I went way too long without reading a Scarlett St. Clair book! This is the start of a dark urban fantasy series / Lilith retelling with themes of female empowerment and religious trauma. Lilith is a bold & badass FMC with power over lust who moves to the City of Sin to escape her parents’ control. Zahariev is the morally grey ruler of said city and has been tasked by her father to watch over her.

The book is mainly told from Lilith’s POV, but there are very short Zahariev chapters sprinkled in which I loved. They have a slow burn forbidden romance with lots of tension and teasing. When the spice hit it did not disappoint! The story itself was super gripping and made the book feel a lot shorter than it was. I’m definitely excited to continue the series after that ending!

Thank you to Sourcebooks Bloom and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book pulled me out of a reading slump in the best way. I didn’t realise how much I needed a fierce, rage-fuelled heroine, brooding tension, and high-stakes magic until Terror at the Gates gave me all three.

"Forgiveness is an invitation to sin. It will be our ruin."

Trope
✅️ Morally grey MMC
✅️ Revenge-fuelled FMC
✅️ Forced proximity
✅️ Enemies-ish to lovers
✅️ Hidden power
✅️ Touch her and die
✅️ Religious themes
✅️ Female oppression/power imbalance
🔥 Slow to medium burn
🌶️ 🌶🌶/5 (but the tension builds up deliciously)

📖 Storyline
Lilith Leviathan is a thief, an outsider, and the estranged heir to a powerful bloodline she’s spent years trying to outrun. Life in the city of Eden is built on secrets and survival, but everything shifts when she steals a magical dagger that binds her fate to Zahariev, the formidable and enigmatic ruler of Nineveh. What starts as an uneasy alliance quickly entangles them in a storm of ancient power, political unrest, and long-buried truths that refuse to stay hidden.

At its core, this story doesn’t just deal in magic and revenge, it’s also a sharp commentary on how female power is feared, restricted, and manipulated. Lilith constantly faces a world that tries to define her limits, and her fight to claim space in that world adds real weight to the fantasy stakes.

🎭 Characters
Lilith is everything I love in a heroine — sharp, defiant, and unapologetically driven by her own rules and pain. She doesn’t just push boundaries, she burns through them. Zahariev, on the other hand, is that quiet, dangerous calm all restraint, mystery, and power barely held in check. Their dynamic is electric from the start: built on tension, distrust, and unspoken attraction. Neither of them backs down, and every conversation feels like a battle of wills laced with something simmering just beneath the surface.

It’s that delicious mix of enemies to allies to something more that builds over time, never rushed but always pulling you in. The side characters, especially those caught in the political and moral grey zones, add depth and keep the stakes personal.

✒️ Writing & Pacing
I really enjoyed the writing style, it was smooth, engaging, and matched the dark tone of the story perfectly. The pacing felt well-balanced, with a slower start that gave space to build the world and characters before the tension ramped up. What stood out most was how well the character dynamics were handled; each interaction felt intentional and added depth without slowing the story down. It all worked together in a way that kept me invested from start to finish.

🌏 Worldbuilding
Gritty, mythic, and layered. Eden and Nineveh feel lived in and oppressive in all the right ways. The blend of religion, magic, and rebellion creates a rich backdrop without overloading.

💭 Final Thoughts
I really enjoyed this one, especially Lilith, she’s exactly the kind of FMC I love: fierce, angry, and absolutely refusing to play by anyone’s rules. Her rage, strength, and refusal to be silenced made her journey feel powerful and personal. The story is packed with tension, rebellion, and just the right amount of slow-burn heat. If you’re here for femrage, magic, and morally grey men who know when to step aside, this one’s for you.

Who Would Love This:
🗡 Dark fantasy lovers who like their romance slow, tension filled and stormy
🗡Readers who enjoy myth retellings with a feminist slant
🗡 Readers who live for rage-fuelled heroines
🗡 Fans of morally grey rulers who brood and burn
🗡 Lovers of dark fantasy with strong feminist themes
🗡Anyone craving slow-burn tension wrapped in rebellion and magic
🗡 Readers who want religious control and female oppression explored through a fantasy lens

This is officially my “hot girl summer” book. It’s hot, it’s fun, it’s smutty, it’s got some horror… and I ATE IT UP. I read this book in 2 days because I just could not put it down! The mystery and plot mixed with excellent pacing makes this book such a page-turner. The mystery aspect of this book is so fun and almost feels “Stranger Things”-esque, which was such a fun addition to the smutty and thriller aspects of the book. Are there a few things about the magic system that weren’t very fleshed out and didn’t really seem to be necessary? Yes. Did that really impact my enjoyment of this book? No.

TLDR; this book is fun, kinda scary, and very hot. You should read it.

FEMININE Rage specifically against the church? YES ALWAYS.

