If you’re craving a book dripping in deeply gorgeous gothic aesthetics, then you’ll eat The Scarlet Veil up.
Think VAMPIRES, the seductively dangerous kind, who are as terrifying as they are entrancing. Célie and Michal definitely have an enemies-to-lovers arc going on too. And let’s not forgot the darkly austere gothic castle/mansions and all the secrets seething in the walls!! This book took the vibes and delivered for sure.
The Scarlet Veil is a spin-off series of the very-famous Serpent & Dove trilogy, this time staring Célie. It’s set several months after the events of S&D, and so you get to see how characters are fairing and also how they’re coping with all they’ve been through. Célie is definitely struggling with PTSD and flashbacks and anxiety–but it’s made her fiance (and friends) treat her like this delicate porcelain doll. They make decisions for her and don’t trust her judgement. Célie is there, struggling with her mental health, but also fighting to even be taken seriously. I felt for her immediately. She’s also a total sweetheart!! And she’s so full of determination to do what’s right and fierce loyalty toward her friends, you will fall in love with Célie.
Do you need to read Serpent & Dove to enjoy this series? Look, it depends!! I have only read S&D, not the sequels, so I do think I missed a lot of context while reading The Scarlet Veil. It also definitely spoils the finale of S&D, so if you’re keen to read the original series, I’d say go for that one first. Then start on this one.
“M-Michal—”
Breath low and uneven, he breaks his latch on my wrist to gaze down at me intently. “Célie.”
My blood stains his mouth brilliant scarlet.
It also has a very intriguing murder mystery plot, and there are lots of pieces of the puzzle at play here as we follow Célie when she is kidnapped by a vampire who thinks she’s someone else. It’s also very much a story about living life as a trauma survivor and also looking for the best in people and demanding justice. And there are so big twists that will leave you keen for more.
Read it for:
♡ gothic aesthetics
♡ wicked, seductive vampires
♡ murder mystery plot
♡ soft female MC and darkly morally grey love interest
♡ enemies to lovers
♡ he’ll destroy anyone who touches her
♡ big thickkkkk fantasy stories
Dark, entrancing, and full of mystery, this is perfect for upper-YA romantasy fans who are looking to be sucked into a brand new fantasy series.
Thank you to HarperCollins for the copy!
goodreads | blackwells | dymocks | harpercollins aus
published October 4, 2023
Would you consider this YA or adult?
I believe it’s YA, as that’s the imprint it’s under (as far as I’m aware) but it reads as New Adult to me. Celie is 19.
Ooh yes this one sounds amazing! I am not aware S&D have a spinoff so this give me motivation to pick up the sequel!