The tension was perfect. From the start this book flew by and kept me entertained and excited for the next page. The blending of the urban fantasy and mafia romance was chef's kiss. Lilith and Zahariev are so intriguing as characters and thier dynamics is so addictive. I cannot wait for the next book.

4.5⭐

I went into Terror at the Gates by Scarlett St. Clair fairly blind and I feel that's the best way to fully appreciate this story and everything about it. A dark urban fantasy with mafia vibes an engaging plot line, rich and vivid world building, the characters were compelling and the pacing was fantastic and as for the tension between the main two characters it was hot and full of so much wonderful banter.

The world is modern and is controlled by religion and men in power, yet Lilith leaves her home in hopes of trying to keep control of her freedom but it's not always so easy and she finds herself constantly having to fight for herself but she is one badass of a character and I loved her so much I feel like she is a FMC that is relatable on so many different levels, the chemistry between her and Zahariev is off the charts they hate each other yet he will always be there for her when she needs it. Add in a found family that is endearing and an adorable kitten and it really is such an amazing book!

I am so excited for book two as the ending has me itching to find out what happens next!

Thank you so much to Publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book before publication, these are my honest thoughts and opinions.

3.5⭐️ but I just can’t quite round up to 4.

So here’s the deal. Very high level I enjoyed the book. Lilith is growing and becoming herself. She’s a bit immature but being sheltered/raised by a fanatical religious organization can do that to a girl. There is a lot of commentary regarding the abuse of power by those leading religions. No qualms with that either. However, the world building felt a bit lazy to me. Like everything was just a bit to on the nose or painfully adjacent to something well known. Oh, the bad area is called Gamorrah? The Book of Splendor they all quote is basically the Bible. There are so many cool elements to the world but then these painfully obvious aspects made me not like it. Either call it the Bible or make the quotes not be from like the King James Version. The same statements about abuse in organized religions could have occurred without being so on the nose.

As for the remainder of the cast of characters, I would have liked more of Zath’s perspective but knowing how many of Scarlett’s series go, I’m expecting we’ll get more in future books. I’m still on the fence about his brother, Cassius. Lilith’s roommate, Coco is fantastic as is their sweet kitten.

Scarlett st Clair is a go to author for me and this book did not disappoint but now I need more like seriously depressed it’s over

I really enjoyed this story of Lilith - although for a lot of it she really did live up to the nickname 'brat' and was very, very annoying.

I love the side characters, I think Gideon may be my favourite. The storyline of Esther really broke my heart though.

Scarlett St Clair is the Queen of Spice - we had to wait a while for it but she definitely delivered.

I'm very interested in reading the next instalment as that ending had my eyebrows raising and questioning what on earth could possibly happen next.

Terror At the Gates is an Urban Fantasy Romance book and after loving Scarlett’s previous books I was so excited for this one, especially after reading the blurb, and it was even better than I expected, I absolutely loved it!

I’m not going to say much about the plot because it’s quite complicated and I think it’s best to go in blind, but if modern Lilith retelling with some mafia vibes and mystery set in an urban fantasy world sounds good to you, I’m sure you’re going to love it as much as I did. I must admit I was a bit confused during the first few chapters, but once I got to know the characters and started to understand the world building, I couldn’t put this book down and read it in one sitting. The author created a truly fascinating and quite unique world with interesting magic system and great characters and perfectly paced and unpredictable plot that kept me on the edge of my seat. Lilith was an amazing FMC, she annoyed me at times with how oblivious she was when it came to Zahariev, but I liked how strong she was even after everything she went through and how she wasn’t taking anyone’s shit and was always willing to fight for herself and her freedom. Zahariev was the kind of mysterious MMC I love in books and I liked him from the moment he appeared but OMG the way this man fell first and all the “touch her and die” vibes and all the short snippets from his POV at the end of each chapter made me quickly fall for him, he was perfect for Lilith and willing to do anything for her, even when she didn’t notice it. Their relationship was a true slow burn but filled with so much tension from the very beginning that I was rooting for them so hard and was literally kicking my feet when they finally gave in to their feelings, I loved them together so much, they were perfect for each other with the amazing banter and spicy scenes and I just can’t wait to see them again.