Seeing Lilith and Zahariev come together through this books is literally everything. I cannot explain to you how much I loved the characters and this book.

This was my first read by Scarlett, and I was not disappointed.

I love urban fantasy, especially related to angels and demons, and this was an incredible story.

Lilith is very likable. She's strong, resilient, sassy, and kind. When she loves, she loves hard. She went through a lot as a child, and it was nice to see both sides of her in the story. She could be stubborn but also vulnerable.

Zahariev is the ultimate MMC. He's broody and kind of scary, but you just know there's a softer side in there somewhere. He takes care of the people he calls family.

The side characters (her friends) are awesome. They love Lilith and choose to be in her life for who she is, not for the name she has. They do anything and everything to protect her. And then there's Cherub. She's my favorite little sidekick.

This is a slow burn, twisty, fantastic world building read that I couldn't put down. And that ending has me so ready for the next in the series.

good lord this book was phenomenal, i loved every single minute of it and didn’t want to put it down. lilith and zahariev were just perfection and i cannot get over how much i loved these two characters. zahariev is definitely a top mmc for me and i am obsessed, i cannot get over how much i loved him. lilith is a baddie and i loved her relationships with coco, gabriel and esther. cherub was a perfect fit for this story and was adorable. i thought zahariev and liliths story was everything and i cannot get over that ending, holy hell. this book was a 10/10 for me and i am grateful to have received an arc copy! highly recommend reading, you will not be disappointed!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Feminist, Fierce, and Utterly Addictive

Terror at the Gates by Scarlett St. Clair is a stunning first entry in what promises to be a powerful and provocative series. I was completely captivated by the feminist themes throughout, especially Lilith’s unrelenting defiance. She is bold, complex, and refuses to be silenced — a true icon of strength and rebellion.

The biblical references are brilliantly reimagined, adding a rich layer of meaning and depth to the narrative. St. Clair doesn’t just rewrite mythology — she reclaims it, giving voice to characters and stories that have long been twisted by patriarchal tradition.

This book is dark, thought-provoking, and emotionally charged. It challenges, empowers, and leaves you aching for more. I need the next book immediately!

Highly recommended for anyone who loves feminist retellings, powerful female leads, and stories that break the mold.

And that is exactly what we’ve been asking for in an urban fantasy with romance! Scarlett St. Clair is an absolute mastermind when it comes to romantasy, but adding in more modern times, the church dynamic, the slow burn tension and the dark protector that Lilith is forbidden to be with. Just absolutely chef’s kiss! I cannot wait for more of Lilith’s story.

This book is unique and the definition of feminine rage. It’s a lot of world building in the beginning but around chapter 6 is where the storyline started to pull me in and I couldn’t stop reading it. It’s got amazing side characters that will have you laughing your ass off, along with great banter between the main characters. It’s a slow burn that will have you constantly asking “okay is this the moment they finally get together?!”. And the MMC is so swoon worthy as he’s the type that would burn the world down for her and extremely devoted, even though she doesn’t realize how in love he is with her. Lilith is a very strong willed, does what she wants, and doesn’t care what others think type and I loved every second of it. I really enjoyed the audiobook. However, I did not like the male narrator and would’ve been fine with the female narrator narrating the entire book but that’s just a personal preference for me and did not take away from the story whatsoever. Overall, this is a really great book that got me out of a reading slump and now I need the second book already because that cliffhanger was cruel!

5⭐️ 2🌶️ 5🎧

- MF
- Urbane Fantasy
- Feminine Rage
- Forbidden Love
- He Falls First
- Touch Her and D!e
- Found Family
- Slow Burn


Wow! What an amazing ride. I loved this book so much! It was filled with so much beautiful and powerful feminine rage! It provided the catharsis I desperately needed but didn’t expect to find.

Lilith is such a baddie fighting against an oppressive religious society that gives all the power to mediocre men despite women being the ones who weirdo magic. She sacrificed a lavish life as the daughter of one of the most powerful families in the city because she refused to be meek, conform and endure endless abuse from everyone from her mother to the Archbishop.

I loved that Lilith was flawed. She was impulsive, rash and more than a little antagonistic at times. But it only made me love her more. Especially because she loved so freely and completely, those she had chosen as her found family after being let down so thoroughly by her own.

I loved Zahariev. But what’s not to love about a tall, dark, and handsome MMC who will do anything for the FMC. He was such a stable constant in Lilith’s life providing her with unwavering support, even when she didn’t want to see it. He was so patient, waiting until she was truly ready to be with him giving us the most delicious slow burn tension.

The audiobook was fantastic. I’ve been following Laura Horowitz on social media for ages and I can’t believe this was my first time actually listening to her narrate. She did an amazing job infusing so much emotion into her portrayal of Lilith.

I loved the little snippets we got from Zahariev’s POV and Tristan Warded did so much with the little time he had making Zahariev sound so strong and passionate.

