The Seventh Veil of Salome

by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

A young woman wins the role of a lifetime in a film about a legendary heroine—but the real drama is behind the scenes in this sumptuous historical epic from the author of Mexican Gothic.

1950s Hollywood: Every actress wants to play Salome, the star-making role in a big-budget movie about the legendary woman whose story has inspired artists since ancient times.

So when the film’s mercurial director casts Vera Larios, an unknown Mexican ingenue, in the lead role, she quickly becomes the talk of the town. Vera also becomes an object of envy for Nancy Hartley, a bit player whose career has stalled and who will do anything to win the fame she believes she richly deserves.

Two actresses, both determined to make it to the top in Golden Age Hollywood—a city overflowing with gossip, scandal, and intrigue—make for a sizzling combination.

But this is the tale of three women, for it is also the story of the princess Salome herself, consumed with desire for the fiery prophet who foretells the doom of her stepfather, Herod: a woman torn between the decree of duty and the yearning of her heart.

Before the curtain comes down, there will be tears and tragedy aplenty in this sexy Technicolor saga.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Romance, Mystery, Audiobook, Adult

Audiobook

First published August 6, 2024

About the author

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the author of several novels, including Mexican Gothic, Gods of Jade and Shadow and The Daughter of Doctor Moreau. She has also edited a number of anthologies, including the World Fantasy Award-winning She Walks in Shadows (a.k.a. Cthulhu's Daughters). Mexican by birth, Canadian by inclination.

Reviews

[Silvia Moreno-Garcia]

A historical drama of Biblical proportions, about three women, the making of a film and the birth of a legend.

What genre is this?
Historical.

Is there a playlist?
Playlist via Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4Al...

Is there a book kit?
Yeah, find it here: https://silviamoreno-garcia.com/writi...

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this book is unquestionably a different work of art!

Rather than drawing readers into another supernatural horror story, Silvia Moreno-Garcia takes on the infamous Salome, briefly mentioned in two Gospels of the New Testament. She weaves her narrative into the 50s Hollywood entertainment circle, where politics, gossip, racism, and scheming dominate the scene, mirroring today's film industry dynamics, where diversity is gradually changing the landscape but white privilege still holds sway, and women are scrutinized for their personal lives in the name of open social media policies.

The storytelling unfolds in a half-documentary style with multiple narrations, intertwining Salome's story—a topic of a movie production. She is trapped in a golden cage, entangled in a forbidden love affair with a young preacher, compelled to make choices that could elevate her in the political arena but might also condemn her to bear permanent bloodstains on her hands.

As we delve into Salome's story, we are introduced to young Vera Larios—an unknown Mexican ingenue who surprisingly lands the role of Salome despite her limited acting experience. Quickly, she finds herself entangled in the gossip mill, criticized for rejecting unwarranted advances. We witness her transformation from a meek, obedient girl overshadowed by her more beautiful and talented sister to a feisty, tough, self-resilient individual as she connects with the true essence of Salome.

Another key character is Nancy Hartley—a impulsive, wild, and ambitious individual playing games to secure her place in Hollywood. She refuses to accept that the role she's dreamed of could go to an untalented Mexican girl. As Vera becomes a threat, Nancy embarks on a journey to secure her dream job, pushing the limits of what she is willing to do.

I was thoroughly hooked and enjoyed the completely different stories of these three women. I appreciated how Salome's story reflected in both Vera and Nancy, compelling them to make bold decisions by engaging with her cunning, smart, and deceitful femme fatale attributes.

This book is a brilliant blend of women's fiction and historical fiction, offering a realistic portrait of 50s Hollywood. Silvia Moreno-Garcia's remarkable research skills shine through, providing enlightening information about that era and offering insights into the early mechanisms of La La Land. The incorporation of film noir and thriller elements keeps you on your toes, with a forewarning that something tragic will unfold at the end to parallel Salome's shocking story.

The ending was executed with finesse, mirroring the excellence seen throughout the entire development. The characterization was marvelous, with Moreno-Garcia crafting flawlessly layered characters that readers can easily relate to.

Without a doubt, this book earns my five blazing La La Land stars. I wholeheartedly recommend this brilliant, whirlwind, and perfectly crafted concept!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Del Rey for generously providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this amazing book in exchange for my honest opinions.

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[Kaitlyn Herrera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three different women fight for survival in a world dominated by the men around them, and they will ultimately end up forging their own destinies in fame or infamy. The Seventh Veil of Salome by SMG sucks you into the Golden Age of Hollywood where actors are living in a dreamy illusion of grandeur and luxury, but we soon learn that even the most gilded of dreams can tarnish, becoming indistinguishable from devastating tragedy.

