SMG has done it again. Silver Nitrate was my favorite of 2023 and now The Seventh Veil of Salome is on track to become my favorite of 2024. With her knowledge of old Hollywood and movies at the time she constructs a beautiful reenactment of the death of John the Baptist in true movie form. A no name from Mexico Vera is shoved into the limelight when discovered at her dad’s dentist office. Her life becomes a true Hollywood story as she goes up against racism and sexism in the 1950’s while trying to make it big. So well written and she always adds a playlist at the end for even more immersive experience. Thank you so much @netgalley and @randomhousedelray for the advance it was truly lovely.

The Seventh Veil of Salome follows the storylines of three women across two different timelines, weaving in points of view from multiple different people that touch the story of how a fictional movie was produced in the 1950s in Hollywood. Each of the three women, from the biblical extrapolation of Salome herself, to an aspiring and grasping extra, to the woman plucked from the obscurity of an administrative role in a dentist office in Mexico and cast into the lead role of a highly anticipated film, are fighting for more agency in their lives and for their choices to be seen and respected.

Hollywood has never been a friendly place for women, a fact that Silvia Moreno Garcia doesn’t shy away from detailing in describing what real actresses experienced in the 1950s. Adding more layers, especially at that time it was an actively hostile place for LGBTQ individuals and people of color. Our ingenue, Vera Larios, sits at the intersection of being a dark skinned, Mexican woman trying to make her way in an industry very much made to exclude her. When she skyrockets into the lead role that fellow actress Nancy had also been hoping to land, Nancy’s ambitions turn to roiling resentment and racism.

Woven throughout their two points of view is the story of Salome herself, as she tries to balance her desire for limerence or political power or just escape from underneath her uncle-cum-step father’s purview. We also get snippets of perspective from the director, the writer, and many others who tangentially touch the project of this big film, as if they’re being interviewed after the fact or some grand disaster.

For me, these smaller interspersed perspectives spurred me on to read more than the three major POVs or plot alone might have. Something big clearly was coming and it kept me guessing about how exactly the disaster would occur.

Each woman was written so fully, as whole people, that they could have easily walked off the page. Benny, Nancy’s sometimes boyfriend, sometimes fixer, was perhaps the only character I felt was a real characateur of himself; but the women in particular were rich with motivation for each of their choices, regardless of whether the reader agreed with those choices.

I’m never not amazed at how fluidly Moreno Garcia slips between genres. I don’t think there’s been a single work of here that I’ve read that’s been in the same genre and I’ve loved them all. This fits squarely in a historical fiction setting, and it accomploshed for me a similar effect to a story like “The Disappearance of Astrid Bricard” or “Daisy Jones and the Six,” just with an emphasis on Hollywood rather than fashion or music. I can also see a comparison might be made to elements of the “Seven Husbavds of Evelyn Hugo.”

This was an absolutely compulsive read for me, and I’m grateful to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my review.

Nancy is an aspiring actress who is envious of Vera's casting because she is unable to secure a major role.
I particularly liked the two women's points of view as they traverse Hollywood in the 1950s, racism, sexism, tabloids, romance, and envy. The beginning is so intense and hopeful. The chapters that tell Salome's story in her own words didn't sit well with me; I wanted to fast-forward through them. A few additional production members' points of view are included, although they didn't add much. The plot didn't work out the way I had intended. Although I truly enjoyed the original plot and the main characters, there wasn't enough drama, character growth, or set action. In the end, the book's execution fell short of expectations. This is my first Sylvia Moreno-Garcia so I will definitely be reading her other novels. Although this one did not hit the way I wanted I am still interested in this author.

Love Moreno-Garcia's writing and the era her book takes place in- the plot just didn't feel 'substantial' enough for me.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

With its blend of fantasy and historical fiction, 'The Seventh Veil of Salome' is a gripping read that'll keep you guessing till the very end. Perfect for fans of captivating storytelling and enchanting worlds, this book is an absolute must-read!"

