I’m not quite sure what to make of this one. It is beautifully written, and the climactic scene of Salome’s dance is absolutely entrancing.
It was a very slow burn for me. The pace and interest didn’t really pick up until I was over two-thirds of the way through. The characters and names of the first century cast were confusing at first (so many Herods!), but I did get used to them. I also felt like I missed the moment that Salome fell in love with Jokanaan, as the story skirted over that. One moment Salome was pondering the madness and frivolity of love and the next she’s all in, but we don’t really ever get to understand why, other than a sense that when she locked eyes with Jokanaan for the first time, that was it.
I did love the parallels drawn between the main characters of Herod’s court and the Hollywood characters. The mirrored characteristics and relationships were all just beneath the surface, subtle and artfully crafted, and this was definitely a highlight.
I’m going 4.5 stars on this one. There are moments of genius but I would have liked a little more jeopardy and tension, and I wasn’t in the least invested in Jokanaan’s fate, so it feels like there were some missed opportunities.
I loved the insight into 1940s Hollywood, and the characters who populated this era.
With thanks to NetGalley and Quercus Books / Arcadia for the chance to read an ARC.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia was a 2023 new author discovery for me and as I rapidly plough through her repertoire I'm finding time and again that she delivers the goods and The Seventh Veil of Salome is no different.

The ever eclectic crosser of genres, this time SMG has settled on historical fiction, giving us the glamourous and not-quite so glamourous world of Old Hollywood. Set in the 1950s at the height of the Hays code and the Red Scare, Salome is a warts and all love letter to filmmaking, the film world and its bit players. But of course it's so much more than that. Amongst the points of view of our three main characters -Vera, Nancy and Salome, we get romance, jealousy, revenge, the desire to grow up and not be under the shadow of family, commentary on a woman's place in Hollywood, commentary on what it is to be a person of colour especially during that era.

I found it to be just a gorgeous piece of writing overall. It was powerful, vivid and fluid, bringing the characters, setting and story to life. The story of Salome playing out at the same time as Vera and Nancy's stories showed us, as readers, that nothing truly changes. Whether in Bibilical times, the 1950s or now the struggles, challenges and fears of womanhood are still essentially the same and all three of our leads have so many connections and similarities despite all being so vastly different.

The story builds slowly and I loved the interspersing of reflections and think pieces by bit characters throughout that helps move the story along and rounds out the thoughts and actions of Vera, Nancy and Salome. You know it's all building to something as you're reading but it's never quite clear what direction the inevitable tragedy will take, even knowing the ending of the Salome story you muse throughout about what shape it could take in our 1950s storyline.

The ending, when we got there, just got straight to my heart. It was bittersweet and left a hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach with a sense of loss and yearning for more and yearning for a different outcome whilst also perfectly bringing all strands of the story together.

It was no surprise to me that I absolutely loved this book, especially as I am an eclectic reader and flit between genres so Moreno-Garcia's varying use of genres in her works absolutely suits me and she hit the spot with this historical fiction entry in her canon. It was enchanting with a cleverly woven story that gives you so much more than just being about the making of a film and I can see myself coming back to it repeatedly in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quercus Books | Arcadia for a digital review copy of "The Seventh Veil of Salome" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia changes direction in her latest offering, venturing into well researched, character driven historical fiction and immersing the reader into 1950s Hollywood, plunging beneath the superficial glamour, and the parallels to be found in ancient biblical times, and the life of the legendary Salome. A film director plucks an unknown beautiful young Mexican woman, Vera Larios, to play the coveted role of Salome, this decision sets tongues wagging in a place where rumour, intrigue and scandal abound. There are others who are are unhappy, like the jealous, mediocre, white Nancy Hartley, with her limited talent, consumed by desperation, jealousy and envy, convinced it is her right to be Salome.