Terror At the Gates is an amazing book with so many great tropes, interesting plot, great characters and beautiful romance, I loved it and recommend it to everyone and I can’t wait for the next book in this series, after THAT ending it can’t come soon enough.

Terror at the Gates is a dark fantasy novel that retells the story of Lilith, who in this book is a powerful and rebellious woman cast out from her family and society. She lives in Nineveh, a city known for sin and secrets, where she survives by using her magical skills and stealing what she needs.

The story really dives into Lilith’s fight for survival and freedom in a world full of dangerous politics, powerful families, and strict religious control. When Lilith gets her hands on a mysterious magical blade, things spiral out of control. She ends up teaming with Zahariev, a powerful man from one of the city’s ruling families, and together they uncover secrets that could shake the very foundations of their world.

What stands out most is Lilith herself—she’s fierce, smart, and doesn’t accept being controlled or silenced. The world-building is rich and detailed, with a gritty city full of power struggles, magic, and tension. The themes explore rebellion, power, and breaking free from oppression.

The book also contains mature themes and intense scenes, including romance with complex power dynamics, so it’s best for readers comfortable with darker, more adult fantasy.

If you like:
• Strong, complex female leads who challenge the system
• Dark, gritty fantasy worlds with political intrigue
• Stories that twist old myths in new ways
• Fantasy with romance and mature themes

You might want to skip it if:
• You prefer lighter or more straightforward fantasy
• You’re uncomfortable with mature or intense scenes

Thank you to Sourcebooks UK and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I finished this book and then I had to think about it for a long day or two. I read this book pretty quickly, as the plot was very thin. I think, overall, I didn't really like this book.

The plot is paper thin, and while there is some worldbuilding and lore, I would have preferred the author to lean more into the worldbuilding. I found it very interesting but I feel the author didn't expand upon it enough.

The characters felt incredibly flat. I described the female character, Lilith, as a "2010s heroine" to a friend, and that's exactly what she is. Reading about her was like being transported back in time, and not in a good way. It felt like we were shoved into the story halfway through the book as Lilith has personal connections to everyone in this story already, and those connections are never really explained. Every single man in this story has some sort of weird proprietary nickname for Lilith, and every time it happened, even from our male main character, it made my skin crawl. She has these connections with everyone, and we're left to fill in the blanks.

Whoever decided to market this book as a biblical feminist retelling of Lilith's story needs to apologise. This is not a feminist story. Lilith is a deeply incompetent main character, wholly dependent on the men around her, and she cannot do anything without needing their help. She can't even get from Point A to Point B without something going wrong and having to be rescued. She continually talks about how the men are in control and the women are subservient, however Lilith cannot do anything in this book without the help of a man. All of her achievements happen because of a man.

The romance in this was also lackluster. I didn't feel any sort of deep connection between the two, just some mutual attraction. I didn't get the impression that these two are supposed to be deeply in love with each other. At the same time I feel the romance was also dragged out for 500 pages. I think if the writing had been tighter and the pacing better then this wouldn't necessarily been a problem. But the pacing was so off and it killed my enjoyment of this book.

This book was really boring, and I don't particularly want to continue this series. I think maybe if you've enjoyed her previous work you might like this one. But this author and series is not for me.

As soon as I saw this book making the rounds on social media and online bookshops I just knew that it would be such an interesting one to read, with a super unique take on religion and the modern world, and it didn’t disappoint!

There was a lot more to this one than I think there is with some of the authors other books. It just seemed like a lot more thought had been put into the world building and dynamics between the different houses/territories, as well as all of the power dynamics and how things played out in a realistic sense. It was really nice to get a sense of the world that we were diving into first, and seeing everything be built up before the various relationships between all of the different characters became apparent. It felt like info dumping and world building in the best possible way, and I think that it really helped all of the issues that were highlighted to have a much bigger impact, especially because it was apparent how corrupt this world was.

