The Seventh Veil of Salome by. Silvia Moreno-Garcia | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Seventh Veil of Salome

Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 8/6/24

Publisher: Del Rey

Categories: Historical Fiction, Adult, Romance

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Del Rey for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

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.

Content Warning: sexism, racism, violence, sexual assault, murder

I am always intrigued by what this author’s work and so I had to read this one. Hollywood in the 1950’s? The story of Salome? Mind you I grew up watching the story of John the Baptist in that big budget sword-and-sandal Hollywood movie called King of Kings and I will say the only thing I really remember from that movie is Salome’s dance for King Herod.

The Seventh Veil of Salome, is told in a documentary style. Various people who were around for the making of this movie, The Seventh Veil of Salome, are giving their accounts about what was going on on/off set. The actress playing Salome in the film is a Mexican woman named Vera. The story alternates actually from the documentary style interviews, narration from the main characters, Vera, Nancy and Salome. I did enjoy the story of Salome and the political happenings and how it compared to Vera’s experiences as a new Hollywood star in a big budget film where there are lots of politics and drama happening behind the scenes. I love all the historical context of this story – the Hollywood era, what happens on and off set, the mentions of sexism and racism that occurred in Los Angeles at that time period.

I found Vera to be a compelling character and one who embodied what a female actress was during that time. She’s a good girl, raised to follow authority and not make big waves and start a scandal, and being in Hollywood makes her come out of her shell because she is exposed to many people. She experiences the sexism and racism in the industry but she stays strong and stays a professional. There is a romance for her but it comes with some challenges.

Nancy was a fascinating character too though she is a hateful woman. She was obsessed about the role of Salome being hers and was totally racist towards Vera. Nancy had lots of issues and spiraled out of control and even though I really didn’t like her, I did enjoy her parts of the story. She was Vera’s opposite.

As much as I was enjoying the story, I felt like when the story ended something was missing and I’m not sure what it is. Maybe the alternating documentary style and Salome’s story didn’t flow easily enough for me or the climax didn’t hit hard like I was expecting. Or maybe because it’s not a happy ending for any of the women in the story.

My Thoughts:

As a historical fiction novel, this was an engrossing read because I could picture that time period and the making of this movie. I could actually see this story made into a movie. If you like this author I think you will enjoy this one!