unfortunately this book was a massive miss for me. im still not even sure what the author wanted to accomplish with this book. there was next to no world building which made it confusing to understand if we were in the desert, where this dangerous part of the city is compared to others and why the city was so dangerous to begin with. i couldnt figure out the dynamic with her parents. everything was very “he said she said” the entire time which did nothing in helping me stay interested in them.

overall it felt like there was a lot going on yet nothing happening at the same exact time. reading is obviously subjective but i feel like i must have read a completely different story than other readers 😅

Men written by Scarlett St. Clair.

That's it. That's the review.

...just kidding, I'm more long winded than that. But honestly? That's really all you need.

Being said, Lilith is also MY GIRL. Pretty sure we have the same mother, if I'm being honest. If you grew up in a super religious house and ran away the first chance you get--you're going to feel seen. And angry. And will absolutely be cheering Lilith on in her revenge arc. This is the story her namesake deserves, and this is the agency she was denied all throughout history. I love her and I REALLY hope Scarlett lets her catch a break in the next one because LORD knows she deserves one!!!

And Zahariev?? His chapters are literally only a paragraph or two at the most, but YOUR HONOR I LOVE HIM. I will take my own personal mafia boss who puts up with my brat behavior and will follow me into the Devil's Den, thank YOU! Truly a master class, and I will fight ALL of you to make him my book husband. I would leave my actual husband for him, if I'm being honest.

I both read this AND listened to the audiobook (because I am simply obsessed), and I really enjoyed both formats! Laura is always a great narrator, and I think she did justice for our girl Lilith. As usual with her books, I do find the narration a bit slow compared to "normal" listening speeds--I generally listen to books on 2x, and even at 2x this one felt slowish to me. I probably would have done it at 2.25 or 2.5 if that had been an option with the ALC copy I listened to.

Overall this is a great time, and I LOVE The way this ended and set up the next book. We support women's rights, but most importantly, we support women's wrongs.

This was my first Scarlett St. Clair book — and what an introduction! It was both intriguing and entertaining from the start. I absolutely adored Zahariev — he was the perfect mix of soft and sweet beneath a lethal, hard-edged persona. He was so giving “daddy” energy with his calm, unwavering support of Lilith. 💕🔥

I also really connected with our side characters — Ester, Coco, and Gabriel — who brought so much heart and grounding to the story. They each added depth and balance to Lilith’s world, and I loved the way their relationships helped round her out as a character.

As a first book in a series, this was a solid setup. It gave us enough background, kept the pacing steady, and teased out just enough mystery and plot development to keep me ready for the next installment. And while it did end on a cliffhanger, it wasn’t a chaotic or overly emotional one — it felt balanced and intentional, which I appreciated.

I’m definitely intrigued and looking forward to what’s next! It’s absolutely worth a pick up!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio, and Scarlett St. Clair for this ALC.

I'm rating this audiobook one star higher than the ebook, and that is purely due to the narrator.
While the story fell flat, being more of the same you are used from the author without much depth and not much plot "interrupting" the spice, Laura Horowitz is an absolute gem as a narrator. Her voice brings emotion, sexiness and does even great male impressions.
This extra star is for her!

Stop it! Scarlett, could I have loved this book anymore? This is infinity stars ⭐️

I was lucky enough to listen to the audiobook narrated by the brilliant Laura Horowitz giving the most spectacular voice to Lilith and with Tristan Warden as Zahariev.

Seriously I could NOT stop listening to this audiobook!! The plot is so interesting and captivating and listening to Laura and Tristan being alive the forbidden love and banter and sizzling slow burn between Lily and Z was literally the best thing I’ve done all year 😍 I cannot recommend this book more but especially this audio version.

Scarlett, you are absolutely brilliant! The way you wrote Lily and Z whilst building their world and intermingling hunting demon blobs and solving mysteries and the juxtaposition of the Church and the secret Order was perfection! I cannot stop thinking about this book. This has got to be your best work yet and you deserve so much hype because this book hit home runs.

I don’t think you could find a man better than Z. The things that man says when he finally let go ❤️‍🔥🥵 His name for Lily was so hot!

Also I adored Cherub, Lily and Coco’s cat familiar.

I am desperate for book 2 because that cliff was something else 😲

Listen to the audiobook of Terror at the Gates if you enjoy:
🖤 Frenemies to lovers
💫 Urban fantasy
🖤 Sloooow burn with toe curling sexual tension
💫 Mafia
🖤 Neo-Noir vibes
💫 Animal sidekick
🖤 He falls first and *it’s obvious*
💫 Pet name

Thanks to Scarlett and NetGalley for an ALC. I am so grateful and this is my honest review.