All of the characters within this were so well thought out, and so glaringly different yet similar to each other is was kind of insane. I think there was a really fine balance that could be seen of how growing up in certain areas influence how you end up, the mannerisms you carry, and the different way you interact with those around you. I say this because while all of the main and side characters were unique, there was so many similarities between those that had been raised in the same territories compared to others, which was a really interesting thing to notice (especially since religion plays such a huge role in this)
The only thing I can really think this would have benefitted from was more backstory for Zahariev at the beginning, because it was really hard to get a read on him, and understand all of his motives? That being said, I really did LOVE how there was a little POV from him at the end of every chapter, idk, it just seemed to round everything up so nicely, and was definitely something that I looked forward to every time!

For me this really did fall into the female rage category, and I think anyone who picks this up will be able to resonate or connect with a lot of the topics that are brought up. It is definitely worth having a look at any trigger warnings before hand as there was so much graphic detail put onto paper here, and so many scenes that might prove hard to read about.

Overall, a really good story that will be perfect for those that like is darker, like a messy and sensual book, and want to feel something along the way too.

I loved this book!

The feminine rage was real and really stoked my female anger towards the patriarchy. That said, the book played out like a film, with such descriptive writing and well thought out territories. The background and belief systems were nicely explained throughout, as was the magic and fantasy element of the story.

I loved Lilith and Z, but as usual, Scarlett has a way of writing side characters that you fall in love with too! This book had me crying, raging, swooning and kicking my feet like a school girl!

Not as spice heavy as some of St Clair's pervious books, quite a slow burn, but the spice that was included was worth the wait! The story was quite slow to start (as many fantasies are) but once it got going it didn't stop!!

I am gutted that it ends on a cliff hanger this deep and that this book is yet to be released. I am 100% invested in Lilith's story and can't wait to see what happens next.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone, but I would advise that you check the triggers!

Thank you to the author and publisher for this e-ARC I received via NetGalley! That has not influenced this review and all opinions are my own.

This was my first book I’ve read from this author, and it’s convinced me to read her other books. I really enjoyed this book and I devoured it pretty quickly!

First of all, the characters. Lilith is a baddie. I love a brutal FMC that is independent and can fight her own battles. She’s brutal, bratty, and just *perfect*. Her resilience and strength is truly something to behold and I just love how ruthless she is. Cherub? I would die for her a million times over. Coco? LOVE her. I want a bestie like Coco. Zahariev? I’m in love. I would have liked a bit more of his backstory so we can fully love and appreciate his character. Maybe more of his POV’s would have helped with this. But he is a ride or die and I love that. The characters that aren’t technically main characters are generally pretty well fleshed out and I found that I felt attached to them all.

The plot is pretty consistent throughout the full book. There are no ‘down’ periods, every chapter adds more information and everything has a purpose. I found it really easy to read cause everything just flowed in such a great way, the pacing was amazing. It was a nice balance between plot and character development; the development of Lilith and her taking back her power was just an honour to read. It made me emotional towards the end that she was able to reframe her mind and see the role she plays in people’s lives.

The world building was really interesting. I found the descriptions really helpful, and I was able to build the world in my mind pretty easily. The fantasy aspect was really interesting. I will say it’s unlike anything I’ve read before, and although some parts don’t really make sense, this book perfectly sets up for the second which I’m sure will always all of my questions.

If you’re looking for a story about a kick-ass woman, this is the book for you.

Overall I really really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for the next one!!

Rating: 4/5 stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

When I saw this book available as a Read Now on NetGalley, I knew I needed to read it. I’ve read other books by Scarlett St. Clair, so I knew what I was getting myself into with this one, and I regret nothing.

I really loved the mythology and the lore behind the story. The worldbuilding was a bit difficult to grasp at first, but once I got the hang of it, I liked it a lot to the point where I even found myself looking up Lilith’s lore to learn more about it.

She is the beginning and the end.
She is peace and chaos.
She is terror knocking at the gates.