I honestly don’t know what I am going to do with myself. I am positively feral for the next book on this series.

Thank you so much to Scarlett, Bloom, and Tantor for the ARC and ALC.

The Terror at the Gates is a spellbinding plunge into a world of dark magic, forbidden desires, and ruthless power struggles. At its heart is Lilith Leviathan—a fierce, unapologetic heroine who walks the line between chaos and calm, sinner and savior. Her exile from her powerful family makes her survival in Nineveh—a den of vice and rebellion—both dangerous and thrilling.

Lilith’s sharp magic and sharper wit keep her afloat, but everything changes when she acquires a mysterious dagger that draws death, secrets, and enemies to her doorstep. From that moment, the story grips like a storm, sweeping her into the orbit of Zahariev, the enigmatic ruler of Nineveh whose weapons are secrets and shadows. Their chemistry is slow-burning but electric, tangled in trust, betrayal, and something neither can quite name.

What makes this story stand out is its richly layered world—one where church and state wage quiet wars, where women are meant to kneel but Lilith refuses to bow. The narrative is laced with intrigue, high stakes, and sharp-tongued dialogue that makes every interaction crackle with tension.

At once a story of rebellion, romance, and self-discovery, this book delivers a darkly lush tale about the price of freedom and the power of forbidden love. Perfect for readers who crave morally grey characters, slow-burn romance, and a world as seductive as it is treacherous.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – A Fierce, Fiery Fantasy I Couldn't Put Down

Thank you to Bloom Books, Scarlett St. Clair and NetGalley for the Arc read. All thoughts are my own.

Am I surprised that Scarlett St. Clair delivered another banger? Absolutely not. Am I surprised she made me enjoy a book so steeped in religious themes? Completely. And yet, here I am—literally falling asleep with the book still in my hands because I couldn’t stop reading.

2025 is officially the year of books and feminine rage. The surge of strong female authors creating even stronger female main characters—ones who scream, claw, and fight unapologetically for what they want—is the kind of literary energy I’m living for. Lilith is no exception.

Now, onto the book itself: it was amazing. The world-building was rich but accessible, the plot was gripping, and the emotions—OMG, the emotions. At one point, I genuinely almost messaged Scarlett to say: “If you touch a single hair on that cat, I will riot.”

And can we talk about Zahariev? Because whew. He’s easily earned his spot on the Book Boyfriend Throne. Hot, commanding, respectful, and emotionally aware? He’s asking for consent and caring about your future? Unreal. 10/10 would start a fictional life with him.

The slow burn? Chef’s kiss. The tension was built so deliciously, and yes—we were finally rewarded. And let me tell you, that one chapter? Worth every aching, smoldering page.

One of the most refreshing parts was the modern setting. Fantasy with cars, phones, and grimy Chicago apartments? Yes please. It gave everything a grounded, relatable feel—so much so that I literally craved mozzarella sticks mid-scene. I love that I could so vividly imagine Lilith’s life.

Now for the missing star: there were a few moments where the narrative left me scratching my head. It wasn’t always clear if certain dreams were past-life memories (I think they were?), and I found myself rereading sections to make sense of them. Also, the cat. I needed more from that familiar dynamic—so much potential (hint hint, Scarlett 👀).

Overall, Terror at the Gates was a captivating, emotional, and fiery read that delivered on every level—from plot to passion. Bring on the next one, because I’m already feral for it.

Scarlett St. Clair is an author I immediately preorder, and she has yet to disappoint me. While she has said this is the best book she has ever written, I must say she may just be right. While I have been familiar with some of the work she has written, when she was mad at the world, this book harnesses feminine rage and it is SO good!

Terror at the Gates is a reimagined story of Lilith and it not only contains fictional pieces to keep the story entertaining and within a world of fantasy but merges it with relevant modern conversation in such a tasteful way. There is rage, there is banter, romance/love, and there is a beautifully stunning mix of vulnerability with resilience. As we all know, when things get hard, we sometimes fall apart. Terror at the Gates not only makes it relatable that it’s okay not to be okay. You may take your moment to fall apart, but in the end, you get back up give the world the big middle finger and you keep going.

This book made me feel and agree with so many things the main character says. The way Lilith rages and fights against a patriarchal society resonates so strongly in my soul. If anything, this book just shows how women should not be underestimated for “She is terror knocking at the gates”.

I would like to thank NetGalley for both the e-ARC/DRC and the audiobook version as well.

The Bible is one of the few books I will never read in entirety. However, Scarlett St. Clair has taken a book well outside of my reading preference and cultivated it into a dark, sensuous, sinful delight!

St. Clair takes a lot of known Biblical characters, geography, and cultural references and somehow uniquely crafts it into a world-building that I have not seen done since George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones.