Vera Larios is a debut actress. She is plucked from obscurity---she’s supposed to be a nobody, arisen from nothing. However, she’s everything the explosive director, Max Niemann, has ever coveted for the only remaining role yet to be cast in his newest and much anticipated film, The Seventh Veil of Salome. To begin with, Vera is this obedient, polite, and decorous individual, but along the way she finds her voice, which quickly reveals a more confident, assertive, and autonomous version of herself. She’s also able to uproot a deeply embedded conviction, planted and carefully cultivated by her mother, that she will never be enough compared to her more fair, more beautiful, more talented sister. These character transformations eventually help her move beyond a bad case of imposter syndrome, one that develops from self-deprecating guilt she harbors due to the alienating belief she is living her sister’s life.

Nancy Hartley is no new player on the board in Hollywood but is so desperate to make it as a big actress, she is consumed by her own jealousy and avarice. Vera Larios becomes the expected target of her ire, and Nancy is an adversary you love to hate. Racist, impulsive, and living on the scraps she’s been thrown from the tables of Hollywood legends for far too long, she’s a woman possessed with a single-minded purpose to accomplish her life’s dream of stardom, ostensibly at any cost. The harder she tries to regain some measure of control in her quickly spiraling career, the greater amount of damage she inflicts upon her situation. With the devasting losses mounting and failure looming, she ends up condemning Vera, which only succeeds in whipping her anguish and rage into a murderous passion.

Princess Salome is a woman plucked from the very pages of the bible. Her character is strong, clever, resilient, and resourceful---all things she must be to survive in biblical antiquity. She is caught in a web of her own desire, and as always, women can never have it all, so she must sacrifice everything to fulfill only one of them. Will it be love, vengeance, or power Salome decides she must have beyond all else? Dependent upon what she chooses, her fate will be paired with Jakanaan to indulge the love she has for this heretical preacher, her usurping Uncle Herod to exact her burning vengeance in the name of her murdered father, or her cousin Marcus Agrippa and the power he represents to seize her rightful crown and title.

Interestingly, aspects of Salome’s character will have significant influence over how both Vera and Nancy evolve and the resulting fateful decisions they make in their own lives. What disturbs me is the story of Salome, set during biblical times, is still so applicable to what these women are going through during 1950’s Hollywood. These women are cherry picked by men, stripped of their identities, assigned new names, new personas, and new backstories to make them more marketable towards the white male gaze. They are told who to be with and where, what to think or not to think at all, how to dress, how to eat, and what to say. Shockingly, they are all alive during a time where everything is chosen for women by men, even their very thoughts are carefully manufactured to be congruent with the politics or beliefs of the patriarchy. Horrifically, all three of these women must smile through everything while silently raging for their stolen freedoms. They are simply fighting for basic rights: to be heard and to be seen, for identity and agency to oversee their own lives.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is so unbelievably versatile! She has a toe dipped in multiple different genres, and each time she is able to flawlessly and effortlessly deliver bestselling titles. She is one of my favorite authors, and I love how she’s able to immerse you in her story telling. When I saw that this book was in the works, I was beside myself with excitement---I mean come on, set in old Hollywood with promised drama on and off the screen, sign me up immediately!! If you would enjoy a sizzling period piece set in 1950’s Hollywood laced with lots of glitz and drama, then this would be for you! Tragic and beautiful, this one is an easy pick for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Normally I am not usually a fan of numerous shifting points of view, but how it’s done is not confusing, gives context seasoned with a dash of foreshadowing, and helps drive the story forward. I also really enjoyed getting to know these women and following them through their stories. I really, reallyyy love to hate Nancy, and I get the impression that she’s written to be that dislikable, but I also think I could understand her. That soul consuming desperation can fuel the rashest of decisions and feed the deepest, darkest parts of human nature like nothing else. Salome….oh my goodness! Big fan over here. She finally has enough of obedience and oppression and takes what she needs to cleverly gain the upper hand against her uncle and secure her own future. She is celebrated by her own mother for her brazen choice in her story, but no one realizes that a campaign of bloody retribution has likely just begun…

Thank you so so much NetGalley and Random House/Del Rey for the ARC and the opportunity to share what I think! All opinions are my own. Publication is August 2024!

[megs_bookrack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is one of those beloved authors who I will willingly step outside of my comfort zone for, and this novel is a perfect example of why.

Set against the Sword and Sandal era of old Hollywood, I was absolutely transported into this story. I cannot recommend the audiobook format enough. Flawless.



Historical Fiction can often be a drag for me, but I do love Old Hollywood and Silvia Moreno-Garcia's name on a cover. There was never any doubt I was going to read this.

