Having enjoyed this author’s Chicagoland Vampires Series, I was looking forward to her new dystopian series.

Set in New Orleans, destroyed after the war between humans and supernaturals, humans live very harsh and scary lives…..

I liked the idea of the story but there were a few things that just didn’t do it for me in The Veil, 1st book in the Devil’s Isle Series.

I know that this being the first book, it would have a load of world-building but jeez……after a bit…I kept having to stop and think about all the characters and places so I could keep up with the plot. Really slow going.

I didn’t totally engage with the characters….okay, Claire Connoly I kind of like in some way but I didn’t buy into the connection and chemistry between her and Liam Quinn. Something was missing between these two.

Didn’t exactly hate this book….just didn’t love it. Hopefully as the series progresses I will get more into this new world that Chloe Neill is creating.

I am looking forward to the next book, which I am hoping will get me into the groove!!!!

I ended up listening to this as an audiobook, instead of reading it because I found the pacing so uneven. The beginning is quite good - I was really getting into the action of it and the world as well as how Claire fit in. I felt we got a really good idea of the characters, but abruptly (after the attack the first few rays of frenzied "oh man this is a problem" moments) things took a way chill slow attitude to introducing everything all over again.

It felt kind of like the first and second part got mixed up somehow. I had a better understanding of what magic Claire was HIDING from everybody in the beginning then I did as the world building continued and we learned about the different kinds of magic and taboos and sensitives.

Meanwhile the ending...I know this is part of a series but I got so wound up in Liam & Claire's relationship I was feeling a bit let down that it didn't' seem to move much further than the start. The battle confused me - even listening to it - and I think part of it was because we went from HIGH ACTION to low building to HIGH ACTION with abrupt feeling transitions.

I love Chloe Neill's Chicagoland vampire series and while reading The Veil I kept comparing Claire to Merit. I enjoyed The Veil, it kept my attention and had me guessing about what would happen next, but I think if I had read this book before the Chicagoland series I would have enjoyed it even more.

Chloe Neill is a fabulous writer. She does a fabulous job with world building, at creating unique storylines and well rounded, multi faceted characters, even the supporting characters. I liked Claire's strength, her will to survive and carry on when she could have chosen an easier route in life. I also liked Liam, the bits and pieces he allows us to see of him, but I wasn't a big fan of his hot and cold feelings towards Claire. I understood his reluctance, given what Claire is, but there was too much waffling for me to really respect him.

I enjoyed the story and look forward to see what happens next in the world of Devil's Isle.

. Requested a long time ago and no one reviewed it. I had to download it just to be able to clear it from my pending TBR here on Netgalley. I apologize for the long delay. Dawn

The Veil is a boundary that separates Earth from all that lies Beyond. The veil was torn asunder when beings from Beyond came in force for war, centered near New Orleans. When the veil ripped, energy we know as magic spilled out as well... and humans found out some of them have the Gene that makes them Sensitive to Magic -- meaning they can accumulate it, possibly use it. However, there is a ban on magic. Simply being Sensitive will get her imprisoned in Devil's Isle. Too much magic is worse than death, turning them into specters of madness. This means our heroine, Claire Connolly, who is a Sensitive must do all she can to not get caught and not fall into the trap of too much magic. She makes a few key friendships that help her learn more about the entirety of what is happening in NOLA, and keep her out of Devil's Isle.

The Veil

When I started the book, I only had a slight idea about what it was about. That be said, I had a lot of trouble making it through. I think it was because it was just boring. Things would happen but it didn't get my heart racing or make me care for the characters. The last ten percent of the book was the best part for me. For those of you who don't know, this is urban fantasy with a dystopian plot to it. Sounds cool? And while some parts it is, it doesn't change the fact that I couldn't make it through some parts. Don't even get me started on the "romance". Hot boy meets hot girl, but he has too many issues and doesn't want to want her. Yawn. I can see myself caring for Claire eventually. I have the second and third book and judging by the ending of The Veil, my fingers are crossed that it gets better. For me, at least. I do have to make a shout out to The Chicagoland Vampire series...love those!

Not my normal read but I LOVED it. Great premise and intriguing characters. Definitely a page turner! Five stars.

Interesting dystopian world. Based in New Orleans, the Veil between the human world and the Other world was ripped apart. Creatures of myths/legends/fairytales entered our world and chaos ensued. The Veil was eventually sealed but the creatures trapped here are now prisoners regardless of their being friend or foe.

Claire Connolly is a human Sensitive who can absorb magic energy and channel it to achieve telekinesis. She accidentally discovered this power while trying to avoid mortal danger. Needing to hide this power for fear of being imprisoned for her magic, she is forced to use it to help a girl being attacked by two wraiths. A bounty hunter, Liam, happens upon the scene and helps her cover her tracks. The two of them join forces to investigate unheard of wraiths collaborating together. They soon uncover a plot to reopen the Veil.

There is too much "tell" and not nearly enough "show." The monotonous narrative makes me feel like I am watching through a window from the outside, making it very easy to just walk away when things are slow, which is about the first third of the book. Things get interesting as more creatures are revealed but there is not enough character development to really keep my interest.