Ahhh i love Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the way she can just weave a story together and it just makes sense and keeps you on your toes wanting to know more about every character. This book didn't disappoint at all. A girl gets picked for a large hollywood blockbuster of a movie and then another girl get a little jealous and wants the spotlight as well. I loved how this story was told and how rich that characters are but i shouldn't have been surprised. I have read every book that Silvia has written and this was an automatic request. Also the cover is absolutely gorgeous I need a physical copy for my shelf so it can sit next to the other books by this author.

Thanks to Random House | Del Rey and NetGalley for sending this digital ARC of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's 'The Seventh Veil of Salome.'

I'm a big fan of Silvia Moreno-Garcia and was delighted to be able to read and review 'The Seventh Veil of Salome.' Her novels to this point have generally been full-on horror/supernatural-themed or have some element of the supernatural throughout. This one is does not have either of those elements.

It's the story of three women told through the common theme of the biblical character 'Salome.' Vera, a Mexican actress plucked from obscurity to play the role in a swords and sandal epic in 1950s Hollywood; Nancy, a bit-part wannabe screen goddess who believes she was born to play the role of Salome and becomes obsessed with Vera and getting 'her' rightful role back; and Salome herself, who's negotiating the labyrinthine intrigues of the court of Herod Antipas and who becomes obsessed with John the Baptist/Jokanaan. The biblical storyline overlaps with the film-making aspect as those scenes that play out in the ancient middle east are those that are spooling out in the film.

Each woman has a complicated relationship with one of their parents - Vera and Salome, their mothers, and Nancy, her father. All still deeply connected to them in deeply unhealthy dynamics. There's another (male) character who also has a poisonous relationship with his mother.

Throughout the novel we alternate between the viewpoints of these three main characters (as well as others) as the narrative progresses towards a 'big event' towards the end. Vera's uncertainty about her talent and abilities and battles with her mother, Nancy's obsession with getting the role 'back' and her various toxic romantic entanglements and Salome's passion for Jokanaan and revulsion of her step-father/uncle. I enjoy the multi-viewpoint/narrative structure and found that it drew me along at a great clip.

As usual, Moreno-Garcia's writing is wonderful and her evocation of place and time is powerful. You feel like you're in Hollywood in the 1950s. Sprinkled throughout the fictional characters and situations are multiple examples of real people and real happenings of Hollywood at the time. For instance - I had no idea that Lana Turner's daughter killed her mother's then paramour, a thuggish mobster. Now I do. (That's not really a spoiler!). This book is unrestrained in presenting the open racism, misogyny, and homophobia that was prevalent at the time and reflect the power of the gossip columnist and studio system that lived in a delicate balance at a time when a salacious snippet could ruin a career and/or a life and the sliding scale of support that actors/actresses could expect based on the studios' investment in their career.

All really fascinating and enjoyable.

Another Silvia Moreno-Garcia triumph.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. This book tells the story of three very different women who are undertaking different journey. Two who are actresses have different dreams with their new roles. This book was a fast read.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is truly incredible because she will never write the same book twice, and yet now that I've read through her entire catalogue, I can see the clear through-line of her themes, and the general optimism and love that carry through the beating heart of each of her books.

It might feel odd to say that given that each book often explores heavy topics, and this one is no different, but it's so accurate.

This book in particular is a fascinating blend for SMG, in that she tells the story of a young actress starring as Salome in a sword and sandals movie in the 1950s, and yet she also tells the story of Salome as she imagines it. As she weaves these stories together, their similarities and differences become more apparent, and as always, the ending feels like the perfect catharsis for the story being told.

You are damnation, and yet I long to be damned

Thanks to netgalley and Del Rey for my early copy of this book.

This was an interesting and engaging exploration of the golden age of hollywood. My favorite aspect was the Salome portions.

Synopsis:The story of three women, Vera a movie star in the 1950’s, her character Salome and Nancy, the woman who wanted to play Salome. Each of which is looking for love and fame.

Thoughts: After reading a few historical fiction books about 1950’s stars, I was excited to start this. The book bounces between different points of views between many characters. The sections about Salome were challenging to read because of the Roman names and plot line was confusing. The pace was slow for me and was a struggle to finish. The ending felt rushed and incomplete.

