The Seventh Veil of Salome by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Available now

I absolutely adore Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s writing. After checking her website, I have just three more novels to go and I’ll have read, and loved, her entire catalog. She has this incredible writing style that is lush and beautifully lyrical and her ability to immerse you in the story is unparalleled.

From the Publisher:

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.

This book is magical. Moreno-Garcia’s ability to transport readers to the hectic Hollywood movie stages, exclusive restaurants filled with celebrities, and most especially, to the hot and dusty streets surrounding Herod’s palace, is incredible. I was completely enthralled by Vera and her experiences on set filming as the lead actress in her very first movie. The scenes were so vividly depicted you felt like you were watching a movie instead of reading a novel. I loved how the storylines of all three women, Vera, Nancy, and Salome, were interwoven into a complex and heartbreaking web of desperation, determination, and desire. My heart broke for Vera over and over again. At home, her relationship with her mother was so stressful and strained and then on set, she had to deal with sexism and racism from her powerful colleagues. She was under so much pressure that I became stressed out on her behalf!

I really loved how the storytelling was structured. Bear with me here - it’s a bit complicated to explain. Salome’s story is presented like we’re watching the movie that Vera is filming. Interspersed within the two women’s perspectives are interviews from people involved in the making of the film told years later. Alongside all of that, we have the story of Nancy and how she comes to be entwined in Vera’s life. Across all those timelines and perspectives, we have an incredibly immersive story of greed, lust, gossip, and scandals. It’s emotional, romantic, heartbreaking, and very, very engrossing. It’s truly magical and I can’t recommend it strongly enough.

If you’d like to add this amazing novel to your shelf, you can click on the cover above or check out your local Library. I bought my copy through Book of the Month as my birthday book. You can find our more about Book of the Month here and if you use my code, I do get a free book. And I love free books. I think as of today, you get a book and a hat for $9.99 when you join. Full disclosure: I’ve been a member since 2018 and I’ve really enjoyed their service.

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