The Veil

by Eamonn Bradley

They would have you believe, (the police and mainstream media), that I, Charlie Macall, and my friends, were the deadliest killers since Manson or Bundy. That’s only half true. Yes, we’ve killed, but to put us in the same category as those two I’ve just mentioned, is wrong, a fallacy. For starters, they’d have to be human for us to be considered murderers, right?



What I’m about to tell you is nothing but the truth, the whole truth, as unbelievable as it may seem. Let it stand as testimony to the brave deeds of the people who have fallen in our task. The people who have died trying to free you all from a prison of no walls.



You’ll have to bear with me on this journey, for if you are to believe me, it’s going to take time, time to unravel the illusion of what you believe to be your normal, everyday lives.



Hell, I didn’t even believe it at first and why should I have? This shit is crazy…

Genres: Horror

543 pages, Hardcover

Published June 15, 2025

About the author

Eamonn Bradley is an Irish born suspenseful horror writer. He now lives in Jersey CI with his wife. Eamonn reads everything from Cormac McCarthy, Richard Matheson, Stephen King to Keith Rossen. A Carpenter, Eamonn is co-founder of the Dark Veil Society, an indie horror collective of the finest up and coming writers, he hopes to launch his career as an indie author and bring the indie horror scene to light in 2025. With two novels coming this year The Veil and a thrilling infected epic, Eamonn is hard at work bringing his visions to life, with many more books planned for the foreseeable future.

Reviews

[Janelle Schiecke · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an adventure! The Veil is a blend of horror and sci-fi fantasy and takes the reader through such a heartfelt and arduous journey.

We follow Charlie and his friends as they navigate a very unexpected (and terrifying) turn of events. Thus begins their search for answers, leading them to a very dark discovery. They’re forced to rely on their strong friendships and willpower while facing a formidable evil, and the pacing keeps you engaged throughout.

I found this tale to be Stranger Things-esque (with some Squid Game thrown in) and really enjoyed the characters and fantastical aspects.

[Molly Macabre · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Veil begins light-hearted and nostalgic, with a focus on four teenagers in high school. Charlie and Lisa, Donna and Marty, are not only couples but the best of friends. After an accident causes them all head injuries, they start seeing a golden glow around people, and hearing an awful ringing in their ears. They discover they’ve unlocked powers within themselves, and uncover a secret that puts their lives in danger. The events propel them into Vengar, where they are not only kept prisoner by alien-like creatures but forced to participate in morbid games.

Bradley’s writing style is rife with descriptions, but not so much that it takes away from the pacing. While some chapters are chock full of action, others slow down to tell the stories of each of the main characters. They are relatable, either with completely tragic backstories or at least one event that has transformed them into who they are at present.

Bradley builds suspense in a way that had me turning pages ferociously. Every time I thought I knew how the characters would overcome their circumstances, another obstacle was thrown into the mix.

I enjoyed the bonding between the main characters, but also the friends they made along the way. The Veil provides themes of cohesive humanity fighting alongside each other at all costs.

The games were probably my favorite scenarios as they provoked thoughts of how it would feel to participate against someone who is not your enemy, and make decisions to save your own life. What is the currency used to value one human life over another?

The Veil is horror, fantasy, and sci-fi, woven together with unique characters, a plot that never lets up, and themes that tug at your heart. If Stranger Things collided with Squid Game, the Veil would be the brilliant, terrifying result.

A FanFiAddict review

[Jan Miklaszewicz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one has some decent horror elements and I like the main character’s voice, which has a warmth and genuineness that helped connect me to the more emotional side of things. The story is just a tad meandering for my own preferences and perhaps better suited to a slightly younger audience, especially when it drifts towards the more fantastical. I’d be interested in reading something new by this author, preferably more full-on in the scares department.

[Bearded Book Beast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stranger Things meets Teen Titans meets Squid Games!

Charlie was just a regular high school kid who loved books, writing, and hanging out with his friends. But a gruesome accident changes everything. Now Charlie and his friends can see the world differently, and they can do incredible things. But is it a gift...or a curse?

