This is my new favorite novel by Scarlett St. Clair! I loved the romance, the mystery, the religious trauma, and especially Cherub the cat sidekick! Trigger warnings should definitely be checked before reading, but I think the heavy topics that were addressed throughout the book were addressed beautifully. I can’t wait to see what happens next after the giant cliffhanger ending!

Thank you to Bloom for an early copy!

Terror at the Gates was such a unique take on fantasy. I absolutely loved the more modern religious representation, and how the author integrated that into the magic system. It made for very interesting worldbuilding that felt fresh and interesting. I also really enjoyed the characters – the found family in this book is very strong. It's a slow burn, but once it got going, it was worth the wait.

All that to say, I found myself a little confused by some of the details. Going to keep this spoiler free, but I thought that some of the gods & demons parts of the plot to feel a little disjointed and almost like they were from a different book.

I usually hate doing half-star ratings, but this one felt very 3.5 for me, so I'm going with it but rounding up because 3 seems too low.

The feminine rage in this books is REAL! This book was the perfect book for me to get out of a reading slump for the rest of June.
Can we also talk about that ending!?
Scarlett gave this book the perfect cliffhanger and I cannot wait for book 2!

This book blew me out of the water! I appreciate that there were trigger warnings for religious trauma because I usually heed that warning, but I decided to try reading anyway because I love Scarlett St. Clair's books and writing style and I'm so glad I chose to. There's definitely heavy themes that were carefully balanced with wit and banter that didn't lean too heavy nor dismissive of the heavy themes. I loved loved loved Zahariev -- what a challenging character to write and she did it masterfully. The pace never felt slow, there was action in every chapter, and mystery paired with the classic will-they-won't-they propelling the story along. I have nothing but good things to say about this book. Easy 5 stars and best book I've read this entire year.

This is absolutely one of my favourite reads of the year so far - I finished it a few days ago and I'm still thinking about it!!

When I saw the blurb for this, I immediately knew I had to add it to my tbr and I was extremely lucky that Sourcebooks provided me with an ARC for it. Terror at the Gates is an urban fantasy that is full of feminine rage, mafia politics and high-stakes emotions. Lilith is an incredible FMC and is an absolute badass, I had the best time being in her head.

The frenemies to lovers relationship between Lilith and Zahariev was everything I could want in a romantasy relationship and they are easily one of my favourite fictional couples of the year. Zahariev is the perfect amount of protective and badass to work alongside Lilith and the two of them really shine both individually and as a duo. I also really loved the little glimpses into Zahariev's POV.

All that being said, this story was so unique, exceeded my expectations and I devoured it so fast. I promise you, if you're a fan of anything romantasy, you're going to want to add this to your TBR.

A huge thank you to Scarlett St. Clair and Sourcebooks for this ARC!!

Where do I even begin? Terror at the Gates is everything I crave in a dark fantasy—gritty, immersive, and utterly unputdownable. Scarlett St. Clair has crafted a richly detailed industrial world with a haunting magic system that drew me in from the very first page. The atmosphere is thick with tension and mystery, and every element—setting, plot, and character—feels purposeful and masterfully executed.

The pacing was perfect for a slow burn, but don’t be fooled—this book burns. It had me blushing, swooning, and clutching my chest in equal measure. This book had my heart pounding and I constantly needed to put it down to take a breath before I dived back in!

Now, let’s talk about Zahariev Zareth. Oh. My. Gods. This man is the very definition of devoted. Scarlett knows exactly how to write a male lead who commands the page and the reader’s heart. Zahariev is officially on my list of all-time top book boyfriends. Every moment with him had me melting. He is a storm and a sanctuary all at once—and yes, I am feral about him.

Beyond the romance, the mystery and suspense in this book are absolutely gripping. The action scenes were so intense that I could see every and feel every movement. The stakes are high, and the twists kept me on edge in the best way.

And that cliffhanger? Absolutely cruel—in the way that only the best books are. I’m not okay. I will absolutely be counting down the days until the sequel. I might actually lose my mind waiting, but it will be worth every second.

Thank you to Scarlett St. Clair, NetGalley, and Sourcebooks for the eARC. I adored every page of this dark, delicious, heart-pounding masterpiece.

“I would go to war for you”

Zahariev Zareth, the man you are 😭

this book was EVERYTHING. feminist rage, slow burn, one of the best fmc’s i’ve read about.

I was biting my nails the last 10%.

