Just wow! Bleak, but somehow not - dark romantasy is defined by this set of books, this is the beginning, and once you start, you won't be able to start. Again, just wow.

I’ve never wanted a plague from the 4 horseman because of a book before.

Laura Thalassa weaves stories so beautifully that it makes the reader stop and think “wait, am I really rooting for the bad guy here?” Yes dear reader, you most definitely are. Stunningly sexy novel, this book had me up a little too late, and flipping pages as fast as I could because I couldn’t get enough. After I finished this book, I read their rest of the series and can all of her books are just as enchanting and are beautiful told.

This is the story of Pestilence and Sara....I am a sucker for the stories about the Four Horsemen. It is messy, intense, and beautiful. If you love fantasy romances that are a little grim but full of heart, and longing glances, you’ll probably devour this.3.5 stars

One of my favorite authors for fantasy. I hated him, but then I loved him and it's all because how she wrote his progression and his way into finally feeling love 🖤

This one is just crazy. I know it has been published for a long time but I was still very intrigued to read this and it did not disappoint.
I‘m honest, I don’t remember much but that I enjoyed my time and I‘m excited to read more!

I originally discovered Laura Thalassa with the Rhapsodic series & then immediately wanted to go back & read The Four Horsemen! This book captured my attention from the very first page.

Pestilence by Laura Thalassa is dark, intense, and absolutely captivating! This book is the first in The Four Horsemen series, and it completely grabbed my attention from the start. The story follows Sara, who finds herself in a world ravaged by Pestilence, one of the Four Horsemen. He’s terrifying, unstoppable, and has one goal—to kill everyone on earth. But things get complicated when he unexpectedly falls for Sara. This creates one of the most gripping, star-crossed lovers romances I’ve read in a while. The tension between them is incredible, and watching their relationship evolve was a wild ride. Without giving anything away, I’ll just say that their love story is full of obstacles, heartache, and moments that will have you holding your breath. The chemistry between them is electric, but it's also a forbidden love that’s impossible to ignore, and it only adds to the intensity of the book. I loved how Laura Thalassa developed these characters and how their dynamic shifted from enemies to something deeper. The pacing is spot-on, and the twists and turns kept me hooked from beginning to end. If you're into dark, romantic fantasy with complex characters, emotional depth, and a relationship that feels impossible yet inevitable, Pestilence is a must-read. I can’t wait to continue with this series!

Such a good twist on the horsemen! Enemy's to lovers, inexperienced MMC and a FMC that takes no BS. Love this series.

***4 Stars***

It took me a minute to dive into this book, why I don’t know since I like dystopian reads and the concept of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse finding love (especially after watching “them” do their thing on Supernatural :) ) is intriguing.

But I dove in and I enjoyed the ride.

I really liked Sara and how stubborn she was, from refusing to die to fighting against her rising feelings towards Pestilence. And Pestilence, it was hard not to be intrigued by him and watch as he went from having only being a vessel of destruction to becoming, for lack of a better term, human.

Obviously their journey is not ideal for more reasons than one, one being the fact that one can’t help but have Stockholm syndrome come to mind, but it was fascinating to watch as they both fall for each other, even when they both didn’t really want to.

This was an intriguing read for me. I enjoyed the writing and though there were times the pacing did drag a bit for me, it still held my focus. The situations that arise throughout the story are ones that can be difficult to handle, and one actually had me tearing up, but the destruction of the human race via the plague isn’t pretty. The only thing I wish had been apart of the story was Pestilence’s POV. Not where every other chapter was his POV, but towards the latter part of the story when things did change for him. But it is what it is and I’m looking forward to reading about the rest of the brethren.

OOOH man do I love Laura and her MMCs (I'm a Desmond Flynn girlie till I die) and Pestilence was chef kiss. He is a big ol' softie with the exterior of a gigantic a**hole. Sara was not having any of it and I couldn't respect her more. She's the imperfect heroine that I just absolutely love. Even though The Bargainer series is my favorite from Laura, and of all time, this is a great series filled with lots of spice and banter to turn my Laura addiction.

This was my first Laura Thalassa book and it did not disappoint. I will definitely be reading more of Laura's books and the Four Horseman series.

For a book where a lot of people are dying, nothing really happens. And the chemistry is nonexistent

Really enjoyed this story about love, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding! I found it really kept me interested and I didn’t want to put the book down once I really got into the story. I’ll definitely continue on in the series and would recommend to others.

Loved this book! The tension between the characters and watching as they went from enemies, to begrudging travel companions, to more, and seeing how Pestilence saw the end of the world was great. It's not his fault, he's just doing his job. His unwanted but still curious growing interest in human beings was fun to watch. The story and style of writing was easy to follow and hard to put down. Recommend! Thank you for the opportunity to read a great book!

I love everything Laura does and this was just as great as her other books. I look forward to reading the rest of them.

I’m not sure why I waited so long to read this, I actually really enjoyed it! It was much more slow burn and not as spicy as I expected. I am super curious about the other books in the series.

"Pestilence" introduces a gripping story filled with tension and passion. The tale of a fierce heroine and the embodiment of Pestilence creates a captivating enemies-to-lovers dynamic. The writing is vivid, and the plot is fast-paced, offering a unique take on romance in a dark world. Fans of the series will love this thrilling addition!

I read this and quickly went out and bought the rest of the series! It is so good and such a unique premise. I love the combination of fantasy with the real world. Kept me hooked from the very beginning to the very end.

I really enjoyed this book, found it easy to get into, and loved the writing style! I have previously read The Bargainer (Rhapsodic) series by her and absolutely loved it so was excited to start with another series by her. It was hard in the beginning to imagine Pestilence and Sara together due to how they treat each other physically and make the other one suffer but given the plot of the book and the description on the back, I wasn’t all that surprised they were off to a bad start. I liked how it set up the book for the rest of the series as well and gave us some background on how the world came to be like this. I like how the romance slowly built between the two of them and you could tell they had a deeper connection and she was put in his path for a reason. I liked that Sara stood her ground about things in the end and helped direct Pestilence in a good way to what he valued more, her or his “calling”. It definitely had some emotional parts dealing with all the people dying all the people that try to harm Pestilence. You do come to care for him even though he’s doing what he did. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a four horsemen, end of world type romance, with some hard topics but a great ending!

I received a digital copy from NetGalley & the author of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Laura Thalassa for this novel!

*Pestilence* by Laura Thalassa is a masterful and enthralling fantasy novel that redefines the boundaries of epic storytelling. Set in a richly imagined world where the enigmatic figure of Pestilence wields immense power, the book dives into a gripping tale of love, conflict, and redemption. Thalassa’s world-building is both intricate and immersive, creating a vivid backdrop for the intense and emotional journey of the characters.

The novel's protagonist is a remarkably well-drawn character whose evolution is both compelling and heart-wrenching. Thalassan’s prose is lyrical and evocative, effortlessly drawing readers into the tumultuous world and the high stakes of the narrative. The chemistry between the characters is electric, and the tension is palpable throughout, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

With its deft blend of romance, fantasy, and profound emotional depth, *Pestilence* is a standout work that showcases Thalassans exceptional talent. It’s a must-read for fans of high fantasy and epic romance, offering a powerful and unforgettable reading experience.