Charlie and his friends now know the truth. The Veil has been lifted, and they may be all that stands between humanity and an evil that threatens to end the world as we know it.

An exhilarating mashup of horror, thriller, and sci-fantasy elements that will keep you glued to the page! Check it out, it is a fun ride!

[Already Overbooked · Rating 3 out of 5]

The world may never see us coming but we are them now!

[Steve Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun, energetic, genre-hopping romp that starts as coming-of-age-drama, creeps into horror, before diving into grand-scale sci-fi fantasy.

The story’s anti-establishment theme resonated with me as did the backstories of our central four. Lisa’s hit particularly hard, but all added emotional weight and a layer of logic to fantastic developments later on. For me the Derry-set section is the standout, vividly grounded in Bradley’s own experiences, while the latter half delivers on spectacle and action with some incredible imaginative sequences.

The Veil is a fecking good showcase for Bradley’s versatile style and I’m excited to see what he does next.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark, gritty ride that blurs the line between reality and nightmare.

The Veil by Eamonn Bradley is a gripping, unconventional tale that pulls you into a shadowy world just beneath the surface of our own. Told through the voice of Charlie Macall, the story plays out like a twisted confession — one part thriller, one part supernatural reckoning. The tone is raw and unapologetic, and there’s an undercurrent of something much bigger lurking behind every page. Fans of morally gray characters, hidden truths, and conspiracies that challenge the fabric of reality will find this book hard to put down. A compelling debut that leaves you questioning everything you thought was real.

[Samantha Waite · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an updated review. I found The Veil very compelling, well written, and the characters were very likable. It's a very fun read, and I was never bored. Mr. Bradley is a very good storyteller. Excellent action sequences but also heartfelt. I think this is an excellent start for Bradley, and I look forward to his future novels. While I do think it's for a slightly younger audience, I found it to be very enjoyable, and it's was very hard to put down.

[Βίκυ Χ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Step into the rift—your next reality awaits. ✨🌇

This reality-warping fusion of sci-fi and fantasy horror is firing on all cylinders ✨🤩

[susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

recommend

Enjoyed this book! Good book to get you in the mood for Halloween. This book gave me stranger Things vibes. It has everything from monsters, crazy abilities, and scary worlds.

[Richelle Kimball · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK this needs to be turned into a movie! I would love to watch this play out on screen! Really well done.

[JR Montarbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book!🙌
Eamonn Bradley has really done something big here. Not just this book—a brilliant 460-page sci-fi horror adventure—but the whole idea is awesome! Very well written. Seriously, this book reads smooth—I read it in 3 days.
Bravo👏👏👏

[Beatrice · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most gifted writers don’t just write stories - they hide them between the words, tucked in like folded notes waiting to be found. The Veil by Eamonn Bradley is one of those rare books that makes you pause mid-page, reread a line, and wonder why it feels like the author is speaking directly to the part of you that still believes in redemption.

The story follows Charlie Macall and his friends, a group accused of being killers. And maybe they are - but only if their enemies were human. That’s the first unsteady question Bradley throws at you: what if the monsters you’re fighting live inside the same world that tells you you’re one of them? Charlie’s world is ruled by illusion - a prison of no walls where truth is rationed, obedience rewarded, and memory untrustworthy.

The novel plays out like a moral echo chamber - soldiers and shadows trying to remember what they were before the veil descended. The guard is one of the most haunting presences: a man who kills because it’s expected, yet still carries the unbearable weight of compassion. He buries bodies and still looks for the living. That contradiction is everything I love about this book - the coexistence of brutality and mercy served with Irish quips and kindness.

And then there’s Mikey - the dreamer, the forgotten self, the ghost of who we wish we were. The ghost of who we can become if only we had confidence or a heart. The part that still believes in perfection, still thinks salvation is waiting one more good deed away. We all have a Mikey - the version of ourselves forever running toward the mirage of “enough.”

Bradley writes of resistance not as a war cry, but as a whisper - that small, defiant “not yet” that keeps people breathing in impossible circumstances. The line that hit me hardest was: “For the first time in days, the fire of hope kindled within us.” The line that says everything.

