This was the dark urban fantasy book I needed now. The focus on feminine rage against a patriachial society was cathartic at this momment in time, especially. The characters, especially the main character Lilith, were well-constructed and intriguing and I found myself surprised by the developments of the story's mysteries.

Often, I find myself guessing the answers to book's trying to present mysterious. However, even at the end of this first installment, I was left with a sense that there is a mountain of unseen world-building and the main characters and I have yet to sort out. The idea that those in power in the book's society have hidden the truth of its past was prevalent, and I found myself wanting answers that won't come until future books.

That being said, I felt it ended at a great stopping point, though I did want to throw my reading device at a wall. In a good way.

Thankyou to netgalley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Wow, Scarlett St. Clair does it again! Terror At The Gates is the start of a new fantasy series, our fmc is a strong woman which I love but she does cry a lot which did start to get annoying. The beginning was a little slow but once the story got going I couldn't put the book down. I'm really excited to see where this series goes and discovering more of the world. I highly recommend to any urban fantasy lovers out there who want a slow burn romance that gets really spicy towards the end. Overall rating: 4.5☆

Tropes:
♡frenemies to lovers
♡he falls first
♡slow burn
♡mafia
♡animal sidekick
♡urban fantasy

Im a sucker for Scarlett books and i'll read anything she'll write. Imagine my happiness when i received arc of her new book (yes, there was screaming and jumping involved). However, im always honest in my reviews so lets get to it...

Tbh, first 30% i wasnt convinced. The world/city was interesting, tho the way it was managed is over-used in my opinion. HOWEVER, we then started to discover more and more about the inner working and i fell fast and hard. I loved the plot and how it was slowly uncovering, the characters, the found family trope, the kittyyy, and dont get me started about the slowburn - it was so worth the wait 🔥

4.5⭐️

4.5 stars rounded up
ARC review
Release: July 8, 2025

- My Thoughts -
This book left me speechless in the best way possible. I hadn’t read a Scarett St. Clair before this, but I can confirm that I’ll be reading her entire backlist now. This book is THAT good. It hits really hard emotionally, but there are some parts that are just so heartwarming.

- The Characters -

>> Lilith <<
So, this woman is badass, okay? She doesn’t take shit from anyone, but she also doesn’t know how to ask for help, which is why it’s so amazing watching her character evolve. Lilith also cries a lot, like, we will be filling the entire sea with her tears at this point, but at the same time, it’s also understandable after what she’s gone through. If I had to chose one character that she reminded me of, I’d probably say Tory Vega from Zodiac Academy. She has that same “don’t give a fuck” energy, which I absolutely love.

>> Zahariev <<
Do not even get me started on this man. There are no faults when it comes to this man. Seriously, none in sight. He’s morally grey, he kills people who touch her, he’s a litttttle bit older than her (8 years), and he’s hot. What’s not to like?? Honestly, the beginning of their relationship starts out a bit slow, but it’s definitely worth it in the end. Part of what happened to Lilith is that she ended up running away from her family, but in a way, Zahariev kind of becomes her family, which was super sweet. He always had her back.

- The Plot & World Building -
Okay, I think it might’ve been a little slow at first, but it definitely picks up. It’s also a bit predictable at times, but overall, there were a lot of moments where I was in total shock. Namely that one scene that made me cry. If you know, you know my pain. I think a lot of the actual Lilith retelling itself will come in the next book, and I am SO excited to see where this series goes. PLEASE check your trigger warnings before reading this book, such as, but not limited to, SA, violence, descriptive sexual content, child abuse, and religious trauma.

Features -
- Romantasy
- First person
- FMC’s POV with small excerpts from the MMC’s POV
- Unique magic
- Violence & Death
- Grief
- Retelling
- Morally grey characters
- Touch her and die
- Spicy

I really liked the original world building in this book and the different elements but I felt like I lost a lot of the “magic” in the world and how it was able to be wielded after the first few chapters. It left me with a lot of questions about how everything works.

Overall, It was definitely entertaining and if you liked the Hades x Persephone series I think you will enjoy this one!

