Thanks so much for allowing me to review this title.
I love Laura’s work and this series is incredible.
I look forward to reading more of her words and working with you again!
Thank you!

One word: repetitive. I think as a stand-alone, this book would have been good. But having read the first two in the series, it left me apathetic. Ana read like a slightly more salacious version of Sara and Miriam but essentially these women are carbon copies of each other. The plots are also the same with small variations. Famine kills people, Ana tries to stop him, they play a cat and mouse game of running and catching, eventually they fall in love (mostly just because they are both attractive), he chooses her over his God-given task.

The author brings up some interesting philosophical questions about the definition of good vs evil, what it means to be human, etc. I think I personally would’ve enjoyed this more if it didn’t feel as though this was a dark romance trying to masquerade as high brow literature.

Famine is the third book in the Four Horseman series. Ana is quite a different heroine that doesn't take crap form Famine. If you thought War and Pestilence were bad Famine is worse. I still think these books are unnecessarily long I still enjoy the read and how these unlikely characters come together. I am very much looking forward to the last book and see who can hopefully bring Death to his knees.

Thanks to the author and the publisher for providing me with an ARC!

If you're into unconventional dark romances in an apocalyptic setting, this one's a must-read.

The third book in the Four Horsemen series is Famine. This book (third in the series) takes you on a rollercoaster with Famine and Ana, who're equal parts snarky and charming.

While the overall theme is the same, the author has added a unique twist to the story - the characters.

Famine's treatment of the heroine is harsh, like that of the other horsemen. This sets the stage for an important character development in the story. He is brash, violent, and has had a terrible past with the humans. He detests them and his only motive is to kill them all. Although similar to his brothers, I thought famine had a snarky personality.

Ana is a prostitute, and once in the past, she had saved Famine. He doesn't remember her at first, but when he does, he takes her with him, traveling to different cities. I liked Ana - quite different from the other heroines. She makes punny jokes and tries to rile Famine up. She is strong, feisty and hates what Famine stands for.

In the first part of the story, they get to know each other and, as time flies and cities destroyed; they start to fall for one another.

It's a good enough story. And it sets the stage up for the final book - Death (who we get to meet finally!!!)

I would still rate War higher than Pestilence and Famine.

The third horsemen of the apocalypse is here and he is not impressed with us humans. Not surprising given all he has been through. I love this series and have been plowing through them all. Thalassa continues this series with 'Famine' and it's a doozy. I loved that there are nods to the first two horsemen and their wives. I was curious as to how Famine would go about killing off humans, given the other interesting ways this has been done by the first two, and it is just as interesting and horrifying to imagine. Towards the end of the book, I found myself thinking, "Ah, now we are getting somewhere new." The lead up to 'Death' is perfect and I am ready to see how Thalassa brings this series to an end.

Better than war! Give me all the slow burn! Loved this book! Famine is so ruthless! By far my favorite! The chemistry is amazing, it’s dark but they understand each other perfectly. Can’t wait for Death! The ending was everything!!!! Edge of my seat!

This book had me laughing out loud the whole time! The banter in this book was absolutely perfect, and the romance was so sweet! I love a good slow burn and this definitely delivered. Famine is definitely my favourite of the brothers and Ana was absolutely hilarious!

The Four Horsemen series by Laura Thalassa
Post-Apocalyptic fantasy romance

Pestilence 3.75 stars
War 3 stars
Famine 4.25 stars
Death 4.25 stars

As you can tell by the name of the series these books feature the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (from the Bible, so there is a smattering of religious talk). For those of you seeing the genre as “fantasy romance“, a bit of clarification: the first three books are more fantasy with a romance subplot, whereas the fourth book focuses more on the romance. And these are only fantasy books in the sense that the titular characters are made-up beings with magical powers; otherwise this takes place in our world, and there are no other magical elements.
A word of warning to you all — I read these back to back, but I don’t think that was the best way to go. Spoiler alert: because these are post apocalyptic, they are dark. There’s a lot of death and destruction. A LOT. This makes for heavy reads full of despair. So maybe sprinkle in some fun reads in between, ok?

