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The Scarlet Veil #2
The Shadow Bride
In the thrilling conclusion of the duology set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Serpent & Dove series by Shelby Mahurin, a vampire and the woman who tried to kill him prove that true love can conquer anything, even Death. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Mass.
Célie’s life is over. She took her final breath trying to save the people she loves—including the powerful and enigmatic vampire king, Michal, who refused to let her go. When Célie wakes, she cannot walk in the sun; she can hear her friends’ heartbeats and she craves their blood. Michal has cursed her to the eternal existence of a vampire.
But Célie isn’t the only dead roaming the earth. Her sister, Filippa, has returned as a shadow of her former self, and other revenants are rising from their graves intent on revenge. The fragile balance between life and death has broken, awakening an even darker force—and he is coming for Célie, ready to claim her as his Bride. With the fate of their world at stake, Célie and Michal must set aside their searing attraction to mend the veil and right the balance, once and for all.
Célie’s life is over. She took her final breath trying to save the people she loves—including the powerful and enigmatic vampire king, Michal, who refused to let her go. When Célie wakes, she cannot walk in the sun; she can hear her friends’ heartbeats and she craves their blood. Michal has cursed her to the eternal existence of a vampire.
But Célie isn’t the only dead roaming the earth. Her sister, Filippa, has returned as a shadow of her former self, and other revenants are rising from their graves intent on revenge. The fragile balance between life and death has broken, awakening an even darker force—and he is coming for Célie, ready to claim her as his Bride. With the fate of their world at stake, Célie and Michal must set aside their searing attraction to mend the veil and right the balance, once and for all.
624 pages, Hardcover
First published March 25, 2025
454 people are currently reading
25364 people want to read
About the author
Shelby Mahurin
9 books14.1k followersShelby Mahurin grew up on a small farm in rural Indiana, where sticks became wands and cows became dragons. Her rampant imagination didn't fade with age, so she continues to play make-believe every day—with words now instead of cows. When not writing, Shelby watches the Office and obsesses over her Twitter feed. She still lives near that childhood farm with her very tall husband, semi-feral toddlers, two dogs, and one cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 695 reviews
August 12, 2025
"You're the sun, Célie. I couldn't let you die because you are my sun; you are every good thing I've ever wanted and never deserved, and once I saw you, felt you, I could no longer live without you."
4.25 stars
This was a pretty solid ending to the duology.
Célie still had her moments of horrible decision making and thinking she knew best. And I feel like her found family did a lot of the same stuff as her friends did in the first book, but she didn't really get mad this time, so that's a little hypocritical. And there's a certain character that shows up for absolutely no reason and I had a really hard time not rolling my eyes a lot.
But this universe is so entertaining and all the new characters are pretty great. Michal carried the whole series on his back honestly. His character growth was 👌 and I think he shines a little brighter than Célie here.
The emotions in this book were really intense and it allowed for easy connections to these characters and the storytelling was so engaging.
I would absolutely recommend this series to any romantasy lovers ❤️🔥
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
4.25 stars
This was a pretty solid ending to the duology.
Célie still had her moments of horrible decision making and thinking she knew best. And I feel like her found family did a lot of the same stuff as her friends did in the first book, but she didn't really get mad this time, so that's a little hypocritical. And there's a certain character that shows up for absolutely no reason and I had a really hard time not rolling my eyes a lot.
But this universe is so entertaining and all the new characters are pretty great. Michal carried the whole series on his back honestly. His character growth was 👌 and I think he shines a little brighter than Célie here.
The emotions in this book were really intense and it allowed for easy connections to these characters and the storytelling was so engaging.
I would absolutely recommend this series to any romantasy lovers ❤️🔥
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
March 25, 2025
3.5/.75 ⭐️
this is still acomaf fanfic if they were gothic parisian vampires and YET it still has something distinct to this series that kept me invested. honestly, i think if you enjoyed once upon a broken heart this might be your cup of tea. they’re both atmospheric reads with morally grey mmc’s and fmc’s that can’t help but root for (and subsequently fall for) the redemption of everybody (and also love, naturally. these are some hopeless ass romantics).
this is also a duology that features a soft fmc and i loveeee it!! célie is the complete opposite of lou from serpent & dove, something i truly loved to see. i wish her newfound *strength* had been utilized more in all honesty
michal is one of the best characters ive read about in a MINUTE. he has angsty yearning down to a T and it is downright swoonworthy 🤭 his whole brooding with a hint of sarcasm bit was delectable, 10/10 🙂↕️
the last third is where it got pretty melodramatic and lost me a bit but i also didn’t care for the villain whatsoever, i was in it for the romance and tension 😭😭 but overall a veryyy enjoyable, entertaining, and bingeable story
this is still acomaf fanfic if they were gothic parisian vampires and YET it still has something distinct to this series that kept me invested. honestly, i think if you enjoyed once upon a broken heart this might be your cup of tea. they’re both atmospheric reads with morally grey mmc’s and fmc’s that can’t help but root for (and subsequently fall for) the redemption of everybody (and also love, naturally. these are some hopeless ass romantics).
this is also a duology that features a soft fmc and i loveeee it!! célie is the complete opposite of lou from serpent & dove, something i truly loved to see. i wish her newfound *strength* had been utilized more in all honesty
michal is one of the best characters ive read about in a MINUTE. he has angsty yearning down to a T and it is downright swoonworthy 🤭 his whole brooding with a hint of sarcasm bit was delectable, 10/10 🙂↕️
the last third is where it got pretty melodramatic and lost me a bit but i also didn’t care for the villain whatsoever, i was in it for the romance and tension 😭😭 but overall a veryyy enjoyable, entertaining, and bingeable story
April 18, 2025
This is the second and final book in The Scarlet Veil duology, and it cannot be read as a standalone. The first book ends on a significant cliffhanger, so reading them in order is essential.
Let’s talk about Michal. He felt like a completely different character in this book—almost unrecognizable. He went from someone with a defined personality to being almost a doormat. I understand the author was aiming to make him the opposite of misogynistic—respectful, considerate, and careful—but it was taken to the extreme. He tiptoed around Celie constantly, always asking "Are you sure?" or "Is this okay?" to the point where it felt like he had no backbone. Respect is important, obviously, but this portrayal stripped him of all the traits he had in book one.
