The Veil

July 6, 2015
The bestselling author of the popular Chicagoland Vampires series heads south for her new paranormal series. In an alternate version of the present day, the shattering of the magical Veil between our world and the world beyond released paranormal invaders. The subsequent magical war devastated the American South, leaving New Orleans in ruins. Seven years after the breach, the Veil has been patched, but military containment forces continue to hunt for banned magic, murderous wraiths, and human Sensitives created by magical seepage from the Veil. French Quarter shopkeeper Claire Connelly accidentally reveals her hidden telekinetic abilities while helping to fight off a wraith. Fortunately, sexy bounty hunter Liam Quinn agrees to keep her secret as long as she learns to control her ability. Before long, Claire is helping Liam investigate the increasing deadliness of wraith attacks, but complications ensue when they uncover a plot to reopen the Veil. The story moves fitfully at first, as Neill works to establish her setting and characters, but once the foundation is laid, the pace becomes brisk. Neill’s large cast of characters offers plenty of possibilities for future series intrigue and action. Agent: Lucienne Diver, Knight Agency.

Starred review from August 1, 2015

After the Veil fell, magical forces crossed the barrier and flooded New Orleans, turning it into a supernatural battleground. Seven years later, the Veil has been closed but the scars remain in a city that has seen its share of tragedies. Claire Connolly makes her living running a small store providing supplies (when she can get them) to the city's remaining residents. She has recently found out she is a Sensitive--touched by magic. Liam Quinn, a bounty hunter who normally rounds up Sensitives and takes them to the prison compound known as Devil's Isle, knows people who can help Claire. VERDICT Neill's Big Easy is a dangerous place--still recognizably NOLA yet ravaged by war. The occult conflict of a breach between our world and the faerie realm has been done before; however, for readers who enjoy romantic urban fantasy, this is a promising start from the author of the "Chicagoland Vampires" books.--MM

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.