Pestilence was a great introduction to the world. The books span around 20 years, so this first one is at the beginning of the apocalypse. He also seemed to be one of the more “human” of the Horsemen (in addition to Death).
War didn’t work as much for me. He seemed almost robotic for most of the book. I also had some issues with some of the dialogue – the FMC is from Jerusalem, and we are almost 10 years into the apocalypse, so some of the slang and terminology she uses didn’t seem realistic.
Famine has a great FMC! She was a sex worker, so doesn’t have too much of a filter on her mouth. She was sassy and brash and lots of fun.
Death is where the romance ramped up, and it was a great finale to the series. Out of all of them he seemed the most sad about his duties. He’s got a job to do but he ain’t happy about it.

Overall I really enjoyed this reading experience, and would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for this advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Again, love the new cover. I think famine might be my favorite story. The slow burn was delicious and Ana was simply perfection. She’s strong and fierce and probably one of the coolest of the FMC written. The world building was fantastic as always, and I feel like this storyline was the best written.

I could not finish this book. I DNF at 20%
I thought the premises were not very interesting and the depiction of sex worker from the start feels shameful and I don't really appreciate that take.

Wow!!! I am just loving this series so much . I pretty much binge read the entire series because I so love all the books. Laura gets me hooked from the first page.

I do recommend .

Famine is quite possibly my favorite of the Four Horsemen series. I really, truly felt the enemies-to-lovers vibes, and I just ate it up!

Famine spared Ana's life in her youth, but during their second encounter, he has her stabbed and left for dead. Ana of course survives and is determined to return the favor of Famine's cruelty. I think what really sold me on Famine as a character was that he wasn't simply doing his duty that was expected of him, like his brothers before him. Famine felt hurt by humanity and wanted to hurt them back. He and Ana share a 'no fucks to be given' attitude the entire book, but somehow find a few to spare for each other, fortunately for the rest of humanity. And I just loved that Famine didn't cease to be the villain, or the bad boy, or whatever at the end of the story. He still didn't care about humanity at the end, but he cared enough for Ana to do what was right for her and to have her by his side. I love a villain who stays a villain.

I love this series with my whole smut-loving heart, after reading War it definitely wasn't my cup of tea because there wasn't that much tension between the characters because he and the main protagonist gets together without any build-up in my opinion, but this one right here, GAWD DAMN. Not only did this novel incorporate the themes that I enjoyed in Pestilence, but it also added that there is BANTER between Famine and the main protagonist. It was definitely a smooth yet addicting read and I have been ranting to my friends on why they should read this series any time I get the chance. Everything in this novel was a chef's kiss to me.

I am speechless! This series is killing me. This book and this horseman! He's a different kind of torture! This book blew my mind and that ending! Holy shit, that ending literally left me with goosebumps.

This book is full of action and death. And just when you thought that Ana got under Famine's skin and he's done with his task, Death comes and f*cks everything up! DEATH! I simply loved how Famine is written and how Laura made Ana's and Famine's stories and meetings. I know this is going to sound messed up, but I loved their first meeting. How she cared for him and took care of him the best way she can and never once left his side. I was shocked that on their third meeting, she had to put a knife to his throat so he could remember her. I mean... I expected him to remember her even if he did condemn her to his soldiers. But then I understood his argument.

Until this moment, I think Famine is the... well... worst of the horsemen in terms of killing and spreading death. I mean, I thought War knew torture, but Famine?! Well, Famine knows EXACTLY what torture means! He both inflicts it and knows damn well how it feels like. Out of the three horsemen, Famine is the one that knows a great deal of the worst parts of human nature. Yes, War knows men's hearts, but Famine is the one who actually felt it on his own skin, the wrath of men. And he has every right to repay humankind with the same wrath. Although, he still gives a quicker death.