As for the romance… I genuinely shipped Michal and Celie in the first book, but here they just felt out of character and awkward. The tension between Celie and Jean Luc didn’t make sense—why was she jealous of Brigitte? Why did she attack Jean Luc and act so possessive? If we’re going by the lore, vampirism just amplifies your feelings, right? But I thought Michal was her true love and her mate. Let’s not forget she was the one who cheated and took off her engagement ring. Jean was a free man, and while he clearly wasn’t over her, flirting with Brigitte wasn’t some betrayal. And somehow Jean Luc is painted like the villain? In my opinion, he wasn’t. If anything, Celie was the one who wasn’t honest with him.
Now let’s address the elephant in the room: the sexual content. This book is classified as Young Adult, and yet it includes very explicit sex scenes—not fade-to-black, not suggestive, but detailed and graphic. I’m an adult, so that’s not an issue for me personally, but why is this being marketed as appropriate for ages 14 and up on HarperCollins’ site? That’s concerning.
Celie’s first sexual experience involves being tied to a tree—borderline BDSM. That’s not exactly a typical or healthy depiction of a “first time,” and definitely not something I expected in a YA book. Then, when they do go all the way, it’s again very explicit and oddly unrealistic. They’re trying all these positions on her first time, and the scene reads more like something out of adult fantasy or erotica. There’s also a bizarre moment where Celie, now a vampire with supposed super strength, still has pain from losing her virginity. Wouldn’t that just heal instantly? Why was it treated like such a dramatic, drawn-out moment? It almost felt fetishized. Michal being described as rough with her, despite knowing she was a virgin, only made it more uncomfortable.
Half the book is just Celie being… kind of ridiculous. She sees Michal’s abs or arms and loses all brain function. He looks at her with “predatory focus” and suddenly she’s spiraling. They can’t even hold hands without it turning into something overly sexual. And a good chunk of the book is just them grinding on each other with their clothes on. It felt excessive and exhausting, especially when there’s an apocalyptic situation happening in the background. At one point she literally says, “As his fingers dance across my skin, I can hardly remember my own name.” That line basically sums up her behavior throughout the book.
The ending was incredibly underwhelming. Honestly, I would’ve been fine with Michal and Celie just living out their eternal love as vampires. The whole soul bond/mates thing felt unnecessary. You can clearly see the influence of ACOTAR on this duology—so many plot points and dynamics felt directly inspired by it, almost to the point of imitation.
The ending also felt like such a letdown in terms of the broader series. After the whole trilogy and spin-off, Reid and Lou still don’t have a child—not even a pregnancy. Beau just proposed to Coco… again? They should’ve been married by now. And Michal and Celie, after everything, aren’t even married either. He says he’ll wait another year to propose? Why? Filippa and Dimitri are a couple I actually liked, but we barely saw them. Honestly, Celie’s mother was my favorite character in this book. She had the most depth and growth, and she stole every scene she was in—even though she was barely on the page.
Michal, Celie, and Dimitri becoming human at the end also felt off. Michal, especially, accepted it way too easily. By the end, he didn’t even feel like the same character.
Filippa was another disappointment. I expected more depth to her motives, but she just came across as a spoiled girl blaming her family for everything. Her life really wasn’t that bad, yet she turned on them completely. She was no better than Frederic, who she killed—after he resurrected her. There wasn’t even a sense of genuine love between them, just convenience. It’s sad that she didn’t get her daughter Frostine back (she was pregnant when she died), but that wasn’t Frederic’s fault. He resurrected her because he thought it’s what she wanted. And somehow Filippa gets a happily ever after and a new love interest with zero consequences for her actions? Must be nice.
Lastly, there was a confusing inconsistency I noticed. At the beginning, Mathilde le Blanc is described as Louise’s great-grandmother. Then she’s referred to as her great-great-grandmother. And at one point, Mathilde even calls Louise her grandchild. But in previous books, Camille le Blanc was said to be Louise’s grandmother. So what’s the actual family tree here?
Okay, I know this review has been mostly negative, but to be fair—I did enjoy parts of the book. The first half was strong, up until around the 40% mark. Then it just dragged until about 80%, when the pace finally picked up again. The plot had potential and a few surprising moments, especially near the end, but I expected more from the conclusion. There is a good story here, but the execution was messy. I think this book will be very hit-or-miss depending on what you're looking for. For me, it landed somewhere in the middle.
Teasers shared on Shelby's Instagram:
[image error]
Official art shared by Shelby (Art print for the Wild Geese pre-order by hachandraws):
Chapter Titles:
Let’s talk about Michal. He felt like a completely different character in this book—almost unrecognizable. He went from someone with a defined personality to being almost a doormat. I understand the author was aiming to make him the opposite of misogynistic—respectful, considerate, and careful—but it was taken to the extreme. He tiptoed around Celie constantly, always asking "Are you sure?" or "Is this okay?" to the point where it felt like he had no backbone. Respect is important, obviously, but this portrayal stripped him of all the traits he had in book one.
As for the romance… I genuinely shipped Michal and Celie in the first book, but here they just felt out of character and awkward. The tension between Celie and Jean Luc didn’t make sense—why was she jealous of Brigitte? Why did she attack Jean Luc and act so possessive? If we’re going by the lore, vampirism just amplifies your feelings, right? But I thought Michal was her true love and her mate. Let’s not forget she was the one who cheated and took off her engagement ring. Jean was a free man, and while he clearly wasn’t over her, flirting with Brigitte wasn’t some betrayal. And somehow Jean Luc is painted like the villain? In my opinion, he wasn’t. If anything, Celie was the one who wasn’t honest with him.
Now let’s address the elephant in the room: the sexual content. This book is classified as Young Adult, and yet it includes very explicit sex scenes—not fade-to-black, not suggestive, but detailed and graphic. I’m an adult, so that’s not an issue for me personally, but why is this being marketed as appropriate for ages 14 and up on HarperCollins’ site? That’s concerning.
