In the veiled city of Occhia, House Morandi rules under the control of the Watercrea, who transforms blood into water for the citizens. The protagonist, Emanuela Ragno, is engaged to her best friend, Alessandro Morandi, with a plan to gain power by becoming head of the most powerful house in Occhia. However, when a bruise-like omen appears on an Occhian's skin, signaling a sacrifice to the Watercrea, Emanuela's life takes a drastic turn as secrets about other cities beneath the ruby veil emerge. As Emanuela navigates the dangerous political landscape, she must confront a worthy adversary in the form of the Heart, a young woman claiming to create water without blood, leading to a power struggle that puts everyone at risk.

Emanuela, a ruthless and power-hungry protagonist, drives the fast-paced story forward with her questionable decisions and unapologetic pursuit of power. The book delves into a world where water requires blood, showcasing dark magic systems and intricate world-building that immerses readers in the chilling atmosphere of the red veil, while Emanuela's complex character development keeps the plot unpredictable and engaging.

Characters:

The characters are intricately crafted, showcasing a range of motivations that drive their actions, particularly the strong, morally ambiguous Emanuela.

Writing/Prose:

The prose captivates readers with its depth and immediacy, effectively conveying the protagonist's complex character.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows a protagonist whose relentless pursuit of power leads to catastrophic decisions, culminating in societal chaos.

Setting:

The setting of Occhia is a dark, oppressive dystopia steeped in lore, enhancing the gravity of the protagonist's struggles.

Pacing:

The fast-paced narrative maintains a gripping tension that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

Notes:

The book starts strong and hooks readers from the first paragraph.

Emanuela, the protagonist, has a dark and complex personality.

Emanuela's desire for power drives her actions throughout the story.

The society in the book subjugates women and relies on blood for water.

Emanuela kills the Waterchea, leading to a water crisis in her city.

The story features a best friendship between Emanuela and Ale, who is secretly gay.

The book is described as having chaotic themes and dark magic.

Characters in the book are well-developed and distinct in their moral compasses.

The romance element is minor but may grow in the sequel.

The worldbuilding in the novel is intricate and immersive, adding to the atmosphere.

Content warnings include murder, torture, blood rituals, and eye horror.

Emanuela is portrayed as an antiheroine willing to do anything for her goals.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The story contains triggers such as murder, torture, graphic blood rituals, self-harm, eye horror, and semi-cannibalism.

From The Publisher:

A dark, queer YA fantasy that's perfect for fans of the Three Dark Crowns series. After Emanuela Ragno kills the one person in Occhia who can create water, she must find a way to save her city from dying of thirst. Emanuela Ragno always gets what she wants. With her daring mind and socialite schemes, she refuses to be the demure young lady everyone wants her to be. In her most ambitious move yet, she's about to marry Alessandro Morandi, her childhood best friend and the heir to the wealthiest house in Occhia. Emanuela doesn't care that she and her groom are both gay, because she doesn't want a love match. She wants power, and through Ale, she'll have it all. But Emanuela has a secret that could shatter her plans. In the city of Occhia, the only source of water is the watercrea, a mysterious being who uses magic to make water from blood. When their first bruise-like omen appears on their skin, all Occhians must surrender themselves to the watercrea to be drained of life. Everyone throughout history has given themselves up for the greater good. Everyone except Emanuela. She's kept the tiny omen on her hip out of sight for years. When the watercrea exposes Emanuela during her wedding ceremony and takes her to be sacrificed, Emanuela fights back ... and kills her. Now Occhia has no one to make their water and no idea how to get more. In a race against time, Emanuela and Ale must travel through the mysterious, blood-red veil that surrounds their city to uncover the secrets of the watercrea's magic and find a way to save their people - no matter what it takes.

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Beyond the Ruby Veil

Mara Fitzgerald

Book 1 in the series:Beyond the Ruby Veil