Beyond the Ruby Veil (Beyond the Ruby Veil #1) by Mara Fitzgerald Book Review

Title: Beyond the Ruby Veil
Author: Mara Fitzgerald
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 
Release Date: October 13, 2020
Pages: 288

Cunning and unapologetic, Emanuela Ragno is a socialite who plays by her own rules. 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 her 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 obeyed this law 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. Before everyone in Occhia dies of thirst, Emanuela and Ale must travel through the mysterious, blood-red veil that surrounds their city to uncover the source of the watercrea’s power and save their people—no matter what it takes. 

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My Thoughts

**Thank you so much to Hachette Book Group for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!**

Growing up, Emanuela has only cared about power. It doesn't matter that she has to marry her best friend even though both of them are gay, but what matters is the power it comes with. Just as she's about to get married, the watercrea shows up and ruins everything.

She claims we have the same look in our eyes. It says, I get what I want, and I don't care what it takes.

Everyone's water supply comes from the watercrea. Those with omens are sacrificed to the watercrea to keep providing water for the city. Emanuela has had hers for a long time but has managed to keep it a secret until her wedding.

Nothing is going to kill me. I won't let it.

While escaping the watercrea, Emanuela unexpectedly kills her, leaving the city with a shortage of water. On her path to find a solution, Emanuela encounters many challenges, friendships, and hardships that she needs to overcome to save her people.

They all need me. I'm the only person in a thousand years who had what it took to best the watercrea. That means I'm the only person who has what it takes to replace her.

Star Rating: ★★★★☆ (4)

Dark and bloody, this book was an unexpected surprise. The author creates the mood in such beautiful writing and I loved it. She kept the plot consistent and got me hooked to finish the book in a day.

I loved Emanuela and her personality. She was strong, a little stubborn, but knew what she was doing and what she has to do without anyone's interference.

Overall, Beyond the Ruby Veil was captivating and different from other books. It does not shy away from gore, blood, etc. but really brought the story to life. I finished it in an afternoon because let me tell you, you won't stop reading it until you finish.

About the Author

Mara Fitzgerald writes YA fantasy about unlikable female characters who ruin everything. She is a biologist by day and spends entirely too much time looking at insects under a microscope. She was born near Disney World and now lives near Graceland, which is almost as good. She is the author of the Beyond the Ruby Veil duology.