This is a book oh my lord everyone must have on their TBR's i was addicted off the first chapter it was so unique and refreshing.
Terror at The Gates was a book i finished in one sitting i couldn't put it down.

Lilith oh how i love her. she is such an empowering character and very inspiring i don't see many FMC's like Lilith which is very refreshing. i loved how sassy and sarcastic she was. i loved her from the start to the end.

Zahariev this man oh my load! he has made his way into my top 5 book boyfriends i loved how we got little snippets into his brain at the end of each chapter.

overall i loved Terror at The gates this book had me on my toes and i am left mind Blown with the ending. i can not wait till the second book!!!

Seriously my jaw is on the FLOOR, I can't believe this was written and that my eyeballs read it.
amazing world building, story telling, and characters!
The way the VAs both brought this to life was amazing, I can't wait for more!

3⭐ (bookstagram post link later)

Thank you to Tantor Audio for a free copy of this ALC.

This book was everything you'd expect from Scarlett St. Clair; ultra-spicy sex scenes, crazy world-building, and a(n) (older) hot AF MMC. This was one hell of a gothic romance, and the sexual tension between the two characters was great. Even though Lillith frequently flirted with Zahariev, this was more of a slow burn for me and it was a constant "will they, won't they" scenario between the two.

As an audiobook, the narrator was very enthusiastic during the spicy scenes; she had me clutching my metaphorical pearls at the grocery store. She added a lot of emotion in her voice, I was even scared during the suspenseful scenes, like I was there too. I enjoyed Zahariev's parts at the end of each chapter because they give us a glimpse of his perspective during the scene. I do wish that he voiced his scenes during the dialogues, it seemed like a missed opportunity to add more dimension to the book, especially since the male narrator was available already.

So.. while I enjoyed this book, I think trigger warnings need to be included in the beginning. It took me aback when she described that one scene 33% of the way in (albeit, it was a short scene), but I think it would still be appropriate if that was included. Also, I think it took a while for the world-building to pick up, and the pacing was off for me. I was ~30ish% of the way through the ALC and I couldn't really visualize the plot or the world they were in. After 50% however, I was IMMEDIATELY hooked. That ending was wild and I quite literally have no idea where the story will go from here!

⭐️♾️Holy shit this book is everything. Zahariev is absolute perfection. 🥵 I NEED MORE. Lilth is badass and rebellious and I love every minute spent with her. The banter between these two was 🤌🏻💋 Scarlette always writes the perfect side characters I loved them just as much as the mc. I cried, I laughed and oh my did I swoon. I cannot wait to be back in this world especially with that ending👀 I dual read this with the earc and 10/10 recommend the narrators did a fabulous job with this one!

Laura and Tristen knocked this audiobook out of the park! It was sooo fun good. Laura’s voice just pulls you in and captivates you! Tristen was great as well!

Adding my review for the book down below but so grateful I also received the audiobook! It was absolutely amazing!

Scarlett had me at “Hey guys, I’m writing a new book.”
Then she had to go and add feminist rage, a Lilith retelling, mafia elements and make it fantasy? I don’t know how she does it, but it’s like she reached into my brain and crafted exactly what I needed. This book fed my mind, my heart, and honestly, my soul.

As someone who’s still religious but grew up with some pretty intense religious trauma, this story hit on so many levels. That tension between wanting to believe in something bigger—but not trusting those in power to hold it sacred—was portrayed so well. The way Lily’s pain and rage were handled? Gut-wrenching. Her life, so controlled by men, felt devastatingly real. It made me want to cry angry tears—and honestly, I still might.

But beyond that, the world-building was next level. I’ve never read anything like it. The magic system was unique and layered, and there was this subtle brilliance in the naming—if you grew up super religious, a lot of things might ring familiar in a way that feels eerie and intentional.

Now… Z. Daddy Z.
Scarlett somehow keeps outdoing herself with her male leads, and Zahariev? He’s the blueprint. He’ll kill for her, protect her silently, expect nothing in return—and all he really wants is her. (Okay, he wants her badly, but that’s a whole other glorious topic.)

Scarlett didn’t earn the title Queen of Smut for nothing—and if I could crown her again, I would in a heartbeat. What I love most is how much emotion she pours into her steamy scenes. It’s never just spice for spice’s sake—it’s intimate, meaningful, and adds so much depth to the story and the characters.

I could honestly go on forever, but if you made it to the bottom of this review, forehead kisses for you 💋
Please preorder this book immediately—you need it on your shelf.

Admittedly, I have not had a great track record with SSC books but this sounded like a good premise and I wanted to give it a go.

I had a great time with this audiobook. I liked Lilith, she was not completely annoying but def was the main character. I really loved the MMC and the side characters have a lot of potential. And the spice was great. All and all I'm excited to see where this series goes.

