4.5 ⭐️

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperTeen for the E-Arc!

I loved this book.

I must confess that I didn't expect anything from The Scarlet Veil. I loved the Serpent and Dove trilogy with all my heart but I was ready to move on when Shelby announced that her next book would be The Scarlet Veil, starring Célie and featuring vampires. I honestly wasn't very excited. I knew I was going to read it because I adore Shelby and I think Célie is an incredible character.

But oh. my. god. This book was everything. Everything I didn't know you needed.

Shelby's pen felt very familiar to me, I love the way she writes and this book is impeccable. From the beginning it was impossible for me to put it down.

Célie is a type of character that we often forget. We're used to finding female characters like Lou or Coco (I love them both) in YA books and we tend to find characters like Célie as side characters. I think that one of the messages of this book is that characters like Célie can be the main characters. Even though they aren't physically strong, don't have powers of great magnitude, or aren't incredibly (and stupidly) brave, they can accomplish amazing things.

Célie is a soft girl who is just trying to find her place in the world and help others. Yes, she cries a lot, and yes, she gets into certain problems that could be avoided and sometimes she needs to be saved from that situation. But Célie has to work out a lot of internal things throughout this book and it was amazing to be able to be there to accompany her all along that path. I loved her before this book, but I love her even more after this one.

And I loved all the new characters. I was very suspicious of Michal but after 60% of the book I started to like him more and more. His relationship with Célie is very the beauty and the beast coded. It was beautiful to see how it developed.

And yes, this is a Serpent and dove spin off so we can meet again with several characters from the original trilogy. If you ask me, yes, you need to read Serpent and dove before The scarlet veil duology. This book spoils a lot of things that happen in the Serpent and dove trilogy and you will probably have a hard time understanding the world if you go without any prior knowledge. But in the end is up to you.

I loved this book. So, please go pre-order it.

Dark and bewitching, The Scarlet Veil lured me in with its haunting, gothic atmosphere, heart-pounding twists, and deadly, alluring vampires.

After the events of Gods & Monsters, Célie finds herself moving on and focusing on her new position as a huntswoman. But when strange disappearances start occurring, ending in the horrific deaths of magical beings, she is desperate to find the person behind these crimes. Battling the whispers of her past and the conflicting emotions in her present, Célie happens upon an enigmatic newcomer, but is he friend or foe? Can she trust her instincts to find the culprit, or will her heart betray her?

The eerie, gothic vibes of this novel were so spot on! I felt truly immersed in the ghostly cities, looming with mystery and intrigue at every turn. I loved seeing Mahurin expand her magical world of Serpent & Dove and how she added more depth and characterization to Célie and her story. The impact of her pain and trauma were very present throughout her journey, and it was so inspiring seeing her take those aspects of her past and face them head-on, blossoming into a fierce force full of compassion and strength.

One of my ABSOLUTE weaknesses is when potential love interests team up to uncover a mystery! I adored the intense tension in their growing relationship, from adversaries to allies to something more. That aspect, plus the addition of the found family established in the previous series and this new book, just MELTED my heart. I loved seeing some familiar faces and the introduction of some new ones—who, similar to Célie, I was helpless and fell completely for.

If you love stories with a supernatural/paranormal element, vampires, a touch of mystery, a simmering romance, and will keep you on your toes, definitely add this to your lists!

4.25/5

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Célie Tremblay has been through a lot. But that didn’t stop her from joining the ranks of the Chausseurs as the first ever huntswoman. It’s not easy though - the men look down on her and her captain (and fiancé) Jean Luc can’t help but want to protect her. When bodies start turning up drained of all their blood, Célie is determined to help find the killer. She finds herself among creatures she didn’t know existed and the center of a plot she couldn’t have anticipated, all while she is still being haunted by the whispers of her past.

The Serpent & Dove series holds a very special place in my heart and it was so incredibly fun to dive back into that world again with this book. Célie was a major player in the original trilogy, but she was also primarily a side character that we didn’t get to see develop as fully (which is not to say she didn’t go through a journey). It was so entrancing to have her take center stage and blossom as the main character.

