I cannot believe what I just read. Terror at the gates is probably going to be one of my favorite books of 2025. This book was absolutely unique and thrilling. The chemistry was organic and just absolutely breathtaking. Terror at the Gates is absolutely intoxicating fantasy that will absolutely grip you on the first page and not let go. What an explosive first book.

St. Clair has wasted no time immersing us in phenomenal world building, intricate characters, and dangerous politics where you will be surprised by multiple twists throughout the book. Our FMC, Lilith is strong, fierce and just fearlessly herself. Our MMC, Zahariev is protective, morally gray in his own way, and diabolically handsome. It really doesn’t get much better than that.

The slow-burn the tension both in the romantic sense and the story building will have you turning the pages late into the night. Every chapter ramps up the stakes, and by the final pages, I was begging for more. LITERALLY.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

LOVE LOVE LOVE. Scarlett does it again. The way she draws you in builds everything up tear you down and pick you right back up in her books has always been my favorite. If you loved the Hades&Persephone series ir even Adrian&Isolde's story you will love this.

Terror at the Gates by Scarlett St. Clair

Yes, I am definitely loving this new series!

The plot - I was immediately sucked in
The MMC - is doing all the right protective obsessive things, while being super tall and hot
The FMC - Is a tad crazy and I love her for it

Lilith keeps doing things to put herself in danger and Zahariev is over here shaking his head like here we go again. Heaven help anyone who looks at her wrong because she is his soft spot.

The first 80% the book feels plot forward and then you get thrown spice after spice at the end. Followed by a tad more plot to give you a nice cliffhanger. Check your triggers there’s a specific moment in here that may trigger some emotionally (not a spicy trigger) Can’t wait to continue the series when book 2 comes out. Book 1 arrives July 8th! Thank you to @netgalley for the ARC.

If you loved Crescent City or City of Gods and Monsters then I think this will be your vibes

Urban Fantasy
Powerful FMC
Swoonworthy morally grey MMC
Spice
Literally what more could you want or need from a book??

I've been reading Scarlett for years now and can honestly say this is her best work yet. You can't help but want to be these characters and frankly in today's world, Lilith's anger feels a bit too relatable. What I loved about the story was not just the character development or world building, but that you have all that great stuff with Scarlett's touch of Myth and research. Seeing the influences being pulled from a lot of places was so fun and her intentionality of how it impacts characters and plot is just divine. Already itching for the next book!

Thanks to Netgally, Scarlett, Bloom and Sourcebooks for this eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

ARC read in exchange for an honest review

Should start off by saying that I didn't realise until I got to the end of the book and reading the authors note that this was a retelling. I have not heard of the character of Lilith before in history, that's on me.

Now to the book. An urban fantasy setting where society is heavily influenced by a patriarchal religion. fmc Lilith is a rebel and non conforming and wants an end to the higher powers that have caused a lot of problems in her life

I didn't really get this book, it really felt like something was missing. the pacing was very slow with a lot of info dumping at the start and then lots of repetition throughout. woven through the story line was a romance that was disguised as a slow burn but really went from 0-100 with then a couple of chapters of smut and not much else.

this was described as being a feminist read but I didn't really get that. I felt like I needed more detail about the fmcs struggles being a female aside from just letting the reader know she had been SA'd in the past (check trigger warnings). I think some things just needed fleshing out a bit more.

I enjoyed the relationships between the main characters and the side characters, and of course, Cherub the cat.

it's a shame because I was enjoying the setting and the world, which kept the book going for me but ultimately I'm not chomping at the bit for the second book and if someone asked me if I would recommend this, I'd have to say no.

I cannot wait for the next in this series. Sensual, TONS of chemistry, and a little spice...along with a good dose of history and angst. St. Clair is the BEST at bringing the past to the present.

Really interesting book. I like that the setting/names/etc are all rooted in biblical names. The corruption of a religious group is also prevalent, and fitting. LOVE the MMC (whew!). Additionally, this story has a dark mafia vibe that is definitely working for it. I will be reading more in this series for sure

⭐️: 4/5
🌶️: 3.5/5
Genre: Romantasy

Scarlett St. Clair has done it again! Another absolutely enthralling romantasy world that I hate to have to leave while waiting for the next book!

And let’s talk about Zahariev, because wow he’s a new Top 10 MMC for me! All of his silent pining and protection is just so swoon worthy!

I just loved this world. There were moments at the beginning where the forced religiousness/Lilith’s rebelliousness were kind of annoying, but it completely makes sense in the world. The sexism and religious power is appalling

I simultaneously love and hate the blobs 😂 are they blobs? Demons? Aliens? I need more info

I know this book isn’t even out yet, but I’m already so excited for the next book in the series!

