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The Veil (Devil's Isle, #1)

Chloe Neill

Start date: October 1, 2015

Finish date: October 31, 2015

Discussion: Book of the Month

Why we're reading this: Voted as our "Most Popular Books Published in August 2015" October BOM (two-book tie)…more
[close] Voted as our "Most Popular Books Published in August 2015" October BOM (two-book tie)

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Jun 10, 2015 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it liked it

Shelves: arc-are, netgalley-reviews

I have always intended to read Chloe Neill's popular Chicagoland Vampires series but never found the time, so I leapt at the chance to read The Veil, the first book her new Devil's Isle series.

It has been seven years since the Veil between New Orleans and the supernatural world was torn open permitting the egress of paranormals determined to enslave or wipe out humanity. War raged for a year, leaving thousands dead and the land scarred before the Veil was closed. Magic was banned and the Para's
I have always intended to read Chloe Neill's popular Chicagoland Vampires series but never found the time, so I leapt at the chance to read The Veil, the first book her new Devil's Isle series.

It has been seven years since the Veil between New Orleans and the supernatural world was torn open permitting the egress of paranormals determined to enslave or wipe out humanity. War raged for a year, leaving thousands dead and the land scarred before the Veil was closed. Magic was banned and the Para's who survived incarcerated in a neighborhood adjoining The French Quarter, nicknamed Devil's Isle.

Claire Connolly owns and runs an antique and supply store, inherited from her late father, at was what 'ground zero'. She refuses to abandon the family store and leave New Orleans even though she risks everything to stay, for after the Veil was reinstated, Claire discovered she was a 'sensitive', a human with the ability to wield magic, and discovery would mean 'containment'.

But when Claire witnesses a woman being attacked by two wraiths (sensitives that have been overwhelmed by their magic) she intervenes and to save herself must use her magic. Certain she will be arrested and imprisoned, assistance comes from an unexpected source, bounty hunter Liam Quinn, who not only helps destroy the evidence of her actions, but also finds her a mentor to teach her to harness her magic.

Walking a fine line between remaining hidden and discovery, everything changes when Claire and Liam discover a dangerous plot to reopen the Veil.

Though New Orleans isn't an unique setting, Neil's worldbuilding is solid. The society has dystopian elements what with almost martial law and street level magic monitoring, and there also an apocalyptic feel given the scorched earth, ruined buildings and communication issues.

There is quite a lot of information to digest in The Veil, including the history of the war, the current status of New Orleans society, the make up of Para's, and the motives of the Beyond. I felt Neil integrated the details well for most part, maintaining a good pace and advancing the plot.

The characters are likeable, Claire is stubborn, resourceful and she has a close knit group of friends that are her substitute family. Liam is essentially a loner, especially since losing his sister. As a bounty hunter he can move quite freely between New Orleans and Devil's Isle where his grandmother is and he has, if not friends then sources, such as Moses, a computer hacker with horns. The attraction between Claire and Liam is immediate and inevitable, and a strong element of the plot.

Though I'm not irreversibly hooked, I did enjoy The Veil. It's a quick and engaging read and I will most likely pick up the next. ...more

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Jan 15, 2015 Samantha wickedshizuku Tolleson marked it as to-read

Please,please,please, FOR THE LOVE OF THE GODS GET A DIFFERENT NARRATOR FOR THIS SERIES! The one that narrates the Chicagoland Vampire series sounds like nails on a chalkboard.

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Jul 23, 2017 Steph rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: author-웃, series-ongoing, series-book1, author-favorite, year-read-2017

(3.5 stars) Interesting world. Took me a bit to follow the world-building, but now that the story's on a roll, I plan to jump into THE SIGHT, book 2. ...more

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