Estranged from her powerful family, Lilith Leviathan finds refuge in Nineveh, a district in the city of Eden devoted to sin. There, she uses her magic to steal for a living, attracting the attention of the five governing families as well as the church, which expects women to remain pious and silent. When Lilith comes into possession of a beautiful blade, she thinks all her worries are over… until her usual buyer dies while inspecting it.

Frantic, Lilith turns to the only man who can help: Zahariev, head of the Zareth family and ruler of Nineveh. His currency is information, and his power is extortion, though he's always had a soft spot for Lilith. But when the dagger appears, he isn't sure he can protect her from what’s to come.

Together, they embark on a mission to discover the true power running their world. As their lives intertwine, Lilith realizes Zahariev is more than just a friend, but their devotion to each other is a threat—to the truth, to the church, and to those who want to tear it all down.

I must confess that I found Lilith’s character to be emotionally immature. For a figure who should embody divine rebellion, her internal growth didn’t quite match her mythic status, especially in her dynamic with her father and the oppressive society.

Zahariev’s POVs were short, but I really loved them. He added a lot of emotional depth. The slow burn was definitely present, and once it sparked, it was scorching by the end.

Terror at the Gates is a messy, atmospheric entry into Scarlett St. Clair’s new “Blood of Lilith” series. It is a story built on mythic allure and spiritual rebellion. While it didn’t fully land emotionally for me, I stayed captivated by the darker lore and character potential. If you’re drawn to female-led fantasy with religious conflict and demonology, it may be worth the journey. I’m curious to see if the sequel deepens Lilith’s arc and brings more clarity to how Scarlett will continue developing this lore on the page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC!

⚠️ Content warnings: mention of sexual abuse (off-page) and a toxic parental relationship that may be triggering for some readers.

Terror at the Gates was a solid start to what I’m certain will be a phenomenal series. A feminist urban x mafia fantasy romance retelling of the story of Lilith, oozing in mystery, yearning and female rage. This book explores dark themes of grief, deception and religious trauma, so mind your triggers.

I absolutely FLEW through this book, unfortunately it did start pretty slow for me which marred my rating a little, but once it found its bite I couldn’t put it down.

The world-building was rich and immersive, and really sets the scene for the next instalment. I enjoyed the slight dual pov aspect of this book. Lilith was the perfect character to be in the head of with her fierce and determined manner, making her inner monologue compelling, but I also enjoyed the minor snippets from Zahariev’s pov as well to give a fresh perspective on some parts of the story.

I really enjoyed this and I’m so excited for what comes next, I already know it’s going to get better and better from here. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy!

I LOVED this mafia retelling of Lilith’s story. We meet Lilith as she’s stealing a knife from a man (as she should), but much to our girl’s surprise, death follows this knife like the plague. Zahariev, our MMC, has Lilith’s back throughout (whether she likes it or not) and together they set out to discover why this is happening. This book is packed full of rage and trauma and mystery, softened by the affection and emotional connections displayed throughout. The romance and overall pacing is well done, with plot twists and turns kept me hooked. I loved the world building, and how Lilith navigated everything thrown at her was so authentic. THAT ENDING THOUGH!! It’s safe to say that I cannot WAIT for book 2.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

Yearning, friendships, devotion and trauma. A must read.


I went into this completely blind but this book is a journey. There's religious trauma which has you cheering for the fmc to get revenge. There's emotional trauma for us readers 😅 but the characters were so likable! There's action and a kind of sci-fi vibe thrown into this fantasy and it just keeps you reading to find out more. The world building was great for gearing up the start of this series and the ending... THE ENDING.

I need the next book ASAP to know what happens. What a cliffhanger! It was an ending that makes you rage because there isn't another page. It's a jaw-hanger that might leave you feral for book 2.

This has tension, yearning, wholesome friendships and a plot you wont guess. Usually I am able to guess most plot points but this book was a mystery the whole way through.

The fmc was sassy and rebellious but I did want to shake her because HOW COULD SHE NOT KNOW HOW ZAV FELT! This was the only obvious plot bit to guess haha. Hoping to get more of his personality and background or more of his pov in the next books.