I am glad that I waited the 7-months for my library hold to come through on a copy of the audiobook though. I'll be honest, I'm not sure I would have loved it quite as much if I had read it physically.

The full cast narration of this truly brought this story to life. I love the mixed media aspects that Moreno-Garcia included, making it feel like I was taking in a documentary or podcast. That aspect really shone in the audio-version.



This story follows three main perspectives. Two of these perspectives, Vera and Nancy, are set in 1950s Hollywood. The last perspective is set in biblical times and is that of the Jewish Princess, Salome.

Vera and Nancy are actresses. Vera, an unknown Mexican ingenue, gets cast to play the lead role of Salome in a big-budget movie sure to be a hit. Nancy is a bit player who was eyeing that lead for herself. Her career has stalled, but she's got a lot of ideas of how great she could be.

If only this stupid girl hadn't stolen the part from her...



I'll be honest, I knew nothing of the historical figure of Salome, so it was interesting to learn about her a bit here.

I like how Morena-Garcia presented her story, and then showed how over a thousand years later, her story was still being...manipulated, I guess for lack of a better word. As in life, so in death, her story took on mythical proportions.

I don't know if this is making sense. I understand it in my brain, but it's hard to express without giving anything away, or going to far into the details.



The real star of the show for me though was the back-and-forth between Vera and Nancy's perspectives. You know they are on a collision course with one another, but how?

I just thought everything set in Hollywood, the descriptions of the production, all the people involved, the how and why of everything going on, was so good. There's also quite a bit of the social scene, which I found equally enticing.

I was surprised how truly invested I became in this. I honestly was expecting to like it, but not love it the way I did. I'm still gobsmacked thinking of it even hours after finishing. It was incredibly-crafted.



I would highly recommend this to Historical Fiction fans, or people who have a great love of the Golden Age of cinema. Also, I cannot stress enough how fabulous the audiobook is; 10/10 recommend that format.

Thank you to Del Rey for providing me with a copy to read and review. Silvia Morena-Garcia is such a talent!!!

[Aryn (libraryofaryn) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usually I am all for a book told from multiple POVs, but at times the plot of this book suffered because of it.

There are three main characters who narrate the story: Vera — the up and coming Mexican actress, Nancy — the self-absorbed talentless wannabe, and Salome whose story takes place in ancient times. On top of these narrators, there are various cast and crew of the film giving their side of the story in an interview type fashion. There are also excerpts from a gossip rag.

While I can see how the author was trying to weave together the three women's stories to show their similarities, it was not always successful. The abrupt POV changes were at times jarring and became tedious after awhile.

The plot itself is extremely slow moving until the last 10% where it flies by. This is also the only part of the book where the rapid POV changes work and are a welcome storytelling device.

Even though the ending was exciting, I did feel it was too abrupt. As a reader, I had been slogging along through these characters' inner monologues and lack of forward moving plot, and when something dramatic finally happened (which is something the blurb promises), it gets a couple pages and the book promptly ends! It was frustrating, to say the least.

I did really enjoy the way the author portrayed Vera's struggles with experiencing racism and microaggressions, and as much as I hated Nancy, her POVs were done in a way that made me want to keep reading despite how much I couldn't stand her.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the eARC for review.

[Bethany (Beautifully Bookish Bethany) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silvia Moreno-Garcia never fails to deliver a book I enjoy! I took my time with this one and I think that was a good choice. The Seventh Veil of Salome is historical fiction set in 1950's Hollywood, following Vera- a young Mexican woman plucked from obscurity and caste in the lead role of a "sand and sandals" Biblical film about the girl who requested the beheading of John the Baptist. But it is also a story of jealousy, betrayal, backstabbing, and forbidden love.

The structure of the book is really interesting - we read the story of the film as if it's actually happening, Vera's experiences getting into Hollywood, and then brief perspectives from a range of side characters. Some as if they are being interviewed years later. I imagine this non-traditional method of storytelling might be frustrating to some readers but I really liked it. The mirroring of the quasi-historical Salome with the experiences of Vera are striking. This gets into the racism and misogyny of Hollywood during this era and what it was like to be a woman of color performing on screen. It was clearly very well researched and I was thoroughly engaged and invested throughout.

A word of warning though to those who are new to this author's work- she almost never writes happy endings. With a couple of exceptions, they are bittersweet or downright tragic and this is no different. I loved it though- excellently done! I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

there are so many layers to this that i will have to parse but for now…another banger from silvia moreno-garcia

as thought provoking as always. full RTC

thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for the arc!

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile] · Rating 5 out of 5]

And this is why I love SMG.

There are layers upon layers to this book, each begging to be as stripped away as Salome's seven veils, all about the faux memory of nostalgia and the reality of 1950s Hollywood.

