pretty good, pretty fun short horror novel with a fun WLW romance and a main antagonist that works really well, considering. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

In all honesty, I had a hard time getting through this book.
This novel really tried to be something that it wasn’t. Repetitive writing consistently through the book, some of it was stylistic but mostly of it was annoying. The MC was insufferable. Obsessive in a creepy way. I was really looking forward to this, but was really disappointed. WLW relationships are not like this in real life. This really portrayed some annoying lesbian stereotypes. One of the lines, in a serious scene, was “carabiner up, girls” like what???
The narrative was very extreme feminism, with themes of misandry, to the point where it made you feel guilty having any kind of relationship with men. This felt like it was so feminist, that it looped back around into internalized misogyny. I am part of the LGBTQIA+ community, a woman, and left wing, yet I pushed myself to finish this and felt like I wasted my time.

I devoured this book. A bunch of LGBTQ characters? A story that actually grips me and has me genuinely scared! Devotional hunger and a need to consume? As a way to show love? This book literally has it all. I will show every single friend this book until my last breath.

I am actually so stunned right now. This book has me gagged like i need time to RECOVER.

Firstly the lesbian yearning DEVOUREDDDDDD. Some of the quotes actually made me pause and reevaluate my life because the way Lawrence reached the pinnacle of lesbianism it killed me. Not just the romantic quotes but some of the girls’ discussions about life and what it dealt them with actually had me taking deep breaths with how hard they hit me, just so raw.

I must admit that at first I wasn’t fully convinced with Lawrence becoming obsessed with Franky because we didn’t get to see much into her feelings or what led to such strong feelings for Franky so soon. But as the book went on I kinda forgot about that because i was just so consumed by the story and the character’s dynamics with each other. Lawrence ended up convincing me of her love for Franky and god did it give me yellowjackets vibes with the way she talked about her and wanting to consume her (jackieshauna, taivan wink wink).

Stassia was such an interesting character to read about because the way her internalised misogyny and the need to fit in was explored and talked about really made me think a lot about how this is a struggle for so many people, especially lesbians who struggle with their identities and fitting into society’s perceptions because they look a certain way. I also adored Pippa, she was a wonderful friend stuck between her own grief and her friend’s chase of a monster she didn’t believe in. I liked that her grief was acknowledged, that she refused to make herself smaller and yet she stuck by her friend, because she also understood her.

That was one hell of an adventure. The writing was so atmospheric that at times i felt like i was there in the book. I felt like i was being watched for real. It was unsettling in the best way possible.

Side Note: Her name being Franky????? Bye this made the last part of the book so much better cuz it makes sense and everything was leading up to that i’m obsessed. Also i know this was horror but the comedy in it was peak, i was cackling during the last half of the book even in serious situations. Mackenzie Nolan you slayed the house boots down.

Veal isn't your typical monster story. The monsters in this read aren't just some vicious inhuman horror - they're also very human as well.

Overall Veal was an easy read, but there were definitely some points that could have been refined a little more. Some of the dialogue felt a little clunky and the motivations didn't always feel genuine, but I'm not mad I read it.

I was really excited to read Veal, it sounded perfect for me. A lesbian main character, female friendships, monster hunting and horror? It sounded tailor made for me, but I didn’t really connect with this one overall. It started out really strong, but it started to lose momentum towards the middle.

I didn’t really enjoy the relationship between Lawrence and Franky. Lawrence falls for Franky at first sight and even though we are reading from Lawrences perspective, I never really understood why. I wish the writing would’ve dug a little deeper into the characters feelings and motivations. We hear a lot of exposition, but a lot of the things we get told we never actually see.

I loved the setting and the mystery surrounding the small town, and I think the horror elements were really well done. You really feel like you are in Mistaken Point while reading, you feel the anxiety in the air. I think this would be a fun October read.

I think if you’re looking for a short book with some horror and wlw romance, this might be the one for you!

Thank you NetGalley and ECW Press for the ARC

This book was soooo good! I loved each of the characters and their relationships with one another. The banter between Franky and Lawerence had me kicking my feet! It was the perfect balance of horror and humor. I think everyone should pick this book up. It’s also the definition of sapphic yearning 5 stars!

Thanks the NetGalley and ECW Press for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

While I didn’t love this book overall, I did find certain aspects engaging. However, key elements—such as the main character’s romantic development, the horror components, and character motivations—were often told rather than shown. This narrative style distanced me from the story and made important moments feel rushed or underdeveloped.

The plot itself was interesting and kept me engaged, but it wasn’t strong enough to fully carry the book. The writing clearly reflects that this is a debut novel, but that doesn’t necessarily make it a bad story. At a shorter length, it’s a solid choice for readers looking for a queer romance blended with horror elements and a touch of camp, especially if you're in the mood for something quick with a cheesy yet satisfying ending.

excellent read with amazing characters and a great story, im so glad i read this.
the yearning of the main character and the devotion made me laugh, cry and root for her!
such an easy but intense read, took me a while to finish because i savored every moment.

love as a devotional hunger and an all-encompassing desire to consume can be something so personal. for my yellowjackets and locked tomb fans out there, you know exactly what i mean — and it turns out our dear friend lawrence does too!

i enjoyed the hell out of this, and it also creeped me out quite a bit! at one point, i was reading a very tense/scary moment when my girlfriend dropped something, and i jumped about a foot in the air. i love it when a book can actually scare me, and this one delivered (overall it wasn’t too bad, just a few scenes). it was also really special to me to read about a group of lesbians befriending each other and banding together (i believe they were all mentioned to be lesbians at one point or another? apologies if i’m wrong) — it’s not often that we see so many lesbians at once on the page, especially not the entire main cast of a book, so i just wanted to give a shoutout to that. i loved it! i’m blowing a kiss to the sky for franky, lawrence, stasia, and pippa as we speak.

“Veal” by Mackenzie Nolan is a queer feminist novel that combines horror and some spectacular social commentary on gender, relationships, and the effects of social constructs.
As the story unravels, the readers are kept wondering if the monster is an actual real thing, or something that is simply a manifestation of the protagonist’s mind.
It feels a little disjointed at times but it feeds into the horror elements really well, and the imagery is vivid with details.

Special thanks to NetGalley for providing an eARC of this novel

“Veal” by Mackenzie Nolan skillfully combines elements of horror with psychological tension and social commentary. This queer feminist novel explores deep themes such as gender, the pervasive effects of social conditioning, trust, and relationships.

As the narrative unfolds, readers are kept in a constant state of suspense, questioning the nature of the monstrous presence—whether it exists in reality or is simply a manifestation of the protagonist's troubled psyche.

Nolan's storytelling examines familial trauma and sheds light on the unspoken pain that many women endure. The book offers a sharp and witty critique of toxic masculinity, illustrating how societal constructs can foster monstrosity both within individuals and in broader communities.

Fans of Gerardo Sámano Córdova’s “Monsritlio,” Samantha Allen’s novels, the cult classic TV show “Buffy,” and the film “Barbarian” are likely to find much to appreciate in this work, which confronts uncomfortable truths and ultimately questions the nature of monstrosity. Special thanks to ECW Press and NetGalley for providing the ARC of this novel.