thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I am confuse about this book. I like it but I don't feel I should have enjoyed it this much. It's quite crude. I knew it was an enemies to lovers situation... but these mortal enemies are really mortal. I thought about DNFing it but I really wanted to see how it ends. And I'm grateful I continue on. This love story will make you laugh, cry, want to kick something, but, more than anything, it makes you feel. Not every author can do that. That's why I would love to read this series until the end.

5/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley, Bloom Books and Laura Thalassa for this ARC of "Pestilence", the first book in the Four Horsemen Series in exchange for an honest review!

This book is definitely one of my favorites

The end if the world is here and Sara Burn will not go down without a fight. After having attempted to kill Pestilence she is taken as a prisoner as punishment, forced to watch everyone around her die while she survives.

However sparks fly as they travel, and well, spice.

Enemies to Lovers
Strong Main Character
Otherworldly Love Intrest
The Apocalypse
Spice

What's there not to like?

Sara Burns attempts to defy fate by shooting the immortal horseman, Pestilence. However, her plan backfires as Pestilence takes her captive. Amidst their struggle, uncertain feelings brew between them. To save the world, Sara must grapple with her emotions, knowing she might have to sacrifice her heart in the process.

.Enemies to lovers
.Apocalyptic
.Only one bed (and tent?)
.Hurt/comfort
.Virgin MMC

This book served up an apocalypse with a side of drama. A world falling apart, morally grey characters, and enemies reluctantly turning lovers? Count me in. The romance, nothing groundbreaking, mind you, but it keeps a good pace and the story flows without ever being dragged out.

Our main man, Pestilence, takes a crash course in humanity, stirring up some serious debates about good, evil, immortality, and what it means to be human. Personally, I craved a bit more brainy banter, a theological showdown, if you will. It would've added some much-needed depth, making our leading lady's choices a tad more sensible. Cause yeah, I’m a nerd that likes reading romance, so I need a bit of substance in them and I’m always eager to learn more.

In the end, this book does its job, it keeps you entertained, setting the stage for the rest of the series. Which I will definitely read in the future!

(This review will be shared on Instagram @Beco_books)

What would you do if the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse showed up one day and then disappeared, only to return one by one as they cause mass destruction?

That’s exactly what Laura Thalassa explores in her new series, starting with Pestilence. In this book, our FMC Sara stays behind when her town evacuates so that she can try to kill Pestilence. From there, she gets dragged along (sometimes literally) as he causes illness and death around North America.

The more time she spends with Pestilence, the more human he seems. Will she be able to change him or is the world doomed to die from his painful illness? Can love form when a supernatural being is trying to destroy everything and everyone Sara holds dear?

If you like enemies to lovers, apocalyptic landscapes, touch her and die, and morally grey men… then go ahead and check out this book! I really enjoyed the story and already snagged my copy of book 2, War.

Happy Reading!
🖤Bookish Bay

All thoughts and opinions expressed above are true and my own. Thank you to Laura Thalassa and Bloom Books for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

I've had this book on my TBR for FOREVER - what was I thinking?! Super unique story with super interesting characters, and some of the irreverent humor that I just love from Laura Thalassa. If you are like me and have been putting this series off - STOP THAT and read immediately, you won't regret it.

When the first of the Four Horsemen of the apocalypses arrived on Earth, the world was thrown into chaos. Technology failed and a deadly plague began to spread, courtesy of Pestilence, the lone rider sent by God to punish humanity. In a last stand outside of her abandoned post, Sara Burns attempts to kill Pestilence, but ends up being taken prisoner by him instead. While Sara expects him to kill her, he ends up keeping her alive to punish her. As Pestilence learns about the limits of human suffering and sees her compassion through Sara, however, he starts to feel differently towards her. And as Sara sees Pestilence struggle with her purpose, she questions whether he is really her enemy.

I loved that this is a true enemies to lovers story - both characters literally try to kill each other before they fall for each other. Pestilence is so adorably clueless about human nature - he's some kind of angel/messenger of God entity and basically acts like an alien most of the time. Sara is the kind of stubborn and snarky FMC that I LOVE in Laura's books. It (understandably) takes her a LONG time to warm up to Pestilence, but in the context of the story, all of her reluctance to fall for him actually makes a lot of sense. She's compassionate, caring, and strong - and her funny quips kept things light throughout this really dark story.