Thank you Sourcebooks for the advance review copy of this book.
I really enjoyed this!
The plotline is really unique for the genre lately, and as someone who has some familiarity with religion/religious history I found everything to be really intriguing. There was always something happening to keep the story moving along which was nice, because often times in a romantasy, there seem to be lulls between big scenes. The one thing I did struggle with was the world building got a little bit confusing for a while, but I felt like the ending did kind of bring things together to make more sense.
I really liked Lilith's personality and the magic she possessed, and how Zahariev was always there to take care of her, even though she was very stubborn/obtuse and didn't realize his feelings for her.
This book was definitely more of a slow burn which I feel like has not been the way most recent romantasy books are being written, and I was really happy with that. I loved the tension and build up in the romance, and how it gave the rest of the story and plot a chance to stand out.

Thank you Scarlett for writing this masterpiece. Straight off the bat this is giving an F you to those that think women should be in “traditional” roles. So yes from the beginning I knew I was going to absolutely love this. This book does not keep you waiting. It is immediately addicting. I did not want to put it down. The MMC is a tattooed chain smoker who is sexy! And the FMC is a strong independent woman. It has a type of murder mystery which I always love. I cried, laughed, and awwed through out this book! This may be Scarlett’s best book and I’ve rated all her books five stars. She is my absolute favorite. This gives Crescent City vibes but darker and with a church in power that is corrupt. I need to know what happens next!!!!

“Forgiveness is an invitation to sin…I’d rather be a sinner than a hypocrite”

4.25 stars! This book has everything: religious trauma, demon blobs, a cat carried in a sling, maybe a war over a woman, revenge, love, and a mysterious blade that continues to reappear…and that’s just the half of it!!

Lilith Leviathan and Zahariev Zareth, two wonderfully alliteratively named characters and top tier literary leads, come from the leaders’ of Eden’s bloodlines, but both refuse to play into the games of foolish, selfish men. When people they love start getting targeted and the city seems to be falling apart, it’s a race against time for them to stop the end of the world…and end the evil archbishop running the town.

I absolutely was so so so bought in right from the start. As someone who attended 13 years of Catholic school, the religious indoctrination is REAL and once you start asking questions, you can’t go back to the blind faith that raised you. Lilith knows that all too well, and lucky for her she was able to get out (much harder in her world than just stopping going to church). Her fierce defiance, love for her chosen family, and desire to seek the truth make her a compelling lady to follow. The world she lives in, another stellar world from Scarlett St. Clair’s mind, with the historical and religious ties across faiths was understandable and fascinating!! I am so in on this story and desperately will be waiting for more!!!

Thanks so much to Scarlett St. Clair, Bloom, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Terror at the Gates
Blood of Lilith Book #1
by Scarlett St. Clair

***Every. Single. Star. Ever.***

Please. I have NEVER had a MMC ruin me the way that Zahariev has ruined me. I am absolutely IN-FREAKING-LOVE. It doesn't stop there though, Lilith is PERFECT. I love her so much.

Lilith has had enough. Her mother is HORRIBLE. She loves her father but his willful ignorance is just too much. She's decided she's out and moves into another district under the "care" of Zahariev. A man who is 8 years older and she has had a crush on since she can remember. He doesn't look at her like that though, and she would know because when her magic manifested at 18 it was sex magic. She can now use people's lust to control them.

Zahariev will do anything for Lilith, if she would only ask. Her father asked him to keep an eye on her and so he does but the feelings he has for her are forbidden. As leaders of districts they cannot match. He is supposed to marry a woman for her power and Lilith's father is to choose a man to marry her and control her power and district.

Forbidden love, an EFF YOU to the patriarchy, and some pretty typical sketchy "church" stuff.

THAT ENDING! OMG I am going to think about it until I can read more. I'm honestly not sure why I continue to let Scarlett do this to me. She left me with Hades in a cave for like 37 years and I still forgave her. This is probably classified as an abusive relationship at this point. I'm not leaving her though.

Where to start with this book. It was everything and so so addictive. I read a lot of fantasy takes on mythology and religion and this book felt so so fresh.

Lilith is such an enticing character. Her backstory, and really even her present, is so tragic. Her family is making her choices for her. She is warring with wanting her family’s love and approval but also not giving a fu¢k. She is edgy and raw and cool, all while also being sweet and broken and kind. She is the kind of character I go back and forth between wanting to hug and wanting to slap.

Zahariev is just pure sin as a person. He tries so hard to portray himself as scary and menacing and dark but he feels like the perfect puppy of a guy (if that puppy was a Rottweiler, but also still wanting affection). He is so soft for Lilith and everyone can tell except for him (and Lilith). I mean he’s protecting her “becuase her father asked him to.” Yeah, my guy, you aren’t lying to anyone. And every time she gets hurt? Ughh MELTING. I love a good taking care of her moment, but he just made me melt.

