The Scarlet Veil

"This was just okay. I've sat on this review for a few weeks now and all I can remember liking about this story was the atmosphere and world-building. The romance, not so much. Célie aggravated the stew out of me. Always trying to prove herself in the worst ways possible. Walking around at night on a vampire-infested island. Really? And sometimes it was like reading Bram Stoker's Dracula. There is a woman drained of blood with two puncher holes in her neck I wonder what could have done it? There was a little bit of the found family trope but it wasn't flushed out enough for my taste. Still, I love this world and I enjoyed learning more about it. I guess I just wished I cared more about these new characters. So I'm not sure if I will continue the series. Sadly I don't care enough even though the world is whimsically wonderful."

"The Scarlet Veil is what our shelves have needed for a long time. Enemies to lovers. Violence, heartbreak, and magic. It's gothic and cold, and nothing compares to the brilliant way the author has threaded together the perfect story. This book has some of the best character development I've ever read, and everyone is surprisingly lovable. And that ending? I need the second book NOW!!! "

"Thank you, HarperCollins and Netgalley, for this arc for an honest review. <br/><br/>I did not look at this synopsis before reading, so I didn't know this was set in the Serpent and Dove World. I've read the first 2 S&D books, and this is definitely my favorite from the author. This book follows the pov of Celie as she is the first female Chasseur. She is engaged to Jean Luc but is frustrated because he tries to protect her by hiding what's going on with the murders and keeping her from training. <br/><br/>So part of the plot is a murder mystery that a lot of people in this world are trying to figure out. Celie is kidnapped by a vampire Micheal who takes her to an island so that they can figure out the mystery. The vampires are dark and mysterious, which I loved. I think the book became so much more interesting for me when the vampires came into play. I adored Celie, watching her character develop in wanting to prove herself to others and find her voice, especially when it came to Jean Luc, was something I appreciated in the book. I also really liked the glimpses we got of Reid and Lou and the characters we met in the S&D books.<br/><br/>Overall despite the slow start to the book, it gets really interesting. There is some romance, and it's an enemies-to-lover slow burn, which I liked it but needed more. It does end on a cliffhanger, so be prepared. If you like YA fantasy/paranormal books with vampires, ghosts, witches, etc., you'll like this."