My The Scarlet Veil Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin is a dark, lush, and gothic vampire romantasy set in the world of her bestselling Serpent & Dove series. The story follows Célie Tremblay, a trauma-scarred but quietly strong young woman who becomes the first female member of the Chasseurs—an order of monster hunters in a patriarchal kingdom. Engaged to her captain Jean Luc but constantly underestimated, Célie is desperate to prove herself, solve a string of supernatural murders, and discover the truth behind her sister’s death. Everything changes after a chilling encounter with Michal, the enigmatic vampire king, who abducts Célie as part of a plot much larger than she realizes. Spirited away to the Isle of Requiem, she’s forced into a world of seductive monsters, court intrigue, and rebellion. To survive, Célie must untangle the mystery, confront her own fears (and the monsters within), and decide who she’s willing to trust, even as her growing bond with Michal threatens everything she thought she wanted. The story blends murder mystery, slow-burn romance, and deep self-discovery—with magical creatures, ghosts, and a kingdom’s fate hanging in the balance.
Why I Love This Book
I love how The Scarlet Veil balances haunting atmosphere, a twisty murder mystery, and genuinely moving character growth. Célie isn’t a typical badass heroine—she’s soft, hopeful, and deeply compassionate, but her arc from fragile survivor to someone who claims her agency is authentic and inspiring. The world-building is vivid: from the blood-soaked gothic castles to eerie, magical forests, you feel the dread and the whimsy on every page. The romance is a classic enemies-to-lovers, simmering across forced proximity, shared trauma, and slow-burn trust. Michal’s dangerous magnetism and Célie’s resilience bring real emotional tension that kept me hooked. There’s satisfying found family among outcast vampires and witches, and Célie’s ability to see and speak with ghosts adds an original supernatural layer. The mystery kept me guessing (even if I picked up on clues) and the emotional payoffs—grief, hope, hard-won courage—make this more than just a dark fantasy. The book is surprisingly mature, tackling trauma, self-doubt, and agency in ways I rarely see in young adult fantasy, and the gothic opulence and subtle sensuality had me savoring every chapter.
Who Will Like This Book
If you’re drawn to gothic, character-driven paranormal romance with strong atmosphere and deep emotional arcs, you’ll love this book. It’s a fit for fans of slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance, subtle forced proximity, and heroines who start soft but become truly strong. Readers looking for a darker fantasy with murder mystery, vampires, witches, and a dash of Beauty and the Beast vibes will find much to savor. The book is technically young adult but pushes genre boundaries in its exploration of trauma, agency, and power. Romance is the emotional heart, but the steam is subtle—expect romantic tension and some sexual undertones, not explicit open-door scenes.
⚠️ Trigger warning: On-page trauma, PTSD, misogyny, kidnapping, murder, blood, and grief. Though the story is hopeful, it deals honestly with heavy themes.
Tagged As
gothic romance, paranormal romance, young adult fantasy, vampire romance, enemies to lovers, slow burn, murder mystery, found family, forced proximity, self-discovery, trauma healing, witches, ghosts, fantasy, character-driven, angst, subtle spice, strong heroine, dark romance, whimsical, haunting, lush world-building, series
Steam Level
The romance leans slow-burn and sensual, with lots of tension and longing but little explicit content. There are hints of spice and sexual tension, but physical encounters remain mostly fade-to-black or subtly described. Ideal for readers who want strong romance and high emotional stakes without graphic open-door scenes.
