Reviews with content warning for Death - The Scarlet Veil

Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin

13 reviews

tierneymichele's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

4 stars because the story was riveting and although it took a few chapters to really get into it, it had me hooked. Missing 1 star because the main character is insufferable and it was a headache to be stuck following half of her absolutely moronic choices throughout the book. From start to finish it felt like she was given multiple options no matter what and she always chose the WORST one. On purpose. Because she thinks it proves something or that her stubbornness will win no matter what, which is ridiculous.

***The next part will contain small SPOILERS so don't continue from here if you have not read the book yet!

The worst part of that was everyone around her who just keeps praising her near the end for simply surviving through the outcome of her stupid choices.

Content Warnings

mixed_emoticon's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A TLDR Review for The Scarlet Veil

4/5 stars

A neat little thing to read around October.

Highlights:
🧙🏻 Serpent & Dove Spin-Off
🇫🇷 French Setting
🔍 Murder Mystery
🧛 Vampires
♂️ Misogyny
💎 Worth & Value
⛓️ Kidnapping
😱 Fear & Phobias
👻 Ghosts
🧟 Necromancy
💑 The power of friendship

Content Warnings

shannnne_reads_words's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

bribreez's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

4.5⭐️

Just when I thought the story was over, Shelby Mahurin came out with a spin-off series from the beloved, “Serpent & Dove” trilogy, but this time focusing it on a certain character who you may recognize, Célie. While this book can be considered a standalone/ new series on its own, I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND you go back and read the, “Serpent & Dove” trilogy as a lot of things that happened in those books connect to Célie’s story, as well as bringing back the characters from the previous series too. This story introduced a new set of challenges specifically for, Célie as she was the first ever huntswoman within the Chasseur’s. Célie wanted to fight to protect the innocent from the evils lurking in the world, but when a new evil comes about leaving bodies drained of their blood, a whole new mystery begins.

Not going to lie, when I first met Célie in the previous trilogy, my first impression of her wasn’t the best. I say that to preface that beforehand I wasn’t the biggest fan of Célie, but throughout the books it made me appreciate Célie as a character, and how even despite my initial impression of her, she grew on me, and I actually cared about her in the end. This time around, I felt like I got to see a more stronger version of Célie. Célie still had this softness to her that exuded in her compassion, even when she captured creatures, she showed kindness when most other Chasseur’s wouldn’t. Célie had a lot to overcome from the bullying and unfair treatment from other Chasseur’s (*ahem, I’m talking about you, Frederic!) to even the lack of trust Jean Luc showed in the beginning. Célie was more than what people gave her credit for, and I was more than intrigued to see her train, battle, and hone her skills in the danger that was to come.

You would think Célie has seen everything from witches, werewolves, and mermaids, but nope, there was still more creatures she had yet to face. While this story did involve other magical creatures we’ve seen before, it was the first time, vampires were introduced. Once Célie came across the dead bodies that had twin puncture wounds on the neck, it was an immediate understanding that this story was going to revolve heavily around vampires! I liked the way it kind of built up to the moment when Célie realized that the new individuals she came across were exactly similar to the old stories her old nursemaid would tell her as a child. For Célie to be surrounded by new strangers, and ones who could easily unalive her at any moment, she yet again surprised me with her way of handling the situation as best as she could. If I were in Célie’s shoes, I’d most definitely be losing my mind, and simultaneously avoid letting any vampires try to bite me!

Ok, let me just say that I legitimately had no idea what this book was going to be, but once I got to a CERTAIN part in the story…it made the story even more compelling! Don’t be fooled by Célie, she was a lot stronger than you would think, and her story was just the tip of the iceberg. I couldn’t even fathom what was revealed about her in this story like, WHAT?! Just now that when you read this book, it isn’t going to be a straightforward read, there’s intrigue, mystery, danger, and more to be explored with Célie, and new characters like, Michal.

At first, I just assumed that Michal was going to be villain, and that was it, but there seemed to be a shift between him and Célie. Obviously, Michal was morally gray, wasn’t exactly the type of man that Célie was use to such as her…fiancée, Jean Luc. Whereas Jean Luc was the heroic type to try to take down nefarious people or creatures, Michal did whatever fit his agenda, albeit it usually ended with him unaliving someone. Michal was an interesting character compared to the other that I’ve come across within the Serpent & Dove universe. The more I read, the more I got to see different sides of Michal, more of his cunning personality and surprisingly even his rare show of kindness. I’m not even sure what to classify Célie and Michal as “enemies to lovers”, only because I wasn’t even sure if they would become lovers, but I got the sense of being enemies more than anything especially in the beginning half of the story.