I really liked how the story was told: with interview snippets and newspaper articles to time of POVs of Vera and Nancy to Salome herself. A story within a story within a story.

And through it all: what are you, really, when you have shed your artifice veil by veil by veil?

[Zoë · Rating 3 out of 5]

the absolute delusion of some people

[aza · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Salome is not a particularly notable character in scripture. Tragic, sure, but not very memorable. Still, 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. We explore the way that rumors spread, how people really felt behind the scenes, and the conflicts that made and broke pictures. 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 knew 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.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

[✨️ Jessica's Bookshelf ✨️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, I'd like to thank netgalley and the publishers for your ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I fell in love with SMG's writing when I read Mexican Gothic. Her writing is beautiful and extraordinary, so when I read the premise for this book, I knew it was going to be amazing.

It's 1950's Hollywood and every actress is dying to play Salome in a new movie. Vera is cast for the role. Vera also consumes herself in this role and as the story interweave real life this story unfolds.

SMG puts her classic spin of love and tragedy in this book and will be pulling at your heartstrings.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whenever a book is donated to my Little Free Library Shed that I haven’t read, I have the opportunity to consider whether I would like to read it or not. I recognize how lucky I am to receive these donations, and, I do not take them for granted. This one is also a Good Morning America Book Club pick. Not that this would entice me to read it, but it does add to my curiosity about the book, if I am being honest.

So, what did I really think of it?

This book takes us to 1950s Hollywood where the movie industry is caught up in the throes of changing times. To get younger generations interested in going to the movies, ‘The Seventh Veil of Salome’ the character’s vision for a movie, becomes a beatnik retelling of the biblical myth of Salome. And, behind the scenes are the characters vying for a role in this movie.

This book provides for richly drawn complicated characters, an interesting setting (a look at a younger seedier Los Angeles), joined with plot twists that should keep readers engaged. Along with romance, intrigue, and all the glitz and glamour expected to be found in 1950s Hollywood.

But it also shows off the cutthroat, and racist times where studio power and morality codes were the norm.

In many ways, the story telling of Salome, was the hardest part to follow. Still, the historical fiction aspect of the story was interesting tied in with some suspense.

So, even though I didn’t love the story, especially the ending, I was impressed with the author’s gripping writing style.

[Mizuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Premise: Golden Age Hollywood, an influential director was working on a big project called 'The Seventh Veil of Salome', when he decided to cast a 'nobody-knows' Mexican actress Vera Larios as the heroine Princess Salome, all hell and gossips broke loosen. As Vera struggled to make her way in the Californian movie circle, Nancy Hartley, a bit player who believed the title role of Salome should rightfully belong to her instead, was going to raise some hell.

Rating: 4 stars, 1 star being taken down because of the rather flat ending.


Basically there are 3 storylines. In the first storyline, we follow actress Vera through the filming of Salome in Hollywood, the second storyline is the narratives of Nancy and different secondary and supporting characters recalling the filming and the dramas beyond the scenes, the third storyline is set in the historical background of Herod’s court, with Salome as the main character going through the events before her stepfather/uncle’s infamous birthday party.

I like what the author was trying to do, depicting Salome as a young woman who wanted to break out from the cage that was her uncle’s palace, a noble woman with her own worries, political ambition and desire, who must deal with the endless schemes of her uncles, her mother, cousins and suitors. I am all good with that and for most parts the author delivered and made Salome look more 3-dimensional and sympathetic.

I also like how the author wrote Salome’s mother, Herodias’ back story and humanized her a bit by showing us her reasoning and her understanding on survival and court life

Furthermore, I like how racism and sexism faced by a Mexican actress is addressed through the story. Mind you, it is a time decades before feminism and not to mention MeToo so young actresses are supposed to just tolerate it when powerful men make a move on them, every gesture from a Mexican young woman is read as a 'come on', the best actresses can do is to find a powerful 'patron' for protection, I like how this detail is added and made comparison with Salome's relationship with Herod.

However, the ending part is...a bit flat. Too little things had been said or mentioned about the movie Salome itself, I don't even know what really became of the movie, whether the movie became a commercial success or a faliure in the end. Some of the supporting characters have potential but they have little screen time to shine.

Vera's romantic relationship with Jay Rutland, a musician from a much wealthier background is finely written and I like the conclusion of this love story.

On the other hand, Salome's relationship with John the Baptist is far from being a satisfactory, it's not exactly badly written but it's just too far from what Oscar Wilde had achieved with his play.

Nancy, as the 'mean girl' of the story is an understandable character to me, for most of the time her actions are mean-spirited but not overly comical (of course except the ending part).

