The Veil

by Niyyah Ruscher-Haqq

oor Winters was supposed to leave the small town of White Veil. A model, activist, and homecoming queen, she was destined to escape a place known for its evergreens, cherry pie, and missing and murdered women. Noor embodied Final Girl energy, raging against her hometown’s complicity in the loss of it’s strongest women...until she is found dead, strung up like a marionette in the evergreens.

But Noor’s rage refuses to die. Her death lights a fire that no one in town can put out. Is her fire enough to stop the tradition? Or is the town committed to a sigh of indifference at the cycle of violence with the usual refrain:

The Veil has fed again.

Genres: Horror

112 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication September 25, 2026

Reviews

[Joana Marta · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, especially since it started with such a great vibe that got me genuinely excited. The story is definitely interesting and it has a nice pull to it, but unfortunately, it slowly lost its spark for me as it went on. Since it's quite a short read, it felt like there wasn't enough time to give the plot the depth it deserved, and I just found myself wishing for more substance.

- Stunning cover: The cover artwork is absolutely gorgeous, and I completely fell in love with the illustration.

- Catchy start: The opening builds a great initial mystery that grabs your attention right away.

- Too many voices: Having multiple POVs in a short book made it tricky for each perspective to really stand out and feel unique.

In the end, it’s a really cool concept that I just wish had more layers to it. The potential was absolutely there, but the execution left me wanting a lot more out of the experience, which is why it stays at a 2-star read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of Twin Peaks, David Lynch, and generational trauma, look no further! This was a riveting read with powerful characters facing an oppressive force that for too long has been allowed to run rampant in the Pacific Northwest town of White Veil.

When the latest victim is found strung up like a marionette in the woods, it seems that things are only getting worse. Fed up with the town's complacency as more young women go missing or worse over the years, a group of residents concoct a plan to stop the cycle of violence and save future generations from a similar fate.

Juggling multiple POVs within a novella is a tall order, and the author manages it well, giving each character the proper depth and motivation to invest the reader in the story. In true Lynchian fashion, the scenes here are immersive and impactful, but the narrative does not hold your hand. So grab a slice of cherry pie, a damn fine cup of coffee, and buckle in for a surreal, exciting read that will entertain you and hopefully elicit a sense of rage at the injustices too often inflicted on the marginalized. Highly recommended!

[Skirmantė · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

The Twin Peaks vibes were absolutely on point, and that was my favorite part of this novella.

I really liked the story, but I couldn't shake the feeling that it needed more room to breathe. I wanted to know so much more about the lore because the world was genuinely intriguing, it just didn't feel explored enough for me.

The characters were amazing, my heart broke for Samira, Noor, and Kylie. Their stories were genuinely heartbreaking, and I found myself much more invested in them than I expected.

There were a few things that didn't work for me, though. The podcast chapter felt really out of place, and if it were up to me, I would have cut it completely.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Lacey Bachini · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review of ARC from Netgalley! Thank you so much for letting me read!

i wanted to love this one so bad. i was drawn in by the cover and the description and was expecting a twin peaks feeling. while the book definitely tried to have that it fell a little flat for me. since the book was a short read it felt like there wasn’t enough time to
flesh out the story the author was trying to tell. felt more focused on the characters which i usually don’t mind but when you have a super interesting story going on i just wish the plot was more fleshed out. i think if the book was longer then we could’ve definitely achieved that twin peaks feeling

[Nicola Blamires · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting take on the continuing inequality of women in general and specifically indigenous and women of colour and the violence perpetuated upon them. I enjoyed the narrative format moving between characters as well as the addition of the podcasters chapter. Due to the main characters being teens it can occasionally read as a YA but I don't personally think that's a bad thing as I loved The Summer I Ate The Rich. Honestly I think The Veils only downfall is it's length - I wanted to know more about the creation of the Veil, the roles the women played and more back story to the characters lives and life choices.

[ritα · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

I’m sorry, but it just didn’t work out for me.
The vibes were there, but I expected more creeps from the description. Also, some chapters felt like fillers (the podcast one, for instance).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher of this novella for the eARC in return for a honest review.