The Seventh Veil of Salome is the first Silvia Moreno-Garcia novel that I have read, but it is unlikely to be my last.

It is a historical fiction work focusing on the 1950’s Hollywood production of a movie of the same name. Vera Larios is the unknown Mexican actress selected for the coveted role of Salome. Nancy Hartley is jealous and vengeful as she once again has a small role in this film and is tired of waiting for her big break

While based on a woman of Biblical times, there are original ideas, and well-developed plot points. The novel tells the stories of Salome, Vera and Nancy from their points of view as well as from the views of many other characters. We explore Vera and Nancy's lives on and off the movie set. At times, I found all of the points of view overwhelming. Nonetheless, The Seventh Veil of Salome is a solid story with interesting characters. Nancy was racist and conniving and yet I still enjoyed reading about her.


Thanks to Net Galley and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.



4 stars

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is an auto-read author for me through and through. Not only does she come up with such original stories to share with readers, the design team really goes the extra mile to design the most gorgeous covers! Moreno-Garcia is infamous for her supernatural and paranormal stories, but sometimes she throws a curveball and leans into historical fiction (for example, Velvet Was the Night).

In her newest novel, THE SEVENTH VEIL OF SALOME, the story takes place in 1950s Hollywood where the production team is trying to find the cast for a new film, The Seventh Veil of Salome. The leading actor is a big name in Hollywood and this is planned to be a big-budget film about a legendary woman whose story has inspired artists since ancient times (think of mythology/theology). The firm's director eventually casts Vera Larios, a no-name Mexican actress, for the leading role of Salome. Vera gets intertwined with Nancy Hartley, a bit player who is jealous of Vera's opportunity. When the two actresses begin to compete for success during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the women realize that this world may not be exactly what they think it may be.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of my favorite authors, but this book was a bit unexpected for me. I wanted a bit more horror and supernatural to this story, but this is a very strong historical fiction, women's fiction novel. I think if I went into this novel differently, I would have had my expectations at ease. The book's set up at times is a story within a story, which is a plot point that I do not enjoy. I tend to get confused when authors use this type of writing style. Overall, I loved the 1950s Hollywood gossip and scandal and appreciated the author's ability to writing varying genres in such an entertaining way. I hope the author goes back to horror and science fiction, but will gladly pick up anything Silvia Moreno-Garcia writes—whether I feel it's my type of genre of not.

WOW. I finished this three nights ago, and I’m still mind blown by what I’ve read! 4.5 Stars!

**I was provided an e-ARC by Net Galley and Random House publishing. Thank you! My review is honest.**

I am a SMG fan, and unlike many, my favorite thus far has been Velvet Was The Night. I was ecstatic to read another historical fiction, noir, suspense novel by SMG. It was everything I hoped it to be.

This is a story with 3 FMC, primarily set in the 1950s in Hollywood. First, there is Salome herself. There is Vera, the newly discovered actress cast to play the role of Salome. Finally, there is Nancy, a party-girl/actress who believed she deserved the role of Salome. SMG exquisitely layered the three characters’ stories. However, there’s also multiple POV from supporting characters, portraying the MC from different perspectives. The result: the novel feels alive.

This book oozes love and lust and fame and jealousy and tragedy. The Seventh Veil of Salome is the most cinematic book I’ve read this year.

I liked the Hollywood aspect and creativity that went into this. My interest waned during the Salome perspective chapters. It was just ok for me. I will still be interested in future books by this author.

This book. Goodness gracious. I love the writing and the characters. The Hollywood setting was spectacular! I have no coherent thoughts. I loved the interview format and all the POVs. This books hit so many boxes for me and I love it

Salome is not a particularly notable character in scripture. Tragic, sure, but not very memorable. Yet I came out of this experience fascinated by how Moreno-Garcia used her story as a device for the greater book. The seedy atmosphere of Hollywood put next to the corrupt environment of Biblical times is really quite interesting.

The novel is technically about three women, but it is more accurately described as being two separate stories that meet at the end. One about a tumultuous 20th century picture starting a Mexican actress playing Salome as a pathetically unimportant extra tries to sabotage her, and one about the real Salome. Though there is a clear emphasis on the former. The Hollywood plot is intriguing and rather horrific. I really adore Old Hollywood movies, but I love the drama they used to have even more. Through the way the book is written, we’re able to see how rumors used to spread and how people really felt behind the scenes. It’s an especially interesting look into being a non white performer at a time where you were viewed as nothing more than a laughingstock. It’s equally an exploration on how truly ingrained hate and bitterness can be, and how some people will do anything to become stars.

