Totally by coincidence, I've read a few novels set in the golden age of Hollywood this year and The Seventh Veil of Salome is my favorite so far. However, I wanted more, and it's difficult for me to put my finger on what that is. It's fine, and great to read about the era partially from an underrepresented perspective.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of my favorite authors of all time. In every book, she tackles a different genre and does something special with it. In The Seventh Veil of Salome, she takes on historical fiction, a bible-inspired story, and 1950s Hollywood. In classic Silvia Moreno-Garcia style, she takes on an exploration of women's lives and the choices they make in a patriarchal and racist world while also giving us. a very interesting narrative style. Here, we go back and forth between the story of Salome, the actress playing her in a 1950s film, and the would-be actress in the 1950s that would kill for the Salome role.

If I were still in school, I would write an essay on the recurring themes in Silvia Moreno-Garcia's novels. She loves complicated heroines, the history of cinema, and interesting family dynamics. There really is something to explore in the relationships that her heroines have with their mothers and sisters.

I cannot recommend this book enough. Just go read it!

As a Latina, reading this book about old Hollywood was both captivating and deeply resonant, shedding light on the discrimination and racism faced by actresses of color during that era.

The multiple points of were initially challenging to follow, making the first half feel slow to read. However, halfway through I began to really enjoy it and especially loved the suspense.

Vera Larios is cast in the most coveted role in Hollywood to star as Salome in an upcoming epic sword and sandals film. Vera is new to Hollywood, a complete unknown. She has no idea how to deal with the seedy underworld of that society as young woman. She is also a Mexican woman in a system that favors whiteness. Nancy Hartley was also up for the role in the movie. She is a mostly small time actress who has seen her career stall. Vera becomes an obsession for Nancy who sees her as taking what was hers.

This books was incredible. I always know I am in for a good time with a Silvia Moreno-Garcia book. She builds worlds and characters better than most other authors. This is a purely historical fiction novel. It is beautifully written and well paced. I was completely wrapped up in the story and characters. I can see this being a book that I revisit. I can't wait to see what she does next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Ray for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for the e-arc!
Another stellar book by one of my favorite authors, Silvia Moreno-Garcia! This is a historical fiction set in 1950s Hollywood where Salome has the chance to be in a huge movie about a famous artist. She is set to film this movie with Vera after being chosen as an enemy of Nancy, who is jealous of Salome's newfound success.
Just like Moreno-Garcia's previous works, she really brings drama, mystery, and thrill. The setting of the golden age in Hollywood creates a lush atmosphere of luxury and indulgence often associated with this time period. This book really loves the reality behind these gilded dreams of fame and fortune. All three of our main characters are unbelievably hungry and interesting in their own way.

Inspired by the biblical legend of Salome and its long cultural trail, this story focuses on 3 women; Vera Larios is unexpectedly thrust into the spotlight when she nabs the leading role in The Seventh Veil of Salome, the latest sword-and-sandal epic to emerge from the Technicolor machine of 19502 Hollywood; Nancy Hartley an aspiring actress who's so far been consigned to bit-parts, is instantly filled with fury, believing the role to be hers. Then there's Salome herself, who is caught in the middle of a power struggle in the first century while falling in love with a mysterious and rebellious preacher who threatens to bring turmoil to Galilee.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for this e-arc.*

Thank you to Random House publishing group and Netgalley for this eArc in exchange for an honest review. This gave me the best old Hollywood vibes. I also was intrigued by the story of Salome told in first person as well as the parallels with the main character. I am a huge fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia ever since I read Mexican Gothic, and I recommend her newest release!

An enjoyable read overall with a great use of history and voice. And with one hell of a twist! I really loved the atmosphere that SMG created with the old Hollywood setting. There were some elements and chapters that just didn't really grip me. But SMG's books have almost always hit at the four star mark for me and it was the same with this one.

My goodness this book was amazing. I don't know if I liked the Salome or the Vera storyline better, but the fact that both were able to be woven so perfectly was impressive. The ominous foreshadowing was the perfect amount, as it didn't over promise or tease but it definitely kept me interested. I don't normally gravitate to historical fiction but I found myself loving the Old Hollywood setting of this story. I think SMG is an auto-buy author for me!

No one can ever say Silvia Moreno-Garcia is not as versatile as all get out. This is the fifth SMG book I've read; each has been different, but you can still tell that the same author writes them.

