Whoooo this was another steamy and dark romance that I couldn’t help but devour. War was such a beautiful soul to unravel and I loved Miriam’s strength in fighting for her belief and faith in life. Every single time we saw War’s humanity had me crying out with joy. Absolutely incredible story!

The world building is hands down one of the best I’ve read in a while!

This book is definitely a little more gory than the first one, but it feels so true to the nature of War.

This is definitely a he falls first story line, but War has to go through the true journey of learning what love really is.

This series is so binge-able, and so hard to put down. These moral grey (black) characters just fall for their heroines in the best way.

This one was action packed from start to finish. I love how Miriam tried to stand her ground for what she believed in, gaining more ground as she fell in love with him.

This series has me in a chokehold. From chapter one I was drawn in and hooked to the storyline and the characters. I love that the FMCs aren’t just damsel ls in distress and are bada** in their own unique ways. Watching the characters grow throughout the story is my favorite part of these books.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
SPICE: 🔥🔥🔥

It is hard to find someone who is tasked with ending humanity to be so relatable, but yet Laura Thalassa has done it twice in a row with two of the four bringers of the apocalypse.

War has landed near Jerusalem. The region has already been ravaged by humanity's war, and now the second Horseman has made the region the starting point of his dystopian campaign. Also in this region is Miriam Elmahdy, a fearless weapons maker who is trying to survive the streets filled with violence and suffering.

When War's army comes to invade her town, Miriam gets trapped by the Horseman. Expecting herself to be on the receiving end of his sword, she is shocked when he puts it aside, declares her to be his wife, and whisks her away to his camp.

Now she must deal with her destiny to be the wife of someone who brings destruction in his wake, but aside from the chaos he causes outside their tent, he is surprisingly a doting husband. Who knew? Her current dilemma proves to be more difficult than she expected: Should she surrender to him or save the human race by destroying him?

There are common themes between the first two books in the series: strong FMCs, epic backdrops, roller coaster journeys. Yet Laura Thalassa manages to serve us two unique tales about the harbingers of the world's end falling in love.

First of all, I did not expect War to be a reformed playboy, he-falls-first romance (two tropes I would have NEVER expected from a post-apocalyptic read) but yet here we are. I love that the bringer of chaos and violence is such a cinnamon roll when it comes to his lady love, and it made the tension and chemistry of their connection all the more enjoyable. There was a whole lot more of the emotional tug-of-war, especially on Miriam's part, and I think that made the read more engaging to me. There was a more palpable dilemma between choosing someone who has become the love of your life vs. humanity, and I liked that Thalassa dove deeper into that with Miriam's conundrums about and rebellions against War.

The spice has definitely leveled up from the first book. The chemistry is more raw and visceral, and War and Miriam's moments in the "bedroom" match that vibe to a T.

I also appreciated Thalassa's organic insertion of lighter moments to balance against the emotionally taxing parts of the read. I had to laugh at War's solution for Miriam's private guards when his own army proved insufficient. #IYKYK

I am absolutely loving this series so far. This can be read as a standalone, though it is so much more fun to read it together and there are some allusions to Pestilence and his story. Famine is next. Should I eat a big snack before I read that, or will I regret it?

** I am voluntarily reviewing a copy of this book. Thank you to Laura Thalassa, Bloom Books, Sourcebooks, and NetGalley for providing a copy. **

I love the strong female characters in this book. “War” is so repulsive in what he plans to do to humans. At least he does show some what of minimal kindness for Miriam, since he sees her as his wife. The turmoil Miriam deals with though when it comes to “War”. She hates what he’s doing but can’t help but be drawn to him.

This one has great character growth and world building, I actually prefer War to Pestilence, but they both are unique in their own way. The entire plot/series is unique and engaging and I thoroughly enjoy this author's take on it!

I really liked this. It had some stuff that I wasn't expecting. The character development was really good.
Seeing War go against his nature to prove to Miriam she was what he wanted was really nice. It did get a bit repetitive though but with that it felt the relationship was a bit more natural so there was a pro and a con.
Miriam was really fantastic. The ferocity in which she protects others really aids in the tension in her relationship. How can she love War when he destroys?
I definitely wasn't expecting the ending but in a really great way. The biggest issue I have with the book is its length and the tendency to be repetitive. The rest was fantastic.

