Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - June 27, 2025
Publication Date - July 8, 2025

*I received a finished copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @authorscarlettstclair, @coloredpagesbt, @read_bloom and @netgalley!

I love Scarlett St. Clair’s other series and jumped at the chance to read the start of her new series! You guys, there’s a pronunciation guide at the beginning and it was so helpful! It gets stressful trying to get into a new fantasy world and not knowing how to say all the new names or words in my head so I really appreciated having the guide to refer back to. In this book, we've got magic, we've got angst, we've got slow burn romance, we've got murder mystery... I really don't know how she does it but she does it so well. I will always love a mixed genre book because the added layers and complexity keeps me interested instead of feeling like I’m reading the same books over and over. Now let me tell you, I lived for Zahariev's POV and I was always left wanting more, which made me so excited to get to the end of the next chapter. He is so down bad for Lilith and I am so here for it! How much I loved Zahariev’s character made up for getting annoyed by Lilith at times throughout the book. I also appreciate the messages throughout the story and this book is action packed, so I was never bored. Also, I recommend reading the author’s note at the end, I love all the research, explanations and insight that the author shares (you can tell the reviewers who skipped it!). If you like romantasy books with touch her and d!e vibes and lots of action, you should try Terror at the Gates!

Get excited to read Terror at the Gates, available now! 🎉

*Please check trigger warnings*

*Review will be posted on Bookstagram July 26 for my Colored Pages Review Tour Stop*

This is Scarlett St. Clair’s best novel, hands down. It is gripping, it is tense in both plot and the romance between the two main characters, and the nuance of religion and politics is delicious. The supernatural elements are so intriguing and we get just enough to satisfy our appetites for this book while also starving us in preparation for the next book. This book is exquisite.

Thank you, netgalley and Bloom Books for the arc <3

I've had this on my kindle since June and I just got around to reading and omg I wish I had read it sooner. I read it all in one sitting and I was constantly giggling, kicking and screaming and aweing. I loved the characters of this book, I hated to have left them. A wise girl once said (me) that is Scarlett St.Clair write it then I shall read it. Im so excited to read the next book, and this time I definitely will be reading it the second it hits my Kindle.

This one got under my skin in the best way. From the very first chapter, Scarlett builds this dark, eerie atmosphere that just pulls you in and doesn’t let go. The tension is constant, the reveals keep you on your toes, and the characters feel so real, messy, and flawed.

It’s creepy, emotional, and full of twists I didn’t see coming. If you love books that make you feel a little haunted (in the best way) and keep you thinking long after you finish, this is 100% worth the read.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the ARC!

Terror at the Gates by Scarlett St. Clair is the first book in the Blood of Lilith series and I have to say I really enjoyed this book. This one really lays the groundwork for what I am expecting to be a page-turning series.

Lilith Leviathan comes from a powerful family but she truly doesn't want anything to do with them. At least not in the way they want her to be involved. So she has been estranged from them and living in Nineveh which is under the control of the Zareth family, specifically Zahariev, Nineveh is a district devoted to sin and while Lilith wants to work/dance, Zahariev refuses to let her get a job so instead she has to steal for a living. When Lilith happens to steal a blade from someone and then her usual buyer happens to die while inspecting it, she turns to Zahariev to help her fix the problem.

As the ruler of Nineveh, Zahariev uses information as currency but when this dagger shows up in his district, he isn't sure what it means for Lilith and whether he will be able to protect her from what will come. He is determined to do whatever he can though so together they work to figure out what this dagger truly means.

At the same time, Lilith is facing off with her parents and the church. Her mother and father want her to marry and have identified an heir but when a tragedy happens the bigger question becomes who is behind it and what does it mean for the future of the district and for Lilith. And the romance and tension between Lilith and Zahariev was perfectly done.

I can't say anything more because I don't want to ruin anything for anyone but if you're looking for a Fantasy Romance to pick up, consider this one. I truly enjoyed it and I think you will too. I can't wait to get the next one in my hands.