In both periods, there are similar social norms and expectations when it comes to what women can or cannot do, males are dominant in the patriarchal societies, determining and directing agendas and narrowing the options available to women living in gilded cages, in worlds where responsibility and duty weigh heavy. Salome is burdened by religious and political forces, not to mention the brutal violence. There are familial complications, Vera is flooded with imposter syndrome, her mother favouring her sister who is the 'real' star, whilst men endeavour to dictate who she can see and where she goes. The eminently dislikeable Nancy could be viewed through the lens of a sexist industry that is mired with racism, and distorts women into ravenous, out of control, untrustworthy gargoyles, who will do anything to get what they want.

There are portentous tones of a tragedy to come, as we flit between the characters and the drama that follows in this engaging read as we get to know the women better, a novel that comes to a head quickly at the end and concludes in rather an abrupt fashion. In this thought provoking historical read of 2 different times, the author touches on a number of big themes and issues, that include being a woman in challenging times, the questions of identity, gender, race, love, and more. I would recommend this to those who love historical fiction, and those who have an interest in Salome, Hollywood, the 1950s era, and the position of women. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

’ve read most of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s books, so I’m used to the fact that she regularly switches genres from book to book – gothic romance, supernatural thriller, noir, and so on. What surprised me was the structural innovation. For some time now every Moreno-Garcia book consisted solely of main female protagonist POV chapters alternating with main male protagonist POV chapters. Which gets a little repetitive after a few books.

The Seventh Veil of Salome, with its three main female protagonists. has a distinctly different tempo, especially with the documentary-style testimonials from side characters interspersed throughout. The rhytm is captivating, which is fitting, I suppose – although this is a book about cinema, music is of paramount importance to the characters.

And what characters they are. All of them larger than life, especially Nancy. Acerbic, incredibly racist, self-destructive (as well as plainly destructive), her story is at times uncomfortable to read, and yet I couldn’t stop.

Vera seems almost angelic in comparison, and up to a certain point maybe a little boring because of that. But it’s not long until we get more of what’s churning beneath the surface and how she, too, is a reflection of Salome – at least of one of her sides.

Salome is a bit of a cipher, despite being a POV character. I assume that’s the point – she is both Vera and Nancy, or rather they are both her, which in turn means Salome has to have room to contain them both. And that is why she is a little undefined, sketched in broad strokes. It wouldn’t work if this was a standalone Salome story, but as part of a larger whole it’s perfectly fine.

I’ve had a good time reading this. I’ve already mentioned the rhytm, but I really have to stress it. It just has a great flow. The dialogue serves it as well – it’s very energetic, and at times it reads very much like something out of a Golden Age of Hollywood movie. Which is, again, very fitting.

Another enchanting and stunning historical fiction epic from the brilliant Silvia Moreno Garcia that hooks you right from page 1.

Set in 1950s Hollywood, this story follows the intertwined lives of three women: Vera, a young woman from Mexico cast to play Salome; Nancy, who believes she should have been cast; and Salome herself.

Vera, with no professional acting experience, initially struggles to meet the expectations of the role and the demanding world of Hollywood. Nancy, a veteran in Hollywood with only a few bit parts to her name, feels time slipping away in an industry obsessed with youth. While you might feel a twinge of sympathy for Nancy, it's fleeting, as her ruthless nature makes it hard to root for her.

In this story, Salome becomes more than the stereotypical temptress Hollywood usually portrays. Here, she is a young woman trying to find her place while being manipulated by those around her.

Set in 1950s Hollywood this tells the story of three women - Vera, a young woman from Mexico who has cast to play Salome, Nancy who feels she should have been cast, and Salome herself.

Vera has never acted in a professional production, and she initially struggles with what is expected for the part and from a young actress in Hollywood.
Nancy has been working in Hollywood for years but only has a few bit parts to show for it, and in an industry that values youth time is running out. You deal feel a little bit of sympathy for Nancy, but only a little bit as she is a truly horrible person and you are not hoping that she will get her break.
In this story Salome becomes a more rounded person, rather than the temptress that Hollywood usually portrays her as, here she is a young woman trying to find her place while being manipulated by those around her.

