Loved this blend of historical and women's fiction! It felt different than her other works I've read (Mexican Gothic, The Daughter of Doctor Moreau), so I was a little surprised when I began. Once I got into the story though, I read it quickly. The Golden Age of Hollywood, the role of women in film, the story of Salome....just all-around great! But, I also haven't read a book by her that I've disliked.

I love the mysteriousness of Salome and the narratives crafted around who she might have been. These story is told in several parts all intertwined together. The "present" where an upcoming actress has been plucked from a dentist's office to play the part of Salome in a technicolor movie highlighting the perilous opulence of the Golden Age of Hollywood. The past where Salome struggles with her passionate love for a preacher that is a dead man walking and the parts others demand she play vs. what she wants for herself. Then there's a few extra POVs that come together in a documentary-style segment that goes along with the present narratives, building up to this incident that is talked about in the end in past tense. While I understand and appreciate what Garcia was going for, it's a difficult method to tackle in book form only, and it fell a little flat for me. This could also be because I had an ARC that the formatting didn't clearly delineate these sections and that led to some confusion between the parts. The climactic ending didn't match the build up to it. It was told in multiple POVs that went back and forth between the characters involved which did give it a fast pace, something that happens in the blink of an eye, but it also killed a lot of the tension that had been built up before. Overall, I loved the narrative and Vera and Salome, and I really loved the author's note in the back breaking down some of the creative choices!

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-book ARC of this title in exchange for my review.

I have enjoyed everything I have read by this author, some more than others, but I enjoy all of her books. This one was different, but still a well developed fast paced read. I'm not a huge fan of alternating POV's in books, but I didn't mind it in this one. The time frame and topic were interesting to read about and I felt myself falling into the story.

Though this wasn't a favorite of mine, I'll rate 3.5, rounded up. When the audiobook is released, I plan to find that and give the story a listen, see if I missed anything. :)

As expected, Silvia Moreno-Garcia knocked it out of the park again! She adeptly weaves the story of Salome from the film creation of this novel with the life of Vera Larios, a Mexican woman randomly chosen for the role of a lifetime. I found Vera and her family so interesting. The dynamic between mother and daughter is very strained, but her relationship with her cousin is very sweet. I also love the little friend group she finds on the film lot, especially Marla. Nancy is simultaneously one of the worst characters but also very fascinating the way her mind worked. Delulu city over there. I also think Moreno-Garcia did an excellent job creating the story of Salome as something rich and complex. Those sections were written so descriptively and really transported me into that story.
The way Moreno-Garcia is able to craft this story in a way that reads like I am watching an episode of E True Hollywood Story is astounding. I was hooked and loved the shifts between characters like I am watching a clip from an interview. The levels of parallels are masterful, but I can't say much more than that without spoilers.
If you like Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing, but especially her slower, noir stories, I think you would really like this one. I also think people who like to watch true crime documentaries or even loved E True Hollywood Story back in the day might also really enjoy this read.! I actually am really excited to do a reread with the audiobook later on since it does appear to be a full cast audio.

Beautiful story , Silvia Moreno- Garcia is an artist at writing. The Seventh Veil of Solome is a period piece set in 1950s and Is full of glamorous drama and salacious tears..... so glad to have the opportunity to read this !!

4 stars

In this newest effort, Moreno-Garcia takes readers back into historical Hollywood - and to the much earlier time of the titular Salome - to learn about the ways in which three women's lives intertwine.

When I discover that SM-G has a new book on the horizon, I can't read it fast enough. While I am always guaranteed to love the concept, the execution does not always work for me. It's a true treat to experience the variety through which this author story tells, and even when I want something a little different, I'm still typically pleased with the end result. This one is among my favorites in terms of both topic AND style.

