House Publishing Group) for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was expecting this to have the charm of Old Hollywood, I did not get that. Very underwhelming, I wanted to like it but he story and characters were left lacking.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for giving me a copy to review.

I love Old Hollywood so I was very excited to read this story, set in 1950s Hollywood. Unfortunately, I didn't love it as much as I hoped to. I found Salome's parts quite boring and wished the story had just focused on Vera and Nancy. Silvia did her research on the real actors mentioned and I did feel that I was being transported back in time to the 1950s. I felt that the story ended very abruptly and I wish the parts about Salome had been cut and we could have had a bit more about Vera after the events at the end of the book.

I was invested in the main protagonist’s journey, but when it veered from her storyline (and it often did), I lost interest. It didn’t help that the pointlessly tragic and ultimately unsatisfying ending left a sour note.

There were a lot of threads to keep track off within the novel. There were so many characters (most were bit players), two different timelines (one jumped about within its own time) and the perspectives constantly switched. The layout of the book – no page breaks between the loosely defined chapters – added to my exhaustion. This meant that I thought the novel was well written, just not well formatted.

I really liked the main character of Vera. I was rooting for her, wanting her to prove her doubters wrong! I was interested in her Hollywood experience, which itself felt cinematic. I wasn’t expecting Vera to find love, but her romance sub-plot was surprisingly sweet.

Even though the author demonstrated that she’s skilled at writing crazy people who don’t think themselves to be crazy, I thought that there was too much focus on Nancy. I was initially intrigued to learn why she was the way she was, but there came a point when it was just too much (I would've preferred smaller doses of her). After Nancy spiralled into irredeemable insanity, I was on tenterhooks waiting to see how she’d decide to spread her chaos.

Unfortunately, I didn’t really care about Salome’s storyline. It was too tangential to the more prominent Hollywood arc. The two timelines never seemed to overlap in a meaningful way, so I didn’t get the point of it.

After becoming invested in Vera’s journey and slogging through the rest, the ending was such a disappointment. I wished Vera's arc had a better resolution, especially considering all of her character development. As it stood, I was left unsatisfied by an ending that felt premature.

The Seventh Veil of Salome takes readers on a mesmerizing journey into Golden Age Hollywood, weaving a tale that intertwines the ambition, envy, and tragedy of three women—an unknown Mexican actress, a desperate bit player, and the legendary Salome herself. Set against the backdrop of 1950s Hollywood, a world dominated by politics, gossip, and prejudice, Moreno-Garcia draws powerful parallels to the modern film industry, where diversity struggles to find its footing amidst lingering white privilege and public scrutiny.

Rather than her usual foray into supernatural horror, Moreno-Garcia explores the infamous biblical figure of Salome, whose story is reflected in the lives of Vera Larios, a young ingenue who unexpectedly lands the role of a lifetime, and Nancy Hartley, a ruthless actress determined to seize the spotlight at any cost. As Vera navigates the treacherous waters of Hollywood, she grows from a timid, overshadowed girl into a resilient woman who channels Salome’s cunning and strength. Meanwhile, Nancy’s desperation leads her down a dark path, mirroring the tragic choices Salome must make.

The narrative is skillfully structured, blending documentary-style elements with traditional storytelling, giving each character a distinct voice. Moreno-Garcia’s meticulous research shines through, offering a vivid and unsettling portrayal of 1950s Hollywood—a world as glamorous as it is cutthroat. The book’s mix of film noir and thriller elements adds to the tension, keeping readers on edge as they anticipate the inevitable tragedy that echoes Salome’s own fate.

While the ending felt somewhat abrupt, leaving me wishing for a bit more closure, the overall experience was highly satisfying. The characterizations were superb, with each woman’s journey unfolding in a way that was both compelling and relatable. Moreno-Garcia’s versatility as a writer is once again on full display, making “The Seventh Veil of Salome” a must-read for fans of historical fiction and women’s fiction alike.

The blending of non-fiction with the fictional narrative was particularly impressive, and the distinct narrative styles for each character added depth and richness to the story. Despite the abrupt conclusion, the book stands as a brilliant exploration of ambition, identity, and the costs of fame in an era that still casts a long shadow over the present. This is yet another testament to Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s remarkable talent and her ability to captivate readers across genres.

