Synopsis:
They would have you believe, (the police and mainstream media), that I, Charlie Macall, and my friends, were the deadliest killers since Manson or Bundy. That’s only half true. Yes, we’ve killed, but to put us in the same category as those two I’ve just mentioned, is wrong, a fallacy. For starters, they’d have to be human for us to be considered murderers, right?
What I’m about to tell you is nothing but the truth, the whole truth, as unbelievable as it may seem. Let it stand as testimony to the brave deeds of the people who have fallen in our task. The people who have died trying to free you all from a prison of no walls.
You’ll have to bear with me on this journey, for if you are to believe me, it’s going to take time, time to unravel the illusion of what you believe to be your normal, everyday lives.
Hell, I didn’t even believe it at first and why should I have? This shit is crazy…
Review:
The Veil begins light-hearted and nostalgic, with a focus on four teenagers in high school. Charlie and Lisa, Donna and Marty, are not only couples but the best of friends. After an accident causes them all head injuries, they start seeing a golden glow around people, and hearing an awful ringing in their ears. They discover they’ve unlocked powers within themselves, and uncover a secret that puts their lives in danger. The events propel them into Vengar, where they are not only kept prisoner by alien-like creatures but forced to participate in morbid games.
Bradley’s writing style is rife with descriptions, but not so much that it takes away from the pacing. While some chapters are chock full of action, others slow down to tell the stories of each of the main characters. They are relatable, either with completely tragic backstories or at least one event that has transformed them into who they are at present.
Bradley builds suspense in a way that had me turning pages ferociously. Every time I thought I knew how the characters would overcome their circumstances, another obstacle was thrown into the mix.
I enjoyed the bonding between the main characters, but also the friends they made along the way. The Veil provides themes of cohesive humanity fighting alongside each other at all costs.
The games were probably my favorite scenarios as they provoked thoughts of how it would feel to participate against someone who is not your enemy, and make decisions to save your own life. What is the currency used to value one human life over another?
The Veil is horror, fantasy, and sci-fi, woven together with unique characters, a plot that never lets up, and themes that tug at your heart. If Stranger Things collided with Squid Game, the Veil would be the brilliant, terrifying result.
Leave a Reply