Celie’s first sexual experience involves being tied to a tree—borderline BDSM. That’s not exactly a typical or healthy depiction of a “first time,” and definitely not something I expected in a YA book. Then, when they do go all the way, it’s again very explicit and oddly unrealistic. They’re trying all these positions on her first time, and the scene reads more like something out of adult fantasy or erotica. There’s also a bizarre moment where Celie, now a vampire with supposed super strength, still has pain from losing her virginity. Wouldn’t that just heal instantly? Why was it treated like such a dramatic, drawn-out moment? It almost felt fetishized. Michal being described as rough with her, despite knowing she was a virgin, only made it more uncomfortable.
Half the book is just Celie being… kind of ridiculous. She sees Michal’s abs or arms and loses all brain function. He looks at her with “predatory focus” and suddenly she’s spiraling. They can’t even hold hands without it turning into something overly sexual. And a good chunk of the book is just them grinding on each other with their clothes on. It felt excessive and exhausting, especially when there’s an apocalyptic situation happening in the background. At one point she literally says, “As his fingers dance across my skin, I can hardly remember my own name.” That line basically sums up her behavior throughout the book.
The ending was incredibly underwhelming. Honestly, I would’ve been fine with Michal and Celie just living out their eternal love as vampires. The whole soul bond/mates thing felt unnecessary. You can clearly see the influence of ACOTAR on this duology—so many plot points and dynamics felt directly inspired by it, almost to the point of imitation.
The ending also felt like such a letdown in terms of the broader series. After the whole trilogy and spin-off, Reid and Lou still don’t have a child—not even a pregnancy. Beau just proposed to Coco… again? They should’ve been married by now. And Michal and Celie, after everything, aren’t even married either. He says he’ll wait another year to propose? Why? Filippa and Dimitri are a couple I actually liked, but we barely saw them. Honestly, Celie’s mother was my favorite character in this book. She had the most depth and growth, and she stole every scene she was in—even though she was barely on the page.
Michal, Celie, and Dimitri becoming human at the end also felt off. Michal, especially, accepted it way too easily. By the end, he didn’t even feel like the same character.
Filippa was another disappointment. I expected more depth to her motives, but she just came across as a spoiled girl blaming her family for everything. Her life really wasn’t that bad, yet she turned on them completely. She was no better than Frederic, who she killed—after he resurrected her. There wasn’t even a sense of genuine love between them, just convenience. It’s sad that she didn’t get her daughter Frostine back (she was pregnant when she died), but that wasn’t Frederic’s fault. He resurrected her because he thought it’s what she wanted. And somehow Filippa gets a happily ever after and a new love interest with zero consequences for her actions? Must be nice.
Lastly, there was a confusing inconsistency I noticed. At the beginning, Mathilde le Blanc is described as Louise’s great-grandmother. Then she’s referred to as her great-great-grandmother. And at one point, Mathilde even calls Louise her grandchild. But in previous books, Camille le Blanc was said to be Louise’s grandmother. So what’s the actual family tree here?
Okay, I know this review has been mostly negative, but to be fair—I did enjoy parts of the book. The first half was strong, up until around the 40% mark. Then it just dragged until about 80%, when the pace finally picked up again. The plot had potential and a few surprising moments, especially near the end, but I expected more from the conclusion. There is a good story here, but the execution was messy. I think this book will be very hit-or-miss depending on what you're looking for. For me, it landed somewhere in the middle.
Teasers shared on Shelby's Instagram:
[image error]
Official art shared by Shelby (Art print for the Wild Geese pre-order by hachandraws):
Chapter Titles:
October 25, 2023
My 3 hopes for this book:
1. Seeing Célie’s ‘taste’ for blood and Michal taking care of her
2. At least one spicy scene, please (with biting because that was hinted at in the first book)
3. Many more sweet Célie and Michal scenes (I love their dynamic)
1. Seeing Célie’s ‘taste’ for blood and Michal taking care of her
2. At least one spicy scene, please (with biting because that was hinted at in the first book)
3. Many more sweet Célie and Michal scenes (I love their dynamic)
![Profile Image for vxmpslibrary [hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1747492395i%2F123295506._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 29, 2025
I'm in a very terrible slump I think, I finished it days ago yet I can't just seem to write a proper review.
.preread.
Since this book is out already it's only right for me to read this after that ending😀... but my constant pending assignments, tests for practice and teacher asking me questions out of nowhere has me on edge so I don't know when I will start and finish.
.preread.
Since this book is out already it's only right for me to read this after that ending😀... but my constant pending assignments, tests for practice and teacher asking me questions out of nowhere has me on edge so I don't know when I will start and finish.
March 20, 2025
It’s that feeling.
That feeling when you finish a book and your heart feels so full like it’s going to burst. Where every emotion has clawed up your throat, rendering you without speech. How those butterfly wings beat erratically against your stomach.
It’s finishing a book you so highly anticipated and having it exceed every single expectation.
The Shadow Bride soars to the skies like a phoenix, a phenom that exhilarates in the way it weaves the alluring words of its tale, in the way it intrigues with a mystery that sends chills down the spine, and in the way it casts a love spell centering a couple whose romance finally, finally, takes flight.
This book is everything I hoped it would be– and yet still somehow so much more.
We pick up shortly after the cliffhanger of The Scarlet Veil. Célie is a new woman– a new creature, one of the night. She thirsts for something she abhors, hungers for a craving she refuses to satisfy, and grieves for the heartbeats lost. She is surrounded by loved ones, but has never felt more alone. She has been reborn but barely has time to adjust when everything around her and her loved ones unravels. A new enemy takes hold of the chess pieces that have become her life. When the darkness threatens to overwhelm not just Célie, but everyone she holds dear, she finds her anchor in the Vampire King himself, Michal, and in her friends. Together, they race against the clock to save humanity from a terrifying fate.
Célie, Oh my Célie, my beloved heroine of heroines. How I admire you, how I resonate with you, how I will always love you. Forever.