✨️ forced proximity
✨️ touch her and pass
✨️ fated lovers

This new discreet cover is stunning! This is the second book of the Four Horsemen series. It takes place in a post apocalyptic Middle East. Laura's character and world building is second to none. The battles, both physical and mental between the characters is so realistic, it's like you're there riding horseback in the desert too. Miriam is a fantastic main character who is well matched with War. War's overall growth in this book is amazing considering it's essentially a standalone book. The whole series is excellent.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for sending this electronic book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

So where I proclaimed Pestilence to be, somewhat unexpectedly, a dull vanilla marshmallow, in came War. And he wasn't. But weirdly there were marshmallow tendencies. Is that going to be a theme? Is that how Thalassa is balancing the extreme concept of The Four Horsemen and all their, well, natures and the awfulness of the world around them? I guess we'll see.

But, yes, War. This pairing had a bit more of a "mate" vibe to it but an oddly respectful one, at that (see aforementioned marshmallow comment). Much as Miriam was, the reader is treated to the strange contradiction of a man who is the manifestation of war and battle and, to a degree, death, and yet he is considerate. Not forceful. But also relentless; in his dedication to his purpose and duty and also in wearing down Miriam who he believes to be his wife.

Much like book one, where I started to lose some love (yes, I was enjoying this to a degree, colour me shocked!) was the repetition. These books are long and I appreciate that the author allows these relationships some breathing room -- especially considering they are pairings of otherworldly beings of terribleness and run of the mill humans living through, and experiencing, the worst of what these beings have to offer -- but unfortunately we end up rehashing some of the same events over and over again; because what more can you do in the apocalypse, y'know?

But. But. I will say, this one felt more.. authentic. Genuine. Especially considering a development that occurs between them and how it makes War reconsider his duty and what it all means. That worked. As did this pairing's particular dynamic; far from a damsel, far from wilting wallflower, Miriam had strength and fire and War appreciated every time she challenged him. Which was a.. surprise. So, yes, I was surprised at how much of this I did enjoy; I just could've done without a lot of the rinse and repeat in the middle.

Strangely, there was sweetness to this story of war and War and it was no wonder Miriam, too, was often taken unawares by the contradiction. But I had fun. And for all that I had plans not to binge these (I think I read the first back in April and wow time flies..) I'm off to make a meal out of FAMINE.

⭐ 4.5
🌶️ 3

I read Pestilence before reading War and currently War is my favourite and I'm super excited for Death and don't know what to expect from Famine but I'm keen to start! So I can say confidently that I'm hooked! This series is fun, albeit full of death and destruction 👀 There's also many tender moments, spicy scenes, hot banter and funny dialogue. What I enjoyed the most is that there wasn't many religious undertones for any one religion - as a non religious person coming from a Muslim background I did not feel upset by the representation. And LOVED that Miriam was half Turkish (because me too!).

• urban fantasy romance, dystopian
• POC characters
• enemies to lovers (knife on throat moment)
• slowburn romance
• spicy
• hot banter
• forced proximity
• he claims her as his wife from first meeting (only if real life mutual attractions were that easy!)
• gory moments, and zombies

Love conquers War 😉 Even though I'm not sold completely on the concept of on changing the core of who they are to be with the one they love, or using spicy time for exchange of good behaviour... Which is why the half point on that 5 stars...

TikTok review will be posted soon @etidae

This was an entertaining read, but nothing spectacular.

If you like lots of action and lots of reference to God and lots of spice, you'll like this.

I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting read . I found that I was able to read quickly and enjoyed the pacing and premise of the book. I would recommend to others.

I read all of these when they were indie books I’m so glad she’s getting a publishing contract they’re good reads!

I really enjoyed this more than pestilence!

