“Hasn’t anyone ever told you violence solves nothing?” “Isn’t your job description violence?”
~~~~
We are only a few hours out till this beautiful creature hits shelves, and kindles everywhere.
I had the privilege of reading this early and let me tell ya…I absolutely adore Lilith, I love her attitudes, personality; I love how she grows (I feel) in this book.
Zahariev is an absolute daddy, love how much of a protector he is, and his growth and his personality shows more throughout the book.
And the tension between these two! 💋💋💋
BUT! I won’t spoil anything else, yall going to find out for yourselves in just a few hours…make sure you get that preorder in real quick!

🖤 Thank you Scarlett St. Clair, Blooms Books, and NetGalley for the eARC!🖤

Wow! I have enjoyed Scarlett’s other books in the past and was thrilled with the opportunity to receive an advanced copy of this book. I throughly enjoyed this book and was hooked from the beginning. The world building was perfect and so detailed. The dynamic and tension between Lilith and Zahariev was so good. The banter was perfect. Cannot wait for the next book in the series!

This book is exactly what I was hoping for! If you liked Scarlett St. Clair’s other books I definitely recommend picking this one up. The premise is unique and i really liked the magic system and world building. The romance is steamy and there is a good amount of intrigue. I’m very excited to see where this series goes!

Terror at the Gates is an emotionally charged dark romantasy filled with divine politics, brutal war, and powerful themes of trauma, identity, and sacrifice. Scarlett St. Clair delivers intense romance, sharp pacing, and richly layered world-building. The character development is strong and deeply human, making this a gripping and unforgettable read.

I wasn’t fully convinced this book would be for me when I started it, but I am not ashamed to admit when I’m wrong. This was so addicting and I ended up reading the majority in one sitting - and this book is chunky!

I’ve never read an urban fantasy/neo-noir before, so this was definitely new territory for me. I really loved the world this author created and it was very easy to imagine the gritty streets of Ninevah. FMC Lilith may be the daughter and heirs of one of Eden’s most powerful families, but that doesn’t offer her any extra freedoms. While the women in this world may have the magic, their powers are controlled by their fathers and husbands. Lilith has been allowed “a gap year” away from her home district of Hiram, but only with the condition she stays under the watchful eye of Zahariev, head of house Zareth and leader of Ninevah.

There were so many things I loved about this book. I thought the world building was very interesting and while we see glimpses of the magic system, I do hope that is something that’s explored more in book two. The slow-burn, forbidden romance between Lilith and Zahariev was so satisfying and I loved the little POVs from him in between each chapter. This man will burn down the whole world for her and nobody else 🔥

That cliffhanger may have broken my brain, and until we get a release date for book two I will be seated, ready, and waiting.

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a review copy.

Great world building!! This book set up the scene for the rest of the series to be amazing!! Not that this was wasn't stunning, but I have so many questions and I need answers now!!. The main characters are truly a perfect pair and the setting is giving a great neo noir mafia vibe. Zahariev is absolutely book boyfriend material. He's the most understanding and patient male character I have ever read but he doesn't loose that morally grey edge that I love either. This book also had me crying at times and put me in all the feels. It address so much that is wrong with society and religion but it does so in a tasteful way that made me devour it.

4.75 ★

"𝘕𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘓𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘩. 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴."

Well, this was surprisingly addicting! I didn't know what to expect going into this, but from page one my eyes were glued to the words. From the female rage, relevant themes, and storyline (both with the demons and romance), I didn't want to put this down. The world-building felt a littleeee slow at the beginning, but I felt the scenes between Lillith and Zahariev made up for it.

I'm not a religious person whatsoever, but I appreciate Scarlett St. Clair's representation of how people in power of religious institutions can use their positions to be hypocrites and then use that as an excuse for their evilness, along with the victims that suffer from it. I definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings before going into this.

Now for characters, let's start with Lillith. She was frustratingly stubborn at times, but strong and fierce, loyal, and determined. I absolutely loved her character ‪‪❤︎‬ Watching her evolve throughout the story and the feminine rage (that I could relate to), made me root for her all the more. Especially after all the trauma she had been through

Zahariev, NO NOTES. I am feral for this man. He is the definition of "touch her and die," "she's mine," etc. I loved the end of every chapter seeing the small snippets in his perspective, I was eating them up like I was starving

Overall, I really liked this and it's honestly a favorite read of 2025 for me now! It gave off mafia/Peaky Blinder vibes which is probably a part of why I ate it up, and I'll absolutely devour book 2 when it comes out ‪‪❤︎

I loved every minute of reading this slow burn. Lilith and Z had intense chemistry from the very beginning, and the payoff was so worth the wait and anticipation. I loved that she was strong and pushed back against her family to go after what she wanted, and he supported her however she would let him. That ending shocked me, and I am so ready for the next book.