I've read A LOT of fantasy, and I've never read anything quite like this story. It's kind of part urban fantasy/part dystopian world, and who would have thought to have a girl fall in love with a guy who is trying to kill all of humanity with a plague?! And I'm so intrigued now about the other horsemen... so I guess I'll be reading the rest! I think War is up next, so expect a review (somewhat, I'm busy) soon!

This was the first fantasy I ever read. This type of book was so new to me. I loved that there wasn't a lot of world-building it almost felt like dystopian. Pestilence was definitely a complicated character to love but at the same time, I was obsessed with him. A lot of aspects felt real and that is what made it easy for me to read. I would totally recommend this book if you are getting into fantasy! The female main character, Sara, was so strong. I could not have done half of the things she did. It must be hard falling for the enemy while still respecting your morals. This love story felt so forbidden but so right. I was cheering for them but knew they shouldn't be together. This story definitely kept me on my toes. I didn't want to put it down. I will continue this series for sure! Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for an ARC of this book.

Loved the premise of this but it was very poorly executed. The dialogue between characters was cringe. The relationship made me very uncomfortable. Pestilence was quite child like and the thought of Sara seducing him, just gave me the ick.

A 3.5 stars read.

Since I read Bewitched by this author and really enjoy it, I'm intrigued with this author's popular series. So I'm starting with this book, it's not as good as bewitched, but still enjoyed it nonetheless.

What I like:
- It's romance with a mix of enemies to lovers and toxic relationship, a bit stockholm syndrome too. I know it's messy but hey I like it.
- Pestilence, well he's one of four horsemen with the power to destroy all of humanity, need I say more?
- All the feelings, some parts got me teary (loveee those touching moments), some got me flinch with the brutality and how people can treated others like that, and some got me smiling.

What I don't like:
- lots of cringe moments.
- the ending, those last few chapters in the end, it's like pestilence is not pestilence that I like from the beginning, it's like he's getting weak, not my fav ending
- repetitive

Recommended: yes, if you're looking romance fantasy. It's a fun fast-paced adult romance fantasy.

Very unique premise for a book. Really my only gripe with this novel is that the main character, Sara, is kind of annoying. She's fine for the most part but then she says something very cringy. I also think there were a couple parts that weren't necessary and could have made the book a bit shorter. Overall though a good read.



Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

“Pestilence” by Laura Thalassa

Pestilence, the first of the four horsemen descends upon humanity, bringing a devastating plague to all within his radius. These four horsemen are called to Earth with a divine mission: to rectify the wrongs and restore the balance of justice that humans have disrupted.

Sara Burns is determined to save her town and family by killing Pestilence, but she soon discovers that Pestilence cannot be killed. Instead, he takes Sara as his prisoner with the intent to “make her suffer”. However, as Pestilence becomes intimately involved with a human, he starts to develop a deeper understanding of humanity itself. Will Sara's presence be enough to make Pestilence question his divine mission and potentially spare humanity?

I loved this book so much. It was so grotesque and not in the way that many fantasy romances these days are where you fall in love with the male interest and ignore all their faults. Throughout the story, I found myself wrestling with my feelings towards Pestilence, refusing to excuse his terrible deeds but really wanting to. Even the romance was not enough to make me want to see through his actions, which made the book so much more real than other fantasy romances. I was completely torn with what I wished Sara would do during the entire book and even when there was love, it was so muddled in trauma and horror.

"Pestilence" by Laura Thalassa is a truly unique series. It is a 5 out of 5 stars read for me, it challenged the conventional norms of fantasy romance. In a world where the characters' faults are not sugar-coated, it ended up being unforgettable.

This book practically has it all. The big bad villain, who is actually a cinnamon roll. The beautiful heroine, who will actually kill you. It has snarky commentary, it has smut even if it is a little Stockholm syndrome like.

I mean, Pestilence rolls into town hellbent on reeking havoc just for shits and giggles. Giving everyone he meets boils and the plague. Just being an all around dick. Someone has to stop him right. Someone has to bring an end to the misery...

So we send Sara, a badass female firefighter who just so happened to draw the short straw to kick Pestilence's ass. And kick it she does. Female rage and all that jazz.

Now let's dive a little deeper into this story. Because something deeper is going on. Or maybe I think too much into stuff who knows. But, Pestilence didn't ride into town guns blazing "YOU GET A BOIL! YOU GOT THE PLAGUE! EVERYBODY GETTING SOMETHING TONIGHT!" all Oprah like. It's like he was told, no ordered to come down and wipe out man kind.