This story was dark and gritty and action packed from page one. The magic system feels so unique yet I had no trouble figuring out what was happening. The story balanced dark and light so well and I was engrossed from the very first page. This book feels perfect for fans of Crescent City, and other high fantasy/ urban fantasy crossovers. Make sure you have tons of time when you sit down with this book because you won’t want to put it down.

I fear I will be thinking about this book for the foreseeable future because it completely blew me away. Scarlett has created a true work of art with how undeniably hot and intriguing this book is. The tension and banter between our two main characters makes for a slow burn with a perfect payoff. The ways the themes of corruption in politics and religion are woven in with the fantasy aspect of this book were masterful. I am in awe of the complexity of this world and I cannot wait to see where this series will lead readers.
The romance in this book was undeniable such a tender dynamic between Zarahiev, who is the calm, and Lilith, who is the chaos. All of their moments were filled with this yearning for each other and it was so intensely magnetic. I will be recommending this book to everyone who will listen!

I ate this up. Dark, messy, mysterious — exactly the kind of romantasy I love sinking my teeth into. The world-building is super rich (even if the pacing was slow at times) and the religious lore + feminist rage vibes? Immaculate. Lilith is chaotic, stubborn, and the definition of “I will be so annoying until I get what I deserve” and I love her for that. And Zahariev??? Don’t even get me started. Tall, tattooed, morally grey, says exactly what needs to be said and then shuts up. A king. The tension between them??? Criminal. That said, the romance is a slow burn, the plot is very setup-heavy, and yeah… the ending left me staring at the wall like “you’re joking.” Not perfect — there are definitely things that didn’t fully click for me — but I had so much fun and I need book two immediately.

FANTASTIC! Rich world building, compelling characters, and fantastic pacing!

Thanks so much for this ARC! This is my first read by this author and I went in fairly blind! I saw the cover and some art and really felt drawn to this book! The world we step into is modern but with deep religious roots and families holding the power on the world. Women are second rate citizens used mostly for their magic and breeding. As many of us understand our FMC was not interested in following that path set out for her. The dark fantasy plot took a front seat for most of the book but the romance was simmering the entire time! Our MMC is a fantastic balance to the current world and a character that makes you want to know more. Our FMC is the opposite and seems to be an open book to everyone and doesn’t hide her emotions or opinions well. Makes for delicious combination! I cannot wait for the next book in this series!

y’all this series is gonna be AMAZING. i am a huge stan of Scarlett’s and this book has left me speechless, in the best way possible!

since this is the first on the series there is a lot of world building but along with that Lilith and Zahariev’s story is told. lilith is such a badass and i love her so much. she is woman hear her roar! and zahariev, he is THE man. the morally grey mmc who we all love.

i can’t wait for the rest of this series!

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 a wonderful first installment of St Clair’s new fantasy series. A captivating mafia-style fantasy filled with feminine rage and religious themes to retell the story of Lilith. This story follows Lilith Leviathan, a rebellious daughter of a powerful family, as she stumbles upon an artifact that kills her usual buyer upon inspection. Teamed up with Zahariev, the head of the Zareth family who has a soft spot for Lilith, she must discover the truth about this artifact and the true powers of their world.

This story was truly intriguing from page one. I always love a female empowerment/feminine rage story so this was perfect for me. The world that St Clair builds is very interesting and captured my attention very quickly. I found myself in love with the characters and the family Lilith found. Overall, the mystery in this story kept me on the edge of my seat and I was truly not sure what was going to happen next, which was a pleasant surprise for me.

Zahariev was everything. I love a man who would do anything for his woman. He was just exactly what she needed every time. I actually liked the choice where he didn’t have full chapters but we still got bits of his perspective. We got to hear what he was thinking but I think it made sure Lilith had the spotlight, which felt right for this book. <spoiler> The tension for the majority of the book lead to a really nice payoff at the end when we finally got to see them together. <spoiler>

I think the religion based feminine rage aspect really spoke to me in this book. The religious elements were weaved so well into the story. <spoiler> I hated the priest in the best of ways. A perfect depiction of both the patriarchy and power and how those connect to religion. I also appreciated that the mother was portrayed as feeding into the patriarchy for bonus morality points as that happens too often in the real world. Even if it was truly for her own reasons revealed by the end. <spoiler>

I can’t wait to see the rest of the story of Lilith! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC of this book! 4.5/5 rounded up to five 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 audio and 10/10 recommend the narrators did a fabulous job with this one!