This was well written, and really drew you in to the worlds that were inhabited by these women.
With the story set in the 50s the story does include the sexism, racism, and homophobia that was typical of that period.

Moreno-Garcia has done it again. I really don't know any other author whose work I have followed, and loved, through so many genres. The Seventh Veil of Salome is a historical novel that flits between Golden Age Hollywood and the time of Salome herself, a young woman torn between desire and duty. It's a story of passion, of romance and of obsession and one that I couldn't put down.

1950's Hollywood and the name on every actress's lips is Salome, a big budget movie, sure to start anyone's career, but then the director does something no one expects, he cast's a nobody. Enter Vera Larios, an unknown, someone new to Hollywood and the workings of the film business. Vera was never supposed to be an actress, that was always in the starts for her younger sister, or so her mother said, but life never quite works out the way it's supposed to, and it's Vera that finds herself on a plane destined for the shine and glamour of Hollywood. Vera was a fantastic POV to read from, she's both naive, and also so world weary and I loved how Moreno-Garcia showed this contrast to her character. As a Mexican, she has to try and fight every single stereotype, whilst also trying not to step on too many toes, and she quickly realises that as much as Hollywood wants her, it only wants certain pieces, the parts they can bundle up into a nice, neat package. She try's her best to fit in, to play the part everyone expects, but there is a part of her desperate to escape, to show who he really is, what she can really do if let out of the little box everyone tries to keep her in.

Nancy is almost the opposite to Vera in every way imaginable. She's tried and tested in Hollywood, and mostly has been found wanting. Jaded to the point of depression, she is someone who believe's she deserves so much more than her lot in life, someone who is willing to work people until they give her what she wants and then drop them. She was adamant that the part of Salome was hers, this was her shot, so when Vera appeared and she was resigned to the role of 'fan holder,' a resentment began simmering. Nancy will have her time in the spotlight, one way or another. And then there is Salome, almost the most important POV as her story shows us what the movie was meant to be, the great epic. A love story, a story of passion and ambition, all centered around a young woman who loved the wrong man. Her story was one I had never heard before, and I did enjoy the delve into that time in history, seeing figures I had grown up learning about (Catholic School... what can I say) being brought to life before my eyes. She is almost a combination of Vera and Nancy, calculated, resilient and resourceful, and I enjoyed how the author made parallels between Salome's story, and the events happening in Hollywood as the film is being made.

Alongside our three MC's, Moreno-Garcia injects stories from other characters, some of which we meet through the story, these are told in different formats, some interview style, some almost like reading a diary and they all add to the intrigue of the story. From the first page we know it is building to some big event, and these little additions add to the tension and the build up to the inevitable ending that shook me in the best way.

Though these women, Salome and Vera and Nancy grew up centuries apart, Moreno-Garcia allows us to see the parallels in how they were treated as women in extremely male dominated circles. Salome, being pulled multiple ways between multiple suitors, all offering her different things, and Vera and Nancy pitted against one another whether they knew it or not. They were all stripped of who they truly are, made into something more appealing, something they could barter or sell, told how to act, what to think, who to love. She does a brilliant job of showing just how little life for women had changed, Vera and Nancy were still tied to the whims of more powerful men, they simply had the choice to leave, a choice that Salome did not get. All three of the women fight for their stories, their right to be seen and heard, accepted as they are, and it was incredibly powerful, but also angering seeing the parallels brought to life.

Is there any genre that Silvia Moreno-Garcia can't write? I've yet to find one so far. She maneuvers the Golden Age of Hollywood and the ancient world so incredibly effortlessly, interweaving these characters together whilst still giving them their own, utterly unique voices and stories. Her writing style never fails to drag me head first into her stories, and this one was no different. Decadent when required, as well as harsh and almost brutal in other parts, she has this ability to create the exact atmosphere, emotion you need to feel whilst reading certain scenes, and there were plenty that had me on the edge of my seat. It's a story that builds, quite slowly I will admit, but her outstanding character building ensures that we never feel the story is slow in anyway, instead she uses the characters, as well as the secondary POV's we get to build her atmosphere and tension, leading us into an almost inevitable ending that still managed to shock me in it's intensity.