Which is why his falling in love with Sara was so significant, making his redemption arc so much more beautiful. Because in the end. his falling in love with a human proves that we are all worth saving in the end.

I read all 4 books and they're worth it. Pestilence is by far my favorite of the four, but they all were fantastic. Him and Sara.... woooooooweeeeee. Truly almost started looking for my own Pestilence. Her writing was sublime. I wasn't expecting to like this, because I didn't really take to the Bargainer series, but I was pleasantly surprised.

[This review is given voluntarily, as I was provided this ARC for free].

I was so blessed to received the complete Four Horsemen Series to review to my review will be a little lengthy as it will try to all encompass all 4 books. First and foremost thank you to the publisher for allowing me access to these amazing books. I absolutely love the redesigned "discreet" covers. They are sexy in their own right without outwardly knowing that you're having a romp with the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse.

Book #1: Pestilence
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Listen... When I tell you I ran thru this book. RAN through it. Pestilence is just a sweet little plague Daddy. Although he brings a slow and torturous death to humans, he is somewhat troubled and dare I say, innocent. The world-building could be more developed, the plot sometimes is a little repetitive (I mean he has to ride through the world spreading plague and Sara wants to stop him). I love that he falls first for her. That troupe is a winner in my book. Of course we read these books for the smut, which could bring more to the table but all around I love that he experiences sex with Sara for the first time etc etc. I just overall enjoy this book!

This kicks off one of the best apocalyptic romances ever. Sweet, painful, and engaging, this story has captured me time and time again.

New to me author.

This book was filled with banter. Sara and her big mouth.

It is a fast pacing book, that reads very smoothly.

Sara is a funny vigilante killer with a lot of wit and a moral compass.

The plot was amazing. apocalyptic with the 4 hourseman that went missing and suddenly there is Pestilence.

There where parts that made me less fan (therefor not 5 stars) Sara Burns (who is a firefighter ...
all the Pestilence (It was said a lot like really a lot).

Read if you like
🦋sarcasm
🦋witty banter
🦋apocalypse/ dystopia
🦋enemies to lovers
🦋Gore
🦋Fantasy
💞Bit of a post-apocalyptic adventure
🦋Dark Romance
🦋 Dark, twisted and disturbing (for some people) not me. I’ve read worse😂


It’s a unique easy-to-read. fast-paced book with amazing writing full
Of sarcasm and witty banter. The character development is ridiculously good. At times I did have some trouble connecting with the story. But for the most part, it was incredible. It made me laugh out loud and cry. Sometimes both at the same time. It has a Stockholm syndrome kinda of relationship which usually is a big no for me but it's written so well and at times I was like we(humans ) do deserve an apocalypse. This book is definitely worth a read. Can’t wait to read the next one.

When I tell you I could not put this book down, it feels like an understatement. I actually felt so upset when I had to put this book down to return to real life. The relationship between our main characters is addicting and I just could not wait to figure out how things turn out for the two of them. If you like a good dark romance, (with an emphasis on the dark, here), then this read is definitely for you.

The concept of this series is fascinating to me, so I'm glad that I got approved to read all four books. Pestilence is the first book, since he is the first of the Four Horsemen, and let me tell you, I really enjoyed it. I usually don't pick books that have religious undertones, but I was pleasantly surprised with how it was woven through the story. Also, I'm here for a romance story set during the apocalypse.

Pestilence is has woken up from his sleep and going on his crusade around the world spreading his disease as god's judgement. He then meets Sara Burns and his whole existence comes into question. Sara, in my opinion, is a perfect foil to Pestilence. She is so strong willed and tells Pestilence like it is. She and I are quite similar, so I really like her. I loved seeing how these two changed throughout the book because of the other. The character development is just incredible. The ending made me so happy, but I'm such a sucker for redemption arcs.

I'm so thankful that I got to read this arc. I actually saw a physical copy at Target yesterday and immediately put it in my cart.

Laura Thalassa is a comfort author for me. I adore her writing. Pestilence is a dark, enemies to lovers romance. Our main character, Sara, is fierce, conflicted, and strong. I love that she doesn't shrink under public pressures when confronted with unpopular choices. Pestilence(hear me out) reminded me of some of my favorite moments in Sci fi. He is set on a mission to kill all humans BUT he doesn't really understand humanity. He's almost robotic or Borg -ish for any Star Trek fans reading this(all 1 of you). I'm a sucker for a story with true growth and compromise. This was sexy, thought-provoking, and heart-felt! 10/10