I really enjoyed this one!!

This is the story of Lilith reimagined and I was really impressed both with the world building and the magic system. The fact that it was only women who possessed magic abilities but they had to be married off to “powerful” men really intrigued me. I do wish the magic system was elaborated a bit more, though. I thought it was interesting that Lily’s powers manifested through men’s desire and wish we got a look at how other women’s powers manifested… I wasn’t entirely sure how it all worked, just that if a man was filled with desire, she could make him tell the truth? Idk but I loved the vibes regardless lmao

This book totally gave me Crescent City / City of Gods and Monsters vibes. I love me a gritty urban fantasy and this one delivered!

The tension between Lily + Z was delicious, and I loved all the side characters as well! Except for Lisk and Lily’s mother, they can both rot in the deepest, darkest, hottest pits of HELL !!!

Esther made me SOB. and the last 15% of this one really spiked my adrenaline lmao. I’m excited to see where it goes because that ending had me shook!

Thank you to NetGalley, Bloom Books, and Scarlett St. Clair for providing this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'm on a bit of a deconstructing religion through fiction kick right now, so I was very excited when this came across my inbox. I'd previously read St. Clair's Hades x Persephone series, so I thought I knew what to expect in terms of writing and story.

Unfortunately, I think this should've gone through another round of edits to reduce all of the extra inner monologuing and random, unnecessary thoughts from Lilith. Just because a book is first person POV and we have access to the main character's innermost thoughts, does not mean that we need to bear witness to every. single. thought that they have.

Lilith thought and talked in circles, and kept getting distracted from the overarching issue of the knife by her desire to dance for Zahariev (which never panned out wth was up with that?), sleep with Zahariev, and fight with Zahariev.

There wasn't a clear villain until the end, and I know it was to have it be a big reveal, but there were too many other antagonists that the revelation in the final chapter felt not worth it. So many people died in front of Lilith, and her reactions were so bizarre to me.

I don't think I'll be going out of my way to read the rest of this series, unfortunately.

Wow… this book had me hooked from the first chapter. An Urban fantasy based on the story of Lilith with neo-noir mafia vibes, religious trauma, and division of society.

Each district is ruled by one of five powerful families, Lilith being the daughter of one, set in Eden, a place where women are meant to be seen and not heard (even though only they possess the magic within the ruling families). I wish there was a map because I craved a visual of how Eden is set up with the vastly different districts and the areas within. (Edited to add: the author let me know she included a map in the hardcover version!) And THANK YOU Scarlett for the pronunciation guide 🙌🏻

Lilith is so feisty, always getting into some trouble, and a total badass, but she makes mistakes too which made her relatable and I always appreciate that. She was such an amazing character and I could FEEL her fury. I hope we get to see more of her magical abilities!

Zahariev is the head of his family and also a leader of his district. He is mysterious and powerful (and so, so hot) and I love that we got little snippets from his pov. He would burn the world down and literally start a war to protect her and I was eating it up. He has always thought she was untouchable because of how their society rules, and she thinks he only watches out for her because he owes her father a favor.

There’s religious corruption, dark secrets, and allll the feminine rage. The banter and chemistry between Lily and Zahariev was perfection, and that tensionnnn 😮‍💨 the slowwwww burn was torture but so worth the wait.

Loved the diverse side characters too! Some were lovable and some you kinda want to throat punch. And an adorable furry sidekick! 🐈‍⬛

Parts of this ripped my heart apart and had me so overwhelmed with emotion, so grab your tissues.

Scarlett took us on such an intriguing adventure with this one. I have sooo many highlights and quotes marked in this book. The plot is building up to something huge and OMG THE ENDING.
I need the next book like immediately.

Thank you @netgalley @sourcebooksuk @read_bloom and @authorscarlettstclair for the ARC

Holy Moly this book had me hooked from the start and the end blew me away I already cannot wait for the 2nd in this series. This book had it all famine rage, slow burn romance, self discovery, betrayal, you name it and this book wrapped it all perfectly in its pages.