I've wanted to read more by Silvia Moreno-Garcia ever since I loved Mexican Gothic, and I'm glad I finally got the chance. 

Her latest novel revolves around the filming of the movie The Seventh Veil of Salome, and has two different storylines: the first set in Golden Age Hollywood, which mostly follows Vera, the actress who is cast in the lead role, and Nancy, another actress involved in the movie, and the second set in the past, which follows Salome herself. 

While I enjoyed both storylines, my favourite was the one in the past, mostly because I really like political intrigue and historical novels set in ancient times, and because I really loved Salome's character. I loved her political acumen and her ambition, and I was sympathetic for her doomed passion for Jokanaan, even though her insta love was a little extreme. I followed her story with great interest and, even though she wasn't a perfect character by any means, I totally understood her reasonings and her actions.

That being said, the present storyline was also well done. I especially liked the setting in Hollywood, and how it showed some of the struggles actors had to face in that historical period. While I found her less interesting than Salome, I liked Vera and I felt a lot of pity for her. Her romantic subplot, however, was definitely the part of the story I cared less about, so I was a little bored by it, and because of this I wasn't as affected by the ending as I probably should have been.

All in all, however, this was a really good book which I would definitely recommend.

Book Review: The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Rating: 5 Stars

If you’re looking for a book that combines sumptuous historical detail with a gripping narrative, look no further than The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. As a huge fan of this author, I can confidently say she has struck gold yet again!

Set in the glamorous yet cutthroat world of 1950s Hollywood, the story follows Vera Larios, an unknown actress who lands the role of a lifetime as Salome in a big-budget film. Suddenly, she finds herself in the spotlight, captivating the town and igniting envy in her fellow actress, Nancy Hartley. Nancy, whose career has stagnated, will stop at nothing to reclaim the fame she believes she deserves. But it’s not just about these two women; we also dive into the life of Princess Salome herself, a figure torn between her desires and her duties. It’s a tale buzzing with ambition, rivalry, and the darker side of fame.

First off, can we talk about the cover? It's absolutely stunning! I was drawn to it immediately, and it perfectly encapsulates the allure of both the era and the story. Moreno-Garcia's storytelling is as immersive as ever, capturing the glamour while unearthing the grit that lies beneath. Through multiple POVs, we are taken back to 1950s Hollywood, where racism, and fierce rivalry dominate the spotlight..

The characters are beautifully complex and well-crafted. Vera's journey toward fame is fraught with challenges, and Nancy's desperation adds an edge of intensity that keeps you flipping pages. The author’s meticulous research breathes life into the era with striking detail., making you feel as if you've stepped right onto those iconic movie sets.

In conclusion, I’m giving this book five stars without hesitation. Silvia Moreno-Garcia has solidified her status as one of my "must read" authors. If you haven’t picked up this book yet, do yourself a favor and dive into this captivating world. You won’t regret it!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Really nice portrayal of Old Hollywood, mixed in with a retelling of Salome. Told through multiple POV, as always happens with these, there are some POVs I wasn’t keen on. Vera’s was captivating, and so was Nancy, but for different reasons. Well crafted, meandering and enjoyable. If you’re into Sunset Boulevard you’ll love this because it has a similar feel. Also felt similar to Evelyn Hugo which is also one of my faves. I read everything by this Author so I’m totally biased. Nice gentle read with lashings of old school Hollywood glamour.

“Sometimes it was like this, she thought. You met someone you could just sit next to. Everything else ceased to matter but that solitary bubble, shielded from the chaos and the discordant rhythm of life.”

Silvia Moreno - Garcia’s new novel is set in 1950s Hollywood. Every actress is desperate for the role to play Salome. The biggest role in a low budget film that will sky rocket any actor’s career. When the director hires an unknown Mexican actress called Vera it is only the beginning of the chaos that ensues.

There is so much drama and anticipation from the get go that you can’t help but become hooked to this story. Actors feuding over an iconic role based on a historical figure is just the tip of the iceberg.

The tension and dread is a constant from the start. It is a slow burn story that keeps the reading wanting to know more. It is told in a unique way through the perspective of the main characters that switches to the viewpoint of the character Salome in the film. I like this aspect of this novel which highlights how similar the situations are within the film and reality.

Overall all this was a drama fuelled thriller that will keep your attention till the very end. This was my first read by this author and I definitely want to check out more.