Thank you to SSC, Tantor Audio and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this title. I attest that I am leaving my review voluntarily and honestly

5⭐3🌶️

I really didn’t expected to become obssesed with this book.The world building was good and magic system was unique. It was witchy, dark fantasy with little bit of feminine rage. The romance was even hotter.

I loved lilith. She's strong and a badass. But is kinda bratty too which is undebatable after she had gibe through. Her character development was so good. I love her "don't give a shit energy "

Zahariev 🥵🥵🥵 🔥🔥
It should be illegal how hot that man is. He can do no wrong. He is morally gray. He kills people who hurts her. There are age gape between them but I liked it. Even though it was a slow burn but the tension between them was so thick and hot.

Plot wise, it was a good too but it felt like little biiit predictable. But last few chapters went in a direction that i could never expected. It was perfect . the audiobook narrators were perfection. it's laura horowitz and tristan warden. I love the way they bring each characters into life.


"Huge thank you Netgallary and RBmedia for the audiobook arc."

OMG okay, listen — I just finished the audiobook of this absolute insane book and I’m not okay. I lived in this story. Breathed it. Cried through it. Wanted to fight god (or a few archangels) by the end. The narration was perfection, like it brought every scene and emotion to life, and don’t even get me started on the tension. UGH. The tensionnnnn.

Let’s talk about Lilith first, because wow. This woman is female rage incarnate and I was eating it up like it was a five-course meal. She’s fiery, she’s real, and she’s so relatable in that “don’t you dare tell me what to do unless you’re tall, broody, and named Zahariev” kinda way And Zahariev? Whew. That man had me weak. I swear, he had no business being that emotionally constipated and that sexy at the same time. And the fact that he falls first? I’m feral. Literally screaming into my pillow.

Their banter? Top-tier. The sarcasm? Sharp. The slow burn? TORTURE in the best possible way. It’s one of those stories where you're gripping the edge of your seat yelling “just kiss already” while also praying for one more scene of delicious tension. The spice comes later, but baby, it builds and it is so worth the wait. 👏🏼

Now, here’s where it hits deep: this book dives into some heavy stuff. Religion, politics, religious trauma — and it's done with so much care and thought. It never felt like it was there for shock value; it felt intentional. And honestly, some of it broke me. I was not emotionally prepared and I absolutely cried. Multiple times. Scarlett St. Clair, you owe me tissues and therapy.

But through all the pain and plot twists and chaos, this story felt like a love letter — to women, to mothers, to everyone who’s been silenced, controlled, underestimated. It’s powerful, and it doesn’t shy away from the messy, complicated truths of being a woman in a world that wants to tame you.

OMG okay, listen — I just finished the audiobook of this absolute insane book and I’m not okay. I lived in this story. Breathed it. Cried through it. Wanted to fight god (or a few archangels) by the end. The narration was perfection, like it brought every scene and emotion to life, and don’t even get me started on the tension. UGH. The tensionnnnn.

Let’s talk about Lilith first, because wow. This woman is female rage incarnate and I was eating it up like it was a five-course meal. She’s fiery, she’s real, and she’s so relatable in that “don’t you dare tell me what to do unless you’re tall, broody, and named Zahariev” kinda way And Zahariev? Whew. That man had me weak. I swear, he had no business being that emotionally constipated and that sexy at the same time. And the fact that he falls first? I’m feral. Literally screaming into my pillow.

Their banter? Top-tier. The sarcasm? Sharp. The slow burn? TORTURE in the best possible way. It’s one of those stories where you're gripping the edge of your seat yelling “just kiss already” while also praying for one more scene of delicious tension. The spice comes later, but baby, it builds and it is so worth the wait. 👏🏼

Now, here’s where it hits deep: this book dives into some heavy stuff. Religion, politics, religious trauma — and it's done with so much care and thought. It never felt like it was there for shock value; it felt intentional. And honestly, some of it broke me. I was not emotionally prepared and I absolutely cried. Multiple times. Scarlett St. Clair, you owe me tissues and therapy.

But through all the pain and plot twists and chaos, this story felt like a love letter — to women, to mothers, to everyone who’s been silenced, controlled, underestimated. It’s powerful, and it doesn’t shy away from the messy, complicated truths of being a woman in a world that wants to tame you.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this audiobook

Wow. I am stunned by how much I enjoyed this book.
I read a Touch of Darkness when it first came out, and I remember it being a fun, easy read. But this book was leagues above that series. Truly incredible to see how much St. Clair has evolved as an author. I was so hooked. Excellent narration.

Terror At The Gates is a haunting dance of shadows and whispers, where an ancient, enduring power weaves its silent hunger through the fabric of time, stealing away everything she holds dear with a quiet, unyielding grace. ✨🌙

Lilith Leviathan moves through the world like a delicate storm—both the dawn and the dusk, embodying chaos and serenity in perfect harmony. Her story is a siren’s call, a melody of fierce resilience wrapped in vulnerability, echoing the depths of love and loss.