After enjoying the Hades x Persephone saga from this author, I was looking forward to seeing a different world and set of characters from this author. This is definitely a book where checking the trigger warnings is warranted before diving in. It is a dark, urban, gritty setting with forbidden feelings between two headstrong leads. I liked the friendships portrayed, while the snarky main female protagonist can be a bit frustrating. I especially liked the snippets we got at the end of most chapters from the perspective of Zahariev. There are many unanswered questions at the end and I want to know more about the magic. Overall it was a good, not great, read and I will check out the next installment when it is published and I am in the mood for urban romantasy.

Thank you SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

3.5⭐️

Terror at the Gates offers a unique and intriguing take on myth and religion, blending biblical mythology, particularly that of Lilith, Adam and Eve, with a dark, urban fantasy setting. Think mafia-style warring families, angels, archangels, demons, witches, all in a modern world. The premise definitely drew me in, and the concept had a lot of potential.

The atmosphere was compelling, and the world-building was easy to follow. There’s a distinct magic system, but we don’t really get anything more than a passing glimpse. The FMC’s magic, which is described as an important part of her character, remains very vague and isn’t really revisited beyond one scene.

While the concept had promise, the plot itself felt underdeveloped. Most of the book focuses on every day activities which don’t seem to further plot, with most of the action crammed into the final 20% of the book. The pacing was uneven, and then the books end on a cliffhanger right when things are starting to get interesting.

The central relationship between the main characters also felt underdeveloped. It’s clear they share a history; they seem to fall somewhere between frenemies and reluctant allies. He’s somehow responsible for her safety and well-being in his territory. However, because we don’t get to see much of this backstory, their shift into lovers came across as too fast and superficial.

The FMC is supposed to be independent and breaking away from patriarchal control, yet she often reads more like a petulant damsel in distress. The MMC is your classic broody, sexy, mysterious guy. There is nothing unique or straying from the typical romantasy blueprint.

Overall, Terror at the Gates felt more like a prequel or a setup for a larger story. While this one didn’t quite land for me, the concept is intriguing and I’m still curious to see where the series goes and how things develop in future installments. Readers who enjoy a more sinister take on religious myths may find this one worth the read.

Thank you to the Sourcebooks, Bloom Books and and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

There are not enough words to describe how much I loved this book. It is true that I am a Scarlett St. Clair fan - her Touch of Darkness series really helped me through a hard part of my life.

This book *might* be her best work yet. I was enthralled. The world building was epic and immersive without feeling cumbersome. The characters were flippant but deep at the same time. The banter - I mean it was great because the sarcasm was there but so was the devotion.

The last part of the book - I did not see coming.

10/10 - read this. no regrets. Scarlett I'm ready for book 2.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars
🌶️🌶️ Spice Level: 2/5

⚠️ Trigger Warnings:
Sexual assault (past trauma, referenced), religious trauma, child abuse.
⚠️ Spoiler Warning:
Mild plot spoilers ahead.

A fast-paced, action-packed book for the women who were told to submit to men and said: FUCK that.

Review: Terror at the Gates by Scarlett St. Clair

This was my first Scarlett St. Clair book and I was hooked from the start. I absolutely loved the mafia and church political side. It added a fresh, gritty edge to the romantasy genre that felt both modern and immersive. The urban setting, magic, and danger blended so well with the romance and mythology.

One of my favorite parts was the found family Lilith built for herself: Gabriel, Coco, Esther, Zahariev, and the little kitten Cherub. Every one of them added depth and made Lilith’s journey feel so much more emotional and real. I also connected with Lilith’s fierce desire for autonomy, her fight to control her own body, her choices, and her future in a world and family that kept trying to strip that away from her.

The slow-burn tension between Lilith and Z built beautifully and when it finally boiled over—DAMN. 🔥 Worth the wait! I’m giving the spice a solid 🌶️🌶️ for the chemistry, intensity, and payoff after all that longing.

I also really appreciated the way this book draws on the mythological and religious roots of Lilith’s origin. A powerful symbol of freedom, defiance, and self-worth that is beautifully mirrored in this story’s modern, magical take.

The only thing I found myself wanting more of was magic. There was a lot of focus on the relic and uncovering the mystery but I would have loved to see more of Lilith’s own magical abilities as well as deeper glimpses into the magic of other women in the world.

Overall, this was fast-paced, emotional, sexy, and filled with twists. I’m definitely ready for book two.
P.S. I really hope there’s a book two!

This feminist retelling of Lilith is to die for. Scarlett has left me speechless once again and this is only book one. The FMC and MMC have that perfect spark of imagination and spice. The tension and magic are are everything you could want and then some. This is a book I will continue to recomend for a long time.

This was my first Urban Fantasy and I had such a great time reading it!