To be honest, Vera and Nancy's stories might be a bit thin on their own--- I mean there seems to be a lot of potential in their stories respectively but it feels like this potential hasn't been explored enough in the novel. Still, as parts of the 3 narratives I can go along with their stories just fine.

Overall this book has its ups and downs, it is a good and entertaining dramas in the form of a semi-historical novel. Aside from the Hollywood storylines I enjoyed how Salome's family history and the political and religious conflicts of the time is mentioned and weaved into the story.


My review for Mexican Gothic.

[Tomes And Textiles]

UPDATED EDIT: Finished my re-read with book club and it was perfect. Full review to come.

12/20/ 23 UPDATE: Requested an ARC 24 hours ago and I'm STILL WAITING



UPDATE: THE COVER WAS REVEALED AND I AM UNWELL.




HISTORICAL DRAMA FROM SMG!!!!!!!!

OUT IN 2024?!?!?

[Alan (the Lone Librarian rides again) Teder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desire & Power in Ancient Times & 1950s Hollywood
Review of the upcoming Del Rey / Penguin Random House hardcover/audiobook/eBook (July 16, 2024) read via a NetGalley Kindle ARC (downloaded January 9, 2024).

The Seventh Veil of Salome is a clever blend of ancient folklore and historical fiction with the glamour and glitz of 1950s Hollywood. Young Mexican ingenue Vera Larios is hired as an unknown face to act the role of the supposed Biblical temptress Salome in a new film adaptation. Nancy Hartley, a rival starlet, has been angling for a breakout role but lands only a bit part in the crowd scenes for the picture. As we toggle between the stories of the two actresses we are also able to read the historical story from Salome’s point of view in what becomes apparent as the screen treatment (not the screenplay) of the upcoming film.

Both actresses face obstacles and barriers in their journey. Vera is trying to break free from her manipulative mother but must also deal with the promotional system of old Hollywood with forced dates and public appearances while constantly ducking scandal sheets and studio gossip. Nancy is desperate to become a star and will begin to use some shady characters and contacts in her pursuit of her dream. The suspense builds as parts of the story are told in hindsight by other characters who keep making references to a tragedy which the reader is yet to discover.

The modern day story is paralleled in the ancient historical fiction where Salome is caught between her desire for the Biblical prophet Jokanaan (curiously, Oscar Wilde’s assumed name for John the Baptist is used throughout), the demands of her mother Herodias and stepfather Herod Antipas and the various cousins and suitors with which she is alternatively plotting and conspiring or trying to avoid.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia has done a thorough job of research in order to produce this epic adaptation which is perhaps closer to the historical truth of the story that Wilde’s blood-drenched spectacle. No spoiler from me here, but the finale is more in keeping with the historical reality. The modern day story comes to its own shocking conclusion in a suspenseful finish.

My thanks to author Silvia Moreno-Garcia, publishers Del Rey / Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this preview ARC, in exchange for which I provide this honest review.

Soundtrack
As she has done for several of her novels, Silvia Moreno-Garcia provides a playlist for The Seventh Veil of Salome which is listed (but not yet linked) at the back of the Kindle ARC which I read, but which is too long (55 songs!) to transcribe here. It will likely be linked from her own review closer to the July 16, 2024 publishing date or you can search for it at the Random House Books Spotify playlists around that time as well.

As a teaser for the playlist, the 1st song on it is Roxy Music’s Avalon which you can listen to on YouTube here.

Trivia and Links
There will likely be a book-kit available closer to the publishing date and the best place to find it again will be at the author’s own review.

I read Oscar Wilde’s Salome (1893/4) as a prelude to reading The Seventh Veil of Salome and my review provides links to its various historical sources and to some of its free public domain editions.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

After my ho-hum read of The Daughter of Dr Moreau, Moreno-Garcia is back with this one.

A delightful take on the story of Salome, told through the lens of the biblical woman herself, Vera (the actress playing her in 1950’s Hollywood), the villainous Nancy, and the players orbiting the star system of the Golden Age.

Like Rita Hayworth, who played Salome in the 1953 movie, our protagonist Vera is Latina, talented and whip-smart and mistreated by the people of the studio system.

Moreno-Garcia feeds modern day elements of art and movies into this biblical tale, such as Gustave Moreau’s Tattooed Salome , his L’Apparition , as well as references to the poem Hérodiade by Stéphane Mallarmé: “the virgin whore”, “the sexual deviant and devoured”, “the stone idol”.

What makes this book interesting is the parallels between the stories of Salome and her light and dark foils in Vera and Nancy.

I love to see the author weaving her Latin heritage into her stories, and in this work it’s artfully crafted.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own. My quote from the ARC might have changed in the published copy.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia weaves a biblical tale and parallels it with Hollywood in the 1950's. I plunged headfirst into this narrative and I don't think I looked at my surroundings until I reached the end. I liked the concept of the Salome story as the next biblical hit for a Hollywood studio and how the entire story was placed alongside the imagined script.

