Thank you so much Netgalley for allowing me to receive this ARC! I’ve never read a book by Scarlett Sinclair that I did not love, and this has again proved that!

This was truly such a fun urban fantasy. I was originally nervous to start this since I've seen reviews compare this to Crescent City, which is my favorite series of all time. I was nervous this would feel too similar to that, but thankfully it didn't. I absolutely loved the characters and world here. I think this was a perfect setup book that laid out the world & characters, but left me wanting more. Lilith is so badass, and it's been a minute since I've read about a FMC that I loved so much. I cannot wait to see what Scarlett does next with this series!

I wanted to like this book, but I didn't love it. The world and the magic system were interesting. But I found it hard to connect with the FMC, She was too impulsive and generally childish. I wanted more longing from the MMC, going from the stoic, cleaning up her messes, friend to Mr. "I'd go to war for you" was just a big jump.

The last 3 percent of the book was interesting but the pacing of the rest was odd. A bit too slow and parts felt unnecessary. Why is there a cat? Why is there a roommate? Both felt like they were just there to be there but didn't serve a purpose to move the story along. Overall, just not enough tension for me.

Ok, so I have really mixed feelings about this book. I was super excited for it, I loved the concept and it had me really excited. But I don't feel like the payoff was there for me.

First, the plot is very chaotic. I feel like I never had a clear idea of what the main plot was. There was a lot going on, things bounced around a lot, and I was just confused on where things were going.

The characters were hit and miss for me. I found Lillith annoying. Very naive and a spoiled brat, and extremely entitled. I liked the idea of her, more than how she was written. I absolutely loved the MMC, for about 65% of the book. And then he started to fade for me. I just wanted more. He was so dark and broody and intimidating in the beginning, and he just got too soft. He lost his edge.

The smut was, strange. There was so much tension and build up throughout the book, and then when it finally happened, it felt very, vanilla for the plot and their circumstance. It felt like I was reading about a couple that had been together forever, rather than a brand new couple still in that hot honeymoon phase where everything is new and exciting. It wasn't bad, just wasn't what I expected or how I felt the lead up was hinting at.

The end, went balls to the walls the last 10%. So much was happening and also so many dumb things. I kept being like, oh so that's just gonna be what they do and it's gonna work out? It was strange. The big reveal at the end was slightly predictable and anticlimactic. And then the book ends on a cliffhanger.

All in all. I dunno if this series is gonna be for me. There was aspects I liked, but really from the 50% mark on, it just lost me. And I don't know if I care enough to continue.

Wonderful take on the demons and fantasy, with mystery, suspens, plotting and occult themes. The world-building is really interesting and overall the book was a great read.

(3.5 star) I loved this take on Lilith. I was unique and there is a lot that I enjoyed about this story! The slow burn was great and the tension was great. I feel like there was way too many aimless descriptions and the ending was rushed.

Scarlett has done it again with another amazing story. I can not wait to read the next book in this series!! Lilith and Zahariev have an amazing story that I can not wait to dive into more of. Zahariev is a leader in Nineveh while Lilith is the daughter of another territory. I can not tell you have many times I could not help but laugh at the banter between these two. Tristan and Laura did a great job bringing this story to audio! If you get the chance to listen you really should do it!!

Thank you to Bloom for an ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

An urban fantasy romance with magic and monsters the likes of which I haven’t read since Karen Marie Moning's Fever Series. This has everything I love: romance, witty repartee, action, adventure, massive reveals, and an MMC who worships the ground our FMC walks on.

The ending was WILD. Can’t wait for book 2.

Scarlett St. Clair is the queen of romantic fantasy! This book was the perfect blend of the contemporary fantasy feel of A Touch of Darkness and the more fantasy magical elements of King of Battle and Blood.

Another amazing read! This author is a firm favourite of mine. An urban fantasy romance which I find hard to perfect but this is the one! Headstrong female characters are my fave !!! The tension, the mystery, the vibes and that ending was mind blowing!

Scarlett St.Clair does it again! I have been a fan of her work for a while and loved this story! I couldn't get enough of it. I can't wait to add it to my physical shelf.

I put off starting a new Scarlett book after finishing the A Touch of series because I loved those characters so much I needed to mourn their loss.