Terror at the Gates is a story about power, freedom, and love. It takes these themes of religious trauma, sexism, and obedience and brings forth a fantasy with blazing fury. With sizzling chemistry and a fantastic main character, you will fall deep into this world. I adored how headstrong she is, but also how deeply caring she is. The internal narration is incredibly strong and she stands apart on the page. Interlude snippets from Zahariev's perpsective are also fascinating reprieves which only deepens their relationship for the readers.

I am sorry, but I can’t get through this book. I am half way through and I just can’t. This book just seems that nothing happens. There maybe a pop up event, but I was not impressed by this novel. I wanted to live it soo much bc I love Scarlet St. Clair’s books, but this one just left me in shambles.

I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Terror At The Gates by Scarlett St. Clair is an urban fantasy romance that masterfully blends mystery, religious commentary, and heartbreak.... plus, that ending *gasp*! From start to finish, I was hooked; there was never a moment when I wanted to skip ahead or skim through dialogue. You already know I'm completely obsessed with anything Scarlett creates, and this one did not disappoint. It’s fast-paced, gripping, and absolutely unputdownable. Don’t talk to me until you’ve read it. Thank you!

ARC Review: Terror at the Gates
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

This book was such a strong start to a new romantasy series. Set in a gritty, sin-soaked district with mafia undertones and a touch of magic, it hooked me right away. Lilith is a fierce, flawed heroine who’s done playing by the rules, and Zahariev? Cold, powerful, and clearly gone for her from the start. Their chemistry is all slow burn and sharp edges, and the tension is so worth the wait.

The world-building is solid, though I do wish we’d gotten a bit more on the magic system earlier on. But once the plot picks up, it doesn’t let go—and the spice? Definitely toe-curling. The story blends rebellion, secrets, and power plays in a way that feels both fresh and addictive.

And yep, it ends on a cliffhanger. A big one. Can’t wait to see where this goes next.

Thank you to @read_bloom @authorscarlettstclair and @netgalley for sending me an ARC to review!

Zahariev gives me daddy vibes...and when I say daddy...l mean father, dad...not god of the bedroom, swoon-worthy kind of daddy...probably because a majority of the scenes that we go through are related to Lilith doing something abysmally stupid and Zahariev checking in on her, or cleaning up her messes.
Additionally, while I love the many origin stories of Lilith, this retelling felt a bit immature. Yes, while THIS Lilith is independent, rebellious, headstrong...and driven by vengeance, grief, and the hope of being free / liberated...the execution of all these things she goes through to be and become those things has a juvenile, petulant and spoiled brat energy to them. Being a brat is not synonymous for defiance. did find the world building interesting, and I want to see how SsC bridges the multi-god vs one-god together, and how Lillith fits in to all of this. It's giving "prophecy" and "chosen one" vibes, for sure.

• Urban Fantasy Lilith Retelling
Gods & Prophecies (Religious backdrop)
- Some Spice
Broody, stoic "mob boss"-ish MMC
Immature, chaotic FMC
Incomplete Series
X
MMC & FMC feel recycled from Hades x
Persephone Series

This was an unexpected one for me, I feel like it really crept up on me how much I was enjoying it. I don't usually gravitate to romances that are this dark, but this felt well balanced to me. I enjoyed the magic system within this a lot, and found the world to be very atmospheric. Grunge to the max, but so well described that I felt like I could slip right into it. I will say, the names were very over the top, but they were fun. I liked the romance within, it made sense to me, and I liked Lilith and Zahariev together. This has me interested in reading more from Scarlett St. Clair for sure, and I will definitely continue this series!

Set in the gritty, sin-soaked district of Nineveh in the city of Eden, Terror at the Gates delivers a dark and gripping urban fantasy about power, rebellion, and feminine rage—wrapped in slow-burn romance and a fascinating biblical reimagining.

Lilith Leviathan has been cast out by her powerful family and survives by stealing magical artifacts. When she acquires a mysterious, beautiful dagger, she thinks her luck has finally turned. But everything falls apart when her buyer dies mid-transaction, and the blade’s dark legacy becomes her problem.