I think overall it felt like there were just too many things going on in the plot for me to really connect with the characters so I lost a lot of the yearning and love that would come with a normal slow burn, forbidden romance. It didn’t feel like there was a cause for them to give in to each other or a pivotal moment where they decided it wasn’t worth it to wait anymore. Then it just kinda ended with a lot of spicy scenes to play catch up and an ending that tried to be twisty but didn’t quite make sense in the world building we were given up until that point.

Scarlett St. Clair, bravo! This was such a fun, sassy, and easy page turner that had my entire attention.

This was a fresh and new world to try to understand. It's rooted in religion, with an Urban Fantasy-like aesthetic. It took me a beat to try to visualize the aesthetics; and the closest I could come to would be if Blade Runner had a baby with Arcane League of Legends. There were no Sci-Fi elements, but the visuals, once I got a grip on them, were really cool!

This book is told through the POV of the FMC, Lilith. But, at the end of each chapter, there is a little peek at the MMC's, Zahariev, head. Even though I enjoyed this setup, I was left wanting lengthier sections from Zahariev's POV's.

I don't personally think that Lilith was an easy character to swallow down; yet I actually enjoyed that Lilith was a difficult character for me to fully like. I felt that she was a bit prickly and had her moments that made me frown. She is younger than the MMC, and I felt that her younger age was represented pretty realistically. I found her brave, sassy, hard headed, sometimes unfair, caring, and also naive; as we all were at one point in our lives before we grew and learned more about life.

Zahariev, the way I blushed over this man throughout this book....whew. I loved him immediately. I loved his mannerisms and his physical appearance was working for me big time. The only criticism I have, is that I wish he did a little more near the end of the book. I felt that his character was almost too reserved for me to feel like I really understood him. Maybe that was the point? But, I would have liked seeing his character feel more present for me; he somehow felt a little too in the background at times.

I thought that the pacing of the story was pretty well done, however the ending felt slightly rushed compared to the rest of the books speed. But, I am really excited with how things ended. And I now feel like I have so many more questions than I already did. So, with that I am eager to read the next installment and see where this story goes from where Terror at the Gates left off at.




Thank you to Scarlett St. Clair, NetGalley, & SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the ARC

Thank you NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for this eARC

OMG this book was amazing. I love Scarlett St. Clair books and this one does not disappoint! Scarlett does such a great job of making characters you love and feel with and ones to hate. I was sucked into this book on page 1. I love how the dual POV was done in this book. Lilith is a KA FMC you instantly want to see thrive and Zahariev was so easy to swoon for. I can’t wait to continue the series to watch what these two characters will achieve together.

“…I will call her goddess.”

Wow wow wow! I was so excited to see that I was accepted to read Terror at the Gates. I preordered it the second Scarlett announced her new book.
With that being said, I devoured this book in one night. I loved that it was a mixture of fantasy and the real world. Scarlett did a brand new take on some religious themes and also showing us the realities of religious guilt.
My only thoughts on it really is so much happened so fast. There was no break. Every single day something terrible happened to Lilith. Literally everyday. Lots of murder, kidnappings, death, etc.
I kind of wish we had a little bit of a slow down to meet and get to know some of our main characters more.
It took 80% of the book of Lilith and Zahariev fighting their feelings for each other and how it could never happen.
Then all of a sudden she’s having 8 orgasms in the back of the car within in hour. Mind you, her dad just got blown up and she also believes her mom did as well. I just feel like it was very sudden.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved all of it, I just feel like everything happened so fast that I have whiplash.
I will be impatiently waiting for book 2 though!

I LOVED this book!! I can’t wait for the next one. All the characters are great and it was heartbreaking when Esther died.

Thank you to NetGalley, Scarlett St. Clair, and SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

I was immediately sucked into the story by the characters. This was an interesting story. Lilith is such a strong character despite the horrors that she has been through. Please, check trigger warnings. I didn’t think that they were heavily discussed, which made it easier to read about. Her friendship with Gabriel, Esther, and Coco is such a great found family. Zahariev is a mysterious, powerful, and protective MMC. I feel like he is exactly what Lilith needs. It’s so sweet the friendship he has with Gabriel. I enjoyed this book. I devoured it in a day. I can’t wait to read book 2. I need to know what’s going to happen next.