Two women - Vera and Nancy - have distinct backgrounds but similar goals, and the comparison of their trajectories, both of which are intriguing enough on their own, is a highlight of this novel. As is typical in her writing, SM-G adeptly reveals the ways in which intersectional identities impact her characters' outcomes. The narrative feels authentic to its historical period, but it also has a strong undercurrent of modern sensibility and cultural adeptness. The through line for both women and for the narrative overall is in Salome's story. I LOVE how SM-G integrates this element. In doing so, the connections between all three women's struggles and aspirations, the distinctions brought on by their circumstances, and the ties to women's experiences throughout history come through in a meaningful way.

This novel contains some of SM-G's best skills and proven motifs, and I am confident it'll stand as a favorite among her fans. It's certainly already taken that position for me.

Genuinely, I would read Moreno-Garcia’s shopping lists. While some of her more recent releases haven’t been my favorite I will always read her work because I love her mind so much. Luckily this title hit the spot for me. There were some interesting intersections between this title and with her work The Beautiful Ones: messy relationships and unexpected fame being a couple. I really liked the thoughtful handling of the characterizations and the novel structure flashing between different perspectives. I would recommend this title to fans of old Hollywood, the X trilogy, and Daisy Jones and the Six.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a master of noir fiction with exotic settings and imaginative plots. As we saw in “Silver Nitrate,” we already know she’s a fan of old Hollywood and knows the influence of Mexican cinema. In this novel, there’s no signature supernatural elements, but the character of Salome is already shrouded in myths — some Biblical, but more through the depiction of the femme fatale via modern playwrights and screenwriters.

This novel immediately puts us in the old time Hollywood system, with a screenwriter, Joe Kantor, trying to revise a sword and sandal script whose title is the same as the book. Two timelines develop: The narrative of Salome is interspersed in a descriptive style (not as the screenplay, but presumably the storytelling of the screenwriter) and then supplemented with the multiple POVs of the main and supporting characters making the film in the 1950s — but primarily hard-hearted ambitious party girl Nancy Hartley who is thirsting over the Salome part; and Vera Larios (stage name) the Mexican dental receptionist discovered while while a casting agent was on vacation. Nancy and Vera are trying to get the part that Yvonne de Carlo and Joan Collins couldn’t, and also possibly vying for the same suitor. Lots of delightful name-dropping occurs (old timers Clark Gable and Hedy Lamar here; up and coming James Dean and Marilyn Monroe there).

Ms. Moreno-Garcia has such an incredible talent for mesmerizing historical fiction — she always whisks you away to a time and atmosphere that totally envelops your imagination. This is a story about the casual mid 20th century racism towards Latin actors and the mean Sunset-Boulevard-level rivalry among all the performers It’s also the tale of how women were ruthlessly used in Hollywood. Thought-provoking and enthralling, this is definitely another 5 star effort from the author.

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO No eye colors are described at all.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Not much beyond yellow tulips, but the time of year is never established so it must be spring or that bouquet could not exist.

Thank you to Random House/Del Ray and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

⭐️: 3.5 / 5

Publication Date: August 6, 2024

I want to thank Random House and Net Galley for allowing me to get an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Some of the coolest aspects of this story, were the two stories being shared. The first that of Salome and the second of the actors, actresses and other characters that take part in the creation of a feature film inspired by this story. Additionally, I appreciated the authenticity in presenting racism that was evident during that time in American history.

As for my reservations, I found the extra points of view to be a bit jarring particularly because the main story that we follow is in their present, but there’s a few POVs that are sprinkled in which are reflecting on the past. Particularly, I was disappointed by the decision on the second to last POV. I felt that if it had been one of the primary characters it would have been more impactful.

Overall I started to enjoy the story much more after the half way point. From there on out I couldn’t put the book down. There’s lots of drama in this, from relationships to jealousy to family. I would still recommend this to readers looking for a change of pace because this had a dash of historical fiction with part of the dark side of the movie industry.