This story introduces us to vampires and ghosts, both playing an integral part of the story. Though Shelby incorporated a lot of vampire lore that has floated around for ages, her vampires still felt like a fresh take on an old favorite, introducing us to things like bloodlust as a disease. And while I’m not sure if it was intended, parts of Célie’s interactions with the ghosts made me chuckle a bit and lightened the mood in an otherwise dark book.

And when I say "dark," I don't just mean because Célie spends a lot her time in it (I mean, you know, vampires and all). There are a lot of darker themes that are tackled in this story and it is done so beautifully. The way in which Shelby portrays anxiety and panic attacks, PTSD, grief, and addiction digs its way deep into your heart so that you feel like you have a better understanding of what it feels like even if you have never suffered through it yourself. She also tackles the perception that people who are suffering are somehow fragile, that they need extra protection - and why they don't.

And because of all of that, though Célie is a familiar character, she almost feels brand new in a way. She still has a bit of an air to her, but seeing her in new environments, new situations, and with a new outlook on life was refreshing. While she still has a bit of the Célie we know from the original trilogy, she also sharpens her edges as the story progresses. The Célie that we see at the start of the book is definitely different than the Célie that we see at the end the book, changed by her experiences but also by the reminders from her friends that she has always been a force to be reckoned with.

Speaking of her friends, fans of the Serpent & Dove series will be happy to see some other familiar faces in this story! While I sobbed at every mention of [REDACTED], it was lovely to revisit with these characters that feel like old friends and see where they are now. And not only do we get to revisit with old characters, but we get to meet new characters who are nuanced and interesting, each appearing to be one way and showing a different side to themselves as the story moves on. They all managed to worm their way into my heart, though they don't always make it easy!

And that ending! I knew it had to be coming, but I just couldn’t picture how it would come together. Yet again, Shelby Mahurin leaves my heart racing with a cliffhanger that I’ll be thinking about for days, weeks, months to come. Brava.

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
Upper YA • Fantasy Romance

🩸Enemies to Lovers
🩸Slow Burn
🩸He k!dn@ps her
🩸Vampires
🩸Unliving mystery
🩸Strengths comes in many ways
🩸Undercover mission
🩸All the cameos

Celie Tremblay is a gift from the heavens that must be cherished for all eternity. Yes, I know I said she was the worst. No, I wasn’t wrong. I was just not ready for this Celie and neither was she.

I love her. I would 🩸 for her. I want to grow up and be her. I want to give her all the stars in the sky. Because… because never have I ever encountered a FMC in fantasy like her. No, she wasn’t physically strong. No, she didn’t magically learn how to fight. No. Her strengths will always be those of the mind and those of the heart.

“I am Celie Tremblay, Bride of Death, and my strength has always and will always be in my loved ones. My friends.”

And if we are going to hold me to things I’ve said in the past then…. I vividly remember saying Jean Luc is a worst Chaol with no Tower of Dawn. I stand by it.

Now. You give me the witches (Serpent & Dove) AND the vampires (The Scarlet Veil)?! And you expect me to be calm and collected?! Yeah, didn’t happen. I lost it so many times… it’s honestly embarrassing 🙈

“Don’t cry, moje sunce. Never cry.”

But this book was just different. Special. The mystery and the darkness, the slow burn and the character growth. It was just sublime.

“You may feel like a different person now, but that doesn’t mean you were ever less. It doesn’t mean you were ever weak.”

Yes, that ending had me screaming YES! Only to be followed by 🤬 as soon as I turned to the epilogue 🫠

This was SO GOOD!!! I really loved Serpent and Dove and was so so excited to get back into this world. I loved the characters, the vampirism, and everything. I also really loved the romance in this, and absolutely cannot wait for the next book

I loved the Serpent & Dove series! I might have squealed like a little girl when I seen this stunning approval sitting on my shelf!
The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin was a fun and thrilling vampire romance story.
I love paranormal/fantasy romance and Shelby does a phenomenal job creating a world so stunning and characters so addicting!
The world building she created here was amazing. It was so original and captivating.
I could really imagine everything that happened in my mind. I was sucked into the story and it felt like I was one with the characters.
I hope she writes a book two and if so I’ll be waiting for it!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Well... That was a freaking fantastic story, and I need the next one like yesterday!!!
This sucked me in from the first page, and I could not put it down. Celie was always an intriguing character, but seeing her in this book and being able to be in her head really made me connect with her and I loved it! She has been through so much, and I loved how much her belief in herself grew throughout this story. The Scarlet Veil has everything you could possibly ask for vampires, ghosts, murder, mystery, and a smexy mysterious man who may have kidnapped Celie and taken her to his mansion on an island full of the supernatural.. I mean what else do you need?

