3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4

I haven’t read any Scarlett St Clair before but her books are on my TBR and not going to lie they have moved up.

Lilith is this badass character who doesn’t know how to ask for help but also does take any sh*t from no one. I absolutely loved this part of her character and loved watching her develop.

Zahariev is HOT. He kills people and morally grey the perfect male character imo. Their slow burn relationship is the perfect mix its not to slow and has a great pay off in the end.

-spicy
-morally grey
-romantasy
-grief
-touch her and die

Thank you for the ARC - all thoughts are my own

I have read a lot of her work but this is my favourite! It kept me intrigued and I didn’t want to put this down. I also love how it didn’t take multiple books for the two main characters to get together.

This was an excellent fantasy story, different from most that seem to be around just now. It was interesting with a lot of character depth. I really enjoyed the world building and already cannot wait for book 2!

4.5 stars
Thank you Netgalley and Scarlett for the arc copy. I decided to also listen and the narrators were perfect for this read.
This was a dark read with so much female rage. It loosely follows points from the Christianity but with a modern twist.

This story had a grip on me. Lilith was such a strong character. There were many times that she could have been broken but she didn’t let it happen and her friend were there when she needed them. Zahariev was the perfect secondary main character to support Lilith.

The world building was done really well with the prophecies obviously leading for something big and fitting so well into the story. The sexual tension and spice level was also *chefs kiss*.

I can’t wait to read book 2.

𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬

💋🍷🥀👠🌶️🩸

Review:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Set in the urban fantasy city of Eden, this book follows the story of Lilith. Cast aside by her parents after fleeing their control, Lilith is unapologetically fierce, and determined to start a new life in the district of Nineveh. Despite her parents’ wealth, Lilith is hell-bent on making it on her own, but for now, has to resort to stealing to get by. This has landed her in hot water too many times to count, only this time, she takes it a step too far. After stumbling upon a powerful blade, Lilith starts to experience inexplicable things, and she is thrust into a web of lies, deceit, magic, and ultimately, danger. Enter Zahariev Zareth, ruthless leader of the Zareth family. Together, they join forces in their search for the truth, and inevitably, the chemistry between them starts to burn like hellfire.

The only appropriate rating for this book would be ♾️⭐️. This was the single most empowering book l’ve read in a long time, and whilst it kept that novelty romantasy aspect, it touches on some deeply important topics. Scarlett wrote Lilith and Zaharievs story beautifully, and the banter & the chemistry between them? Unmatched…🔥

If I were to give you a description of my type, it would literally just be Zahariev, because hot damnnn he’s sexy.

Although this was my first book by Scarlett, it certainly won’t be my last. I literally could not fault it, and yes, it has become my entire personality. Not even sorry 🙂‍↔️

Read if you enjoy:
💋 Unapologetically fierce heroine
🍷 Female rage/empowerment
💋 Plot twist
🍷 40% fmc pov, 20% mmc pov
💋 Handling sensitive topics
🍷 Forbidden romance
💋 Touch her and die
🍷 Lilith retelling
💋 Unique magic

Thank you again to @sourcebooksuk for the proof and for inviting me to the most magical dinner party. It’s a memory I won’t forget 🥹🫶🏻

Terror at the Gates is an explosive, emotionally-charged fantasy romance that grabs you from the first page and refuses to let go. Scarlett St. Clair masterfully blends slow-burn tension, religious critique, and dystopian world-building into a story that’s equal parts seductive and thought-provoking.

At its heart is Lilith—a fierce, confident, and flawed heroine who commands attention. Watching her slowly open up to Zahariev, the brooding and morally complex love interest, is nothing short of addictive. Their chemistry is electric, with every stolen glance and simmering interaction crackling with intensity. The dance scene? Absolutely unforgettable.

The romance here is a true slow burn, rich with pining, emotional depth, and the kind of tension that makes you forget to breathe. But beyond the romance, what makes this book stand out is its bold commentary on religion, power, and control. Through Lilith’s journey, St. Clair explores the corruption, hypocrisy, and fear often embedded in institutionalized faith—with a raw honesty that resonates deeply, especially for readers who have experienced similar systems firsthand.

The world-building is immersive, if occasionally overwhelming. While the atmosphere of Eden and Nineveh is richly rendered, some aspects of the larger world remain vague, leaving a few questions about the broader context unanswered. Similarly, the plot can feel a bit scattered at times—jumping from place to place without always offering enough clarity or cohesion. Still, the emotional stakes and character development more than make up for any structural flaws.

Side characters shine as well—from Lilith’s snarky banter with Zahariev’s brother to the lovable Cherub who adds a dose of levity to the darker moments. Every character feels alive, adding depth to the story’s emotional landscape. And the ending? A jaw-dropper. The kind that leaves you desperate for the next book, frantically searching for a release date and already preparing to cancel plans.

If you’re a fan of morally gray characters, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance, and dystopian power structures laced with magic and myth, this book is for you. Just don’t expect to get anything else done once you pick it up.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Sourcebooks UK for accepting my request to read and review this stunning book!