My greatest fear coming into this book was how changed Célie would become. Her humanity, her softness, her warmth, her light, are such essential facets of her being. They are what made me so far gone for her in the first book. I feared I would not recognize the new Célie. I feared needlessly. So needlessly. I am so incredibly satisfied with how Shelby Mahurin develops Célie’s arc. Mahurin never changes the essence of Célie, but she ensures she is still a character who can grow– who can evolve– without losing herself in the process. Célie’s humanity is such a cherished part of who she is, and I was immensely happy with how it is approached in her arc. I was beaming by book’s end! Célie remains a wonderfully soft heroine whose strength is not found in brawn or steel, but in love and heart. For her heart, as un-beating as it may become, remains her greatest strength. Thank you Shelby Mahurin for uplifting all the soft girlies with the treasure that is Célie Tremblay. A heroine forever embedded in my heart.
Michal. Michal, Michal, Michal. My villain turned anti-hero. Or, maybe, never quite the villain after all. What happens early in his arc had me reeling so fiercely. I was at a loss of words, my heart thumped without pause, my eyes frantically trying to figure out what I was seeing! Let’s just say, his arc leads with quite the bang. And what follows is breathtaking. It follows a soul who has made a choice, a poignant choice, and will uphold it to the very ends of the world. Michal’s love for Célie is unquestionable, it’s just so clear how dear he cherishes her. That love propels his every action, his every choice, his every word. Michal is the last real lover! It is so gratifying to see the love interest so in love as he. Allowing himself to express that love softens his sharp edges, he remains the ever formidable Vampire King, but there’s a vulnerability now present that doesn’t create weakness, but rather adds strength. Michal remains a complex, complicated creature, but whose layers now feel far more reachable in exploring.
The romance between Célie and Michal is, oh gosh, how to describe it? Glorious? Immaculate? Divine? Heavenly? It’s a contradiction to their state of being as unholy creatures, but it speaks to the love filling their very bones and souls. It’s a love story of obstacle, but it’s a love story meant to be. Tentative steps begin the journey before full exploration takes hold. Uncertainty and untruths linger, and timing is not found right away. But like steps in a waltz, it just takes practice. And it's so heart-fluttering to watch Célie and Michal practice how they’re feeling, until that most anticipated moment finally, oh so finally, arrives. One moment, one single moment, unleashing every quiet, loud, vulnerable, and wild feeling all at once. To shake the earth and defy the stars. The passion, the love, and the trust between Célie and Michal is the driving force of this tale. It’s a love I’ll gladly worship.
The main supporting cast remains incredibly dynamic, lovable, and oh so heartfelt. From Lou, to Dimitri, to Odessa, to Mila, to Reid, to Coco, and to Beau. I loved them all. There is one character not included here, as they are instead placed at a distance, and I actually found that very understandable– not every friend is one made for life, and that’s okay. On the flip side, there is a very surprising member added to the main supporting cast. She appeared early on and my jaw dropped at her arrival! I did not expect this inclusion but it worked so well. In fact it added so much heart to the familial dynamic, and that’s all I will hint about that! Then there’s Filippa. A character so closed off, and yet so clearly in pain and desolation. I won’t expand too much here, to not give anything away, but she’s a character to keep all eyes on. I was deeply moved by her story– and Célie’s urgency in deciding whether to find a way to save her sister’s soul or to let her go.
From the world-building to the narrative pacing, it all hits. Every note is in perfect tune, every motion synchronized with exact precision. Every step is the right step and serves to elevate the material. Special shout to that epilogue! You know what. I shan’t say anything else except exactly what I felt about this book as a whole…
Dear god, I loved it.
The Scarlet Veil and The Shadow Bride– what a gorgeous duet you are. I’ll sing your praises until the end of time. Oh yes, how I love you.
Thank you Harper Collins Childrens and NetGalley for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
That feeling when you finish a book and your heart feels so full like it’s going to burst. Where every emotion has clawed up your throat, rendering you without speech. How those butterfly wings beat erratically against your stomach.
It’s finishing a book you so highly anticipated and having it exceed every single expectation.
The Shadow Bride soars to the skies like a phoenix, a phenom that exhilarates in the way it weaves the alluring words of its tale, in the way it intrigues with a mystery that sends chills down the spine, and in the way it casts a love spell centering a couple whose romance finally, finally, takes flight.
This book is everything I hoped it would be– and yet still somehow so much more.
We pick up shortly after the cliffhanger of The Scarlet Veil. Célie is a new woman– a new creature, one of the night. She thirsts for something she abhors, hungers for a craving she refuses to satisfy, and grieves for the heartbeats lost. She is surrounded by loved ones, but has never felt more alone. She has been reborn but barely has time to adjust when everything around her and her loved ones unravels. A new enemy takes hold of the chess pieces that have become her life. When the darkness threatens to overwhelm not just Célie, but everyone she holds dear, she finds her anchor in the Vampire King himself, Michal, and in her friends. Together, they race against the clock to save humanity from a terrifying fate.
Célie, Oh my Célie, my beloved heroine of heroines. How I admire you, how I resonate with you, how I will always love you. Forever.
My greatest fear coming into this book was how changed Célie would become. Her humanity, her softness, her warmth, her light, are such essential facets of her being. They are what made me so far gone for her in the first book. I feared I would not recognize the new Célie. I feared needlessly. So needlessly. I am so incredibly satisfied with how Shelby Mahurin develops Célie’s arc. Mahurin never changes the essence of Célie, but she ensures she is still a character who can grow– who can evolve– without losing herself in the process. Célie’s humanity is such a cherished part of who she is, and I was immensely happy with how it is approached in her arc. I was beaming by book’s end! Célie remains a wonderfully soft heroine whose strength is not found in brawn or steel, but in love and heart. For her heart, as un-beating as it may become, remains her greatest strength. Thank you Shelby Mahurin for uplifting all the soft girlies with the treasure that is Célie Tremblay. A heroine forever embedded in my heart.