Favourite quotes ;
"I would go to war for you, I would fight endlessly to keep you if that's what you wanted"

" I will call her Goddess"

Definitely a read I will be recommending!!!

4,5
Feminine rage has a name and it’s Lilith. In this urban fantasy Scarlett St. Clair tells a story with maffia, mythology and magic as a holy trinity and with Lilith as our heroine. I absolutely loved it! The darkness, Liliths inner strength, the love story..all mixed with the threat of the end of the world. It’s brutal and tragic but the fight against demons, both magical and human, is just beginning. There is a cliffhanger and I hope the author writes fast.

5 ⭐♾️

10/10, no notes!! The cover is absolutely gorgeous, and honestly, this story did not disappoint. From the very beginning, I was hooked by the dark, rich atmosphere, even though it took me a little while to fully grasp the world-building and the complex dynamics; I was mesmerised by it all. I got the feeling that there was something deeper and more unsettling behind Lilith’s departure than what was initially revealed, and honestly it really had me gripped, rooting for Lilith with what she was set out determined to do.

The tension between Lilith and Zahariev was absolutely toe-curling in the best possible way. I loved how the alternating chapters gave us an insight into Zahariev’s mind. Honestly, they were such a delight and I loved the little glimpses we got of him. Seeing just how far gone he was for Lilith, how obsessed, who he always showed up for her, and took out anyone that dared harm a hair in her head. He was the perfect blend of broody, dangerous, and morally grey. Equally, I loved Lilith. She was fierce, selfless, and driven by so much strength and determination. I admired how unwavering she was in protecting those she cared about.

The slow-burn, forbidden nature of their relationship had me in a chokehold. I devoured every moment of tension, every stolen glance, every time Zahariev tried and failed to resist her. And the way he constantly showed up for her, even when he knew he shouldn’t? It was everything.

The side characters were just as compelling. I immediately took to Esther and Gabriel; they were memorable in their own right. I had a sinking feeling something was coming, and even though I hated being right, their storyline still broke my heart in the best way. Gabriel especially stuck with me, and I can’t wait to see how his arc continues. I also loved Cassius and Coco, I don’t know if there will be anything there developing, but I loved their banter brewing, and hope to see more of it in future books.

But what truly made this book stand out was how much more it offered beyond the romance. At its heart, this is a fiercely feminist story; a reclamation of agency, voice, and identity. It unpacks the trauma, control, and shame often weaponised by religion and the patriarchy, particularly within the context of the Church. Through Lilith, we see a woman who refuses to be silenced or subjugated, no matter how many times the world tries to rewrite her narrative. It’s a powerful modern retelling of Lilith, reimagined in a mafia setting, which worked so cleverly and gave the story a raw, visceral edge.

I cannot wait for more to come from this series, thank you kindly to SourcebooksUK for the e-arc and opportunity to read this early! 🖤🖤

Tropes

He falls first
Boy obsessed
Romantasy
Feminine rage
Frenemies to lovers
Urban fantasy
Mafia vibes
Slow burn

To say i devoured this book is an understatement. I was lucky inough to get my hands on an e-arc for this book, and had trouble putting it down to the extend of reading untill 2 in the morning.

This book is a great slowburn introduction to this new world Scarlett has written.

Lilith is a great character, albeit reckless in her actions. Her past and trauma make her relatable in the way she wants freedom and be treated equally to that of how men are treated. I loved her banter with zahariev everytime it happend.

Zahariev is a good love interest and i loved the little glimpses into his thoughts at the end of every chapter. I would love to get to know him more in the next book when it comes out.

I adored the side characters alot, especially the relationships between them and our main characters. I did get watery eyes at the sadder parts in this book and felt sorry for the hurt and loss they experienced. Cherub is my absolute favorite little sidekick if I am honest.

All in all I just can not wait for book two to be written and will patiently wait for it, well as patient as one can be when in needing more this story.