I read Terror at the Gates in just two days because I genuinely couldn’t put it down. Scarlett St. Clair pulled me straight into Lilith’s story, and I was completely absorbed from start to finish. The theme of feminine rage was powerful and beautifully written, and it’s clear how much St. Clair has grown as an author. I’ve been reading her work since the Hades x Persephone series, and this might be some of my favorite work of hers yet.

The world building was clear and easy to follow, which I’ve always appreciated in her books. I loved being inside Lilith’s head, and I found her grief, anger, and determination really compelling. Zahariev was such an intriguing character. The brief glimpses into his perspective were a great touch, and I would have loved even more insight into his thoughts and emotions, especially the slow-burning tension between them.

My only real critique is that the ending felt a bit abrupt. I wasn’t quite ready for it to wrap up when it did, and it left me wanting just a bit more. Still, I really enjoyed this and can’t wait to see where the story goes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was phenomenal. Honestly, one of the best books I’ve read in 2025.

The things I loved:
1) Lilith was such a fierce FMC. She didn’t back down, and had a tragic backstory that would have defeated many people. She wasn’t only strong but loyal to her friends and chosen family.
2) The MMC (whose name is complicated so I will call him Z) was the best I’ve read in a while. He was so dedicated to Lilith and had an aura of touch-her-and-die. I absolutely loved it.
3) the plot was so interesting. I loved how this follows what women are going through in life now and what we’ve been subjected to for years. It really hit home and can be enlightening to many.
4) Gabriel was amazing. Love him.
5) Cassius and Coco need to get together. Just saying.
6) The spice. This one is definitely a slow burn, but when it does it man it burns hot.
7) That ending….whhhaaaattttt?!?!?!

Things I didn’t like but could handle:
1) Lilith cried a lot. I cry a lot, and she cries more than me. Is it justified? Hell yeah. But maybe a few less crying scenes in the next book would be great.

I loved this book: I will be recommending this to everyone I meet for a very long time.

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly am struggling with how to rate this but I think I'm going to settle on a 2.5⭐.

My only experience with this author is the Hades x Persephone series and I disliked Persephone so much that the series didn't work for me and all the reasons I disliked Persephone were present in this story too with Lilith so I'm wondering if this is a common character flaw (for lack of better word) with her books.

I understand that this is/was supposed to be like a biblical feminist retelling of Lilith but she was so incompetent and dependent on men that it didn't make sense for this to be that. Lilith spends a lot of time talking about how men control her life and the life of all the women in this world they live in, but every SINGLE thing she achieves is with the help of a man. It doesn't make sense that she complains about how men control the narrative and then have her be so incompetent that she's basically useless without a man being involved. And it makes even less sense when you think about how every other female character in this story doesn't have that problem. So what am I exactly supposed to be taking away from this feminist power story?

This also felt like we were being dropped into a story that existed before book 1. Lilith has deep intimate connections with every character in this story and there's 0 background explaining how those connections came to be. PARTICULARLY WITH THE MEN! Every man in this story that she interacts with has an intimate nickname for her: little love, baby girl, firecracker, like what is going on? This story is 500 pages and not a single one of those pages explains the character relationships. You sort of get a glimpse of the connection between her and Zahariev but most of that is from using context clues and filling in the blanks for yourself.

The plot in this is mostly fine, but again almost 500 pages for literally 1-2 major events to happen until the last 2 chapters. The pacing was skewed. I think we could've spent less time watching Lilith walking around and getting bailed out by Zahariev and more time building up on the lore of this magic that is NOT explained at all. This world being based on the Bible is the only reason why you can understand the connections of these characters and the beliefs they have. Lilith has sex/desire magic that she uses once and is never explained in depth. There are witches with magic but it's only explained with "they're not supposed to exist" and never with any actual exploration.

The romance was also dragged out for no reason. It wasn't a slow burn because they both think about wanting to smash regularly, but they couldn't be together for ~reasons~ that really mean nothing considering they spend the last 25% of this book having crazy sex. Good for them I suppose but apart from them being hot and needing to be together for the sake of a romance story, I couldn't see the deep love connection. Again, this could've been solved with more background.

I didn't even really hate this, but it also was boring and surface level. I can see why people would enjoy this, and I wish I did, but I'm feeling like maybe her books just aren't for me. The world building is weak and the only reason it ever has any depth (in this story and the Persephone one) is because it sits on pre-existing lore. Would I read book 2? Maybe??? Hard to say right now. Based on how this one ended I don't really know that I care to see what happens to any of them.