I'm sure no one's going to be surprised when I say I loved this. It's not necessarily something I would have picked up, had it not been written by Moreno-Garcia, but I'm so glad I did. She has brought to life three incredible women who I know will stay with me long after I've finished. It's a story of ambition, of romance, but it's also one of three women simply trying to survive, to thrive in worlds that will never accept them as they are. If you enjoy historical fiction, and don't mind a slow burn plot, especially with characters this well written, I would highly recommend.

It took me a while to get into the story and to understand where it was going, but once I did it was a good read. The three female protagonists are not the most likeable of characters but you get to understand where each of them comes from and how they are at the same time the victim and the agent of their own (mis)fortunes. This is interesting if you want to know more about Hollywood in the fifties, but also gives you a fresh outlook on the Salome story from the bible. Cleverly woven together and well written.

5/5

One can always count on Silvia Moreno-Garcia to provide the book of the summer. Enter 1950s Hollywood, where actresses who pulled themselves up from the bottom fight for fame and the roles of a lifetime. The role that could propel current unknowns to stardom this time around is that of Salome, a legendary figure in art originating from biblical texts. The role of Salome is given to Vera Larios, a former unknown Mexican actress who is now an object of envy and desire. One such envier, Nancy Hartley, has always believed herself worthy of fame and finds that Vera is the one standing in the way. Framed between Vera’s and Nancy’s experiences and the story of Salome, Silvia Moreno-Garcia explores the mythologization of women through art in the past and within the studio system itself. Myths bend with reality and the studio system becomes a playing field for temptation, gossip, and unknowable pain. The Seventh Veil of Salome ties together a racing thriller with historical fiction and in classic Silvia Moreno-Garcia fashion, it’s just brilliant.

Another fabulous book from this author I have loved every one so far and this was no different!! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

Thanks to Net Galley and Del Rey/ Random House for the ARC of this book. Having read Mexican Gothic I was so excited to see a new Silvia Moreno-Garcia book coming down the pipeline this year and The Seventh Veil of Salome really didn’t disappoint.
The glittering backdrop of Hollywood in its heyday peppered with themes of jealousy, history, racism and classism dealt with from multiple points of view made this book a vivacious read.
Watching the main character Vera Larios find herself and grow in confidence to fight her own battles and stand up against the biased nay-sayers of the industry made for an empowering story line.
Running alongside this was the ancient tale of Salome herself which was an enjoyable feature of the book however I feel like we didn’t need quite as much of this and maybe more of the Hollywood narrative would have packed more of a punch:
The perspective of Nancy, a jealous wannabe who can never seem to catch a break really lends itself to the tension in the story and at times when I knew I should hate her, I found myself feeling sorry for her for being her own worst enemy. Nancys character really encapsulates the gritty side of Hollywood where people will do whatever they can for their fifteen minutes in the limelight.
Fans of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo will love the Old Hollywood glamour and drama of this story. A really enjoyable read overall!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review, thank you!

The story is about the 'real' Salome and about the movie production of 'The Seventh Veil of Salome' in the 1950's. It was the Golden Age of Hollywood (or not?). First we have a lot of short glimpses about the production and how the main actress for Salome got chosen. Vera Larios is from Mexico and doesn't have any experience in filming. That generates a lot of gossip and anger/jealousy from some girls (most of all from Nancy).

As the filming is going ahead we explore Salome's story. How she fell in love and how rejection causes her downfall... Meanwhile Vera is experiencing how racism can cause disadvantages and hate.

I liked that Vera is a humble and honest girl who only wishes to make her mother proud. At the beginning! Her character develops in such a positive way during the story! It's somehow the opposite from Salome.
Obviously, the climax of the book, and the best part is Salome's dance!