This was a good start to what I think will be a great series. It started off a little slow for me and I wasn’t properly invested until the second half but I think a lot of that was important world building for the series to come.

What I liked in particular:
- I liked the additional input of Zahariev’s POV at the end of each chapter, it was a really good way to do multiple POVs without retelling the same events in multiple chapters.
- Lilith was an interesting and complicated main character, she acted like a brat sometimes and the way she treated Gabriel was awful but she owned her mistakes.
- Cherub!

What I’d have liked more of:
- I’d have liked to know more about the five families, I think the mafia influence was a bit neglected.

Overall, I can’t wait for the next instalment, this book has set the scene for a future Romantasy classic.

Thank you to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Terror at The Gates follows the FMC, Lilith, as she lives her life away from her mafia-style family in a neighbouring district to her own, under the protection of Zahariev, the head of one of the rival families. While here, she gives a false name to hide her true identity from all but those closest to her and she lives in relative poverty compared to her childhood, trying to carve out a life she can call her own.

Death and disaster start to follow after Lilith steals a fancy-looking blade one evening, hoping to sell it to make rent. But how can a blade bring so much destruction? With the help of Zahariev, Lilith seeks to learn the truth of it all, while risking a war to be together.

The book is set in Eden, an area split into five distinct districts, each run by one of the families, with the church governing them all.

In Eden, women are treated as second-class citizens, their lives controlled by the men they are chosen to marry, and their magic, which only women are able to develop, becoming part of the power and control their husband takes. Lilith is defying the role that is expected of her by society, trying to prevent her life and body becoming a prize for a power-hungry man to take. Her parents and the church have other ideas and seek to bring her back in line by any means necessary.

This is a religion-based storyline, focused on the church, the power it has, and corruption within it. Although not religious myself, the connections back to Catholicism within Terror at The Gates made the story feel more real than a typical fantasy novel, especially as someone living in the western world.

The relationship between Lilith & Zahariev is fantastic - the slow-burn tension between these frenemies is delightful. This is a sizzling slow burn, and the spice, when we get there, is absolutely delicious as a result. Scarlett truly knows how to write a spicy romance.

Lilith is badass. She's a magic wielder, she's strong and resilient, and she's learning to understand her emotions after years of repressing them. However, I did find her quite impulsive at times, which could be frustrating, and some of her decisions seemed unfounded. After the ending, though, I can't wait to see how her character develops in future books.

Zahariev. Damn. He's a tattooed (naturally), brooding man, with a quiet level of power that garners a lot of respect and trepidation. He worships the ground Lilith walks on, and will (and does) kill for her. He's also got a bit of a dirty mouth and slightly dommy tendencies, which we all love. I do feel like we are missing some of Zahariev's backstory - he just exists as he is in the book - but I'd love to know about what has made him the way that he is, and how he built his name to be one of fear.

The friendships in Terror at The Gates are so beautiful! They add a warmth to the story and some much needed comedic relief at times, with witty banter and the tough love that only friends can provide. Not to mention, there's a little black cat! Cherub! It was mentioned very briefly, but I have a feeling that Cherub might end up being more significant to Lilith than just being a pet.

The book is dual POV, however, it's an interesting take on it. Every chapter is almost entirely from Lilith's POV, except for a small Zahariev snippet at the end of each them, which adds a unique layer to the story and gives you a glimpse into how he feels about Lilith and his motivations.

There was a lot of world-building at the start and to be honest, I didn't find it the easiest to get into the book until I hit the 25% mark. I normally love the world-building in a fantasy but I think the pacing felt a bit off and that's what threw me. This is a pretty lengthy book, and I think it seemed slow in some places but fast in others. Although there are some key events in Terror at The Gates, I do feel like this book is more a set-up for the main storyline, almost?

Overall, I really enjoyed Terror at The Gates, and I'll definitely be reading any sequels because I simply have to know what happens next! I will also be buying a trophy copy, because the cover is gorgeous.

NOTE: this book touches on some very traumatic events so I'd advise checking content warnings before reading.

Thank you so much to the author and publisher for a copy of the eARC 🖤