Michal. Michal, Michal, Michal. My villain turned anti-hero. Or, maybe, never quite the villain after all. What happens early in his arc had me reeling so fiercely. I was at a loss of words, my heart thumped without pause, my eyes frantically trying to figure out what I was seeing! Let’s just say, his arc leads with quite the bang. And what follows is breathtaking. It follows a soul who has made a choice, a poignant choice, and will uphold it to the very ends of the world. Michal’s love for Célie is unquestionable, it’s just so clear how dear he cherishes her. That love propels his every action, his every choice, his every word. Michal is the last real lover! It is so gratifying to see the love interest so in love as he. Allowing himself to express that love softens his sharp edges, he remains the ever formidable Vampire King, but there’s a vulnerability now present that doesn’t create weakness, but rather adds strength. Michal remains a complex, complicated creature, but whose layers now feel far more reachable in exploring.
The romance between Célie and Michal is, oh gosh, how to describe it? Glorious? Immaculate? Divine? Heavenly? It’s a contradiction to their state of being as unholy creatures, but it speaks to the love filling their very bones and souls. It’s a love story of obstacle, but it’s a love story meant to be. Tentative steps begin the journey before full exploration takes hold. Uncertainty and untruths linger, and timing is not found right away. But like steps in a waltz, it just takes practice. And it's so heart-fluttering to watch Célie and Michal practice how they’re feeling, until that most anticipated moment finally, oh so finally, arrives. One moment, one single moment, unleashing every quiet, loud, vulnerable, and wild feeling all at once. To shake the earth and defy the stars. The passion, the love, and the trust between Célie and Michal is the driving force of this tale. It’s a love I’ll gladly worship.
The main supporting cast remains incredibly dynamic, lovable, and oh so heartfelt. From Lou, to Dimitri, to Odessa, to Mila, to Reid, to Coco, and to Beau. I loved them all. There is one character not included here, as they are instead placed at a distance, and I actually found that very understandable– not every friend is one made for life, and that’s okay. On the flip side, there is a very surprising member added to the main supporting cast. She appeared early on and my jaw dropped at her arrival! I did not expect this inclusion but it worked so well. In fact it added so much heart to the familial dynamic, and that’s all I will hint about that! Then there’s Filippa. A character so closed off, and yet so clearly in pain and desolation. I won’t expand too much here, to not give anything away, but she’s a character to keep all eyes on. I was deeply moved by her story– and Célie’s urgency in deciding whether to find a way to save her sister’s soul or to let her go.
From the world-building to the narrative pacing, it all hits. Every note is in perfect tune, every motion synchronized with exact precision. Every step is the right step and serves to elevate the material. Special shout to that epilogue! You know what. I shan’t say anything else except exactly what I felt about this book as a whole…
Dear god, I loved it.
The Scarlet Veil and The Shadow Bride– what a gorgeous duet you are. I’ll sing your praises until the end of time. Oh yes, how I love you.
Thank you Harper Collins Childrens and NetGalley for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.
May 11, 2025
(3.5⭐️)
While I may not have loved this as much as I did The Scarlet Veil, one twist at the end definitely took me by surprise and that epilogue was so cute!!
The highlights of The Shadow Bride was most definitely the cameos from the previous trilogy, truly adored seeing Lou & co interact with Célie & co--the two groups together truly make such a funny and sweet family, I love it. I could not get enough of all their scenes and even the addition of another character was so unexpected and funny.
Now, what I really didn't find myself enjoying was the pacing... the beginning (I'd say the first half-ish??) was actually going really well and held my interest! But at some point, I found myself getting a bit bored and also just... stopped caring? I will be so honest but like around 60-70% I was skimming just a little because I just wanted to get to the end. The villain also I found to be a huge joke (and really boring) and the stakes just didn't feel really high??? I don't know, there was something missing. I was really close to giving this a 3⭐ but the epilogue soo saved it from that (like why did I actually feel like crying??).
Also, Célie lowkey annoyed me in some scenes😭 Which I did not expect to feel that way considering how much I loved her in TSV??? But oh how I groaned with some of the things she said and decisions she made. I get it's part of the development process (which she did develop!!) but I still couldn't help but get annoyed by her. And the romance? Sorry, why did I actually stop caring about them as much??? The constant denial towards each other about their feelings & back and forth between them got repetitive way too quick, and I was just tired of it. Especially when they both knew that the other loved them... I have to say though, I truly think TSB would've been 10x better had we gotten Michal's POV. Alas.
Overall, I'm disappointed this wasn't another five star but at least it was still a mostly well-done finale! Much much better than the mess that Gods & Monsters was so hey, I'll take that.
"You're the sun, Celie. I couldn't let you die because you are my sun; you are very good thing I've ever wanted and never deserved, and once I saw you, felt you, I could no longer live without you."
While I may not have loved this as much as I did The Scarlet Veil, one twist at the end definitely took me by surprise and that epilogue was so cute!!
The highlights of The Shadow Bride was most definitely the cameos from the previous trilogy, truly adored seeing Lou & co interact with Célie & co--the two groups together truly make such a funny and sweet family, I love it. I could not get enough of all their scenes and even the addition of another character was so unexpected and funny.
Now, what I really didn't find myself enjoying was the pacing... the beginning (I'd say the first half-ish??) was actually going really well and held my interest! But at some point, I found myself getting a bit bored and also just... stopped caring? I will be so honest but like around 60-70% I was skimming just a little because I just wanted to get to the end. The villain also I found to be a huge joke (and really boring) and the stakes just didn't feel really high??? I don't know, there was something missing. I was really close to giving this a 3⭐ but the epilogue soo saved it from that (like why did I actually feel like crying??).
Also, Célie lowkey annoyed me in some scenes😭 Which I did not expect to feel that way considering how much I loved her in TSV??? But oh how I groaned with some of the things she said and decisions she made. I get it's part of the development process (which she did develop!!) but I still couldn't help but get annoyed by her. And the romance? Sorry, why did I actually stop caring about them as much??? The constant denial towards each other about their feelings & back and forth between them got repetitive way too quick, and I was just tired of it. Especially when they both knew that the other loved them... I have to say though, I truly think TSB would've been 10x better had we gotten Michal's POV. Alas.