I suppose if you like her other books you'd like this one but I fear this is the end of the line for me.

I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Bloom Books and Netgalley!

Sexy, sarcastic, and stunning.  I expected nothing less from St. Clair and I was NOT disappointed.  Lillith has been a recent fascination of mine, both as her own person and her place in world mythology.  Feminine rage, escaping the thumb of religious misogyny, and taking pride in our power as women have been very healing themes for me personally, so of course this novel meant a little something more for me.  Not to mention the conversation around the right men, the confident, true hearted ones, being supportive and thrilled by that confidence in return? We love to see it. Is frienemies to lovers a trope? It should be, with Lillith and Zahariev as the pinnacle example.  Having Lillith be the primary POV and Zahariev's inserts be nothing but complimentary to her strength and expressive of his admiration were an elite touch.  

I have nothing bad to say, and I am so excited for everyone to get their hands on this and for the series to continue.  I am particularly looking forward to more Coco, Cherub, and Cassian ----- I see it, and I love it.  I was happily snuggled up to my own little fur-baby void while reading, although she was not thrilled by my physical and vocal dismay upon reading the cliffhanger. I am in full emotional collapse until the next installment 💕

Special thank you to Netgalley, Sourcebooks/Bloom Books, and Scarlett St. Clair for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.  I've had it pre-ordered for months but was feral about the early read!

Every time I read Scarlett St. Clair, I'm taken on such an incredible journey. I tried my hardest to read this one slowly, knowing that the next publication date is TBD, but I couldn't put it down! Lilith absolutely lives up to her namesake, in every sense of the term. She's so strong and brave, beautiful and smart. Zahariev was made for her. He sees her strength and never wants to be in her way. "I'll always be here, following in your shadow. I am not afraid of your freedom."

They will call her a demon, but i watched her transform and i will call her goddess

Life was life. It was as meaningful as I made it.

I really enjoyed this book the chemistry between Lilith and Zahariev (chef's kiss) I could relate to the world (Feminine Rage) That ending!!! I really can't wait for the next book. This book was really great my new favorite by Scarlett St.Clair

I am not afraid of your freedom

A Touch of Darkness is one of my all time favourite books so I have been so incredible excited to read this new series by the same author. Scarlett St Clair writes the most engaging stories featuring incredible steamy romances that make it impossible to put the book down.

Terror at the Gates was beautifully written and left me desperate for more. I loved this feminist retelling of Lilith and it was such a incredible start to the series. The world building was absolutely brilliant and added a unique atmosphere to the story.

The romance left me a little disappointed because I had expected the book to be way more centered around it. Don't get me wrong, there was lots of romance, I just found that it was not as prevalent as A Touch of Darkness. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and really loved the romance. I am very much looking forward to seeing more of it in the second book.

I received an early copy of this and.. no words... it was amazing.
If you loved the Hades x Persephone series and the Adrian x Isolde series, you will love this! A feminist retelling of Lilith, wonderful!
The world building was amazing... am I the only one that pictured the world like from the movie High Rise?
The characters..the slow burn? OMG amazing!
Can't wait for the next book!

“If this wasn’t a sin, then you’d be a fucking saint.”
Thank you to NetGalley & SourceBooks for the opportunity to read Terror early! All I can say is- Scarlett has done it again. Lilith is a woman who, estranged from her family, is learning how to not only live alone; but deal with her own grief and trauma, including the dismantling of her religious beliefs. All while skirting her growing feelings for the head of a rivaling family, Zahariev Zareth (yummy). 5/5 ⭐️, I cannot wait for the next book in the series!!

eARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loveeeee Scarlett St. Clair and Terror at the Gates has continued my love for her. She has such descriptive writing and her female characters are to die for. They’re strong and *want* the man, but don’t *need* the man. & of course her MMC’s are to die for, with Zahariev being no exception. The ending was not something I was expecting, but an amazing ending to keep me enticed to read the second. The only thing I hate about ARC is now I have to wait even longer for the sequel 😭😭 but she’s gonna be worth the wait 🤩