Would recommend for those who are fans of
- Multiple timelines
- 1940s/50s Hollywood setting
- Character driven stories
- Biblically inspired

⚠️ violence, racism, colorism,

I am still screaming about the ending. Like whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat. Shocked but not shocked.

I enjoyed this book a lot, I liked the pacing. I liked the dual timeline. I liked how we got to see the story of Salome while at the same time the actors in old Hollywood. I did like the old Hollywood messiness parts. The struggles of being a minority in Hollywood. How back then you had to be seen to be someone.

This book also had the mixed struggles of the differences in culture, there are so many layers that I can't actually remember all of them right now.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Seventh Veil of Salome is set in 1950s Hollywood and tells the story of three women. Nancy Hartley a struggling bit player looking for her big break, Vera Larios an up-and-coming Mexican actress who just landed the role of Salome, and from Salome herself.

The book is structured like a tell-all documentary, shedding light on the tragedy that unfolds during the filming of The Seventh Veil of Salome. In addition to the three perspectives, there's also interjections from other characters in their lives and their interpretation of events, which adds another layer of suspense as the tragedy is slowly unveiled.

I'm a fan of all of SMG's novels, as they always beautifully capture the atmosphere and setting. This book is no exception, immersing the reader in the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Golden Age of Hollywood. You witness the ruthlessness of Nancy, who is desperate for stardom, and the unease and self-doubt of Vera who is thrust into the spotlight and forced to deal with the racism that is pervasive within the industry and society at large, as well as the overall exploitative nature of Hollywood.

This book has it all, including another Spotify playlist from SMG. I was on the edge of my seat in suspense until the very end. It might be my favorite SMG book yet!

The sad underbelly of old Hollywood is exposed in this unique mix of ancient and 1950's actresses not seen beyond their sex appeal. Princess Salome is seen as a biblical seductress just as her character is portrayed later in a 50's blockbuster movie. When an untested Mexican actress is cast to play Salome the Hollywood gossip mill takes notice and more than one young actress is jealous and after the career making part. Vera is quiet and trying to follow all the rules set by her family and the studio heads as the attention and flashbulbs leave her not knowing who to trust. Nancy, a fellow actress, will do anything to bring down Vera for the part and fame she feels she deserves. All three women must use their beauty to get what they want but are also pawns at the hands of others. Silvia Moreno-Garcia does a masterful job of portraying the diversity of these three women and the common problem they face as powerful men control the narrative and society's perception of them. I really enjoyed the diversity of the characters as well as the jump in time and feel that this may be her best story yet. For readers of QUEEN OF SUGAR HILL and THE BRIGHTEST STAR as well as fans of her previous novels. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

Golden-age Hollywood, a time that can make or break any wannabe star. Vera Larios, a young Mexican woman who used to be a dentist’s receptionist, suddenly finds herself cast as Salome, in the role that many other women would have died, or killed, for. Having to create a whole new life in Hollywood, Vera struggles in a world that seems to be against her, and where she isn’t sure if she has what it takes to survive.

Nancy Hartley is one of the women who was vying for the position of Salome. Having been in Hollywood for years, she’s fought for every minor role she’s gotten, and now that her most recent role has been stolen by a nobody, she’s not going to take this lying down.

But Salome is more than the role of a lifetime. The young woman is layers upon layers of emotion and complexity, and how can a character such as her ever be brought to life?

I received an advanced reading copy of The Seventh Veil of Salome in exchange for an honest review.

The Seventh Veil of Salome is a historical fiction novel by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. I’ve actually read another novel of Moreno-Garcia’s before, Gods of Jade and Shadow, and I was excited when I got an advanced reading copy of this, her newest novel. Moreno-Garcia is an impressive writer, and writes in a huge variety of genres. After only having read her fantasy, I was looking forward to seeing how she tackled a historical, and especially one in Golden-age Hollywood.