This story is told through multiple points of view, mostly through the eyes of three women- Vera (a newcomer from Mexico playing Salome in a movie), Nancy (an actress who wanted the role of Salome and is still waiting for her big break after 5 years in Hollywood), and Salome herself.

I am not sure if it's ever clear if Salome's point of view is actually what the scriptwriter wants Salome to have experienced or if it is actually the narration of Salome's life, by herself.

This book reads like a Greek or Shakespearean tragedy, and I mean that in the best way possible. I felt for each of our characters at different moments throughout the book- maybe a little less so regarding Nancy, but still. Beyond just the story of Salome, both in Biblical times and 1950s Hollywood, we see Vera experience colorism and racism within the Hollywood community and her own family.

Honestly, if someone brought up a desire to read "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" I would steer them toward this book instead. This book has everything Seven Husbands has but is written by a Latine author talking about a Latine character.

This was a decent read, for me. I just wasn't fully captivated as I thought I would be. I struggled a little bit finishing this one. Everything was really slow and nothing really picked up until the very end that for me the ending was abrupt. BUT I do know a lot of people will like this. I will still recommend this book to the right audience.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia's latest novel is a masterful blend of 1950s Hollywood glamor and ancient Judea’s drama. She excels at merging genres, creating rich narratives that captivate readers.

The story contrasts two eras: in 1950s Hollywood, Vera Larios, an aspiring Mexican actress, faces racial stereotypes and industry expectations, while the jaded Nancy Hartley battles envy and self-destruction. Both characters are well-crafted, with Vera's growth and Nancy's complexity providing deep insights into ambition and identity.

Parallel to this is the historical narrative of Salome, depicted with fresh intensity and independence. The novel switches between first-person and third-person perspectives, including interviews and diary entries, adding depth and building towards a compelling climax. Moreno-Garcia captures both the opulence of Hollywood and the starkness of ancient times with authenticity.

The book delves into themes of gender, race, and self-identity, reflecting on how these issues transcend time. While the novel includes period-specific racial slurs, it uses them to underscore historical realities. Despite some discomfort, the story’s exploration of societal expectations and personal sacrifice makes for a profound read.

Overall, "The Seventh Veil of Salome" is a captivating mix of historical and contemporary fiction, making it a must-read for fans of both genres.

This new book by Moreno-Garcia weaves together three women's stories: Vera, a young Mexican woman who is brought to Hollywood to start as Salome; Nancy, a wannabe actress in Hollywood that is struggling to break through; and Salome, in biblical times. Following the drama of old Hollywood, mixed with a story of how Salome came to request the head of John the Baptist.

Overall, I enjoyed this read! It was different than Moreno-Garcia's other works in terms of genre (and I did miss the mystery elements but maybe next book!) as it is pretty much historical fiction exclusively. I loved Vera's chapters and her as a character. Nancy was painful to read. Not because it was poorly written - I think she did a great job capturing entitled, racist white actors from this time period - but rather because it is just hard to read characters that are so cruel. Salome's chapters did not feel really relevant until the very end. Even after finishing it, I was left questioning the true parallels between the stories. I could see where she wanted to go, but I never got quite what I think she wanted us to get.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

An enchanting look into old Hollywood as a young woman gets the role of a lifetime while dealing with drama behind the scenes and learning the history of the character she is meant to portray. It is 1950s Hollywood and the hottest role to play is Salome, and with a big budget movie happening and the role of a lifetime on the line everyone is desperate to get it. Yet Vera Larios, an unknown Mdican ingenue, snags the role. Vera becomes the talk of the town and the main object of envy of Nancy Hartley, a model who is as violent as she is obsessive in getting what she thinks she deserves. The two actresses are determined to make it in the Golden Age of Hollywood... but scandal follows them at every corner and romance is a messy business. Then there is the tale of princess Salome herself, a woman who becomes obsessed with a prophet who foretells the doom of her father... while dealing with her own family struggles and struggling for freedom and what her heart desires. This is a story of three women who want so dearly, and must risk everything to get what they want. This was such a fascinating read and really captures the old feel of Old Hollywood. I liked how the stories intertwined and how each of the characters was so distinct. The story itself really immerses you into the time period and captivates you until the end.

Release Date: August 6,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Random House | Del Rey for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I don’t have the best record with Silvia Moreno-Garcia novels, but The Seventh Veil of Salome is one of the most beautiful novels I’ve read this year, and definitely the most beautiful novel I’ve read since early spring.