The lead character in this new series, Lilith must traverse through the dangerous and sometimes seductive six gates in the Garden of Eden. As she does, we are introduced to characters well known from the Bible, and some newly created (I imagine, as I mentioned I have never read "The Good Book" in entirety.)

But make no mistake this is not a religious book in that regard. Far from it. There are a lot of sexual references, innuendos, and some pretty explicit sex scenes as well. While some people might enjoy the "Spice" of this book, I enjoyed the slow-burn build up to the actual sex scenes. I enjoy a good sex scene as any other reader, but I feel like two chapters back-to-back with nothing but sex was a bit overkill. I felt like by the second chapter it actually robbed the larger story of growth and depth. Some might argue with me that it's "character development", but frankly Lilith was already hyper-sexualized. Even with this opinion, I would still strongly rate this as a 5*, and I look forward to future books in this upcoming series.

Was hooked from chapter one! I love the writing style and the plot. I think this book also brings up a lot of important topics that as a woman I relate to a lot.

Terror at the Gates Honest ARC Review:

4.5⭐️
Slow burn, action packed and filled with plot twists, this one is definitely one to add to your TBR!

The story begins with Lilith, estranged from her powerful family, living in the nearby area of Nineveh. Not as clean or presentable of a community as Lilith’s home district, Nineveh offered refuge and independence that Lilith so craved.

Lilith uses her magic to steal for a living, gaining unwanted attention of five powerful families and the church. The church encourages women to offer their magic for their husbands’ powerful gains while also expecting women to be pious and silent.

This story has LAYERS and is so interesting to read. I really enjoyed seeing it all unfold with each page and cannot wait for the sequel to come out!

Thank you so much for sharing this ARC with me. I’m eager to read what happens next!

I am here for the female rage

Thank you so much to Bloom Books, NetGalley & Scarlett St. Clair for an ARC!

This story is a mafia-esque take on Lilith, set in an urban fantasy world, deconstructing religion in a patriarchal world that gives only women magic. Quite a mouthful, but an absolute ride.

Lilith is the daughter of one of the five ruling families in Eden, who is trying to escape her family name, expected duties, like being a siphon of magic for her arranged husband, and a religion she’d always questioned. She moves away, with an arrangement made between her father & another district head, Zahariev, who’s only a few years older than Lilith (and covered in tattoos, and chain smokes, and calls her cute things like “little love”), to keep an eye on her. He would quite literally start a war for her, but she thinks he’s not interested, despite her constant attempts to get a rise out of him. His short lil pov’s held together Lilith’s spiraling, showing us a bit of the reality she was missing or wasn’t seeing, and were some of my favorite parts. Early on, she steals a knife from a man in Zahariev’s club using her magic on a man’s desires, but everyone who touches it ends up dying & it keeps finding its way back to her despite trying to get rid of it. Seeking answers for what’s going on and where the knife is from starts to tear apart her learned beliefs, and those protecting the church are trying to cover up the cracks by any (violent, murder-y) means necessary. They say there’s signs the end of the world is coming, but with that ending, it’s just getting started.

I couldn’t believe the cliff hanger this left off on when I finished reading, but after sitting on it for a bit, good for her. I cannot wait to see how this series plays out. I need more of them together and Zahariev loving every part of Lilith, and her rage to go off the charts.

I enjoyed this book even though it was a little predictable. The premise is unlike anything else I have read and I really appreciated that. I couldn’t stop picturing the goopy demon blob as flubber….just me?

I went into this book without knowing the plot. I have read everything else Scarlett has written though.

Urban Fantasy can be so hard to get write. It's the one genre I tend to DNF. That being said, I loved this book.

The pacing wasn't too fast for Urban Fantasy and I liked that. I really felt like the story was exactly the pace it needed to be.

•• “She is the beginning and the end. She is peace and chaos. She is terror knocking at the gates”

Listen, the vibes of this book are immaculate. A dark urban fantasy Lillith retelling with a mafia-ish spin? Yes please. I really enjoyed some elements of this story and on a surface level it was a good time but unfortunately a few aspects of the plot fell flat for me.

The fight against oppressive religion was a driving element I really enjoyed, but our fmc’s methods were frustrating. And despite all her female rage, she relied on the mmc at every turn and it made her seem much weaker than I expected. There was some great banter at times but overall the chemistry between the mc’s seemed to be missing something for me, and felt a little rushed at the end.

Certain plot points seemed irrelevant by the end and caused the pacing to feel off at times - and made this feel more like a prequel. This held a lot of promise and I hope the character arcs overall make up for their start, and that things hit the ground running in the next book.

Also, I’m not one to usually care much for trigger warnings, but one is missing that is a very big deal in my opinion. It’s spoilery - but there’s very detailed traumatic events around a birth and it can be a bit difficult to read without being prepared.