Veil of Shadows: A Project Red Veil Mystery Book One

"Veil of Shadows" offers an intriguing premise and fast-paced storytelling that makes for an easy, engaging read. Holloway creates a mysterious sci-fi world with her Project Red Veil concept that has potential for an interesting series. Where the novel falls short, however, is in its character development. As readers, we're thrown immediately into the action with very little background on our protagonist Emily or her relationship with Lila. While Emily demonstrates admirable bravery and determination throughout the story, it's difficult to understand her motivations beyond basic friendship loyalty without knowing more about her personal history or character. What drives her to take such extreme risks? What in her past has prepared her for such extraordinary circumstances? Similarly, the dynamic between Emily and Lila feels somewhat unbalanced. Despite Lila having a direct connection to the mystery through her father, she frequently defers to Emily with questions like "What's that?" or "What do you think happened?" This creates an odd knowledge imbalance where Emily somehow has all the answers despite Lila logically having more context for the situation. I was slightly disappointed by the shallow exploration of Langford's motivation for betraying Dr. Carter. We learn that he "became obsessed with the idea that Project Red Veil could do more" and that his "goal was no longer to heal and protect—it was to control," but we never understand why. What transformed him from a grateful test subject into a power-hungry villain? Without understanding his reasoning, Langford remains a one-dimensional antagonist rather than a compelling character whose choices, however misguided, make psychological sense. As a reader, I find stories more immersive and relatable when characters' actions stem from understandable motivations, even villainous ones. The breakneck pacing certainly keeps the pages turning, but it comes at the cost of deeper character substance that would make the stakes feel more meaningful. Dr. Carter's backstory gets more attention than our main characters, which makes the emotional impact of the story's resolution less satisfying than it could be. Holloway shows promise as a storyteller with a talent for creating tension and action sequences. With more attention to character development in future installments, this series could really shine. For readers who prioritize plot and fast pacing over character depth, "Veil of Shadows" will provide an entertaining adventure and will read from the first page to the last.

I must say I was impressed with Mrs. Holloway’s debut novel. Each time I took a reading break, I tried to anticipate what would come next. She brought the visual part of my brain to life. I could see them running through the woods. I could almost feel the damp cold air. She is an extraordinary storyteller. She segues effortlessly from one scene to the next.

This story is as advertised as a fast-paced tale of friendship mixed with a little sci-fi and a dash of horror all in one. I enjoyed reading it and became fully immersed, before I knew it, I had finished reading it. I can't wait to read the next chapter!