I also really loved that along with this amazing storyline we get to see my other favorite characters Lou, Reed, Coco... and Beau.

This book was action-packed, full of mystery and suspense, and that ending!!! If I already hadn't preordered a copy of this I would definitely be doing it right after finishing this review. The next book can't come soon enough!!

This book will sink its teeth into you and will not let go. After the war we find Celie piercing together her new life as a fiancé and the first ever huntswoman. We get murder, mystery, magic and revisiting old friends in this new book.

Wow. I liked this much more than S&D. I went into this a little hesitant - I wasn’t the biggest fan of the last book in S&D and felt like overall that the series declined with each new release in the series. But I was pretty impressed with how much this book took me by surprise. Some highlights and tropes:
• Enemies to lovers
• Brave heroine with a heart of gold
• Tension build-up (I LOVE tension. The more the better)
• Vampires (Yeah, it needs to be highlighted)
• Brooding love interest who’s actually sweet at heart

The only downfall I feel the book has is that it’s a little too long and there were definitely some.. conveniences throughout the story. Otherwise highly enjoyable and looking forward to book two! Crossing my fingers and toes I enjoy the sequels to this series more than S&D 🤞🏼. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

I loved this book! It's everything I enjoy about a YA fantasy - it's fast-paced, there's tension galore, a good mystery to solve, new characters I can't wait to spend more time with and honestly so much more. I can't get over how much I've come to enjoy Célie as a character and watching her grow and evolve and become her own person has been fantastic.

I had my ups and downs with the original trilogy, but overall I really enjoyed how that series ended and the fact that we still get Lou, Coco, Beau, Reid and all our favorite Serpent and Dove characters makes The Scarlet Veil even better.

I absolutely devoured this book in just a couple days and would recommend it to anyone who wants to dive into a perfectly spooky fall read. Also - the vampires are perfection.

Serpent and Dove is one of my favorite YA series, so the idea of this spin off was so exciting to me.
I was really happy with the addition
L world building, and as much as I love Reid and Lou, I feel like I got an entirely different experience with Celie.
This was so impressive and I’m looking forward to the next book. It genuinely stood on its own without diminishing its predecessor.

Holy wow! I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book, but it felt like coming home. Serpent & Dove is one of my favorite series to date, so it was amazing to be back in that world while also getting an expansion on the world building. Celie was not a character I initially related to in the previous series, so it was also wonderful to see her development in this book and learn more about her and have the chance to love her as much as I love Lou and Coco. The descriptions in this book as so beautifully written and I can't wait to see where this story goes!