I gave the book 4,5 stars. The half star I took away was because the ending... It felt unfinished or rather too fast forwarded... As I wasn't given the chance to process all the events :/ Too bad, because the story was great and really amusing.

I was totally prepared to be blown away by this book, i don’t know what i was thinking, i was expecting some TJR kind of book( evelyn hugo type) but instead i was just disappointed.
I know this is a beloved author for some readers and for good reasons but the way i couldn’t even stand some characters, nancy was awful, really really awful. The definition of i hope something bad happens to her

The salome part… i could’ve lived without them and i honestly skipped some of it because it just didn’t interest me, it added nothing to the story. (IN MY OPINION)
I actually liked vera a lot and i wanted to see her have her hea, and honestly the ending was just for shock value, of all the endings you could pick, you pick this 🤡
I do have to give props to the author for doing her research and having a pretty good representation of the 1950’s hollywood

Unfortunately, this book was only ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc

Old Hollywood, twisty, engaging, great FMCs. I enjoyed this read a lot. There’s some time jumps that are executed well and it’s easy to read once you get into it. Recommend giving it a go

One of my most anticipated reads of 2024! Really really enjoyed, which isn't surprising given the author and the amount of hits SMG has given over the years. The story follows two timelines- multiple characters in the golden age of Hollywood filming the next upcoming blockbuster, and Salome in an early AD period /location sort of unknown?

I preferred the 50s timeline- I just found the Salome timeline much more difficult to follow (everyone having the same name and having to read up on backstory) but it was also interesting considering the movie was based on her life. Overall a solid 4 stars from me!

4.5

Silvia Moreno-Garcia has such a wonderful writing style and I've loved it in previous books, this was absolutely no exception. The jumping between time periods and POV was done so well and I was eager to find out what was going to happen next. The way Vera is treated in Hollywood is vile but sadly, was reality during that time period. I loved how the Salome chapters synced up with the 'real life' chapters too.

I hoped The Seventh Veil of Salome would be fantastic (and crossed my fingers for Taylor Jenkins Reid vibes), but honestly... this felt like a bit of a slog. That said, Silvia Moreno-Garcia's recreation of Old Hollywood glamour and power was excellently done – she's clearly done her research and immersed herself in this world. Hoping to revisit it before publication. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of my favourite authors and I've read a number of her books. This one lands in the upper middle for me. While The Seventh Veil of Salome is a good book, it had the potential to be so mind-blowingly good. I love anything set in the golden age of Hollywood, especially if it shows the darker side of that world and the author absolutely nails that. Watching the production of the film alongside Salome's story worked really well!

I think the characters were just a little flat, and a number of their storylines felt unfinished and unsatisfying. The ending was so incredibly rushed, to the detriment of the plot. We never really get a big emotional payoff because the climax of the story is totally brushed over. This is one of those rare book where I was looking at the number of pages left in the book and wondering how the hell she was going to wrap it up with less than 4% left!

The Seventh Veil of Salome was a good book that could have been great.

Nella Hollywood degli anni d'oro, una giovanissima, talentuosa ragazza messicana viene selezionata per il ruolo del prossimo, grande kolossal: sarà Salomè, ingenua e seduttrice, ragno e mosca intrappolata in una rete di inganni. Cosa può andare storto, nella Città degli Angeli, a una ragazza - glielo dicono tutti - 'tanto fortunata'?
Magistrale ricostruzione della Hollywood di quegli anni, dell'opprimente clima di caccia al comunista, delle pretese degli Studios, delle tattiche per creare una star, del sottobosco che nasce e sopravvive all'ombra del firmamento cinematografico, questo romanzo è anche la dissezione anatomica di emozioni sempre vive - amore, passione, desiderio, angoscia, invidia, ambizione sfrenata, confusione, - immutate dalla Galilea in cui vive Salomè (voce narrante, punto di vista, pedina e protagonista della propria storia) fino a duemila anni dopo.
Un romanzo magnifico, lussuoso, credibile.