Oh Scarlett my darling. You’ve done it again! Lilith embodies femine rage in the best possible way, the way she carries herself is absolutely perfect. I love a badass woman who takes shit from no one including a man! But in comes Zahariev and wow. He was everything I didn’t know I needed and more. The way he compliments Lilith and her personality is perfect. He does not play when it comes to her and will stop at nothing. And omg. The world building. It was absolutely perfect. I’m sure this book has put me in a hangover. I need the next one now!

I wish I could give a review without the star rating because honestly I DNFed this book pretty early on. I'm not usually much of a DNFer but I just could not get into this book and I did try a few different times. This is my first book by this author so maybe that plays into it. The characters just weren't grabbing my interest and the poor set up was a tad confusing. Please take what I say with a grain of salt since I didn't finish the book.

The world building and the plot of this book was fantastic. I enjoyed this! Lilith being the main character was amazing and brought a very strong leading presence. The dynamic between Lilith & Zahariev was super fun. Their relationship was the heart of the story. Can’t wait for the other books!

Thank you NetGalley and Bloom Books for the arc of this book.

I have been a longtime reader of Scarlett St. Clair’s. I remember when she released a Touch of Darkness. Her latest book, Terror At The Gate, left me speechless. It is AMAZING! The growth of the female main character from the rules that tried to shackle her into a woman who stands on her own two feet with her own power has stuck with me long after I finished the book. It has light a flame of self identity within myself that I did not know needed lit. Thank you Scarlett St. Clair.

Oh, and I also tossed my Oasis in the hamper multiple times.

How do I even put my thoughts into coherent sentences! This book has my brain firing on all cylinders, shooting out words and thoughts that I can't organize. Scarlett St Clair has created a masterpiece with Terror at the Gates. I've been obsessed with her since A Touch of Darkness and let me tell you the obsession has grown stronger. Talk about female rage, systemic reprogramming in the form of religious indoctrination (raised highly religious so I know a thing or two); the ever present and highly prevalent double standard regarding women in the social structure. I mean DAMN. This book has it all. I started the book cautious, then came rage, and ended it feeling wickedly empowered and a little vicious. 10/10 on all fronts. Spice ✔️ Slow burn ✔️ Badass babe ✔️ Tons of Mystery ✔️

i love scarlett st clair so much

arc rating & review

4.75 - 5 🌟

overall. this was outstanding. it reminded me of her touch of darkness series but it was also wildly different. her writing in this has to be some of her best work. i was blown away. absolutely floored.

first of all, the religious commentary was immaculate. it touched on so many aspects of religion and what it’s like to have it forced on you. how they can take something and twist it to use it as hateful and almost like rules you have to follow to be worthy or holy. it touches on every aspect of religion that was forced on me and what i hated about the hypocrisy of it all. i’m NOT saying religion is bad or that you’re wrong for believing in it, im saying i’ve had very similar experiences in my life and it is trauma that i would never wish upon anyone. and the way she comments on how women are viewed and treated was phenomenal. it was almost like she took very frustration and fear that women have in this world and wove it into her story. it was like reading a news article (as in, so realistic and unfortunately very true to today’s society).

Again she wove in that religious trauma and how women are seen and just made a beautiful and powerful story out of it. and LILITH!! she is truly who i aspire to be one day. i felt so deeply bad for her and had felt like she was written for me. like scarlett took my brain matter and put into words. and zahariev..this MANNNNNNN. and he is a true MAN!! he was so protective and grumpy. ugh i loved the banter him and lily had. “little love” CRYING. i also loved Gabriel oh my. him and esther were so unbelievably sweet and i wish i had a couple like them in my life. i loved all the characters (besides lisk and her mom, fuck them fr)

thank you bloom & netgalley for the arc!

What an absolute delight! This book is absolutely gripping. It pulled me in and I legit could not put it down. I love a good urban fantasy and this was the perfect mix of modern day dark fantasy, touch her and die romance, and suspenseful who-done-it. I also loved the integration of the dark side of christianity. Some people may be mad, but it's an undebatable fact that there is an irl dark side and I grew up in it. Seeing that on page was actually very therapeutic for me. I'm a huge SSC fan and this is unlike any of her other work. It just might be her best book to date.

My first Scarlett St. Clair book — but definitely not my last.

This is a dark romantasy that pulls no punches. The story follows Lilith, inspired by the Lilith of Jewish folklore (iykyk), set in the sin-soaked city of Nineveh. Lilith uses her magic to survive, stealing and selling religious artifacts. But one relic changes everything — people start dying, mysterious creatures appear, and Lilith begins having disturbing visions.