Overall, I'm disappointed this wasn't another five star but at least it was still a mostly well-done finale! Much much better than the mess that Gods & Monsters was so hey, I'll take that.
April 9, 2025
The Shadow Bride
by Shelby Mahurin
The Scarlet Veil #2
Fantasy Paranormal
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Mar 25, 2025
Harper Collins
Ages: 18+
Celie died saving the people she loved, but she wakes as a vampire thanks to Michal. While she didn't want to die, she also didn't want to exist craving the blood of the people she willingly sacrificed her life to save.
But Celie's sister, Filippa, isn't a vampire, but she is dead and walking beside Death himself, as are revenants, people risen from the grave to seek revenge.
The veil between the living and the dead has split. Death is coming for Celie to claim her as his Bride to bring down the veil completely.
As this is book two, and the last book, of The Scarlet Veil series (and technically book four of the Serpent & Dove series) I don't want to say too much because... spoilers... And yes, one needs to read the Serpent & Dove series first.
It is a good ending to this part of the story, has action and some suspense. There was some dragging in the beginning as Celie began her 'life' as a vampire, the ups and downs, along with a few other places, but the story didn't get bogged down and boring.
I feel that the romance between Celie and Michal was too drawn out, and this book didn't need the adult scene so now it is not suitable for the YA audience it supposedly is aimed at. Because of this scene(s), it's only suitable for readers over eighteen. A little less detail, and it would have been fine.
Overall, I liked the story and the characters, except Filippa; while I got her excuses, she was a little naive for the 'older' sister.
If it wasn't for the adult content in a book aimed at YA, this would have got one more star.
3 Stars
by Shelby Mahurin
The Scarlet Veil #2
Fantasy Paranormal
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Mar 25, 2025
Harper Collins
Ages: 18+
Celie died saving the people she loved, but she wakes as a vampire thanks to Michal. While she didn't want to die, she also didn't want to exist craving the blood of the people she willingly sacrificed her life to save.
But Celie's sister, Filippa, isn't a vampire, but she is dead and walking beside Death himself, as are revenants, people risen from the grave to seek revenge.
The veil between the living and the dead has split. Death is coming for Celie to claim her as his Bride to bring down the veil completely.
As this is book two, and the last book, of The Scarlet Veil series (and technically book four of the Serpent & Dove series) I don't want to say too much because... spoilers... And yes, one needs to read the Serpent & Dove series first.
It is a good ending to this part of the story, has action and some suspense. There was some dragging in the beginning as Celie began her 'life' as a vampire, the ups and downs, along with a few other places, but the story didn't get bogged down and boring.
I feel that the romance between Celie and Michal was too drawn out, and this book didn't need the adult scene so now it is not suitable for the YA audience it supposedly is aimed at. Because of this scene(s), it's only suitable for readers over eighteen. A little less detail, and it would have been fine.
Overall, I liked the story and the characters, except Filippa; while I got her excuses, she was a little naive for the 'older' sister.
If it wasn't for the adult content in a book aimed at YA, this would have got one more star.
3 Stars
Want to read
October 22, 2023AFTER THAT ENDING... GOD I NEED THIS BOOK DESPERATELY
April 16, 2025
Ughhhh I need more Celie and Michal😭♥️ The ending was so beautiful ❤️
March 23, 2025
4.25 ⭐️ The almost perfect ending to this duology. Even though I fell even more in love with my darlings Célie & Michal in this book, I wanted different resolutions for a few things. Just like in the first one, the found family aspect was everything to me. I loved how every side character got their moment to shine, which is exactly why one of the small flaws for me was that separation toward the end. I also wasn’t a huge fan of how the whole situation with Death was resolved, not because it didn’t make sense for the story, but just as a personal preference, I would’ve liked a different ending :(
Despite everything, the epilogue left my heart so full and I finished the book already missing them and wanting to reread it all over again, this is definitely one of my favorite duologies!! Thank you so much NetGalley & HarperCollins for the arc 🖤
Despite everything, the epilogue left my heart so full and I finished the book already missing them and wanting to reread it all over again, this is definitely one of my favorite duologies!! Thank you so much NetGalley & HarperCollins for the arc 🖤
February 8, 2025
This was my most anticipated read of 2025 and I got an early copy.... let's say i read all 600 pages in the span of 12 hours.
April 14, 2025
modern market trends are ruining my favorite series
April 5, 2025
such a let down after the first book
April 20, 2025
One of my most anticipated releases of 2025. Sadly a bit of a let down in comparison to book 1, which I loved.
Below is really more of a rant then a review:
I absolutely adored Michal & Celie in book 1. I’m not sure what happened but they lost their magic to me. I’m also so bummed the author turned them human again!
The mysterious vampiric gothic romance vibe she cultivated in book 1 was assassinated in book 2.
Like why did Celie & Death have more chemistry (at least towards the beginning of the book) than her & Michal?
I was disappointed that we never really saw Celie embrace her transition into a vampire. She spent most of the book struggling coming to terms with her transition. It was so annoying.
I had a hard time understanding Fillippas motivation to betray her sister, mother, kill the love of her life Frederic, & willingness to end the world over an unborn baby. It seemed like a stretch.
Also the maelstrom scenes were very difficult to envision.
Below is really more of a rant then a review:
I absolutely adored Michal & Celie in book 1. I’m not sure what happened but they lost their magic to me. I’m also so bummed the author turned them human again!
The mysterious vampiric gothic romance vibe she cultivated in book 1 was assassinated in book 2.
Like why did Celie & Death have more chemistry (at least towards the beginning of the book) than her & Michal?
I was disappointed that we never really saw Celie embrace her transition into a vampire. She spent most of the book struggling coming to terms with her transition. It was so annoying.
I had a hard time understanding Fillippas motivation to betray her sister, mother, kill the love of her life Frederic, & willingness to end the world over an unborn baby. It seemed like a stretch.