A few content warnings before moving forward. This book does contain violence, mentions of incest, and a lot of racism, mostly directed at Latine folks, but also toward others. I was prepared for it, due to the era I was reading about, but it did hit me a bit. Just so you’re aware!

This book has an interesting structure. We have three main characters: Vera, Nancy, and, surprisingly, Salome herself. The narration hops between their three POVs, as well as integrating those of a few other side characters, as well as that of a few magazine articles. While reading through the main POVs, we’re reading about the story as it’s happening to them, whereas from the secondary POVs, it’s them narrating the events as they recall them for a documentary. Through these secondary POVs, and a few mentions as they’re recorded for the documentary, we find out that there’s a big event that the story is leading toward, albeit not what it is. That adds an additional tension to the story, as we read about the three main characters and how they become entwined through the course of filming this movie.

Vera was my favorite POV, likely because I could identify the most with her. As a Mexican woman who finds herself in the United States in pursuit of an opportunity, I could easily see myself in her. I might not have lived in Golden-age Hollywood, and our careers might be very different, but that feeling of wondering if you belong, and if you’re good enough, along with other cultural experiences, it really helped me connect to her, and understand her. But I loved the other characters too! Nancy was so terrible, and I loved how much she gave into her awful urges. Salome was fascinating because I never knew what she was going to do. In the end, Salome is presented with a deadly choice, and a lot of her story explains why she makes it, and in the end, while I’m not sure I would have made the same choice she did, I feel like I understand her anyway.

The intertwined stories of these three women were very compelling, and I couldn’t wait to see what they were leading to, and what big event the documentary kept referring to. Somehow, even when Nancy was so awful, I wanted them all to get a somewhat happy ending. I can’t tell you if they all did, of course, but know that I was satisfied by the time I turned the last page. I’m excited to check out Moreno-Garcia’s other titles, and I would recommend this to anyone who loves the Golden age of Hollywood, loves books about the creation of movies, or loves complex female characters.

The Seventh Veil of Salome was released yesterday. You can order your copy from your local bookstore, or from Del Rey here.

The Seventh Veil of Salome is a masterful work of historical fiction that combines a dual timeline (biblical New Testament and decadent 1950’s Hollywood) and features three main female characters (Salome, Vera, and Nancy).

The story contains all of the elements that will keep you turning pages…Hopes, Dreams, Love, Ambition, and Revenge.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia has become one of my favorite authors. Regardless of the book genre, she creates such atmosphere and memorable characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House /Del Rey for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Imaginative Tale of Ambition and Intrigue in Golden Age Hollywood

Fascinating depiction of the glamour of 1950s Hollywood, featuring two starlets from different worlds. Vera Larios, is a Mexican ingenue who lands the coveted role of Salome, and Nancy Hartley, is a bit player desperate for fame. The author’s vivid descriptions and characterizations make you feel as if you’re right there in the heart of Hollywood, witnessing the drama unfold firsthand.

What I wasn't expecting was how deftly Salome's narrative would be woven into the story. By the time I got to the end I understood the parallels between the lives of the three women. Hollywood's sordid underbelly is not what it appears on the glittering surface, just as Salome's rank and position placed her in little more than a gilded cage. Their dreams and desires are never quite within reach and their intertwined fates lead to an inevitable conclusion. Overall, this novel is a must-read for anyone who loves historical fiction and the lore of classic Hollywood.

It is 1:30am on a weeknight, eyes destroyed from staring at that damn phone all night, alarm going off in 4 hours. But I'm not a teenager reading fanfic all night anymore. I've been reading my early access ebook to Silvia Moreno-Garcia's newest work, The Seventh Veil of Salome. If you recognize Moreno-Garcia, you are probably familiar with her stories in Gothic horror and magical realism. This novel steps completely away from those genres.

The story itself is told like a biography, or perhaps a biopic (I'll be honest I've never consumed either) where we get multiple point of views from the past. Some are told in present tense as though someone is reflecting the past, others are told in past tense as an omnipotent narrator for the two main voices, Nancy and Vera.

