My first Scarlett St. Clair book—loved it so much I immediately ordered all her others right after! Thanks so much for the ARC!

3.5/5

This is going to be a short review because, honestly, this one wasn't my favorite.
We'll start with some positives: the story was interesting and unique, the AU where the story takes place very much gives off Gotham City vibes (minus the batman). Cherub was a sweet addition and I love her (I also have a black cat familiar).
I couldn't really get into Lillith's character. She seemed at times to be young and brash, which can get annoying when you feel like you've outgrown that phase of your life. I can also see though how her rage and desire for revenge can be appealing (we love feminine rage in this house).
I wish that Zahariev had a better nickname for Lillith that wasn't "little love". It gave me the ick and made it stupidly obvious that he wanted her, whereas his actions (especially in the beginning) gave at least some semblance of doubt and suspense.

I'm not a huge dark romance/mafia romance type of person so it wasn't a surprise that this was hard to finish. Feel free to ignore my input if you're more into those genres, I'm sure you'll love this! My only problem with the actual writing was the use of a lot of "I" statements at some points, which is also probably just a me thing. Otherwise the pacing moves well for the length of the novel, and the writing was descriptive enough without being excessive.

I may or may not continue with the sequel.

If you love:
• Frenemies to lovers
• Urban Fantasy
• Mafia
• Neo-Noir Vibes
• Animal Sidekick
• Pet name
• He Falls First and it’s *obvious*

Unique elements I loved:

Overall thought: I thought I would love this more than I did because it has everything I love but I don't think it was for me at the right time. I felt like something was missing from the book to make it *chefs kiss*. But I'm hopeful to try this again in the future because I love the authors writing, characters and world building.

Feminist rage, a twisted world where politics and religion rule over all, and a darker mystery just lurking in the background all make for one epic read. There’s nothing better than diving into a new book and a new author’s work and being reminded of why I love to read.

Terror at the Gates had me invested from start to finish. The world building was refreshingly unique and the characters were the true stars of the book. Mainly told from Lilith’s pov, there were short snippets of Zahariev’s that just tied the whole story together and made me fall in love with him a little more each time.

There love story isn’t a straight road-they’re too flawed and independent for such an easy journey - but oh how apparent it is to see they are perfect for each other.

This book is like none I’ve ever read. I’m still living in Scarlett’s world, and I don’t ever want to leave. This is one you definitely don’t want to miss!

Absolutely amazing book. I enjoyed it so much.
I look forward for the next book from the series next August (based on Goodreads that it will be next August)

This book was not at all what I expected and EVERYTHING I have needed and more. This is another infinite stars book for me. I already felt at the 25% mark that this book had that five star feeling and it never left throughout! When I was reading the book, I was thinking about getting back to the book. It was that good and bingeable and I know this story will not leave my head for quite a while as I anxiously await the next book!!

This is an urban fantasy with I would say mafia romance style elements but it’s not truly mafia (it will make sense when you read the book).. there is also a splash of much needed female rage as Lilith, our FMC is trying to find her way in the world, she lives in Nineveh, which is a district in the city of Eden which is devoted to sin and there she is able to use her magical power to survive. The MMC is perfectly written, his name is Zahariev, and he is the head of another family (cue why I say there is a mafia like vibe) anyway they are thrust together in journey to uncover secrets and meanwhile discover each other .. oh and there’s a magical blade! I am going to stop here because I don’t want to say too much!

The banter 🔥
The slow burn 🔥 soooo worth it
There is angst and yearning! If you love a broody MMC, touch her and die, read asap!
There are even horror and sci fi elements!
I am telling y’all this book was TOP TIER for me!!
Scarlett St. Clair knocked this out of the park! Once you start you will not want to stop reading!!

5 stars does not even come close to what this book deserves to be rated. Scarlett St. Clair did absolutely PHENOMENAL with book. I love everything she’s ever written and she’s my favorite author but this one there’s just something so different and special about it you can feel the love and passion she had writing pouring through the pages of this book. I simply am not the same after reading it. It’s taken me so long to post my written review because I felt like nothing I could say would be able to truly express what a masterpiece Terror At The Gates is in my eyes. The way Scarlett touches on the subjects of politics and religion and the powers behind control is unlike like anything I could’ve imagined this is by far my favorite book of 2025 if not of all time at this point. The tension and build up between Lilith & Zahariev was absolutely *chefs kiss*. It was such a refreshing and unique story about feminine rage, choosing your own destiny, finding your own family and not playing by the rules. If you love a stubborn, fierce, badass FMC who’s unapologetically herself and a HOT AS SIN, intense, touch her and die, down bad for her MMC and then move this up your TBR immediately!

Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks for the arc!

I’ve been patiently waiting for Scarlett St Clair’s new release after reading the Hades x Persephone series last year.