Also the maelstrom scenes were very difficult to envision.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2025
Once again Mahurin has managed to hook me. I will admit, I was reading it a bit slower toward the end there, but that's mostly because I've been reading a ridiculous number of books at once. The books in this universe (The Serpent & Dove trilogy and The Scarlet Veil duology) aren't masterpieces or anything, but they've all made it pretty high on my list of guilty pleasure reads. Like, honestly, Shelby Mahurin is prob my number one guilty pleasure author. Her books so far have all just been so addicting.
I do still like the MCs from the first trilogy much better than the ones in this duology, and the same goes for the main romance. I don't really have a problem with Celie and Micheal, but they're a pretty typical romantasy couple, which, let's face it, isn't really my favorite thing anyway. Celie is also a softer FMC, so I guess maybe a little different? Anyway, I don't like them as much ss Reid and Lou, but, they didn't annoy me too much. I don't know how to explain it, but somehow, the MC and the romance, just... like it was a major part of the book, but I just looked passed it somehow?
This is, I hear, the spiciest of Mahurin's books so far. Considering a usually skip or skim over spice scenes I wouldn't know.
Anyway, the vibes in this series are just... YES. I love the vibes. Also, it's vampires. I love vampires. This made me feel guilty about essentially abandoning my own vampire story... whoops. I will say the gothic vibes felt a lot stronger to me in the first book.
Also, SIDE CHARACTERS. I will never complain about seeing my beloved characters from the S&D trilogy. And ODESSA. We stan Odessa. And DIMITRI. They were prob my two favs tbh.
Anyway, yeah, very good, very fun. I will be keeping my eye out for more books by this author.
I do still like the MCs from the first trilogy much better than the ones in this duology, and the same goes for the main romance. I don't really have a problem with Celie and Micheal, but they're a pretty typical romantasy couple, which, let's face it, isn't really my favorite thing anyway. Celie is also a softer FMC, so I guess maybe a little different? Anyway, I don't like them as much ss Reid and Lou, but, they didn't annoy me too much. I don't know how to explain it, but somehow, the MC and the romance, just... like it was a major part of the book, but I just looked passed it somehow?
This is, I hear, the spiciest of Mahurin's books so far. Considering a usually skip or skim over spice scenes I wouldn't know.
Anyway, the vibes in this series are just... YES. I love the vibes. Also, it's vampires. I love vampires. This made me feel guilty about essentially abandoning my own vampire story... whoops. I will say the gothic vibes felt a lot stronger to me in the first book.
Also, SIDE CHARACTERS. I will never complain about seeing my beloved characters from the S&D trilogy. And ODESSA. We stan Odessa. And DIMITRI. They were prob my two favs tbh.
Anyway, yeah, very good, very fun. I will be keeping my eye out for more books by this author.
August 23, 2025
2**
I was so excited going into this book …. And it fell so flat for me- at times I struggled to read this.
I loved all of Shelby Mahurin’s other books so far so I was very sad to say that I didn’t love this as much.
There were things that I felt were way too repetitive, whether this was the plot or the pining, and I wasn’t a fan of the ending (a little too neat for my liking). Also this one was less gothic / had less magic descriptions than the other books released by the author, which I was sad about.
I still enjoyed some of the main characters and their interactions which helped me get through reading this book.
I was so excited going into this book …. And it fell so flat for me- at times I struggled to read this.
I loved all of Shelby Mahurin’s other books so far so I was very sad to say that I didn’t love this as much.
There were things that I felt were way too repetitive, whether this was the plot or the pining, and I wasn’t a fan of the ending (a little too neat for my liking). Also this one was less gothic / had less magic descriptions than the other books released by the author, which I was sad about.
I still enjoyed some of the main characters and their interactions which helped me get through reading this book.
April 2, 2025
agh why is it that they always take away the mc powers 🧍♂️#mad
May 16, 2025
the main female character is annoying. Someone told me that she annoyed them in book 1 where she didn't annoy me but she annoyed me in book 2.
Overall I LOVED this duology, I would highly recommend this duology over her other series. Do you need to read the other series to read this? NO! so read it.
Overall I LOVED this duology, I would highly recommend this duology over her other series. Do you need to read the other series to read this? NO! so read it.
May 26, 2025
I fear I eat up everything shelby mahurin writes…
this universe and these characters are so dear to me I have to mention all of them
célie my sweet soft girl, her journey was truly beautiful, i really enjoyed seeing her development
michal is sooo different from other mahurin’s characters, he’s literally perfect for célie, a man who’d always crawl back home to his girl ☝🏻
dimitri my mannnnnn, if you love comedic relief characters who are actually traumatized then dimitri is for you 😁 also i desperately need more of him and filippa ITS A MUST
odessa the queen you are 👑 I feel a bit sorry tho that she’s all alone on requiem( but at least she visits cesarine often
mila who’s probably my favorite new side character, she was célie’s #1 supporter, I really loved their bond, her ending ☹️
now the og gang, lou being lou aka being iconic as always 🔥 her comments always carried lmao + I also loved her friendship with célie, knowing how they started and in what their relationship developed is truly beautiful ☺️
I’m so INCREDIBLY happy how Reid freely uses his magic whenever he wants 😭that same guy who was scared of it his whole life and couldn’t accept it, my heart healed every time he used it🥹 him also being gentle and understanding with célie💘
coco and beau in the end made me cry tears of happiness) im glad they got their moment to shine and also got their happy ending 💖
overall serpent and dove universe will always be my comfort books, everything in the story is so refreshing and i feel like i might start my s&d trilogy reread again soon 😂
HIGHLY RECOMMEND ‼️
this universe and these characters are so dear to me I have to mention all of them
célie my sweet soft girl, her journey was truly beautiful, i really enjoyed seeing her development
michal is sooo different from other mahurin’s characters, he’s literally perfect for célie, a man who’d always crawl back home to his girl ☝🏻
dimitri my mannnnnn, if you love comedic relief characters who are actually traumatized then dimitri is for you 😁 also i desperately need more of him and filippa ITS A MUST
odessa the queen you are 👑 I feel a bit sorry tho that she’s all alone on requiem( but at least she visits cesarine often
mila who’s probably my favorite new side character, she was célie’s #1 supporter, I really loved their bond, her ending ☹️
now the og gang, lou being lou aka being iconic as always 🔥 her comments always carried lmao + I also loved her friendship with célie, knowing how they started and in what their relationship developed is truly beautiful ☺️
I’m so INCREDIBLY happy how Reid freely uses his magic whenever he wants 😭that same guy who was scared of it his whole life and couldn’t accept it, my heart healed every time he used it🥹 him also being gentle and understanding with célie💘
coco and beau in the end made me cry tears of happiness) im glad they got their moment to shine and also got their happy ending 💖
overall serpent and dove universe will always be my comfort books, everything in the story is so refreshing and i feel like i might start my s&d trilogy reread again soon 😂
HIGHLY RECOMMEND ‼️
September 7, 2025
Omfg i have THOUGHTS but i gotta wait till i can hold my psychical copy bc i need page numbers lmao
April 1, 2025
I accidentally read this book in one day. I’m so sad this duology is over. I have thoughts.