With nowhere else to turn, she seeks help from the oh-so-delicious Zahariev, the dangerous, calculating head of the Zareth family—an information broker with a reputation for ruthless control. And he also has a complicated history with Lilith. As the two unravel the truth behind the dangerous blade and grapple with the power structures controlling Eden, their uneasy alliance sparks something far deeper- a bond that could change them forever.

The romance between Lilith and Zahariev simmers beneath every scene, a perfect mix of sharp edge and stolen tenderness. Zahariev is the ultimate “touch her and die” vibe with just the right grit. He’s manipulative and magnetic, but also unflinchingly loyal when it comes to her. Their chemistry sizzles with slow-burning intensity, and every interaction had me straining for them to jump over the edge with each other.

If you love an empowering heroine storyline, nothing quite hits like one steeped in hundred and hundreds of years of feminine age lore. Lilith’s journey is cathartic. She’s not just angry—she’s righteously angry. Her story creatively re-imagines the original Lilith myth and builds her not as a villain or cautionary tale, but as a woman fighting to reclaim her voice, her freedom, and her entire legacy. At times her intensity makes her come across a little blinded, perhaps even emotionally immature, but Scarlett does give her frustrations and anger and resistance substance. There’s teeth and momentum to it, vs. just obstinate paralysis. Her journey as she transforms from outcast to the most epic powerful force is captivating.

While the story started a bit slow at first, overall the story finds its rhythm and is paced pretty well. Good balance of character-building and world building, the right dash of quiet moments and more intense action. The chemistry blossoms at a good pace, and the cliffhanger definitely leaves you gasping, jaw dropped, desperate for what’s next.

The mythological, biblical inspiration here is also really fascinating. Before reading I did a little brushing up on my knowledge of the story of Lilith and Adam- and over the years, that story has morphed into a number of different articulations and representations. Some with victim Lilith, some with seductive villain. Here our heroine is more complex than either. And that’s what made this so fascinating.

This isn’t your typical romantasy — it’s so much more (and trust me, I love romantasy). Think The Handmaid’s Tale meets Crescent City: an urban fantasy with an oppressive religious system that taps deep into feminine rage. In this golden age of romantasy we’re in (and don’t get me wrong, I love it), we’re used to seeing the same tropes and plot points recycled - but this story breaks the mold completely. I was completely hooked from the start. The world-building is rich and immersive without ever feeling confusing or overwhelming. Both our FMC and MMC are instantly likable, with electric banter and tension so sharp it keeps you glued to every page. The yearning, the dirty talk - incredible. Additionally, our supporting characters are wonderfully developed — you can’t help but fall for them instantly, and they genuinely elevate the plot. Overall, this was a phenomenal read, and I’m already counting down the days for the next book in this series.

A land near the Garden of Eden and ruled over by 5 powerful men. The world has magic, but only women have it and the men siphon it from them once they are married. That is all women are prized for - marriage potential.

The main character Lilith who wants to control her own life. She rejects expectations set upon her by the church, in particular after an abuse.

I wanted to like this book but it was a bit confusing with these relationships, like I was supposed to care about them and I just did not. Then the ending is abrupt and odd. Can’t say I will want to read the next one.

Disclaimer: This review is based off of my experience reading an eARC I received from NetGalley and Sourcebooks (though I do now also own my preordered hardcover copy). This did not affect the contents of my review.

TERROR AT THE GATES tells the story of Lilith Leviathan, the only daughter of one of the five ruling families of the city of Eden. However, unlike the other members of her family who are extremely devoted to the Church, Lilith is estranged from her family and lives in Nineveh under Zahariev’s protection, the city closest to sin. When Lilith comes across a magical dagger while trying to pay her rent, the consequences of this dagger send her and Zahariev on a wild goose chase as they attempt to uncover the secrets behind the dagger and the existence of their world. As they fight to resist their growing forbidden attraction for each other, Lilith and Zahariev must come face to face with the thought that all they have been raised to believe is not as it seems.

