Scarlett St. Clair is the reason I fell back in love with reading, so any time she comes out with a new book, I pick it up immediately.

Her writing style captures your attention from the start and has you hooked throughout the story. Terror at the Gates was no different- I dove in head first and didn't want to stop reading.

This story is one of triumph and tribulation, going against the grain, fighting for yourself, but also finding the people you can lean on. And one of my favorite themes that Scarlett does so well is female empowerment- her FMCs are always courageous but also not afraid to show their emotions. They're independent, fierce, and have a take no sh*t attitude. Lilith was this and more, and I adored her character. Add in the mysterious, brooding Zahariev and we have chemistry between two characters that's on the verge of combusting. I mean who wouldn't love a man like this --

“I’m sorry I’m only now seeing you,” I said.
His gaze was steady as he stretched over me. “Don’t apologize, little love,” he said. “I could have remained invisible to you, and my devotion to you would be unchanging.”

Highly recommend Terror at the Gates for lovers of:
- urban fantasy
- mafia vibes
- forbidden romance
- slow burn
- feminine rage
- unique magic system

Please check the triggers! Your mental health matters.

The cover of this book is both as new and inviting as the words inside. The male main character is hotter than can be described and I really enjoyed this.

✨ TERROR AT THE GATES ✨
by Scarlett St. Clair
Publisher: Bloom Books

This book owns me now.

In this dark, neo-noir feminist reimagining of Lilith, Scarlett St. Clair drags you into a patriarchal world where power is currency, religion is weaponized, and women are punished for daring to be more than silent and subservient. Lilith Leviathan isn’t here to play nice. She’s cunning, impulsive, magical, and wholly unapologetic.

If you love:
🔮 a grimdark urban romantasy
❤️‍🔥 slow-burn frenemies-to-lovers tension
🗡 morally gray MMCs with “touch her and die” energy
🌒 a heroine who’s soft and raw but will still burn the world down
🐾 found family + a sweet animal companion
🥀 and themes of religious trauma, power, and resistance

…this book will sink its claws in and not let go.

💥 Lilith x Zahariev are easily one of my favorite pairings of the year. The yearning? UNREAL. The spice? 🔥 (prepare to sweat). And Zahariev? He’s respectful, dangerous, and the kind of MMC you’ll need a dissertation to process.

It’s dark, it’s bold, it’s unapologetically feminist. And yes, I need book 2 yesterday.

🖤 P.S. Read it before someone tries to ban it.

🌶️ TWs: religious trauma, misogyny, violence, graphic content (read with care!)

📌 QOTD: Do you like retellings that lean heavily into dark, feminist themes? Or do you prefer lighter, hopeful reimaginings?

#TerrorAtTheGates #ScarlettStClair #RomantasyReads #UrbanFantasy #FeministFantasy #SlowBurnRomance #Bookstagram #SpicyBookTok #TouchHerAndYouDie #MorallyGrayMMCs #NeoNoirFantasy #ReligiousTrauma #BookRelease2025 #DarkFantasyRomance

Urban fantasy is a hard genre for me, as modern tech does not blend well with magic for me. This book suffered from "the tough heroine" trope, btut so tough that it got cringe really fast. And being tough but then calling the mafia for help kinda defeats the purpose of being tough and it ruined the illusion for me.

Love everything that she writes and this was no different. Fabulous back story to see how the characters got to where they were and the struggles they faced getting there. Lilith is on point and I absolutely love her.

Okay, I'll preface this by saying I liked it overall and the author has some strengths but this one needed a lot more work to be really great and it just missed the mark.
We have very superficial world building, side characters and an unexplained magic system that is mostly sidelined and doesn't really feature in the plot. While I enjoyed the characters on page, they popped and were entertaining, I was confused as to why they had no development aside from their interactions with the FMC.
The romance was steamy but utterly predictable so the tension being built didn't really pay off and the reasons for the MMC and FMC having remain separate the whole book became a moot point by the end.
The plot had great pacing but not a lot of oomph. The 'hints' dropped via Liliths dreams gave away literally everything and there was no twist or shock at the end for me. That being said it was entertaining and I want to know what happens so the author is a skilled story teller - I just wanted more from the world she has built here (maybe we'll get it in book 2?). If a quick urban fantasy with surface level depth is your vibe this is a great read but it's just not how I'd imagined the vibe!