You speak to Salome, daughter of Herodias and Archelaus. Granddaughter to Herod the Great. Great-granddaughter of Antipater. I am of the most royal blood Idumea.

In addition, the author includes a detailed author's note and a Spotify playlist of music she listened to as she was writing the book.


#TheSeventhVeilofSalome #NetGalley.

Publication Date 06/08/24
Goodreads Review 16/08/24

[Gabrielle (Reading Rampage) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silvia Moreno-Garcia keeps getting better with every book of hers that I read, and 'The Seventh Veil of Salome' is probably her best work yet.

Intertwining the biblical story of Salome, Herod Antipas' niece who famously asked him for the head of John the Baptist, and the story of a sword and sandal movie based on her story being shot in 19050s Hollywood, Moreno-Garcia wrote a tension-filled narrative that explores the limitation of women's powers in two fascinating settings.

A princess in a precarious political situation is caught between family intrigue and a sudden and violent passion for a man she can never have

A party-girl trying to make it in the movies in all the wrong ways is driven out of her mind with jealousy towards the woman who got the part she wanted.

A girl who can never live up to her family's expectations is trying to prove her worth while pushing against overt racism that might just take away everything she wants.

Guys, there's a lot going on her, and it feels overwhelming at the beginning, but Moreno-Garcia knows how to reward her readers, even when you have a very clear idea of where things are going because you remember Sunday school and you've seen all the noir movies. She doesn't want to reinvent the genres, but she uses their tropes to shone a light on aspects that are not always observed in the classic stories of jealously and stage-parents traumatizing their children. The characters seems stock at first glance, but she shows them to you in all their humanity, and you can hate them but you can't judge them. They are doing what they think is the right thing.

I can't wait to see what stories Moreno-Garcia decides to explore next, but I am already looking forward to it. This book should delight fans of Golden Age Hollywood stories and movies, and anyone who enjoys a melodramatic but smart and movie story of misplaced passion.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Too clever. Not clever. Thinks too much, talks too much Hardly says a peep. Haughty but shy."

Silvia Moreno-Garcia weaves an extraordinary but cautionary tale of love, loss, desire, and racism through Vera, an unknown aspiring actress from Mexico, flown in and given the coveted role of the infamous Salome. What follows is equal parts inspiring and devastating.

This is the danger of being an intelligent woman of color with better ideas than your white male counterparts who isn't afraid to talk about them. The fear of being commoditized, sexualized, and fetishized. The familial and societal pressure to be the ideal woman and perfect wife and be thankful for it. The shame that comes with saying no and being given the label of 'ungrateful', instead of being surrounded by a loving support system. Women are expected to sit back and take abuse, accepting it with a smile, because it's never as bad as it could be. They were golden trophies up on a shelf to be seen and not heard, pawns in the games of men, objects of desire blamed for starting wars ignited by the spark of a man's short fuse. This book shows that even though hundreds of years have gone by, even though the methods of inflicting that pain may have evolved, women are still being shamed, oppressed, and hurt in the same ways that they used to be.

I may never recover from this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC.

[Colleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 Stars

*A tedious and convoluted story that bored me from cover to cover*


Moreno-Garcia has become a go-to author for me over the last few years. Although I haven’t loved all of her books, everything else I had read by her was at least creative and original. I love the way she reimagines other stories or tropes with strong elements of Mexican history often with some sort of supernatural element. The Seventh Veil of Salome is a departure from her other works. As far as I know, this is her first book that was strictly Historical Fiction.

I was extremely hesitant to read The Seventh Veil of Salome because I hate Hollywood and celebrities – whether real or fictional. When I initially read the synopsis, I figured I should skip this one. I even declined an ARC. But in the end, I couldn’t resist trying this book. I fully admit that my personal dislike of the topic did affect my enjoyment of this book, so take everything with a grain of salt. But even if everything related to Hollywood didn’t make me gag, I still would have had issues with this book.

The novel is about a movie version of the biblical story of Salome being filmed in 1950’s Hollywood, the unknown Mexican actress, Vera, who wins the role, and a struggling actress, Nancy who envies Vera’s success.

“It's passion. It's madness on the stage. The intensity of feeling that gets under your skin. It's chasing a moment you'll never regain. It's loving, for the first time. When you love like that, I think, you'd like to tear your heart out.”

The story is told from multiple POVs and tenses with the narrative drifting around in a confusing and convoluted manner. There were first person sections that seemed like documentary interviews discussing events after the fact. Then there were third person sections from Nancy’s and Vera’s perspective about events as they unfolded. Finally, there were third person sections reimagining the story of Salome.