As a cancer survivor, I know that moment. The shift from despair to defiance. The second you decide to fight - not because you believe you’ll win, but because surrender feels worse. The Veil understands that kind of hope - the feral, quiet, necessary kind. The one that forces our hand.

We’ve all been told “You’ll never recover,” “You’ll never win.” Those words can break you or become the fuel that keeps your oar in the water. For me, they became the Oreo cookie of persistence - sweet, empty, addictive - and yet somehow the only thing that gets you to the next meter.

But even victory comes at a cost. There are always casualties - the silent bodies of our defeated selves, lying motionless at our feet. The things we had to kill to keep going. Bradley doesn’t shy away from that truth. The world demands balance - even in triumph.

And somewhere between the pages, I heard Goggins dancing in my head - yeah, that Goggins - yelling, “Dig deep, even when you don’t want to. Especially when you don’t want to.” How is that possible? A fantasy novel whispering the same things I tell myself on the erg? A fantasy novel doing the exact same thing that trainers do? Maybe that’s the trick of a good story - it sneaks into your real life when you’re not paying attention. It finds your need and feeds that to you constantly.

So is The Veil about confidence or the lack of it? Control or surrender? Maybe both. Maybe it’s about lifting the veil long enough to see that our biggest weaknesses were never weaknesses at all - just strengths waiting for permission.

The only 'critique' I would have is your character cried, 'Jesus, Mary and St. Joseph'. I would like to go on record as I believe this is wrong ;) coming from an Irish background with a saintly Catholic Great Grandma who said it always and swigged whisky like your characters. :)

This pious ejaculation (which I always found amusing) adds 'and all the saints' if there is a 4th person at the table and only then.

"Jesus, Mary and Joseph. This was a great read and well done" - Just like my Great Grandma would have said as well.

[Michael McFeeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gripping, Unforgettable Read
E.H. Bradley’s second novel, "The Veil," is a rare gem in the world of independent fiction—a book that grabs you from the very first page and refuses to let go. This is a masterclass in storytelling, blending deep emotional resonance, razor-sharp humour, and genuine, pulse-pounding horror into a single, unforgettable package.

Emotional Impact
From the opening lines, Bradley crafts characters you can’t help but care about. The emotional journey of Charlie Macall and his friends is raw and authentic, exploring guilt, grief, hope, and the unbreakable bonds of family and friendship. The pain of loss and the desperate search for meaning are handled with a sensitivity that is both heartbreaking and uplifting, making the reader feel every twist of Charlie’s journey.

Humour That Shines
Despite the darkness that permeates the story, Bradley’s trademark wit and Irish humour shine through. The banter between friends, the cheeky asides, and the authentic dialogue bring levity and warmth to even the bleakest moments. These moments of laughter are perfectly timed, making the characters feel real and reminding the reader that hope and humour can be found even in the darkest places. I honestly laughed out loud in several scenes, especially when Charlie and Marty are running through the field, you’ll know when you get to it.

Horror and Suspense
"The Veil" is also genuinely terrifying. The horror is not just in the supernatural elements, but in the psychological tension and the sense of a world turned upside down. The shadowy antagonists, the chilling visions, and the ever-present sense of danger create an atmosphere of dread that lingers long after you’ve turned the last page. Bradley’s descriptions are vivid and cinematic, making the horror feel immediate and visceral. There’s one scene in particular in the hospital that really got me, sending a shiver down my spine.

Why You’ll Love It
Unforgettable Characters: Each character leaps off the page, with distinct voices and emotional depth.

Perfect Balance: The novel expertly balances humour, horror, and heartfelt emotion, making it a rollercoaster of a read.

Independent Spirit: As an indie author, Bradley brings a fresh, original voice that stands out in today’s crowded literary landscape.


Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a novel that will make you laugh, cry, and keep you up at night, "The Veil" is an absolute must-read. E.H. Bradley has proven once again that independent fiction can be every bit as powerful, polished, and profound as anything from the big publishers. Highly recommended for fans of emotional, thrilling, and darkly funny fiction. And watch out, for me, at the end, the hero was someone I did not expect it to be…

[Nick Snape · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, where to start? E H Bradley is one of the founder members of the Dark Veil group of authors. Therefore, when taking up the offer to read this ARC, I was expecting a tale tinged with darkness and horror. Yep. Got that. What I wasn’t expecting was a novel that then wove elements of dark, scifi-cum-fantasy in its latter half. It was as if a switch was turned on halfway. The dark, creeping horror of the initial chapters entwined with the grief and emotional pain of a group of friends was well played. You could ‘see’ where you were being led, and it reminded me of some of Ramsey Campbell’s works where you had to read on to prove yourself right as the foreboding darkness ratcheted up.

And then, boom. To say more would be to spoil the book. Let’s say we move worlds, and the hinted at glimpses of our antagonists becomes very real and very physical swiftly after that. The characters retain their believability, and their anguish. The antagonists, however, were a little too over-the-top for me. Not in the boundaries they crossed, but in the lack of shade in their consistent bitterness and desire to inflict pain.

Overall, this was an enjoyable book. I love being taken by surprise and would recommend indie horror fans, and those on the darker fringes of scifi, to give this a read.

“Bravery is not something that’s born in you, it’s something created out of pure love and the will to survive. I knew in that moment, however foolish my decision was, it was the right choice. Evil cannot be allowed to win, not on my feckin’ watch.”

[Saffron Asteria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear future readers.

I wanted to write to you to let you know what I think about The Veil after having the pleasure of reading this in advance of its official release.

Something that struck me about E H Bradley’s writing, is that he truly enjoys the process. The excitement to share this story with the reader is palpable and truly infectious. There are many times throughout this book that had me assuming what the next step would be, and the imaginative scenarios, landscapes and cast were a surprise to behold.

With tickles of horror winding through this playful and exciting story of a group of friends who find themselves in the most unbelievable of circumstances - the only reason I had to put this book down at any point was because of social commitments. In normal circumstances I would have devoured it in a couple of days.

Not wanting to give the plot away, because the gradual reveal through the storytelling is part of the fun - I truly enjoyed how The Veil took me back to Stephen King novels and was reminiscent of the landscape of some of Elias Witherow’s work, but it stands firmly on its own as the work of E H Bradley.

This author is making a name for himself. And I am truly excited to see what he has in store for us next.

Check out THE VEIL, if you love charming characters, unique voices, creepy and unbelievable settings and a unique take on ‘what if this isn’t all there is out there?’

Absolutely smashed it.

[David Parkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Veil is a genre-blending action-packed adventure bursting with so much raw energy and enthusiasm you can’t help but get caught up in it. A flawed, frantic, heartfelt book with remarkably lovable, fully-realised characters. This is a mystery book, a horror book, a sci-fi book, a fantasy book, and so much more. But it’s the tested bonds between Charlie Macall (our narrator) and his friends Marty, Lisa, and Donna that give the Veil its heart and its magic - real kids dealing with startlingly unreal events.

The less you know going in, the better, so instead I’ll say this:

Sometimes you read a book, and you know the author is phoning it in, hitting the required page count by stuffing the story with filler. Not here. The Veil is the opposite. It’s packed with detail, background, character work, and wild action, and it’s all there because the author poured their passions onto the page. If you’re like me, you’ll love The Veil for exactly that reason. It also helps that it's a thrilling, often brutal, but always earnest page-turning adventure.

To sum it up: it’s a feckin’ good read.

[Uilleam Whitedale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eamonn Bradley's THE VEIL is the tale of a kid named Charlie and his friends from Ulster that begins in a horror-esque vein but, like Kansas to Oz, becomes a classic, off-world scifi adventure. I like to characterize things visually and this story reminded me of an olio of Stargate, the Matrix, and They Live. Told from a first person POV, this book is full of classic tropes and a great contrast between authentic-sounding dialogue and metaphoric, almost poetic, descriptions, as well as running themes and fully believable characters.

There were a few times when I was confused by details in the backstory, but the running themes and the fact that it was written as a chronicle kept everything tied together and flowing nicely. Moreover, as part of my family came from Ballywatticock, Grey Abbey, etc. I found the vernacular captivating .. just a little personal bias.

In the end, THE VEIL is a great trek across worlds.