What I liked”
- “wife”
- “for your soft heart”
- war was a more amusing and attractive male counterpart and I was very here for the Khal Drogo vibes (without rape)
- Miriam as a MFC was also more enjoyable - she was less annoying for me personally than sarah. I loved her strength, attitude, and determination. In other words, she was a badass!
- much more interesting backstories delved into with both war and Miriam. I felt the world expanding in really interesting ways. Loved war talking about his brothers and some chapters from his perspective along with Miriam and her grief of losing her family
- faster romance, spicier, and really cute moments. their relationship progression was just the right speed
- he fell first
-loved that there were more things interacting with war and Miriam like Zara and the Phobos soldiers. Having a community made from war prisoners was really interesting
- wars redemption!
- “surrender”
- THE ENDING!!!!

What I didn’t like:
- sometimes I still felt like the author would have Miriam say things to sound cool or hip that felt super out of character. It was really distracting in pestilence and I feel like she reigned it in more this book but there were still sometimes that Miriam said cringey things. Like “he knocked me up real good”. 🫣🫣🫣
- plot sometimes still felt repetitive but way less so than previous book. Because the pacing was way better it was less noticeable
- there was always some iteration of saying “the horseman”, “my horseman”, etc. it’s honestly just said way too much in both books but I did feel like it was better in this one

all in all, will be continuing this series!

Another gripping continuation of the series. As soon as I finished book 1 I dove straight into this one and fortunately I was not disappointed!

I found War a deeply enjoyable male protagonist who was just the ultimate embodiment of what he stands for. Not only is this book ghastly at times but it’s also quite funny, which took me by surprise.

By the time I reached the end of this story I was once again deeply moved and totally bought the love that grew between our main characters.

Dipping right into the next book in the series, you can’t stop me!

Thank you NetGalley & Laura Thalassa for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’m very split on this book. The whole middle part is utterly confusing. There seems to be no reason for the MCs to fall for each other but they are…

Now the last third of this book was phenomenal! I enjoyed the possessive “wife” usage. I also thought the zombies were a cool twist.

I wish the pacing switched a little to show more of War growing and less of kill everything!

Also I’m sorry the speaking in tongues thing is so funny to me. Like he just spoke gibberish to his army and they all had no clue what he said but were like “yeahhhh!” anyways.

Overall a good read, not my favorite but I’ll definitely read the next!

Also I adore these new covers!

It took me a long time to finish this book. I was enjoying myself but the book got slow towards the middle and I just put it down. I was determined to finish it, so I continued and I was not let down.

I really liked the pregnancy and war adjusting to it. I liked Miriam and I enjoyed her as a character. She had a mind and wasn’t afraid.

I really like Laura’s writing and I chuckled a few times. I haven’t read the first book even though I wanted to, but I just didn’t feel like reading it. I do want to read Deaths book, not sure about the third one

War is the second of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse in this series by Laura Thalassa. The writing is top notch and her descriptions take you into the heart of War's camp. I enjoyed the story but it was hard for me to finish. It's a journey of deep loss, grief, & pain that slowly & against your will makes War someone you may feel empathy toward. I wanted to love this book but I struggled with it. I've read other series by Laura Thalassa and they're amazing. This particular story was harder to fall into completely for me. Possibly because of my background with Jude-Christian religion. Regardless, I recommend you give this series a try.

The Four Horseman have been sent to earth to wipe us out and the second book in the series follows War as he takes an army of humans across the world just killing everyone he comes across. Nobody is safe, nobody is saved.

I got sucked into this story pretty quickly. We didn’t have to wait long for the two MCs to meet and for the story to kick off. Unlike a lot of fantasy books, there wasn’t five chapters of world building to get through before you got to the story, though this is the second book in the series, so we might have gotten a lot of that in the first book.

Miriam was an interesting character to follow as she tried to navigate being taken from her home by War and then falling for him while he is pretty much just murdering everyone. This is one for all those girls who think they can change a guy :) It certainly sucked me in enough that I’d go back to read the first one to work out what happened to Pestilence.

Thanks to #NetGallery and the publisher. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Format: Digital
POV: Single (until the last few chapters)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ /5
Age suggestion: 18+

Laura Thalassar has such a fun writing style, I enjoy it every time. I really loved the FMC, and this whole concept with the Horsemen and the wives is a whole vibe. Also, always love to see Jewish representation in books, even if it’s not huge.