She reluctantly teams up with Zahariev, her childhood crush, in a world where women are subservient, commodified, and denied agency over their own lives. The chemistry simmers between them, but it unfolds in a world built on control, violence, and faith twisted into fear.

This book is rich in dark themes and trigger warnings — misogyny, religious trauma, violence, and systemic oppression — so tread carefully if you're sensitive to those elements. But if you're drawn to deep, layered world-building with a sharp edge, this one might hit you right in the soul.

It takes the blindfold off systemic religion and exposes its darker underbelly — the hypocrisy, the misogyny, and the way belief can be used as both shield and sword.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bloom books and Tantor Audio for the eARC and ALC. Laura Horowitz is the perfect Lilith and this was my first time hearing Tristan Warden breathe life to his character. Absolutely recommend reading Terror at the Gates and can’t wait for the next book.

Thank you to netgalley, the author and Bloom books for the opportunity to read this arc!

Every now and then, a book’s characters completely pull me in—and this one did exactly that, thanks to its unique world-building and atmosphere. The blend of urban fantasy with mafia-like elements is absolute perfection.
The slower pacing felt intentional and meaningful, which made the book feel more immersive. We're dropped right into the middle of Lillith and Zahariev’s story, and rather than feeling lost, I was immediately intrigued. Knowing this is a retelling of Lillith’s version of creation has me so invested in where the story will go next. The exploration of religious trauma stood out and resonated deeply with my own experiences. And Zahariev? He’s the kind of book boyfriend I love. He gave that "he falls first-touch her and die" vibes along with being commanding, yet still willing to yield to the woman he respects and trusts. The tension between these two was the best kind of edging. It was taut with their chemistry, and doused with the forbidden. I freaking love this kind of chemistry.

I did not see those twists at the end coming, and now I’m counting down the days for the next book!

*4.5 stars*

SCARLET! I devoured this in a day. The slow burn was slow burning but it was delicious and tension filled and when that spice hit it was *chefs kiss*. The way Lilith was such a badass and Zahariev just let her be herself. Lilith is a survivor and it was refreshing to see her be herself and not be changed by her surroundings and the things that happened to her. I am so confused by the ending and what part Lilith plays along with the gods. I am hoping book two is being written because I have so many questions I need answered.

Terror at the Gates is one of the best and most unique books I've ever read, I loved it.

I really enjoyed that all the world building was not done at the start, instead Scarlett St Claire explains more about the world as the book goes along. This meant that even thought at first I didn't understand quite everything (location wise and about the religion) I was able to enjoy the story without an information dump. I think that's what made this book hard to put down, I just wanted to know more! I loved the characters, suspense and romance in Terror at the Gates and I cannot wait to dive back into this world for book 2 and discover what happens next to Lilith and Zahariev.

Summary: Outcast Lilith finds a cursed blade, drawing her into deadly intrigue with powerful families, a ruthless church, and forbidden love.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book, all thoughts are my own.

YESSSSSSSS!

Thank you to NetGalley for the gifted advance copy. I literally devoured this in one day!

I could eat Z as a whole-ass meal, but Lilith is the real badass here.

The premise of this hits real close to real life right now, with people using religion to control women. We love a good feminine rage and this shit is that.

Fantastic tension, little bits of comedy, wonderful side characters, and a fucking kitten. Hell. Yes.

This might be Scarlett’s best work yet!

I ate this up.

This was such perfect introduction into the series, with the perfect balance of world building, action & romance. The story grips you from beginning to end.

It’s a gritty Lilith re-imaging, filled with female rage, mafia politics, slow burn tension set in a urban romantasy setting

This version of Lilith, is meant to be difficult and intended to be desired, lusted after and the author captured this perfectly. It took me a few chapters to warm up to her because she is a little ‘bratty’ but she is meant to be. Her behaviour becomes understandable once more of her backstory is unveiled. She doesn’t take shit from anyone, strong willed, incredibly frustrating but still relatable.

Zaddy.. sorry I mean Zahariev… the MAN that you are!!! 🧎🏽‍♀️🫠🙂‍↕️
I’m obsessed & in love. He is the perfect amount of morally grey, there is nothing I love more than a man who would burn the world for his woman.
Patient?!? Caring?!? Possessive?!? - Spectacular gimme 14 of them right now

The tension in those book had me GIDDY, and the banter between the two had me GIGGLING.

I loved the fact that at the end of every chapter you got his POV, it like having a little insight into his mind, I ate it up every time.

I do wish we got more insight into the magic system, but I feel like that will come with book two. Which I need ASAP because THE ENDING?!?!

Thank you Netgalley, Sourcebooks & Bloom Books for the arc x