REVIEW: The Veil by Chloe Neill

In The Veil by Chloe Neill, the first book in a new series, for author Chloe Neill, Claire Connolly is struggling to hide the fact that she’s a sensitive – a human capable of wielding magic. Since after the war between humans and paranormals, the supes were to be confined to Devil’s Isle, whilst the humans still enjoyed their freedom on the other side of the Veil. When she willingly helps a young woman escape a couple of wraiths, her secret becomes exposed to bounty hunter, Liam Quinn – a gorgeous yet exasperating man that could very easily have her imprisoned, if he didn’t have his own agenda.

As a fan of this author’s Chicagoland Vampire series, I didn’t think her writing could step it up another notch, but I believe this series is going to be the better of the two. This book was fast-paced, and provided me as a reader, with a great introduction to the characters — both the main and secondary ones. It also provided an exciting journey as the heroine strives to do what’s right for humanity while learning to trust someone outside of her close group of friends.

Claire is a strong heroine and complements Liam nicely, ensuring that – if there was to be any romance between them – it would be fueled by their strong chemistry. Unfortunately, this book lacked the amount of romance I like the books I read to contain, but fingers crossed their chemistry will be explored more as the series progresses.

Both main characters are enchanting from the moment they’re introduced. But Liam becomes even more so, once Claire discovers his true motives for helping her. What I enjoyed so much about Claire was her ability to remain strong with every secret revealed about her father and Liam. Perhaps her trusting Liam was a tad naïve, but as the saying goes – keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Not that Liam was her enemy in the end, but you get the point. His position as a bounty hunter threatened her somewhat normal life, on the side of the Veil she preferred to remain on.

Finally, Ms. Neill has done a wonderful job crafting this novel, and I can’t wait to read more of this series in the future. I would recommend it, to anyone looking to read something new, in the Sci-Fi and Fantasy genre.

Book Info:

Publication: 4th August, 2015 | Penguin Group Berkley NAL/Signet Romance | Devil’s Isle #1

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…