The Veiled Web

By: Catherine Asaro

Narrated by: Caroline Shaffer

Ballerina Lucia del Mar has two great passions: dance, which consumes most of her waking hours, and the Internet, which brings the outside world into her tightly regimented life. These two passions collide when a White House performance and reception leads to an encounter with handsome Moroccan businessman Rashid al-Jazari, creator of a brilliant technology that has set the Internet rumor mill ablaze.

A second, seemingly chance meeting with Rashid plunges Lucia into a deadly world of desire and intrigue, for although his work has implications she cannot foresee, there are those who do understand and would turn its great power to their own destructive purposes.

As Lucia is drawn deeper and deeper into Rashid’s life and work, cut off from the outside world, she finds herself becoming more attracted to him. But is her seclusion within Rashid’s well-guarded Moroccan home intended to ensure her safety - or her silence? And is it already too late to stop the terrible consequences his new technology could unleash?

©1999 Catherine Asaro (P)2013 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"At once thoughtful and imaginative, The Veiled Web is a… layering of East and West, of religion and technology, movement and introspection - and of love and its loss - all woven into an intriguing tapestry that shows one turning point in the eternal battle for the souls of men. If one knows quite what a soul is!" (Diana Gabaldon, New York Times best-selling author)

"A terrific novel, ripping a path from today’s headlines to tomorrow’s realities - a page-turning thriller tempered by romance and ethical concerns, with characters (even some nonhuman ones) you’ll care deeply about." (Robert J. Sawyer, Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author)

Helpful to know publication date

The most significant part of The Veiled Web was the end when Audible announced that the copyright was 1999. So it was set in a future 2010 and Audible-released March 2013. The dates explained a lot and I wish I had known the publication date right from the start.

This was an imagined development of the internet to the point where deeply philosophical questions could be asked. Here's one: can more animated computers generate scenarios that involve conscience and life purpose -- hey, that's not too far from the way computers are operating-dominating the contemporary world! Mmmm.
There's more: the beauty and passion of dance where the hero strives for perfection -- worlds away from technology.
Also there's travel to exotic lands. And villains.
Now add the question: can fervent Roman Catholic marry fervent Moslem and bring up children together.

An interesting mix, read with conviction. Well, I think the narrator was actually better than the book really. Yes, it was an interesting plot but it relied on the ballet dancer to make silly decisions. This silliness rather fitted with her irritating conviction that she was not particularly clever -- yet she was obviously highly successful in her own right. Yawn.

Ultimately I felt that the writer became rather repetitive and it sounded as if she was trying to convince herself that these scenarios would work. Yes, I confess to a bit of fast forwarding which I rarely do.

An interesting interpretation of a past future.

If not for the invention of the microprocessor, smart phones, Google, and the world changing events of 9/11, this would have been a great message of hope. but with 20 years of history from the publication date, there's a lot in here that speaks of hope for the future from a past that couldn't have seen all that a decade would throw in its path.

Good book, but not in my ideal genre

Good, good story. I like many scifi/fantasy. But not this particular style. A bit political, but a political concept I agree with though think it might never be attainable. Unless one religion destroys all others.

sweet romance with a little adventure

Where does The Veiled Web rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a romance novel at its core. But more interesting than most. It's set in an exotic location and has an interesting conflict at the center. I was surprised that I didn't find it corny. Just sweet. Innocent in a way.

I listened to it with my wife who also found herself surprised by how much she enjoyed it. Really liked the narrator.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Veiled Web?

It mixes the romance with a little adventure and suspense that gives a nice balance and keeps you engaged. But basically it is a gentle story about gentle people.

Have you listened to any of Caroline Shaffer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No. But I definitely will. I think she is one of the reasons we liked it so much. She kept it from being too corny. She has a lovely feminine voice but gave a wonderful depth to the male character.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Well the book isn't overly deep or complex. So when I found myself caring about the characters and wanting them to come together I think I was surprised. They wanted to be good people.

For the open-minded

A unique and compelling story, but perhaps too ambitious many readers. A tame romance combined with artificial intelligence, nano technology, and Islamic/Christian issues, this book takes on a heavy set of circumstances to explain and weave together. It touches on the possible social implications of advanced technologies in the wrong hands; and, the social complexities of religious differences in relationships. The writer does an excellent job of decriminalizing Islam and gives us ignorant Christians a glimpse into a world we too often assume is evil. If for no other reason, listen to this one to gain a brief view of a religion we hear in the news, but do not understand.

Great story with fantastic narration

I love this storyline and the characters, the difference between Muslim and Christian religions given proper reverence.

Surreal

This audiobook has what a lot of books DON’T have. Hope for the world’s future. I hope it is infectious to everyone who finds it.

Little better than a Harlequin romance

If I wouldn't have had an extended time where I wanted something to listen to that didn't require any real concentration, I wouldn't have listened beyond the first chapter. But it worked for that purpose of providing background noise. The narration was fine...for that kind of book, but the narrators tone of voice had a dreamy, wonder filled, romantic quality that I find very off-putting. The book filled my need for background noise...so I'm glad I had it to listen to...but will I listen to it again? Absolutely not.

However, all that being said, I am aware that many people really like this kind of book...complete with the necessary impossibilities. If you're in to romance novels with a touch of tech thrown in, I think you'll really like it. If not, I'd suggest skipping this one.

What country allows a drugged woman to get married

Well many things clash with how modern society works it was a somewhat interesting story. I am torn between entertaining writer and a story that clashes with how the brain interprets people’s actions in this day and age. but still somewhat entertaining