Thank you to Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

The book sizzles with old Hollywood glamour. Fans of Mexican Gothic and Silver Nitrate might not find much that resonates because it contains no horror or elements of the supernatural. It is a tale about the ins and outs of the Hollywood studio system, rivalries, gossip columns, racism, and actresses trying to make their way. The lead of the film Seven Veils of Salome's journey runs parallel to the biblical Salome's story. This book has more in common with Moreno-Garcia's Velvet is the Night than her more recent novels.

This is not your typical Silvia Moreno-Garcia book. There is no horror, no supernatural aspects. It is one part biblical fiction, one part 1950s Hollywood fiction. An interesting blend, but SMG makes it work.
I enjoyed how SMG wove all the stories together. I fell for most of the characters (except for Nancy, but I don’t think anyone was supposed to like her). SMG is a great storyteller and this book proves she is more than just horror.

Sylvia is one of my favorite authors of all time. Seeing her dive into these old Hollywood themes, especially from the perspective of what that was like for a budding Latina actress was so interesting and important. I loved the weaving in between the old bible story- the topic of the movie being filmed- and the drama and passion of the production..

Kind of like Evelyn Hugo meets Black Swan wrapped into a myth about a biblical princess.

This didn't have a supernatural element to it like the other books I've read by SMG, but there's something so mesmerizing about her writing - she can really pull you into her world. Once I got into this, I was hoooooooked on the Hollywood scandal, the suspense, and mostly the way that as Vera got more into character, her story and Salome's almost merge into one.

Admittedly, I thought this was a little slow to start - the book cycles through a lot of POVs, many of which only appear once, so it was hard to lock in on who's important and what's going on. But soon the main players become clear, and the random-seeming narrators add some helpful outside perspective to the drama of it all. Really enjoyed this.

Nancy Hartley came to Hollywood, young ,eager, full of ambition. The reader finds her world weary, angry and ruthless. Vera Larios has been given the opportunity of a life time. Nancy knows it and Vera knows it. Nancy refuses to admit that this town has beat her, and she will do everything and pull out all the stops to move from the back of the scene to the front. Vera just wants to do a good job. Vera may be new to town but she isn’t as naive as Nancy believes. It’s a great plot line, enhanced by the real intrigue that plagues the court of the real Salome . The subject of the movie everyone is waiting to see. Happy reading

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review the upcoming new book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. This author is very high up on my must-read list and has knocked another one out of the park with The Seventh Veil of Salome. Vera Larios is an aspiring actress newly arrived in Hollywood in the 1950s.She is excited to be cast as Salome in a Biblical movie epic, but the treachery of Heroes court is nothing compared to the misogyny and institutional racism in Hollywood. Vera will have to fight to claim her place there and ultimate decide if Hollywood is worth fighting for.

The story of Salome, a woman from the Bible, is being made into a film. A young, unknown, Mexican actress. Vera, is hired to play the lead role. She gains attention and becomes the talk of the town in this flick set in the golden age of Hollywood.

Their is another actress in a bit role who wants the fame that Vera has. Add in the story of Salome herself and you have a riveting story of these three women.

Told from a multi narrative perspective, the book brings the film and characters to life. This era of Hollywood glamour is exquisite and the entire book comes to life in my head, far more so than any screen adaptation ever could

Thank you @netgalley and @delreybooks for the eARC of The Seventh Veil of Salome by @silviamg.author in exchange for an honest review!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 Prepare to be transported to old Hollywood, where everyone is vying for the coveted female lead in the new hit movie, The Seventh Veil of Salome. When the role is given to a newcomer, Vera, feathers are undoubtedly ruffled and Hollywood is buzzing.The epic story of Salome is embedded throughout the chapters, adding such incredible depth to this novel. Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing is beautifully flawless, an absolutely engaging and immersive reading experience. And while the three female leads fight for their voice to be heard, there is room for them all in this delicious read!

Review is posted on Goodreads and will be on Instagram soon!