I think this series has a TON of potential. Did I understand everything going on in Terror at the Gates? Absolutely not. I feel that a lot of was going on: demon blobs, multiple religions, random companions of Lilith’s dying, women with varying magical powers.. (though personally, Lilith’s power needed more explanation and prevalence for me in this novel). However, I did appreciate the world building throughout the novel and the overall “throwing one” into this romantasy realm. The dialogue and relationship between Lilith and Zahariev was delightful and really kept me on my toes: their chemistry went from questionable to intense throughout the progression of this story. It definitely was a treat!!

Overall, I think this was a good introduction to a new fantasy realm. I am definitely looking forward to some enlightenment and progression in the sequel!!

“She is the beginning and the end.

She is peace and chaos.

She is terror knocking at the gates.”

This was my first time reading this author and it certainly won’t be the last! This urban fantasy retelling of Lilith was such an adventure filled with mystery and amazing characters

Lilith herself was a perfect FMC, so strong and resilient. It takes so much courage to run from a harmful past, I think a lot of people will relate to her story. (Please check the trigger warnings.) And Zahariev was such a swoony MMC who will do anything for her and is in love with her long before she realizes. His little glimpses of POV between each chapter were SO good

Eden was a really interesting city to explore, I hope we see more of it in the future! The seedy underdark we get to see in this book is an awesome backdrop for this story

I loved all the mysteries and tense moments, trying to figure out what is going on with this cursed relic and people’s odd behavior. I really enjoyed where it went and can’t wait for more!!

Thanks to the publisher for the copy.

4.5 ⭐️ i support women’s rights and women’s wrongs and also feminine rage. hell yeah.

i LOVE lilith. i loved that she was full of (rightful) rage, i loved that she was a flawed character. she was a survivor, impulsive, rash, occasionally self-absorbed (not in a malicious way, but in one that i felt added so much depth/realism to her “privileged” background), loved her friends, was prickly when irritated, but also righteously angry at the institutions that harmed her. her push/pull with zahariev was *chef’s kiss*

zahariev had me on the FLOOR. a MAN. he is so patient with lilith, even when she is (sometimes rightfully, sometimes not) irritated at him. his interludes said so much with so few lines. the way that he loves her & shows up for her & protects her is just **bites fist** GOD. PERFECT.

this is the kind of urban fantasy that i love — scarlett st clair pours so much love and research into the mythology and world-building of her books. i docked half a star because it felt like at some points the pacing just felt a little slow and drawn out, but i am holding out hope that some of the tangents are going to be important later (and with how scarlett writes, i am sure they are).

(although scarlett i don’t know if i will ever forgive you for esther, how dare you do this to me)

thank you @ netgalley for this ARC — i also did partially listen on audiobook, and dual narration was also fantastic. i cannot wait to see where this series goes!!!

I have read St. Clair's other series and so I already had high hopes for what this book would be but I was not expecting it to be this good. I love Lilith's character and how she is so authentically herself no matter who it pisses off. She is such a strong women and usually with a character like this you would see them soften as the story goes on but this one was different. Yes we see her grow closer and more open with other characters but she does not stop being the strong women she is to do so. This book was an emotional rollercoaster and I absolutely could not put it down. I cannot wait to continue this series and see where the story line goes because that ending was perfection! Another amazing romantasy series to obsess over.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin for the advanced reader copy!

I’ve been sat here staring at a wall since finishing this book, because OHMYGOD.

I didn’t think @authorscarlettstclair could topple the Hades x Persephone/A Touch of Darkness series from my favorite of hers but boy was I wrong.

Thank you Bloom and Sourcebooks for the gifted copy.

I haven’t encountered too many reimaginings of the story of Lilith but the story has always resonated with me. Scarlett does such a fantastic job of weaving in the religious elements with fantasy and modernity. She had me exclaiming ‘yes, goddess!’ and many unrepeatable expletives when it came to the scenes with Zahariev. IYKYK 🥵

This is a bit too romantasy for me if you know what I mean, but it was a fun read. I don't think I'll read the next book, but I was entertained. Terror at the Gates is a retelling/reimaging of the story of Lilith. Lilith lives in Eden in a patriarchal society ruled by the church. She has magic and can use her sexuality as a weapon to control men who are attracted to her. She uses that power to steal for a living, but longs to dance for a club owned by the sort of mafia king Zahariev. They are forbidden to be together because of family politics, but they are drawn to each other all the same. One day, Lilith uses her power to steal a dagger from a man. When she tries to pawn that dagger, the shop owner dies almost as soon as he touches it. She calls Zahariev for help and the mystery starts here!

read in one sitting very fun!!!! i was immediately gripped. love the concept. scarlett st clair is simply always going to do it for me period

Gritty, seductive, and steeped in political intrigue, Terror at the Gates delivers a dark fantasy where sin is survival and trust is the most dangerous currency of all. Lilith Leviathan, a disgraced daughter of power, carves out a living in Eden’s vice-ridden district—until a cursed dagger draws her into a deadly conspiracy. With the enigmatic and dangerously powerful Zahariev at her side, she’s thrust into a web of lies, forbidden magic, and treacherous alliances. The tension crackles both in the shadowy streets and between its complex leads, making this a riveting blend of high-stakes intrigue and slow-burn passion.