Nancy has been in LA for a few years now trying to make it big. Vera has been at home in Mexico working in her father's office, where she was the shadow of her light skinned sister. After being Found, Vera is brought to Hollywood to perform as Salome in a new picture. She's a lucky girl! Or at least that's what everyone tells her.

As a bonus, as Vera films her movie we get to see Salome's story, which is in itself another rewriting of Salome. I thought it was a very creative way to fit what initially feels like two stories in one (but perhaps there are more parallels than we originally think ;) )

The story comes together nicely, and it is clear a lot of research went into the time period. The conversations between characters was so well done so as to transport you to the Golden Age of Hollywood. However, there was a spark missing that made it difficult to care for the characters or their story, but the narrative itself was interesting enough to keep reading, even if just in hope that I would eventually get invested in what any of these people were experiencing.

The Seventh Veil of Salome refers to a dance: the Dance of the Seven Veils. The author is mimicking a dance on the page, mingling music with irregular structure. There are first-person confessionals mixed within a trio of limited third-person chapters focusing on Salome in about 34AD and "present day" 1940/50s Nancy and Vera. Nancy and Vera are like the two sides of Salome: one sharp and wicked, the other soft and wavering. Both alluring. But truly, Nancy was the most interesting character here. Her voice rings true until the end, when her chapters are also much less frequent. There is a delight in her savage nature, her joy in destruction, especially her own. Vera, by contrast, I wanted to see succeed, but I also felt it was undoubtedly a fated outcome for her. The story builds, with magnificent tension until the climactic title dance, but once the dance ends, the narrative drops sharply. There are no longer the limited third-person chapters anchoring the text, and we are simply told what happens to the main characters as though an afterthought.
I did not love this as much as I expected to. The pacing felt very slow, and I wish there was context to the purpose of the documentary being made as a frame narrative. Who is making it? Why are people agreeing to speak about this after so many years? How did the film do in the box office?!
Despite my issues, I would absolutely read Silvia Moreno-Garcia again. I loved Mexican Gothic, and her writing despite the pacing did show Old Hollywood vividly, even cinematically.
Respectfully, 3.5⭐
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Del Rey for this ARC!

Silvia Moreno-Garcia knows how to grip readers and not let go till the very end. This story is beautiful, but ugly. Easy, but also complicated. Silvia was able to balance these throughout the entire story. My only dislike was that the story felt a little slow, I wish some moments picked up. Thank you Silva Moreno-Garcia, NetGalley and Del Rey for this digital arc.

What can I say about Silvia Moreno- Garcia and her newest novel? Other than I loved it. I'll try to find the words.
1950's Hollywood: Vera Larios is pulled from obscurity to play a much coveted female main character role of Salome in the next big epic film.
Hollywood with all its glitz and glamor gets turned upside down and Moreno-Garcia digs into the underbelly of a world that is embedded in jealousy, sexism and racism.
A historical fiction timeline narrative intersects beautifully, Bringing to life the role of Salome to reflect the struggles of women knowing what they desire but finding the need to conform to the whims of society.

The novel is a slow burn but one that develops masterfully into an unforgettable end. Atmospheric and propulsive. I was joyful every chance I was able to find the time to pick up the novel. Saddened only when it all was over. Some books make you wish the story could continue indefinitely and The Seventh Veil of Salome is one of those books.

For fans of Evelyn Hugo, The Seventh Veil of Salome touches on the aspects of Old Hollywood in a much deeper, impactful way from a much more different perspective. There is no doubt that Silvia Moreno-Garcia's writing is incredible, and the way she weaves in these three storylines make for one beautiful narrative that also ties in the biblical history of Salome. I love the idea of biblical theology as mythology especially when creating such intriguing new plot lines, and this was absolutely incredible. It's only my second SMG book, but I'm very quickly ready to pick up the rest.