[Jose Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tale where the message is hope and perseverance. From the start E. H. Bradley throws you into a world where each character is as real as you and I. His writing style carries inspiration from King yet makes his voice his own. For the uninitiated, this is a great story. For those of us who are initiated, it undeniable that (whether intentional or not by E. H. Bradley) the plot has a “channeled” message. The beginning felt bit slow but then I realized it was a great way to introduce the characters. Each character feels so real, especially Marty and Charlie. My only gripe is how fast things wrapped up. I would have liked 2 more chapters to see things wrap up. That being said, the book is phenomenal from start to finish. Anyone looking for a story full of adventure and heart wrapped in horror will greatly enjoy this book. I take my hat off to the author. Thanks for writing the veil, E. H. Bradley.

[Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad story, not what I expected either. I hoped for a horror story which this has creepy elements sure.. just not enough to lump it with other horror books. Story follows 4 teens and there's a lot of powers these kids get which I think makes it feel less horror-ish to me.

Its divided into chapters that have their own subchapters which work as scene breaks. Which made me think putting it down for work and coming back would be easy. That worked.. but I had to force myself to finish the story.

I'm trying to think of a book this reminds me of.. but I can't. It's sort of a mashup of Stranger Things meet They Live all in a UK setting.

[S.S. Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enter a fantasy land that exists because of a thin veil of subversion.
There is a tone switch within the novel, where creepy darkness meets a more fantasy/sci-fi flick. Some of this likely is from E.H. Bradley's experience with writing Fantasy prior to releasing his debut horror novel.
It borders the YA genre as well. If you're fine with a bit of swearing and violence, this may be a great book for those seeking a mix of genres. E.H. Bradley also uses segmented chapters, which may be easier for some to put down and come back to.

*I read this as an Advance Reader copy.

[Tyler Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

470 pages of adrenaline, heart, and Irish grit. Flawed, fearless, and finished in two weeks. Bradley’s writing definitely has heart and fire! Indie horror this fearless deserves the hype it gets. In the story there are four teens that feel like kids I grew up with despite the generational difference. That’s why The Veil will likely end up being a timeless read for me. A story stops being “vintage” the second it feels like home. Bradley built four homes inside one book, and I’m still paying rent in heartbreak.

[Sam Trueshan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked to be an ARC reader for Eamonn Bradley's soon-to-be-released THE VEIL, and from the first page, I was hooked. THE VEIL follows Charlie Macall, and I was immediately drawn in by the authenticity of Charlie's story and the way Bradley lets the reader immerse themselves in Charlie's world. Page after page, I was thrilled and chilled as the suspense accumulated to a glorious crescendo. Readers who enjoy fantasy horror novels will adore THE VEIL, and I highly recommend it.

[Corvina Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

E.H. Bradley returns with The Veil, a haunting descent into terror that grips you from the first page and never loosens its hold. With a chilling atmosphere steeped in mystery and dread, Bradley weaves a tale that follows Charlie Macall and his friends as they uncover truths that were never meant to be found. Imagine the cosmic horror of H.P. Lovecraft infused with the raw, emotional intensity of Stephen King—The Veil is a modern horror classic in the making.

[The Other One · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok now, The Veil had almost everything I look for in a book. Charlie, Marty, Donna, and Lisa were all well written characters that you couldn't help but care about, some more than others. Chaval is, well, something else, and quite likable. They have a mystery to solve, bad guys to defeat, and a world to save. The closer I got to the end, the more I wanted to know what was going to happen. I could say more, but I don't want to spoil anything.

[RowdyPlayer1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed this book so much. I read this after I read The Ranger by E.H. Bradley, and I think he definitely found his niche. This book was so great, it had me in chills at some parts and fist pumping the next. I was hooked from start to finish with the fantastic characters and the great setting he puts you in. Highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys horror or even a bit of fantasy.

[Brittany N · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Veil follows 4 teens who have been forced into seeing that their reality goes beyond what most can actually see. Who is real and who is otherworldly? What happens when you become someone who sees the difference? This book literally gives a whiplash of a whole new type of teen drama! This would be great for teens who need a thriller!