I have been a fan of Scarlett St. Clair’s for years, and have copies of all of her books. So, when I say I was not the biggest fan of this book, know that it came as a disappointment to me that I did not like it more.

I am writing this review after having just finished it, and I am still not entirely certain what I liked and didn’t like about this book. The middle third of the book up until the last chapter was definitely the strongest part of the book, plot wise. At the beginning I thought the world building could have been stronger, as I was constantly confused about the world of Eden, and certain things that I felt just weren’t explained strongly enough. The middle of the book was definitely the strongest parts and honestly I flew through it, finding it hard to put the book down. However, there were still times that I thought the plot seemed to be lacking something that would have made the story more compelling. The ending I was not a huge fan of because it felt like the plot was building up to some big event and then just stopped right before it got there. I know this is only the first book of the series, but there surely could’ve been a better stopping point.

In regards to the characters, I want to talk about Lilith. I really wanted to like her, as I know most other readers do. And while I did like some parts of her character, and I recognize that she is a strong in fierce woman in defiance of the abuse she suffered as a child from those meant to protect her, I just could not get over certain parts of her personality. Mainly, her stubbornness to be able to do everything on her own led to her not communicating with people who could help her and could’ve prevented some of the tragedies in the book from occurring. Tragedies that she then blamed other people for. Additionally, it seems like she never entirely trusts other people which would be fine, but the way that part of her was written made character interactions especially confusing to me because I couldn’t tell if they were actually “against” Lilith or not.

Overall, while I didn’t love certain aspects of this book I did still find myself enjoying more often than not. I will definitely read the next books when they are out, and I look forward to seeing what Scarlett St. Clair comes up with next.

3.5 stars

OMG! I absolutely loved this book! It makes you laugh a little, feel the excitement, and the end blew me away! Well done! I can't wait for the next book! The characters are loveable and protective. This is definitely a "touch her and die" storyline and it was absolutely worth the read!

Thank you to Scarlett St. Clair, Bloom, Sourcebooks and NetGalley for this ARC!

It has been a while since I’ve read anything by Scarlett and I forgot how much I LOVE her writing!! This book had me hooked from the moment I started and it kept my attention until the very end.

I’m so obsessed with Lilith and Zahariev that it’s insane. The chemistry between them is palpable and the fact that he fell first? SWOON. I love a MMC who will go to the ends of the earth for his woman and Z is THAT man.

This was such a unique world to dive into and I loved learning all the history and back story of Nineveh and its inhabitants. Also, Cherub, Coco, Gabriel, literally ALL the side characters were so perfect to the story and I love them all.

I can’t wait for the next book because that ending had me on the edge of my seat!!

Scarlett's best book yet (and that's saying a lot coz I frickin LOVE all her books, like, reread-level love), this book was so so good.

The narration and the slow-burn romance and the very very well-timed payoff was so good, I was screaming internally! And the world building and plot and secondary AND THE CAT were so interesting, I was literally absorbing every single word in the book. I so can't wait for book 2, and I can't wait to go back and reread my favourite scenes of Lilith and Zahariev <3

Also also, if you want friends to lovers? THIS is the book for it 😭

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Update at 50%
Halfway through this, this is one of Scarlett St. Clair's best books, the narration and the world building are soo >>>>>

Absolutely incredible read! Scarlett St. Clair has done it again – she’s created a world full of depth and intrigue and lust and pure love, that’s also full of action and adventure. I was completely captivated by Lilith and utterly undone by Zahariev (I mean… seriously…). Lilith is such a force, and yet she has the capability for such love and vulnerability which was so nice to see in a FMC. And Zahariev, I mean, the undying love and faithfulness this man has inside of him.. WOW. The buildup was amazing and the ending completely mind-blowing – I honestly don’t know how we’re going to wait for book two!! On top of all of that, we got a cast of amazing side characters, and a fury little friend. Highly recommend!

This book was so good. But I may be biased as I love Scarlett‘s books and writing.

I love the building of the characters and the tension radiating between them. Adding the little sidekick was my favorite. I was never really fully aware of the story behind Lilith but this book makes me want to read the lore behind her.