The other story the book is trying to tell is, perhaps, not as compelling. It seems to be almost a genius and creative choice to include Salome’s narrative interwoven with the story of others trying to recreate her in a picture. But the execution is… boring. Salome’s chapters are really, really boring. And I understand why they’re there. In fact, I think they’re really brilliant near the end of the book. But only near the end. Before then, I dreaded getting to them. They distracted from the far more appealing narrative to tell us something that we sort of know already. I think there maybe could have been a different way to weave them in? I don’t know.

Anyway, I don’t want to get too caught up in that. SMG and I have a tumultuous relationship in that I don’t always find their books the most interesting, but I really did enjoy this. It was a bit sad, a bit thoughtful. Everything I tend to enjoy.

I am so sad to say this, but this Silvia Moreno-Garcia story wasn't for me. I just couldn't get into the story of Salome herself. There is no doubt that Silvia Moreno-Garcia can write, and from the cover and the synopsis I was hyped for this. However, again I couldn't get into what is undoubtably a big chunk of the story

I don’t think Silvia Moreno-Garcia is capable of writing a bad book. As per usual, she knocked it out of the park. Often multi-POV stories can get convoluted, but SVG did a wonderful job of weaving the pieces together run a way that provided a clearer picture of the story. The interconnection of Hollywood and a Biblical story was also really interesting and I thought SVG did a wonderful job of capturing the story in a way that did not feel drawn out, but kept you reading. Her books pull you in and this one was no exception.

An old Hollywood rivalry of Biblical proportions

The Golden Age of Hollywood was for many a storied era of handsome leading men and gorgeous starlets, where epic movies tantalized theatergoers in all their letterbox and technicolor glory. But for Vera Larios, her introduction to Hollywood was vastly different. Scouted at her father’s dentist office in Mexico she was an unknown thrown into a major epic production. Cast as Salome in the highly anticipated retelling of the biblical tale, Larios was starstruck, but determined to conquer the task ahead of her. Accompanied by her overbearing mother, aunt and cousin, Vera begins to navigate Hollywood while her mother attempts to direct her career. But not everyone is happy for the starlet’s debut. Nancy Hartley is furious that Vera has landed the lead role. She thought herself to be a shoo-in with her connections and experience, but now she must stand on the sidelines as a nameless extra and watch her role be played by an inferior actress. The duo embarks on a smoldering rivalry that results in rumors, scandal and romantic entanglements as Hartley is dead set on taking the rookie actress down a peg. And when fame and love are at stake, all bets are off.

The Seventh Veil of Salome is the newest novel by author Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Coming on the heels of Silver Nitrate, Moreno-Garcia returns to an “old Hollywood” setting, but instead of horror, The Seventh Veil of Salome has more of a Noir feel. I really loved the different story lines going on throughout the story. First there is Salome’s view, basically the movie scenes playing out the big screen production. Then you have Vera and Nancy’s behind the scenes “real time, real life” storylines that give insight not only to the mechanics of the movie set, but also the personalities of the women themselves. These differing views helped to illustrate the tone of the era where the story takes place. In a world where “me too” had yet to be thought of, the sexism and racism was jarring and at times hard to read but I felt very necessary to completely set the tone and immerse the reader in the overall story. At times it felt as if I were reading two different books, taking a break from the Nancy and Vera drama to pick up the historical Salome story. But the further I got into the narrative, Moreno Garcia masterfully brought the two narratives closer and closer until they merged into the final act. Overall, the story begins a little slowly, but rapidly develops and it held my attention. As I found myself reading though, I was eager to see not only the final scene of the production, but also the conclusion of the real-life rivalry playing out. I could not have even imagined the conclusion, however, when it was all said and done it was very fitting.

If you are a fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Noir, or old Hollywood stories with multiple concurrent storylines The Seventh Veil of Salome would be a nice addition to your bookshelf.

Full disclosure: I was provided a copy of this title by the author or their authorized agent, however, have voluntarily provided a review. All opinions are my own. The Seventh Veil of Salome is scheduled for an August 6, 2024 release

I absolutely love Silvia Moreno-Garcia and I was really excited to read this book. This wasn’t my favorite but I still thoroughly enjoyed it. I am always amazed by how seamlessly SMG can change between genres. I was intrigued by the premise because I love 1950s Hollywood. I was naturally more invested in those chapters but I still enjoyed Salome’s story despite not being a fan of biblical stories. This was a unique way to write the book and while the style led to some high points, there were times where it did not pay off. Chapters were given to characters who were forgettable even though there was care put into properly contextualizing them. There was also a seemingly important character who was never mentioned again later in the book. I think the large amount of characters and information made it impossible to feel like the book was properly wrapped up. However, there is something so intoxicating the way SMG writes the last pages of her books that I love. I would still recommend this book and anything that SMG writes!