Picking up Terror at the Gates came at the perfect time. Scarlett has such a way with stories and characters and found families. This is an amazing start to a new series and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

If you’re looking for pure, unadulterated, unapologetic feminine rage, let me introduce you to Lilith!!!! ❤️‍🔥🐍🗡️

I absolutely LOVED this book!!! I’ve devoured everything SSC has written so I’m not at all surprised. I think Lilith has the potential to be one of my favorite fmc’s. she’s so much trouble and so angry at the world she’s trapped in, I just know the character development will be explosive. drawing on Biblical

also Zahariev is a dreamboat & I can’t believe I’m crushing on a man who smokes cigs lmao. the chemistry is off the charts, I swear I’m eating out of the palm of his hand right along with Lily.

as a first book, I’m honestly so impressed with how invested I already am in this world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the eARC!

This book had me hooked but I did find the world building a little confusing at times. I'm sure more will be explained as the series continued, and it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story. I did find Lilith annoying at times but loved Zahariev. I just think her immaturity showed a little too often.

I did like how this book mixed urban fantasy with the feelings of mafia families plus the added religious/cult storylines.

Scarlet is able to create the most unique worlds to get lost in, and characters that you become obsessed with.

Spice on point

Story was enthralling

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

An atmospheric work of art that delves deeply into the corrupted depths of religious dominance and oppressive societal ideologies which preserve privileged patriarchal authority, TERROR AT THE GATES daringly challenges these inequitable perceptions from the angle of a fierce heroine with a penchant for sin, defiance, and justice across her treacherous civil sphere. A powerful story that captivated me immediately upon reading, this bold series opener brilliantly reinvigorates a long-forgotten legend of a wildly inspiring mythological figure who bravely protests inferior notions of feminine duty and honor. Taking a neo-noir approach with its execution, this remarkable tale artfully merges magic, myth and mystery with a stark darkness that grows more harrowing with every passing page. What initially begins as a quest for independence, Terror at the Gates quickly spins into a striking account of feminine strength that enchants and emotionally wrecks in equal estimations.

CLOSING NOTES // An outstanding achievement in mythology-rooted storytelling, Terror at the Gates is an enthralling original telling which infuses the impactful essence of a long-misjudged luminary with spellbinding magical twists. A story I couldn’t devour fast enough, this series opener is easily one of St. Claire’s best works and features an inspiring heroine who radiantly challenges in all her beautifully flawed facets. Simply extraordinary — I cannot wait to see how this phenomenal story advances in the next novel chapter and yearn to return to this richly crafted world where magic, emotion, and power collide with spirited force.

I have a hard time getting into urban fantasy but I really enjoyed the flow of the story. It was a little confusing and I wish there was more world building but I was still able to follow along and understand the danger and severity of the situation. Now let's talk about the characters, oof. The names were a little rough but I feel in love with them. My heart broke for them, I cheered them on, and cried with them. And the spicy scenes.....oo damn!! Overall I really enjoyed this and cannot wait for the second one!!

Thank you Bloom and Netgalley for a copy!

This was my first Scarlett St. Clair book and it was a really good story. In the end it being a 4.5 star read only because Lilith was getting on my nerves with how angry she got at any little thing. I got it but still! I did read along with the audiobook and maybe that is was did me in lowering the rating, I wasn't a fan of the narrators. Terror at the Gates was still really good in the story telling that it definitely made up for the narrating. I did enjoy both MC's in the end, Lilith and Zahariev. The forbidden aspect of their relationship played out very well from the beginning until they couldn't fight it anymore. Zahariev is that morally gray head of the family that always looked out for her and understood her need of independence but was still there for her no questions asked.

I enjoyed the mafia style of the families, the intertwining of religion and fantasy. This had a little bit of everything mystery, magic, there were moments that had me smirking and getting teary-eyed. The world building did not seem to drag on, felt like it was well paced and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC!
***
While St. Clair's writing is descriptive, I unfortunately felt no pull towards the characters. I feel that being 150 pages in, I should at least have some sort of interest in the characters and/or plot. To me, the plot and tropes seem very overdone, especially the "childhood friend-turned mobster-who- -is- secretly- sweet- and- cleans -up- all- her- messes" trope. This was just not the story for me. However, the cover art is gorgeous.
***
While I did DNF at 30%, I feel I have read enough to give an honest review. Because of this though, I have chosen not to post this review on GoodReads or Tiktok.