I want to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins Children's Books for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Having read the Serpent & Dove trilogy, I will say I was hesitant about this book. While I enjoyed the world built in those three books, I felt the author was a bit disjointed with how she presented it and often found myself having to back track to make sure I was understanding scenes correctly. I had particular trouble with the second book and was even hesitant to finish the series. But overall I enjoyed it and really wanted to see where the author would take a new book in this world. I am so glad I put my hesitancy aside and jumped into this one because I ended up truly enjoying it.
First I will say I can see how Mahurin has grown as a writer since the first books she wrote. The world she chose to build was deep in fantasy and while I was able to clasp the basics of it, I felt like things were missing. This book solidified that world very well. I almost felt like it was a different author writing this book than the others I have previously read.
I"m so happy Mahurin chose to write this book from Célie's perspective. I enjoyed meeting her character in the first trilogy but I also didn't feel like we completely got who she was. I actually didn't like her all that much. But I think this story is especially considering the bigger part she took in the third book of that series. In this book we see her as much more than the prim and proper aristocrat she is made out to be. She's been immersed in a world of creatures she formally despised/feared and now she's learning there is more to these other worldly creatures than what she has been taught all her life. Given the events of the final Serpent & Dove book, this makes total sense. This book shows immeasurable growth for her. character. Does she become some badass heroine who suddenly knows how to fight and take on the paranormal, yes, to a degree. But mostly you see how smart and perceptive she is and how she uses that to figure things out and fight. She is completely relatable because she is so real. I think girls will connect with her because she is not suddenly a character who can win all her battles with brute force or some special power. I also love the introduction of the new characters in this book. Odessa, Dimitri, and of course Michal. Michal is a love to hate character who grows on you so much in the end, you don't want to hate him anymore. But Mahurin also does not totally romanticize vampires as some other books do. You get the gore and power that truly encompasses what a vampire is. They are a gruesome and awesome trio of vampires. And the side characters are also fun to learn about. Plus you get your favorites from the first trilogy: Lou, Coco, Reid, and Beau, and even Jean Luc. And the villain turns out to be someone you really would not think of as a one, but makes total sense when it's revealed.
And the romance! UGH! It's a total and complete slow burn. And even at the end, you are not sure how or where it will end up, though you do see the complete and total connection that has occurred. I will again emphasize how Mahurin does not completely romanticize vampires in this book. This is a very important part of the romance that does occur.
The plot is amazing. I love the vampire aspect. I did get a bit of a Twighlight vibe between Célie and Michal. I also feel a bit of Beauty and the Beast coming through. If you're looking for a good enemies to friends to more trope, this book ticks off those boxes. While Mahurin does create a bit of a new world in this book, I do think you need the background from the first trilogy to truly understand the world in total. Mahurin does a good job with some background, but I honestly feel like I would have been lost without that background. I would not be surprised if the author chooses to write a short to go set before this series (or even the previous one) to link the two without someone having to read the first trilogy. I don't think you can truly understand Célie and how she grows and changes without that background. I am happy I did read the first trilogy and would recommend that to anyone before jumping into this book. In this way, I feel I can compare Mahurin's books to Cassandra Clare. Not only does it have many paranormal characters, but the links made between the books are immensely important,
Mahurin was spot on with her pacing for this book. I truly could not put it down. I read it in just a few days while on vacation. Every chapter left me with a want to dive right into the next and see where the story goes. I loved the tension she wove into each chapter and I feel this is what truly pushed the book forward.
One of the things I adored about how Mahurin staged this book is that she did not rely on the previous main characters to ensure there was a story. Were the involved, yes. Much of the hints lead back to the first trilogy. She truly made the story about Célie and her experiences. She composes a story that shows Célie's strengths but also exposes her weaknesses. But most of all, she makes her a survivor.
Overall, I adored this one. But that ending! I had tears. and then Mahurin went where I was sure she would not go and it made the entire book even more spectacular! I need book #2 now, but have to wait and I am already chomping at the bit for it! Again, I don't want to be a broken record but people really need to read the first series before this spin off. Not only does it spoil the trilogy but it will give you a better understand of the world, the magic system, and characters you meet.

I am absolutely obsessed with this book.
The perfect autumn read with a wonderful balance of spook and spice. I’ve wanted to read a story about vampires that checks off a certain aesthetic in my mind and this book did exactly that. The writing is spectacular as usual and the plot is luxurious and juicy. Seriously ready to reread as soon as possible.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC.

As an avid fan of the Serpent & Dove series, I was overjoyed to return to Belterra, this time with Jean Luc and Célie at the helm. Not going to lie, these two were not my favorite characters in S&D, but they kind of grew into somewhat likable people during Gods & Monsters, Célie especially.

The Scarlet Veil tackles their story as a new threat arises in Belterra. The story is evocative, similarly to how Mahurin crafted her S&D series. There is a ton of imagery, flowing prose, and an interesting conflict with a powerful enemy.

Perfect for those who want to explore more of the S&D universe, but may be difficult for anyone not already versed in that story.