In the sultry, forbidden district of Nineveh—where sin and secrets mingle like lovers—Lilith seeks refuge, her magic a shimmering thread in the tapestry of darkness. When a blade of rare beauty appears in her hands, she dares to hope, to imagine a future beyond shadows. But that hope is fragile, like glass, shattering quietly when death claims her usual buyer, leaving her trembling in the silence of uncertainty.

Enter Zahariev—mysterious, commanding, a man whose words are secrets and whose touch hints at danger and desire intertwined. His power is forged in shadows, yet beneath it lies a tender heart that recognizes her pain.

Their worlds collide like storm and stillness, igniting a spark that threatens to burn away the veils of lies and silence. Their bond is delicate—a flickering flame amidst chaos—but one that dares to challenge the very foundations of faith, authority, and destiny.

Together, they chase elusive truths and hidden powers, their devotion a fragile yet formidable force, daring to confront the darkness that looms at every turn. Their love is a rebellion—an act of defiance against the silence imposed by church and crown, a song of hope amidst despair. Terror At The Gates is a poetic odyssey into the wild, dangerous depths of the soul, where every heartbeat sings with the thrill of the forbidden, and every breath is a prayer to the darkness and light that dwell within us all.

A story that beckons like a shadowed muse, whispering promises of power, passion, and the courage to face the chaos within and without. It’s a tale that lingers long after the final page, a delicate, roaring symphony of love and rebellion in the face of eternal night. 🌹✨

Terror at the Gates is the first book in a new series by Scarlett St. Clair, set in an urban world that feels familiar but has some key differences the author reveals throughout the story. There are a lot of religious references, and it’s clear St. Clair is pushing back against certain ideologies and showing how they can sometimes do more harm than good.

The main character is the daughter of one of the powerful families (kind of a mafia vibe, but not exactly) and she’s living in the territory of a rival family. One of the main rules in their world is that families aren’t supposed to mix, but of course, that’s not going to stick when it comes to her and the male lead.

This book really focuses on building the world and introducing the politics and characters. There’s tension and angst between the two leads from the start, and when things finally heat up near the end, they go all in.

The plot was really intriguing, and the twists at the end definitely hooked me. I’m excited to see what happens next.

Terror at the Gates is the first book in a new series by Scarlett St. Clair, set in an urban world that feels familiar but has some key differences the author reveals throughout the story. There are a lot of religious references, and it’s clear St. Clair is pushing back against certain ideologies and showing how they can sometimes do more harm than good.

The main character is the daughter of one of the powerful families (kind of a mafia vibe, but not exactly) and she’s living in the territory of a rival family. One of the main rules in their world is that families aren’t supposed to mix, but of course, that’s not going to stick when it comes to her and the male lead.

This book really focuses on building the world and introducing the politics and characters. There’s tension and angst between the two leads from the start, and when things finally heat up near the end, they go all in.

The plot was really intriguing, and the twists at the end definitely hooked me. I’m excited to see what happens next.

I devoured this book in two sittings and I’m still swimming in mythology, intrigue, and dark romance! Lilith Leviathan is the fiercest heroine I’ve met this year—banished from her family and scraping by as a cunning thief in the sin-drenched district of Nineveh. But when she swipes a mysterious blade, her life explodes. Enter Zahariev, the brooding ruler of Nineveh, a man with secrets deeper than the city’s underbelly. Their connection sparks instantly—equal parts friction and magnetism.

What I adored:
- Feminist reimagining of Lilith—a woman reclaiming her power in a world designed to silence her, expertly woven into a gripping fantasy plot
- Dark, immersive world-building—from mafia-esque family politics to oppressive religious institutions, with layered shades of gray at every turn.
- Slow-burn but scorching chemistry—Zahariev is protective without being cliche, and Lilith matches him blow for blow.
- Thoughtful handling of trauma & rage—this isn’t just sexy fantasy; it’s a story about healing, power, and surviving the fallout of a system built to break women <3

Sure, the ending leaves a lot of doors open—but that’s perfect. I’m beyond excited for book two.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was excellent—a powerful, unflinching look at the sexism, hypocrisy, and blind faith that can so often be entwined with organized religion. Lilith is a fierce, complicated, and ultimately endearing protagonist, scarred by the rigid belief system she was raised in and now fighting to build a life on her own terms. And Zahariev? PEAK book boyfriend material. He’s so hopelessly down bad, it’s almost criminal—and I promise you’ll be just as obsessed with him as I am.
Highly recommend to most readers, though it may be a tough or uncomfortable read for those with deeply traditional religious views.