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

Scarlett St. Clair and a romantasy series…say no more, this is book ONE of the Blood of Lilith series! I ate this up and left ZERO crumbs. This was GOOD. If you love a good urban fantasy that packs a punch with secrets, magic, politics, a strong female FMC and an MC (who I think it going to have everybody straight on their face and will be everybody’s newest dreamboat book boyfriend), I’m CERTAIN this is a read you need to pick up right away. The character development, dynamics, chemistry was top tier, the world and storyline/plot was perfection, everything about this actually was the best! You have multiple POV, steady pacing yet a slow burn for sure, you have banter, tension and man can you feel it to your core. I just have nothing but the best things to say about this book honestly. Just pick this up and thank me later because this is going to be such a great series.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Banter, Tension, Multiple POV, Magic, Politics, Strong FMC, Romantasy Series, Slow Burn

Large thank you to our Author, NetGalley as well as SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books | Bloom Books

Thank you so so much to Netgalley, Bloom Books and Tantor Audio for allowing me to read the ARC and listen to the ALC of Terror at the Gates.

I think this book soothed something in me I didn't realize was so angry and at the same time fueled that rage.

Lilith has moved out of her family home and is living in the sinful while under the protection of Ninevah's leader, Zahariev. Using her magic, she's able to easily steal trinkets to pawn off and make her ends meet without asking for help, until she steals a dagger that leaves a trail of bodies for just touching or being in its presence and unearths hidden history and motives.

I absolutely loved Lilith's character. She just wants to be free to live true to her self, to love who she wants, to not hold back, and I feel for her so much. That rage just circles and circles looking for an outlet. I did not know this was a retelling in anyway if it was, but having religion in my childhood, there was a lot of familiar pieces and it was so easy to just love Lilith and relate with her mindset. That slow burn, SLOW... BURNED... but it was so delicious with little chapter endings form Zahariev's POV or part and just seeing both sides made the angst and yearning so good. It was modern, and mysterious, and emotional. I just loved it, whole heartedly. I loved it so much I bought myself a physical copy lol, I didn't even want to wait for a special edition.

I did do an immersive read, I was able to listen to the audiobook, and Laura is a vocal artist like no other. She gave Lilith such sass and emotion. Tristan played such a great smooth but stern voice to Zahariev and really helped firmed his character for me even what Laura was doing his characters' parts. No notes, it was wonderful! It is a dual audiobook, so to recap the narrators will voice both their character and others but I found both narrators to be fantastic in their skills, it didn't distract from the story at all and would absolutely recommend it if it interests you.

I can't wait for the next book. The last 15% had me on the edge of my seat and the ending was just totally a shock! I didn't see most of it coming, I had no idea going in to it what to expect, and I really recommend it, going in with just a blank slate, minor assumptions. It's a fun wild ride, and I can't wait to go back!!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes
• Political/Religious Intrigue
• Slow Burn
• Prophecies/fates
• Chosen One

Scarlett St. Clair knocked this book out of the park. It's gritty, it's dark, it gives Lilith a voice, and is a scathing take on the harm and hypocrisy of organized religion, especially in their treatment of women. Once I started reading, I didn't put this one down. I would definitely recommend this book and can't wait for book 2!

As soon as the author started posting promo content for this book, I was feral for it- which is surprising, because I'm not always St. Clair's biggest fan. However, I could tell that this was going to be a darkly funny, unique story in one of my favorite genre settings, urban fantasy. It did not disappoint! When I reached about 70%, I found a local indie bookseller who still had signed copies and ordered one ASAP. It's now sitting beautifully displayed in my home library. I also made sure to tell my library's selections manager that it was my favorite read of the summer, and it's now advertised as a staff pick on our website. Our main characters have great banter and unabashed pining that's top tier. Also, they each have confidence as individuals, which is super fun to read and I think complements them well as a couple. The world-building was also great at keeping my attention. There's just enough familiar elements spun in a new and interesting way that I'm invested in the social/religious/magic systems and even the physical layout of the world (which I usually never care about- I am not one of those readers who gets excited at maps!) I could go on and on about all the positives I found with this book- it is definitely a contender for favorite read of the year.
* [ spoiler alert] My only tiny gripe is that we wait so long for them to get together, and the moment felt so basic! With all that build-up, I was hoping for something a little more mind-blowing. Still, it was a more realistic example of relationship building and later, similar interactions were more dynamic!

4.5 so rounding to 5


I really enjoyed Lilith’s journey to discovery, love, acceptance.

The line at the end “I am a survivor” was so powerful and moving. Lilith learned to survivor and having a found family who love her no matter what. She stood up for herself in a land where women have no rights and came out on top.

Cherub is the best kitty and seeing uncle Z with baby Liam was so adorable. The slow burn however was slowww and so full of tension.

I loved the power of this book and the reminder that we are all strong.