I absolutely LOVED this book. Kept me engaged and wanting to know more. I cannot wait to get more of this story. I have felt like I’ve been in a book slump lately and this book for sure got me out of it. Highly recommend!!

Terror at the Gates is mostly for the vibes.
Dark and Moody, full of feminine rage, religious rebellion and just a hint of sex magic.

Lillith has this fiercely independent, "fuck the patriarchy" kind of attitude to the point where she verges on being a total brat, and is completely unapologetic about it.

I did enjoy the slow burn of the Mafiaesque relationship that develops between her and Zahariev, who utterly exudes "touch her and die" energy, but I would like it a lot more if she didn't consistently require saving by him throughout the story. She wants to be independent, but constantly needs to be babysat by a morally grey man who calls her "Little Love".

I believe that this novel could be improved by more in-depth world-building, as I felt as if I was being dragged from one event to the next without being given any real clarity as to what actually just happened.

The religious undertones are a constant, but aren't widely explored despite that.

The ending was really something though, I'd love to see where that goes and there was a cat, so for me at least, the story gains points there.

ARC Review
⭐️ 4.5/5
🌶️ 2/5
This is my first book by Scarlett St. Clair, and it did not disappoint! I loved her take on Eden and how she reimagined it as a patriarchal religious society—an intriguing backdrop for Lilith’s rise. The world-building was just enough to give you a clear sense of what Lilith has endured and why she is the way she is.
Like many great heroines, Lilith has her loyal best friend (Coco) and sidekick by her side (Cherub). And of course, there's her sexy frenemy, Zahariev 🥵—who not-so-secretly helps her unleash her feminine rage.
This was definitely a slow burn, but once the heat kicked in, it was scorching 🔥🔥🔥. The ending had me clutching my Kindle, desperate for more. I cannot wait for book two!
10/10 would recommend!

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲: 🌶️🌶️

𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀:
» Religious Discourse
» Frenemies to Lovers
» Slow Burn
» He Falls First
» Urban Fantasy

𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀:
This book was dark and gritty, but also had some really tender moments that had me in tears.

In this urban fantasy setting, we follow Lilith who is truly one complicated character. She comes from a life of luxury, but that life is fully dictated by the will of man and the religious teachings in this world. Although she is a member of one of the big families, she is nothing more than someone's future wife, and that is something she is battling everyday as she spends time away living in one of the poorest and most dangerous districts of this world as her own form of rebellion. And for a family who was not fiercely committed to her, she is somehow fiercely committed to others, and her loyalty and friendship help her find a new found family.

I also loved Zahariev and his little POVs that he got throughout the story. They had this great dynamic and a push and pull that had me wondering if they were ever going to give in!

As if Lilith isn't struggling enough, a mysterious dagger appears that draws Lilith's attention and continuously shows up unexpectedly. I was on the edge of my seat wondering how the dagger connected to the larger plot and the religious leaders. There are so many moving pieces and twists that I definitely did not see coming!

I never wanted to out this book down, and I am already eager for the next one!

𝗧𝗟;𝗗𝗥:
If you like your stories dark and gritty, but with characters you can really invest in, this is for you!

Completely entranced!! This is my first read by Scarlett St. Clair and I definitely need to go read her other work. Her characters are very dimensional and I am in love with the dynamic between Lilith and Zahariev. Must read!

Terror at the Gates is a book based around religious stories and myths written in the author's own voice and my goodness was it powerful. For the romance lovers this story is forbidden love, the MMC is daddy material indeed and the FMC is a beautiful brat that doesn't ever take no for an answer. The urban setting with the mythical undertones match the dark ambiance this book gives. All supporting characters were just as fun to learn and witness banter with and of course there is a cute black kitty sidekick named Cherub.

Overall, I personally got into this book because I love Scarlett St. Claire's writing style. As I started reading I wasn't sure how I would feel as I am not one that is too into religious text or stories but I took the chance and dove in and I regret nothing. I can't remember at what point but I know I wasn't able to put it down for days and the end had my jaw on the floor and the back of my eyes stinging.

