Thanks to the Fable app and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

Review: Mahurin’s newest release is one you’ll want to sink your teeth into! 

 

Picking up six months after where “Gods & Monsters” left off, “The Scarlet Veil” follows Célie Tremblay, the first female Chausseur, as she investigates a string of murders in Cesarine—all of the bodies drained of blood. When she stumbles upon the body of an old friend, however, the investigation becomes personal. Determined to avenge her friend, Célie attracts the attention of the killer and learns that he has special plans for her. 

 

I want to start off this review by talking about my love for Célie. I’ve always admired Lou from the “Serpent & Dove” trilogy for her courage and brazenness. But it wasn’t until I read from Célie’s point-of-view that I felt seen. As Mahurin so beautifully puts it, “she’s softer, more sensitive, even emotional” and she isn’t less strong because of it, as “strength comes in all shapes and sizes, and soft girls aren’t weak.” Célie is such a special character to me for that reason. I am the sensitive girl that feels so deeply. I see so much of myself in Célie and I’m so grateful to Mahurin for that. 

 

Another aspect of the book that I love so much is Célie and Michal’s relationship development. They are actually enemies turned lovers! Despite Michal being a vampire and Célie being a human, the two have fangtastic chemistry. Célie fights against it because she believes him to be a monster and she despises that she even feels drawn to him. Her inner turmoil creates sexual tension that is unmatched and left me craving more long after the novel’s end. 

 

As with her other novels, Mahurin’s world-building in “The Scarlet Veil” is captivating. She does a beautiful job explaining away the absence of the Éternals in her previous works and transporting the reader to the Isle of Requiem. I really enjoyed learning about the history, customs, and abilities associated with Mahurin’s vampires and could not get enough of the nightwalkers making up the ensemble cast. 

The element of mystery woven into Mahurin’s dark and fantastical world with the added bonus of vampires make this book my favorite of hers! It is so special and I hope that others will love it as much as I do!