Ana is so different from any female character that I usually see in books. And I loved her. She's a survivor to the core and she's perfect for Famine. She, herself knows human nature, and she doesn't judge Famine for wanting his vengeance. Yes, she doesn't agree with his methods, but she understands him. Which is very different from the previous two books. Their relationship is different from War-Miriam's relationship and Pestilence-Sara's relationship. Although Ana knows suffering and pain, she still manages to see the good in people, and this is a complete enigma to Famine, but the way they get together through every pain and they get to understand their feelings for each other, puts Famine's story to another level.

Until this point, I think Famine will be my favorite horseman. Although War is on top of it, then again, what is war without passion :)) Famine deserves all the 5 stars in the world. I didn't expect to love this book so much. And that ending, again! I DIDN'T EXPECT THAT AT ALL! I did expect something bad to happen, but not THAT!

All of the horsemen series book are all super long and very detailed learning about Famine and Ana and how they intersect and are enemies but also fall in love. This was my favorite one so far that I've read compared to the first and second one.

Enemies to lovers tropes always work. I think it's all that tension building up with the anger and harsh words. Anyway, this is the 3rd book in the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse series starring Famine, the most angry of the Horseman and his love interest/enemy Ana da Silva. This was originally published in 2020 as an e-book.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Bloom books for this e-arc.*

Ana, an orphan in Brazil working at a brothel until yet another horseman comes to cause destruction. However they had met before. Twice. In fact she had saved him once, but he only thanked her by wiping everything out… except for her even if he did try to take her out that second time. Stuck with revenge down to her very core as she is taken prisoner.

Deep down I absolutely loved how Famine’s cruelty is strictly choice, unlike the previous two horsemen. I loved the development between the two main characters simply in the way that the tension is very real and feels as if you could cut it with a knife.

Ana’s ability to view humanity in a positive light is refreshing, even though her past shows a million reasons why she shouldn’t. With Famine’s pessimistic views, it creates a balancing act that fosters the enemies to lovers trope perfectly.

I honestly fell in love with their banter and how they’d pick at each other through out the novel. It added a great deal of light humor that I appreciated and kept the ongoing story fresh. Famine thus far is the least human and not driven by the same pleasures as the others. I feel like this was incredibly clever being paired up with Ana and her work history!

3.5 at best. This is my least favorite of the books. I’m intrigued by the concept. But there’s only so much merciless death of humanity you can read at a time, and still root for the person handing out the death sentence. Plus the books all follow the same basic plot structure, which gets old.

Also, why are the horseman starting to sound like regular dudes? Famine has the best personality but he sounds too modern to be a horseman of the apocalypse.

Only Laura Thalassa would have the power to make me cry over a horseman of the apocalypse.

“Famine” follows Ana da Silva, a former prostitute whose life was once spared by Famine when he first walked the Earth. The second time she encounters him, however, she’s stabbed and left for dead. Finding the strength to survive his brutality and seek revenge, Ana corners him only to be held captive by the horseman. In spite of themselves and everyone they stand for, they are drawn to each other.

In all honesty, I had a very love-hate relationship with Famine as a character. Of all the horsemen, Famine is the least human, having more in common with nature itself. The pain he inflicts on those who he comes across is gruesome and tough to read. As a result, it was harder for me to view his character as redeemable by the novel’s end.

At the same time, I felt deeply for him after learning about his own the horror surrounding how badly he was treated by humanity when he awoke. I shed many tears over his suffering, which just goes to show how powerful Thalassa’s writing is to make me war with myself even as I type this review.

In my review of “War,” I mentioned how the book’s plot structure is very similar to its predecessor. The same can be said of “Famine.” Having read each book in the series thus far back to back, elements of “Famine” became a bit too repetitive and easy to anticipate. Still, Ana and Famine’s reluctant, enemies to lovers relationship made my heart sing. The bond they formed over their shared experiences and the kindness they show one another is unmatched.

Famine is the third in the Four Horsemen series and does not disappoint.

Easily my favourite, Famine and Ana come across as the most complex and interesting characters out of anyone we meet.

The plot ticks along nicely and begins to weave all four novels closer together as we approach the arrival of death.

Thank you to Sourcebooks, Bloom Books and Laura Thalassa for an advanced copy.