The plot was exciting, easy to follow and the characters were all badass in in the best way. I also found the distorted view of the church being the "big bad" to be super cool and well thought out, however I could see how this might turn some audiances off from the book entirely. I would definitely recommend! Very well written and overall a great storyline.

Urban Fantasy
Mafia
Frenemies to Lovers
Slow Burn (with absolutely DELICIOUS tension)
He Falls First
Animal Sidekick

Lilith lives in a world dominated and ruled by men, and unfortunately, even being the heir of one of the 5 prestigious families in Eden doesn't bide her any more power than anyone else. She escapes her family in Hiram to Ninevah under the watchful eye of the head of Zareth house, Zahariev. Although she lives a life of (mostly) independent, she knows her every move is watched by him, and she both resents him for it and loves his attention. When she comes into possession of a stunningly beautiful dagger, her life changes dramatically. Instead of worrying about being caught with stolen goods, she's worried about being caught with dead bodies. Her dreams become increasingly scary and vivid, and she really has only one person she can truly turn to... Zahariev.

I really had no doubt that I was going to love this book, but when I tell you I am CRAVING book 2 already... I cannot even express how much I loved this book. It was so well written and so interesting. I think, as a woman, a lot of this feels close to home, and I can understand and sympathize with Lilith in her struggles. While our conditions are not quite as extreme (yet, anyway), finding your way and trying to be yourself in a world that suppresses and condemns your individuality is something I think most of us have felt at one point or another.

Lilith is an excellent FMC. Badass. Independent. Unrelenting and uninterested in the opinions of men. In a male dominated world, this makes her a target. Her name keeps her out of trouble (for the most part), and when that doesn't work Zahariev swoops in to save the day whether she wants him to or not. She's been hurt, abused, broken, but she is determined to live her life on her own terms no matter the consequences. She's the kind of woman you admire and aspire to be.

Zahariev is the perfect morally gray MMC. Strong, formidable but has a soft spot for Lilith, and he would literally burn it all down for her. All she has to do is ask. It's clear that his feelings for her are more than they appear to be, and he's fighting against the desire to have her, not because he doesn't think he can but because he's afraid he'd eventually lose her to things beyond his control. His dedication to her even when she thinks he's just being a giant pain in her ass is so endearing. He cares for her in every way, in every thing he does and says - even when it's not obvious. He lets her be strong and independent, but is there when she needs a safety net, when she needs to crumble and be vulnerable.

When I say Scarlett St. Clair is an absolute one-click, auto-buy for me, this book is absolutely no exception. I fell in love with her storytelling with Hades and Persephone, and her skill at drawing me in has never faltered. If you're a Scarlett fan, you'll love this book. If you've never read a book by her before, pick this one up immediately. I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley, and I am SO excited for this new world and it's characters. I cannot wait for my signed shelf trophy to arrive!

Scarlett St. Clair has written a love letter to feminine rage—quite literally tipped the hat to all women that have ever been called “difficult”, “rebellious”, “loud”, or “unruly”. With Terror at the Gates, I’ve been able to connect with one of my favorite auto-buy authors on a deeper, more meaningful level and needless to say… I am obsessed. I’m captivated, heartbroken, and most of all—seen. Scarlett took myth, magic, and mafia and blended them into one of my favorite reads of the year!

Eden feels like a modernized 1920s gangster city—think film noir meets speakeasy glamour—layered with supernatural elements and mythological lore that heighten the stakes. The visualization, MY GOSH- it’s cinematic, immersive, and entirely unique!

Lilith is everything I could want in a heroine: bratty, brazen, and unapologetic. And Zahariev? The PERFECT counterpart. Broody, morally-gray, and absolutely devoted to her. They’re quite literally obsessed with each other from the beginning (even if they both refuse to admit it—queue the slow burn tension). Lilith and Zahariev’s bond is intense, passionate, but beautifully balanced… I LOVE THEM TOGETHER!

Also, Gabriel and Esther? Are EVERYTHING! Their warmth adds a beautiful contrast to the darkness of their world, and the scenes with them felt like emotional safe havens. Esther especially, shines as the “big sister” type we all secretly wish we had. Even though she and Lilith are complete opposites, the love and respect between them is palpable. They are girls’ GIRLS—that would do anything for each other. Both Lilith and Zahariev have lost so much, so getting to watch them embrace this found-family bond with Gabriel and Esther… my HEART!

The ending absolutely wrecked me in the best way. I never saw it coming, and I’m still not over it. I’ll be (impatiently) counting the days until the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the eARC — and a heartfelt thanks to Scarlett St. Clair for continuing to craft such powerful, fearless stories.