Review: Everyone has secrets; Mary is a woman with more than her fair share.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 09 4, 2013
In the first installment of his Veil Series, Will Swardstrom introduces us to a woman slowly being smothered beneath the weight of her secrets. Mary's first secret is as innocuous as it is spontaneous. Or so it would seem. As time goes on, Mary continues to be haunted by her decision, as well as the actions she is forced to take to keep it under wraps. Each of these actions becomes a new secret burden unto itself, until soon Mary is on the verge of unraveling as she struggles to maintain the distinction between fact and fiction, truth and lie. When at last her secrets catch up with her, they do so in the form of a surprising source, one whose will won't be denied.Mary's story unfolds through a clever combination of present-day narrative and flashbacks, creating a moody, noirish atmosphere Swardstrom uses to build the tension between revelations -- of which there are many -- to great effect. The narrative is taut and engaging, the characters compelling, the setting both familiar and unique. Overall, The Veil is a work that should appeal to all fans of Hugh Howey's world of Wool, as well as an outstanding addition to the ever-expanding ranks of the Silo Saga.