**3.5 STARS**

Content Warning: sexism, racism, violence, sexual assault, murder

I am always intrigued by what this writer produces and so I had to read this one. Hollywood in the 1950’s? The story of Salome? Mind you I grew up watching the story of John the Baptist in that big budget sword-and-sandal Hollywood movie called King of Kings and I will say the only thing I really remember from that movie is Salome’s dance for King Herod.

The Seventh Veil of Salome, is told in a documentary style. Various people who were around for the making of this movie The Seventh Veil of Salome, are giving their accounts about what was going on on/off set. The actress playing Salome in the film is a Mexican woman named Vera. The story alternates actually from the documentary style interviews, narration from the main characters, Vera, Nancy and Salome. I did enjoy the story of Salome and the political happenings and how it compared to Vera’s experiences as a new Hollywood star in a big budget film where there are lots of politics and drama happening behind the scenes. I love all the historical context of this story – the Hollywood era, what happens on and off set, the mentions of sexism and racism that occurred in Los Angeles at that time period.

I found Vera to be a compelling character and one who embodied a female actress of that time. She’s a good girl, raised to follow authority and not make big waves and start a scandal, and being in Hollywood makes her come out of her shell because she is exposed to many people. She experiences the sexism and racism in the industry but she stays strong and stays a professional. There is a romance for her but it comes with some challenges.

Nancy was a fascinating character too though she is a hateful women. She was obsessed about the role of Salome being hers and was totally racist towards Vera. Nancy had lots of issues and spiraled out of control and even though I really didn’t like her, I did enjoy her parts of the story. She was Vera’s opposite.

As much as I was enjoying the story, I felt like when the story ended something was missing and I’m not sure what it is. Maybe the alternating documentary style and Salome’s story didn’t flow easily enough for me or the climax didn’t hit hard like I was expecting. Or maybe because it’s not a happy ending for any of the women in the story.

Final Thoughts:

As a historical fiction novel, this was an engrossing read because I could picture that time period and the making of this movie. I could actually see this story made into a movie. If you like this author I think you will enjoy this one!

Two tragic love stories set millennia apart, expertly intertwined, with a 1960's studio Hollywood backdrop. Moreno-Garcia captures the hearts of 3 women and the men they love in this well-imagined story. Highlighting the complications of falling in love, being true to family, and the impact of power, she carries us through the story to an inescapable tragic climax. Throughout we are reminded of the ugly history of racial discrimination and the struggles of women pioneers in the movie industry. We are also reminded of what it is like to truly fall in love. A little Jazz, a little Bible, and a little West Side Story make this one a very worthy read.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.
I've read almost all the books by Sylvia Moreno Garcia. I was intrigued by the biblical subject of her new book, The Seventh Veil of Salome. She weaves together a tale of a young Mexican actress in 1950s Hollywood with the story of Salome as it is most known, from a play.

At first it took some getting used to the shifts to Salome's story but it worked well to give me the full tale. I was only familiar with the shorter version from the Bible. The Hollywood tale is one of romance and jealousy. It also explores the experiences of women in those days. Many not so nice.

I've read a few books set in this era recently but I found this the most vivid with the descriptions of the parties and clubs. I also enjoyed the detailed descriptions of the struggles on the set when filming. Though I hated one of the main characters that means she was portrayed well.

I had some issues with the way it ended but it was overall engaging throughout. In the notes at the end, the author describes the various books she read to capture the Hollywood scene and it shows. I enjoyed this one though I wish she didn't always fade to black during sex. It felt like a missed opportunity.

This isn't my favorite book by Sylvia Moreno Garcia but it is an enjoyable read. I left with a deeper understanding of the story of Salome and her dilemas. I also feel like I understand this era of Hollywood more fully.

Review is also posted on good reads and story graph.

