Reviews with content warning for Panic attacks/disorders - The Scarlet Veil

Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin

9 reviews

literarymary95's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

3.0

I wasn't that big of a fan of this book. I should have looked a bit harder to find out that this is a vampire romance because I have yet to find one that I like. I'll give it a fair rating based on the overall story itself, character development, and pacing.

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tierneymichele's review

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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.

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mixed_emoticon's review

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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

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caidyn's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

A fun read. Definitely unique and I enjoyed how it didn't try to redo the Serpent and Dove trilogy. It's own story and allowed side characters to grow.

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taylorthebookdemon's review

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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.

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dearhaleynicole's review

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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.

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leedolee's review

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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

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katymat18's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

All I can say is WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK with that ending Shelby!! I need the next book PRONTO!

As an aside I am so happy to be back in the Serpent and Dove world and Célie is turning out to be a truly compelling main character. But that freaking cliffhanger of an ending and the epilogue. I spiral..

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natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

5.0

Wickedly dark and utterly atmospheric! Shelby Mahurin has once again ensnared me with her deliciously moreish prose (and enemies to lovers-style character dynamics)— in this gorgeously addictive series starter that takes place in the same world as Serpent & Dove.

Firstly, I just wanted to say I’m a huge fan of Shelby Mahurin’s Serpent & Dove series, so you can imagine how excited I was to receive a proof of The Scarlet Veil (which follows Célie’s journey after the action packed events of Gods & Monsters.) And I loved every second!

The supernatural, whodunnit aspect of the plot had me hooked from the start, and the romantic tension between Célie and her smouldering vampire love interest was gloriously well done, with an enemies to lovers style dynamic that’s just as swoon-worthy as Lou and Reid’s (especially THAT scene at Les Abysses .)

This is a new series, but I do think you’ll get the most enjoyment if you read the Serpent & Dove books before starting this, as characters from that series do make cameos and their connections/ shared history isn’t fully explained, so may get confusing.

Also, given the character driven focus of the narrative, and Célie’s complex emotional journey in finding herself. I feel you also get a better understanding of what Célie’s endured (both physically and emotionally) if you’ve followed her journey from Serpent & Dove onwards.

In fact, Célie has already undergone such a huge transformation by the start of this. Gone is the clingy ingenue and in her place, a determined young woman who intends to protect herself (and others) by taking up a balisarda and becoming the first woman Chasseur (which I thought was pretty badass of her.)

But the world still views her as the fragile, innocent girl she once was —and the uphill battle she’s forced to face (in trying change that perception) was an emotionally complex but relevant one; mirroring many of the struggles that women often still face in male dominated workplaces.

Our Byronic Vampire, Michal was an incredible character, both mysterious and charismatic, he felt like the prefect mash up of Dracula, Damon Salvatore and Eric Northman— that will no doubt have you swooning immediately. But if your still unconvinced, his support for Célie in her investigations (in respecting, listening and valuing her insights) definitely will.

The supporting characters (Dimitri, Odessa and Mila) were also as detailed and complex, with their own tragic pasts that did tug at my heartstrings more than once. I did happen to guess the killer’s identity, but I did not see that ending coming AT ALL. And I need to get my hands on the sequel immediately!

Overall, a satisfyingly pacey and plot twisty read that fans of vampires, Serpent & Dove or the enemies to lovers trope, definitely don’t want to miss! Though do check trigger warnings beforehand.

Also, a huge thank you to Electric Monkey for this absolutely stunning proof.

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