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Friday, August 7, 2015

Book Review: The Veil (Devil's Isle #1) by Chloe Neill

The Veil (Devil's Isle #1)
by Chloe Neill

Paperback, 336 pages
August 4th 2015 by NAL Trade
Seven years ago, the Veil that separates humanity from what lies beyond was torn apart, and New Orleans was engulfed in a supernatural war. Now, those with paranormal powers have been confined in a walled community that humans call the District. Those who live there call it Devil's Isle.

Claire Connolly is a good girl with a dangerous secret: she’s a Sensitive, a human endowed with magic that seeped through the Veil. Claire knows that revealing her skills would mean being confined to Devil’s Isle. Unfortunately, hiding her power has left her untrained and unfocused.

Liam Quinn knows from experience that magic makes monsters of the weak, and he has no time for a Sensitive with no control of her own strength. But when he sees Claire using her powers to save a human under attack—in full view of the French Quarter—Liam decides to bring her to Devil’s Isle and the teacher she needs, even though getting her out of his way isn’t the same as keeping her out of his head.

But when the Veil threatens to shatter completely, Claire and Liam must work together to stop it, or else New Orleans will burn.

From a technical stand point this book has all the elements from the urban fantasy check list:
1. Kick ass heroine who finds out the world as she knows it is a lie.
2. Tight-nit group of friends (Scooby gang)
3. Sexy protag with guilt issues, that heroine needs to stay emotionally away from, but OMG look/smell/taste him!
4. Open magic world.
5. Conflicts with environment, prejudice, and political cover ups.

It is all done very well. But for me, it is missing the spark that compels me to keep reading. It was too easy to put down, but when I did read it, I enjoyed learning about this new world. It just didn't stand out from the rest of the pack and I didn't feel any fire or passion from the characters. There was too much predictability.

Will I read the next one? Yes. The first book in a series is usually weighed down with world building and character introductions. Neill is an excellent writer... I just wonder how much of her original story got edited down to create a more mainstream book for the masses.

While I wasn't blown away by the story, there are many others who were and gave it 5 stars. So check out some other reviews. This is also my first Chloe Neill book. I know, I need to read her vampire series. I already have a copy of book one in my reading cue.

3 Sheep




SharonS

About the Author:
Chloe Neill is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Devil’s Isle, Chicagoland Vampires, and Dark Elite series. She was born and raised in the South, but now makes her home in the Midwest.  When not writing, she bakes, works, and scours the Internet for good recipes and great graphic design. Chloe also maintains her sanity by spending time with her boys–her favorite landscape photographer/husband and their dogs, Baxter and Scout. (Both she and the photographer understand the dogs are in charge.)

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