Moreno-Garcia has made this book as much of a juxtaposition as the titular character Salome is: it’s all at once grand and intimate, fantastic and mundane, showing us the glory of old Hollywood on one page and the sordid underbelly on the other. There’s a lot going on inside these pages: the main story with the dual third-person POVs of Vera and Nancy, interspersed testimonials from supporting characters in the main story written as if they’re in a documentary, and the story of the fictional character Salome. This whirling mix of narrative styles and plot devices keeps this book moving, keeps it interesting, keeps it fresh, and helps the reader to understand all of the characters more and more as the book moves on. As an added bonus, it also helps to ratchet up the tension and chemistry between everyone, too. One petal of the story unfurls and you’re rewarded with another petal of the adjacent story unfolding. It’s a domino effect of sorts, where the story just keeps unfurling like a beautiful flower blooming with lovely words, impeccable worldbuilding, and fascinating characters.

I absolutely, positively loved this book. I haven’t had much luck with historical fiction this year, so this was a very welcome read. This was a lush, decadent, technicolor dream read. I’ll definitely be needing a copy for my own shelf.

I was provided a copy of this title by Netgalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Star Review/Historical Fiction

The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a masterful storyteller.
Sylvia Moreno-Garcia masterfully crafts an immersive tale, with an intricate plot and a cast of colorful characters, while utilizing evocative prose.
The Seventh Veil of Salome is a riveting historical epic that swept me up in its lush descriptions and complex characters consistent with everything else its author has written thus far.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House | Del Rey for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I’ve been hooked on Silvia Moreno-Garcia novels ever since I read Mexican Gothic. And honestly, her books only get better with time. A few days ago, if pushed, I would have probably list Silver Nitrate or Velvet Was the Night as my favorite of hers—but goodness, The Seventh Veil of Salome may have just claimed that spot for itself. If ever there was a book made just for me, it was this one. I’m a sucker for anything set in Hollywood’s Golden Age. Give me all the out-of-date Hollywood gossip about my favorite stars and their films. And to have this set while filming a biblical epic? Fantastic. I’ll be humming the music from The Ten Commandments or Ben-Hur for the rest of the weekend.

The book switches perspective and time period quite a bit and, for this reader at least, this style worked particularly well to tell the story Moreno-Garcia set out to tell. Some chapters are told documentary-style, with a minor character looking back to talk about the filming of The Seventh Veil of Salome. Others are excerpts from the gossip rags. The rest of the chapters are told in third-person and focus on one of our three female leads: Vera (the debut actress playing Salome), Nancy (her rival), and the titular Salome. Each of our three main characters are layered and complex and I was invested in all of their stories equally—yes, even Nancy’s even though I hated her. Through this story, Moreno-Garcia is able to discuss the ugliness not just of the Hollywood studio system but society at large, showing that sexism and racism are systemic and ingrained in both.

Goodness, that ending though…

This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The book will be published on August 6.

I’m always saddened when my reading experience of a new novel by a favorite author doesn’t pan out the way I’d hoped, and that’s unfortunately the case with The Seventh Veil of Salome. I have read a good number when it comes to Moreno-Garcia’s backlist, mostly her work in historical fiction and fantasy—like Gods of Jade and Shadow, The Return of the Sorceress, and Silver Nitrate—but I’ve also delved into some of her other works with her noir novel, Velvet Was the Night, and her take on gothic literature, Mexican Gothic. And going into The Seventh Veil of Salome, I was fully expecting to love this story too. I liked the writing style—it was up to Moreno-Garcia’s usual quality. What didn’t work out as well for me was the actual plot, no other qualms, and it was entirely subjective on my end. Will I read another novel by Moreno-Garcia? Yes, absolutely. But going forward, I’ll be a little more nitpicky when it comes to which ones I pick up.

Disclaimer: this copy of the book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchanged for an honest review, thank you!

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the way it was told, interweaving the story of Salome with the present tense historical Hollywood scenes and then the retrospective (like a documentary) bits from those who had been involved in the Hollywood part.

Those retrospective scenes showed that something big had happened, but it was unclear (and you want to keep it unclear! don't let yourself find out the ending) exactly what that was. As the story progressed, I really felt the tension building and building. And in the final section we get faster flashes from one POV to another, further building the tension to the point where everything came out. What a journey!

Silvia Moreno Garcia writes another compelling and jaw dropping novel, it's not surprising. The parallel time lines are fascinating and make it go by in a flash. I think everyone is going to go absolute ham for this one, not just because I did