I really thought Célie and Jean Luc were going to have a happy life together especially with all they went through in the previous year, but…NOPE! I was immediately back to not liking Jean Luc. I feel like I keep saying this, but I’ll say it again, CÉLIE WAS SO MUCH MORE THAN PEOPLE GAVE HER CREDIT FOR! Jean Luc was probably the main one who consistently underestimated and viewed Célie as a “damsel in distress”. You would think being engaged and working alongside each other as Chasseur’s would be all happy for Célie and Jean Luc, but it wasn’t an equal partnership. Jean Luc wanted to keep Célie in a glass box, safe from any harm. Célie in her own way, wanted to prove to Jean, her friends, and mostly herself that she wasn’t weak and could be brave just like the others. I admired Célie for pushing herself, despite some of her plans didn’t always pan out. Whereas Jean Luc was basically trying to prevent and keep Célie in a cookie cutter box of protection, Michal was different. Michal ACKNOWLEDGED AND PRAISED Célie for taking down Morgane, for going up against blood witches, and albeit a VERY DANGEROUS IDEA, helped give her own blood to save Michal. In case you haven’t caught on, I firmly became on team Michal, even with his morally questionable actions, THE VAMPIRE WAS STILL MORE UNDERSTANDING TO CÉLIE THAN FREAKING JEAN LUC!

…ummm…I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS WITH THAT ENDING! ESPECIALLY THAT EPILOGUE CLIFFHANGER?! AHHHHHH! WHAT?!?! This story (just like the other books written by Shelby Mahurin) took me on a journey suffice it to say. There was so much that happened in this story that I’m still trying to wrap my mind around it. Aside from the trip I experienced and was left feeling gobsmacked, I really enjoyed this book! Beginning half of this book, I wasn’t sure exactly what direction this story was headed, but as per usual, trust the process. Célie really shined in her story, there was more depth to her character, lots to learn about her hopes for her own life, and truly discovering her own independence. I feel like the romance wasn’t as big plot point in this story, and I was totally fine with that. If anything, I would say this was more of a slow burn romance, enemies to acquaintances to lovers (in the future). Célie and Michal definitely came together more towards the story and the little crumbs of them together made my heart happy. WE LOVE A MORALLY GRAY VAMPIRE WHO TREATS THEIR WOMAN AS THEIR EQUAL! Michal may have been a powerful vampire king, but even the way he treated and spoke to/ about Célie spoke volumes of how much he truly saw how wonderful she was. I loved seeing Lou, Coco, Reid, and Beau, I love those guys SO MUCH! Now, to wait patiently for the sequel because I GOTTA KNOW WHAT THE *BEEP HAPPENED! Highly recommend if you’ve read the “Serpent and Dove” trilogy!

Content Warnings

taylorthebookdemon's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book made me cry not even a hundred pages in. Michal is mortally gray yet is honest, surprisingly sweet, and plain devious. Celie story is a tense, heart-wrenching tale that will leave you absolutely conflicted by the end of it...if not sobbing.

Content Warnings

taryn_g's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Content Warnings

what_karla_reads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Content Warnings

dearhaleynicole's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

This book had immaculate dark, vamp vibes all around and was overall happy with the read. But wondering if it could have been shorter after having read it in its entirety… Loved the plot and characters but looking back it felt like too much exposition at times. Especially when considering that relatively no significant plot progress was made till the last 100 pages or so. I should note as a disclaimer that I went in cold to this book (did not read the Serpent & Dove trilogy beforehand so again no context to anything that came before this book) so there were definitely a lot of contextual moments that might have been lost on me when reading. That being said, I will definitely be going back to read the Serpent & Dove books now after having read The Scarlet Veil. I really liked the world that the author built, along with the cast of characters too! Want to understand what battle they fount in previously all together.

Content Warnings

leedolee's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

eap157's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.75

I was expecting S&D with vampires, and instead I read over 600 pages just waiting for any of it to come together. There was very little world building, an unlikeable, deeply traumatized heroine, and a lackluster Rhysand stand-in vampire king. Michal and Celie had zero chemistry, so romance 0, action, maybe a 3? I would have forgiven a lot of its failings if the ending had wowed me, but the ending was

TERRIBLE. I can't believe she didn't make a choice and just give us an actual ending. To leave things ambiguous after 600+ pages was just wrong. It's not a cliffhanger if the should-be ending of this book will be revealed in the next book's blurb. Why leave it out?

The brothel scene with the blood witch in Amandine was the book's highlight for me. It was a very quick read, but it left me so disappointed. SM teased at the salacious vampire aspects, but that was mostly just violence. She took the (YA) sexy out of vampires. BOO.

Content Warnings

More...