The constant jumping around in the narrative was annoying. It was hard to keep track of people and events. Plus the foreshadowing had all the subtly of a runaway train. There also was almost no character development. Most of those narrators in the “documentary” sections would only pop up once or twice and did not matter beyond the small snippets of information they provided. Salome was a paper-thin character and despite the political machinations, her sections almost bored me to sleep. They were definitely the most tedious parts of the book. Vera had potential but no development to her character. She was just a placeholder to represent how women in Hollywood were used and discarded, particularly minorities. But Vera was suspiciously lacking in personality. Despicable as she was, Nancy was the only character who had some development, so she was the only one that was remotely interesting.

This book was drowning in instalove. Vera’s love story was cliqued and her love interest was as lacking in character development as Vera. It was saccharine and predictable. Then there was Salome’s love which was the literal definition of instalove since she fell obsessively in “love” after literally only hearing a guy talk once.

The whole story was monotonously slow. As I mentioned, the story heavily foreshadowed what would happen. The oncoming tragedy was obvious from the beginning, and I absolutely did not care. I was not even a tiniest bit invested in the events. Doomed love stories are tedious. The Seventh Veil of Salome didn't have the atmosphere or spark that Moreno-Garcia’s other work did. This book was a total dud for me. The only reason I’m giving it two stars is that it wasn’t as bad as the books I’ve recently given one star.

At least this book didn’t glamorize how toxic Hollywood is.


RATING FACTORS:
Ease of Reading: 3 Stars
Writing Style: 2 Stars
Characters and Character Development: 1 Star
Plot Structure and Development: 1 Star
Level of Captivation: 2 Stars
Originality: 2 Stars

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max Niemann is casting for the lead to his next film, The Seventh Veil of Salome. There are many actresses in Hollywood who want the role, but Max is looking for an unknown; someone with beauty and confident sensuality. The role goes to Vera Larios: a young, Mexican woman who works in her father’s office. Her acting experience is minimal; However, at her audition, her passion comes through and Max decides she is his ingenue.
Nancy Hartley believes Vera has stolen her part: she has been trying to make it in Hollywood for a few years and, to have money, she dates a thug named Benny, and poses for nude photographs. She did not have an audition, and there is no logical reason for her to believe Vera has stolen the role. However, she becomes obsessed with Vera, and vows to take the role that was rightfully meant for her, no matter the cost.
The book alternates between 1950s Hollywood, and the hills of northwestern Jordan in the year 30 AD. Vera and Salome are preparing for the dance of the seven veils: Vera for the movie and Salome for Herod’s birthday. They each have a reason to dance: for Vera, it is to prove she is the only one for the part. For Salome, it is for the head of John the Baptist served on a platter.
Filled with a behind the scenes look at the Golden Age of Hollywood—where the big movie studios controlled the lives of their actors and actresses—The Seventh Veil of Salome is a multi-layered book. Racism, sexism, hedonism, power, and love are explored, and the ending is the perfect Hollywood finale.
I highly recommend this book. I would like to thank Del Ray Publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

[Jessica Woodbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Moreno-Garcia is not exactly a hit or miss author for me, she's all across the spectrum. For me, this one is okay. There's a lot going on, it mixes a kind of oral history style with three longer traditional third-person narratives, one of which is actually Salome herself. I'm not sure that Salome's story adds much here, but we need something else because the story of Vera and Nancy on its own is rather thin. Would be nice to just get a B plot or something.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to be chosen to receive an arc of this. There are a few old Hollywood stories that have become some of my favorite reads (Hello TJR!), so I was more than ready to dig into this time period again. This would be my first time reading anything written by this author, but I was expecting something great given the success of her previous work. The description sounded fantastic and the cover was simply stunning! It definitely drew me in and had my attention and hope up.

I understand that she has some die-hard fans who are extremely enthusiastic about this upcoming release, so I hide a little behind a curtain to sadly admit that I struggled to get through this. This book jumps from one characters view point and story to the next, and I'm okay with that, but I did not enjoy the Nancy or Salome parts. Nancy was awful, and I get it, she's meant to be...but I just didn't find it entertaining. The Salome parts made me want to just skip past them. The writing wasn't my style and I just wanted to get back to the old Hollywood stuff. It was choppy and I never felt like I was sinking into the world. If you're a fan of her previous work, I honestly have no idea if you'll like this or not since I have nothing to compare it to. But it wasn't for me.

Thank you to Goodreads and Random House Publishing Group - Random House, Del Rey for an advanced copy so that I could give my honest feedback and review.