💫4.5/5 |🌶️ 1/5 | Enemies to Lovers | Gothic YA Fantasy | Supernatural Romance | One Coffin | Soft Heroine | Murder Mystery | Blood Lust | Found Family

First, VAMPIRES. Second, DEVOURED. Third, I will romanticize nightmares any day if we are talking about Michal Vasiliev! Wow! This book was 650+ pages of goodness! This is my first Shelby Mahurin book and boy am I ecstatic! The Serpent & Dove series just got under my radar recently and I didn’t even know that The Scarlet Veil is from the same world. The world building here was wonderful, the character developments were amazing! And I love the found family aspect between Celie and the gang. If you want to get a better grasp of their history, the world building and the magic system, I’ve seen that you’d want to read the Serpent & Dove Trilogy first but isn’t necessary. I haven’t, and I didn’t have a hard time indulging in this world at all. The book was very gothic, atmospheric, and full of surprises. She was able to keep the curiosity and intrigue all throughout the book.

Celie is our soft, kind, and selfless heroine who has struggles with overcoming a traumatic event in her life. She is faced with a lot of self-discovery and self-awareness as she navigates the new life she has chosen and the need to prove herself. You may initially see her as weak and naïve but that won’t last. We see her inner conflicts as she assesses her incongruous relationship with her Fiancé & Captain Jean Luc. I love how Mahurin took her time with Celie’s character development, I liked seeing her struggles trying to face the realities of her situation. Mahurin painfully and beautifully represents Celie’s struggles with PTSD, Anxiety, Panic Attacks.

Michal is our broody, Vampire King those oozes with that morally grey characterization. I loved that throughout the book we knew exactly where his moral compass lie. There was no question there and Mahurin didn’t change that. I love when we are presented with a “Touch Her & Die” trope, and we get that protectiveness from Michal from the start despite their dislike for each other. There is deadly banter between our MCs. The shared coffin scene was one of my favorites because that was a turning point for their relationship. The brothel section of the story… damn! The restraint he had with Celie was chef’s kiss! I know there is very little spice but there is lots of little moments and nuances that will make you absolutely shiver!

The secondary characters were all fantastic and able to hold their own. And can we talk about that ending?! That last 5% of the book was jaw-dropping and what a cliffhanger! Holy Hell! How long do we have to wait for the sequel because I NEED MORE!

I enjoyed the Serpent and Dove series but I didn't click with Celie in that series at all. Not until Scalet Veil, Shelby did do her justice in giving her redemption. She not only redeemed herself but she showed her character grace to make mistakes and it is ok. She said you can be a huntress but you don't have to be the best at it. You can do your best and recognize all that you have accomplished along the way. I really appreciated that. I don't know if it was just me but Celie gave me Eve vibes from The Mummy.

I absolutely LOVED this book! It is definitely going to be one of my top reads of the year - right up there with Fourth Wing & Divine Rivals. I'm already sad thinking how long I have to wait for the next book.

If you felt let down by the author's previous series, don't let that stop you from trying this book. I enjoyed The Serpent and the Dove trilogy. That series lagged in places. It dragged in places. The Scarlet Veil has a bit of a slow start, but once it gets going it's a fun ride.

I honestly didn't have high hopes for it because Celie did not stand out to me in the previous trilogy, but I LOVED her journey through this book. I loved watching her realize that she has a backbone and that she is not as fragile as others (and she) think.

Highly recommend it for fantasy romance/ romantic fantasy readers.

While I really enjoyed this book (in some ways more than Serpent & Dove) it really felt like it wanted to be adult fantasy romance, not YA. And I'm not gonna lie, some of the plot felt forced. Much could have been avoided/resolved if some characters had just asked nicely instead of going straight to kidnapping. That said, I am really excited to see what happens in book two with everything that went down at the end of this book.

4.5 stars rounded up!

As many of you know, the Serpent & Dove series is one of my favorite YA/NA fantasies (and has the loml Reid Diggory in it), and I was so excited when Mahurin announced this spin-off series.

If you like Phantom of the Opera but wanted Christine to get with the Phantom instead Raul, this is the book for you! I love a good vampire romance, and this was an absolute slay in that department. I loved the tension and chemistry between Celie and Michal. The vampire hierarchy and world was so atmospheric. My only complaint is I felt like this could’ve been shorter or at least more concise.

Thank you so much for an advanced copy, and I’ll be waiting with bated breath for the sequel!