May 21, 2025
3.75 stars
i liked the romance and i liked the ending but in general, this dragged for way too long to the point where even Célie started to annoy me as well as Filippa. i wasn’t super invested in the villain plot — i felt more irritation than anxiety when it came to the stakes of the situation. i do like the characters a lot though! definitely a new adult book when it comes to themes and spice
i liked the romance and i liked the ending but in general, this dragged for way too long to the point where even Célie started to annoy me as well as Filippa. i wasn’t super invested in the villain plot — i felt more irritation than anxiety when it came to the stakes of the situation. i do like the characters a lot though! definitely a new adult book when it comes to themes and spice
August 19, 2025
hands down the worst book I've read all year. purely finished out of spite.
July 28, 2025
reread 7/28: I still love this book so freaking much! It's definitely one of my favorite books for 2025. I loved rereading it the audiobook. Just want so many more books like this!!
Original review: no words for how much I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! The perfect ending to this duet!!!! It was EVERYTHING I didn't know I needed. It's been a while since I've been so invested in a book that I was reading it any second I could (like walking to my car to and from work) It was PERFECT!!!
That's the SLOWBURN ,angsty, epic romance I needed. Dare I say, I even loved the 🔥🔥 because it was SO well done and built up! I need more books done like this one!!!! You feel their angst and connection!!! full review when I can form words for this AMAZING book! Vamps are back, baby! I am all here for it!!!! I already can't wait to reread this via audio!
Original review: no words for how much I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! The perfect ending to this duet!!!! It was EVERYTHING I didn't know I needed. It's been a while since I've been so invested in a book that I was reading it any second I could (like walking to my car to and from work) It was PERFECT!!!
That's the SLOWBURN ,angsty, epic romance I needed. Dare I say, I even loved the 🔥🔥 because it was SO well done and built up! I need more books done like this one!!!! You feel their angst and connection!!! full review when I can form words for this AMAZING book! Vamps are back, baby! I am all here for it!!!! I already can't wait to reread this via audio!
May 22, 2025
Yet another book that sorely did not want to be about vampires! As is evidenced by the ending! It commits to the aesthetics but basically nothing else
I honestly don’t think the author had another book in her. So much of this felt like filler! The external plot was in shambles and there really wasn’t any sort of an emotional arc outside of Celie and Michal thinking about sex 24/7
All in all, this was just so meandering and gutless
I honestly don’t think the author had another book in her. So much of this felt like filler! The external plot was in shambles and there really wasn’t any sort of an emotional arc outside of Celie and Michal thinking about sex 24/7
All in all, this was just so meandering and gutless
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2023
GIMME!!!
April 7, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ this duology was so fun!! I will absolutely say this book is definitely more NA than YA as there are a couple spicy scenes and the FMC is 19 and the MMC is an immortal vampire. This book picks up shortly after the ending of book 1, and Célie is dealing with her transition to vampirism and the world is going to shit. We get PLENTY of appearances from the serpent & dove crew, just like in book one. This book had me on the edge of my seat and I was completely enthralled from the first page
Célie and Michal developed a much deeper relationship in this book. There’s plenty of yearning and tension, but we definitely see a much softer, loving side of Michal in this installment. As with every book from Shelby Mahurin, the side characters SHINE!!! I absolutely loved Dimitri, Odessa, and the S&D characters.
Overall, I’m so happy to have been able to return to this world, and I hope the epilogue means that we might return again with a different couple
Célie and Michal developed a much deeper relationship in this book. There’s plenty of yearning and tension, but we definitely see a much softer, loving side of Michal in this installment. As with every book from Shelby Mahurin, the side characters SHINE!!! I absolutely loved Dimitri, Odessa, and the S&D characters.
Overall, I’m so happy to have been able to return to this world, and I hope the epilogue means that we might return again with a different couple
April 11, 2025
Goodbyes are not forever😭
No spoilers here
Michal and celie you had me in a chokehold.
The angst, the yearning, dimitri’s filthy mouth— I loved every second.
To say I’m heartbroken I won’t be reading about these characters in another book is an understatement, but I will never forget their story.
This book followed on nicely from scarlet veil and was packed full of action, I didn’t have enough time to catch my breath, so much happened and so quickly, and some scenes I’m sure we could all agree we would have liked to have taken their time👀🌶️✨
I wish I could have given a 5* but I will say I needed more spice and as much as I loved the ending I was a tad 🤏🏻 disappointed by it as well🥹
No spoilers here
Michal and celie you had me in a chokehold.
The angst, the yearning, dimitri’s filthy mouth— I loved every second.
To say I’m heartbroken I won’t be reading about these characters in another book is an understatement, but I will never forget their story.
This book followed on nicely from scarlet veil and was packed full of action, I didn’t have enough time to catch my breath, so much happened and so quickly, and some scenes I’m sure we could all agree we would have liked to have taken their time👀🌶️✨
I wish I could have given a 5* but I will say I needed more spice and as much as I loved the ending I was a tad 🤏🏻 disappointed by it as well🥹
April 17, 2025
Did I finished this book? Or did it finished for me? I loved this series and hope there's more to come!(:
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