[Maren’s Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are some writers who can write the gamut, and after reading The Seventh Veil, Silvia Moreno-Garcia is clearly one of them. While I am more used to her gothic fiction, her diligent research and beautiful prose lead equally well to historical women’s fiction.

This book, even though told in part during biblical times, felt so very timely. In many ways, the through-line here, the degradation and depowering of women, is just as pertinent today as it was in 1950s Hollywood and even during the time of Princess Salome. Same story, centuries later.

While it took me a minute to understand the formatting (multiple rotating viewpoints) once I had an understanding of each of the pivotal characters, it was very easy to continue on. The pacing was terrific, the character development stellar and the attention to detail masterful.

🎧 This full cast audiobook feels like being immersed in the most picturesque of movies. While there are several perspectives, I never felt confused by who was narrating or which timeline we were in. I cannot recommend the audiobook enough or even better, pairing the physical book with the audio for an immersive experience.

Read if you like:
• historical fiction
• women’s fiction
• 1950s Hollywood setting
• multiple intertwining timelines/storylines
• Daisy Jones x Evelyn Hugo

Thank you Random House and PRH Audio for the gifted copies.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. As always, Silvia Moreno-Garcia spins quite the ambitious tale, and I'm always in awe of how effortlessly she jumps between different genres and time periods. The Seventh Veil of Salome is haunting, and once you grasp its intricate narrative structure, it's easy to be swept in.

I also appreciate how much time, care, and thought went into portraying the ugly rot inside Hollywood and how Moreno-Garcia attacked all of it at full force.

Content warning: Racism, sexism, violence

[ali (hiatus) garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful. everything i want from a historical fiction - golden hollywood, glamour, murder. i will never shut up about this book.

[Beth Cato · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy via NetGalley.

The Seventh Veil of Salome 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).

[Hellcat Maggie ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House/Del Rey and Silvia Moreno-Garcia for this ARC in exchange for an opportunity to share my thoughts.

Another gripping novel by SMG that I was eager to get my hands on when I’d first caught sight of it on NetGalley. I love anything old Hollywood and don’t let the cover fool you, this is much more than a tale of romance. Nancy Hartley was by far the most infuriating character and hats off to Silvia for making my new personal fictitious enemy. It floats between multiple POV’s from our beloved Vera, Salome, Nancy and people on the set.

The dichotomy between the two main women is, in my opinion, really cool. They both represent different versions of Salome-Nancy being the vain and callous Salome, while Vera is the innocent and sweet girl Salome is portrayed in some pieces of media. I ventured to read Oscar Wilde’s short play just to better acquaint myself as I knew very little about this biblical tale. I think if an author can command you to want to know more about what they’re writing, job well done!

SMG proves to be a versatile author and this being a shining example. Writing horror thrillers, romance and historical dramas is no small feat, yet she does it effortlessly!

Edit: This wonderful masterpiece is out in the world! Give it a read or add it to your TBR! 🖤

[Cheryl Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a rich historical fiction novel with a unique dual timeline format. 

In the first timeline the author takes us to the biblical time of Herod.  Our protagonist is the beautiful strong willed and sultry Salome the granddaughterof Herod. 

The second timeline is 1950's Hollywood where a very large production of Salome's story for the silver screen was being cast and produced.  Our protagonist is Vera a fresh faced young girl who was discovered in her father's dental office where she worked as a receptionist in Mexico.  There is an especially juicy, vicious anti-hero Nancy an extra in the film who desires to steal Vera's starring role from her.  This time in Hollywood was full of glamorous stars, powerful men in who sit in control of the movie studios, movie magazines chock full of gossip and oft time vicious lies.  The studio tells Vera how should she dress as well as who she should be seen with even when she was off the studio lot.

The author has posted a 55 song Spotify Playlist for the book.  I wish I had known about it prior to starting my read as I would have listened to it while reading.  I am currently making my way through the song list and am over ¼ through.  The songs are scrumptious and sultry a lot like the novel.

Just a side note when I describe either the characters or the novel as sultry, scrumptious, etc.  I want you to know this book is not overtly sexual in any way.  Sexual acts are only alluded to.  It is just that I feel compelled to use words like luscious, sensual etc. because that is how the novel felt to me.  In Salome's timeline there were over the top banquets, bejeweled women and men and veiled dances. In Vera and Nancy's Hollywood era there were elegantly dressed stars and starlets dining and attending parties.

If you are a lover of historical fiction this is an era that we do not see often.  If you enjoy Old Hollywood reads this book will definitely scratch any itch you have.

As I am a reader of both historical fiction and the entertaining sub-genre of Hollywood reads so this was a winner for me.

I certainly would like to see Moreno-Garcia write more historical fiction as she is a talented wordsmith.