This book focuses on three women, Vera, a newbie Hollywood starlet, a Nancy, a struggling actress and the historical character of Salome herself. I was more intrigued by Salome's track as princess in the older era fighting for her true place and finding her love in an unexpected place. Vera and her Hollywood introduction was interesting enough but the drama was for Nancy's story as a self sabotaging person getting into all messes. But it was Salome's ending that I was interested in and it totally felt unexpected. For a lot of readers, olden/golden days of Hollywood and diva's experiences are interesting to read and this one shows the intricacies of one production house and everyone associated with the movie. I rated it 3.5 stars.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia has long been an automatic read for me and "The Seventh Veil of Salome" further cements her status as one of my favorite authors. Ms. Moreno-Garcia refuses to be pigeonholed into one genre but instead writes across several with equal success. From horror and fantasy to noir and historical fiction, Ms. Moreno-Garcia's books never fail to surprise and entertain.

Told through dual timelines, this story follows Salome, the step-daughter of Herod Antipas who is famously credited with asking for the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter; Vera, the young Mexican woman who lands the movie role of a lifetime-Salome-in a racist 1950s Hollywood; and Nancy, a would-be actress who believes she is fated to play the role of Salome and is willing to go to great lengths to make that happen. The author deftly blends the different timelines and stories into one seamless plot, in effect removing the seven veils of each character to reveal the complexities of the woman underneath. The commonalities between the three characters, struggling to exist in a man's world, become clear with every passing chapter and any reader will become so engrossed in the plot that it will be difficult to put the book down once it is started. Are these women innocent or temptresses? Opportunists or Survivors?

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of a book by one of my favorite authors! It's another five-star read from Silvia Moreno-Garcia!

Great idea, but not really for me. I was most drawn to the Biblkcal passages from Salome’s perspective, but it’s also interspersed with random POVs from not just the “main” characters, but some other random people I just didn’t care about. It has the feel of a transcript for a documentary in places, so may try the audio if I can get my hands on it.

This is a different direction for Moreno-Garcia, purely historical fiction with nothing mythical or supernatural. Three women, all struggling to find their identities and be heard in a male-dominated world: Salome, daughter of Herodias, niece of Herod Antipas, Princess of Idumea; Vera, a Mexican actress and newcomer to Hollywood; and Nancy, a struggling extra who has been trying to get her big break in Hollywood for ten years, convinced that she could be a major star. Two parallel storylines, one the life of Salome, the other the movie being made about her. Although there are multiple POV and narrators, I did not find it at all confusing. We are supposed to hate Nancy, the villain of the piece, but really she is her own worst enemy, sabotaging herself at every turn, so it's hard not to feel sorry for her for her dumb choices. Highly recommended for readers of historical fiction, especially about the golden age of Hollywood.

I received an advance copy via NetGalley.

<i>The Seventh Veil of Salome</i> is a fascinating work of historical fiction that juxtaposes the dark drama behind set of 1950s Hollywood with the tale of Salome from 2,000 years ago. The greater focus is on Hollywood in the era of epic swords-and-sandals films, as a young Mexican woman, Vera, is cast as Salome. She isn't even aware of her enemy, Nancy, who was snubbed for the role. The two are opposites in many ways. Vera is a dreamer, compassionate, tired of living in her sister's shadow. Nancy is ambitious, manipulative, certain of what she deserves. Around them are friends and studio insiders whose voices emerge in brief, insightful chapters that hint of a horrible tragedy to come.

Meanwhile, there is the interspersed tale of Salome herself. I enjoyed reading about that era and setting of history, though I wished there'd been more explanation about certain things. The plot plows onward, a fast read, but sometimes it felt too fast, and I was left wanting.

I won't give away spoilers, but the book itself does that from a bit too early on. I'd hoped for more twists at the end, but everything played out as it had been telegraphed.

This is still a fantastic read, with deep studies of character and cringe-inducing insights into the rampant sexism and casual racism of Hollywood and society at large (the microaggressions of Vera's family are horrific in the realism).

I really enjoy this author, but unfortunately, I was not able to get into this book after several tries. It looks like I am the outlier as others have enjoyed it, so if you are on the fence, give it a try for yourself! Going to go with the average star rating so as not to bring down the average with this one.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book has really fantastic atmosphere. Silvia Moreno Garcia has a real gift at creating setting and tone in her books. The characters are well-written and interesting. The plot is a little basic, but was still enjoyable to read. Unfortunately, I think that this book really suffered from its narration style. It is written in multiple POV’s, switching between past and present tense and first and third person kind of randomly. There is both third person narration describing the plot and first person reflection on the plot from some future point, but this conceit is not laid out clearly or well-integrated. It’s a decent book and a fun read, but it could have been so much better if the narration was more thought out.