Overall 5 stars
Spice level 3 peppers - the spicy scenes didn't come until later but the banter and teasing made it oh so worth it!

This modern twist on Lilith was EVERYTHING!!

I love everything Scarlett St. Clair writes and this book was no different! I can't wait for the rest of this series!!

Perfect for fans of:
Frenemies to lovers
Slow burn, but the sexual tension is...toe-curling
He falls first
Neo-noir mafia fantasy vibes

Overall Rating: 5 ⭐️
Spicy Rating: 2 🌶️
Audio Rating: 4.5 🎧

I was originally captivated by this book because I was intrigued by the description of it being a feminist Lilith retelling. I was curious and needed an escape due to the current situation our world is in.

This book was a dark urban fantasy and I absolutely loved it. I was hooked from the first chapter, the world building wasn’t too complex and made sense. The feminist tones were certainly welcomed and wanted by me. The tension and yearning between the MMC and FMC were delightful, I felt like the buildup was worth it.

I did start listening to this book as well and Laura Horowitz was amazing. I wasn’t too fond of the male narrator and the word “masseter” was mispronounced, otherwise I absolutely loved Laura’s delivery.

Overall, I also loved that this wasn’t a super long book, it wasn’t filled with fluff and got straight to the point. I did not grow up religious so I don’t know much about the finer details of religions and I was still able to enjoy this book. I don’t feel like it really ended on a bad cliffhanger, just enough teaser to leave us wanting more and now I can’t wait for the next book to come out.

I loved the Lilith reimaging and the way Eden was designed was so cool. Zahariev was so amazing to Lilith and spent all of his time trying to take care of her and love her without crossing any lines that would potentially hurt or upset her. The line that really stuck with me was "They will call her a demon, but I watched her transform, and I will call her goddess." Using that line to end the book was so powerful and had my jaw on the floor. I absolutely loved this book and I'm so excited to see what the next book brings.

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I got approval on release date which was I so pleasantly surprised about, and I absolutely LOVED EVERY SECOND OF IT. I've read many of Ms. St. Clair's books, but honestly I loved this one way more than her Persephone series. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

WOW! This is the first Scarlett St. Clair book I've read and I am impressed! The story is good, the romance-yes! It felt a little rushed when they finally got together, but I REALLY enjoyed the story and the themes of this book. Ending on a cliffhanger was also an incredible choice. I immediately went and wrote down to come back to this because I was so excited to continue in this world.

Terror at the Gates is a fast-paced, feminist Lilith reimagining with a modern twist. Eden is a city ruled by a corrupt priest and the five families. (If that gives you mafia vibes, you're not wrong!) Women are very much second-class citizens, expected to unquestionably support their husbands and the church. Lilith, heir to one of the five families, is trying to find a path that doesn't lead her to the same bleak future. This is the first of an expected three books, and I'll look forward to reading the next.

I loved everything about this book! A modern desert world with fantasy elements, a unique magic system, and an oppressive religious political system. Mystery and m*rders, gods and demons, visions and feminine rage, all highlighted by a tension-filled forbidden romance. 

Lilith is the heir of a powerful family, a role that demands submission to her father, the church, and eventually a husband, of her fathers choosing. Her magic is a sin if not used by and for men, and after a life of abuse and control, she escapes to a neighboring district run by a man named Zahariev. Lilith is brave, chaotic, intelligent, rebellious, and has secretly been in love with Zahariev for years. He is the one man who is immune to her magic, but also the only man who respects her and gives her time/space to become her own person.

And the way Zahariev is devoted to Lilith...I couldn't have asked for a better MMC. The s*xual tension between these two was perfect. I'm not even mad that it ends on a cliffhanger, since that means more books and more of Lilith and Zahariev.

I have absolutely no words to describe just how incredible this book is. It is a roller coaster with an ending i did not see coming. Scarlett writes in a way that draws the reader in. You can feel everything through her descriptions & she makes it so hard to put the book down. I absolutely cannot wait till book 2!