I didn't even start this book. Very early on, there's a trigger warning for sexual assault from within the church, and I wouldn't have chosen this book if it was signposted more clearly. This could also apply to others who buy the book, and the content is not what they expect.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Sourcebooks UK for accepting my request to read and review this stunning book!

I adore fantasy romance with religious elements and had a feeling this book would be really enjoyable and it was.

Lilith and Zahariev have incredible tension, the dance scene was *chefs kiss*. I enjoyed that this book was a slow burn with pining but that we got to see hints from Zahariev on how obsessed he was with Lilith.

I also adored Lilith as a protagonist. She reminded me a bit of Bryce from Crescent City, badass and beautiful and seductive and confident. But not without her faults and her own trauma. Her showing her vulnerability to Zahariev despite the hard image she holds of herself was amazing.

Whether intentional or not, I think Scarlett St. Clair has done an astounding job at speaking on a lot of hypocrisies and truths about the church and the way it is often harmful, controlling, and terrifying. From the corruption of priests, to the greed of the church, and the hurt it causes people. As someone who went to a Christian high school and saw this hypocrisy firsthand, I appreciate the author for speaking on these issues so well.

I did struggle a bit with the plot of this, I felt as though often the plot wasn't terribly strong or easy to follow, and we were kind of just swung place to place. Additionally, I found the world building to be a bit confusing. How does this world work? What is the world like outside of this very small area of Eden and Nineveh? I struggled to imagine it.

But that ending was so so good I need to know what's happening next. Highly recommend this book.

*Thank you Netgalley for sending me an ARC*
To say I was sucked into this book would be an understatement! Everything about Terror at the gates had me hooked and I absolutely loved the relationship between Lilith and Zahariev.
Writing a good FMC can be difficult to pull off but Scarlet St. Clair did an incredible job with Lilith, striking a good balance between making her vulnerable and having that strong feminist rage. Although I wish we got more POV from Zahariev, I was still excited whenever we got a glimpse into his mind and his pining for Lilith.
I'm a sucker for a good slow burn and boy did this book deliver!
I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for an amazing Lilith retelling in an urban fantasy/fantasy mafia setting with a strong FMC and MMC and simmering sexual tension.
I need book 2 ASAP!!

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.

Addictive, and Full of Tension
Scarlett St. Clair raises the stakes in *Terror at the Gates*, blending myth, romance, and war with fast-paced action. Isolde’s growth and her intense bond with Adrian keep the story engaging, even as gods and politics complicate everything. A thrilling, satisfying sequel for fans of fantasy romance.

One of my favourite books this year! I knew coming into this book I was going to love it and this book did not disappoint. The world and its characters gripped me and I found myself loving them and wanting to know more!

Such a great first book for this series, I literally can’t wait to have the rest of the story. It was incredible with such word building, character development, pace etc. I was so into it in the first few chapters, I could not put it down. Which led me to read it in two days! I loved Lilith so much, she’s such a badass character, and her relationship with Zahariev was just becoming better and better. I love them! I also loved the banter between Lilith and his brother, so funny! And Cherub omg so so cute!

I really recommend this book if you’re looking for a nice urban fantasy and if you liked the vibe of Crescent City, you will love this one! Badass FMC, female rage, frenemies to lovers, plot twists you never see coming… This sort of dystopian government controlled by the Church (and men in general) that dictate the role of women in this society hit it too close to home! I also loved learning a lot about St. Clair’s process through Lilith’s history through the acknowledgments.

Note to Past Me: never start a Scarlett St. Clair book if you have plans for the evening — because they will be cancelled. Obviously.
Dinner? Canceled. Social life? On pause. Sleep? Who needs it when you’ve got this level of addictive storytelling?

From the very first page, I was hooked. I devoured this book like my life depended on it. Every moment was a rush, every scene an emotional rollercoaster. If I could quote all my favorite lines without spoiling anything, I absolutely would.

The world-building was phenomenal — detailed, immersive, and so well-constructed it felt real. I could see it, feel it, breathe it. And don’t even get me started on the side characters: I adored them all, even Cassius.

The tension between Lilith and Zahariev them was insane — sizzling chemistry paired with razor-sharp banter that had me grinning like a fool. Every interaction crackled with energy, and I couldn’t get enough.

You think you’re just reading a chapter — and suddenly it’s 2 a.m. and you’re begging for more.
So, clear your schedule, grab snacks, and maybe tell your friends you’ll be "offline for a while." You’ve been warned.

ABSOLOTUELY loved it!

Things I loved:
- Teigger warning and hotline advice
- Pronunciation guide! A lot of authors don’t do this!!
- Illustraions at beginning of the chapters
- Descriptive writing style, helped me clearly picture in my mind.
- Capture of Lilith’s personality. Not religious and don’t know much about her, however her personality and attitude I think is spot on!
- GABREIL!!!!!
- I chuckled at the representation of men, when they hit on you and then they say “not that hot anyway”

Overall an enjoyable book. I’m going to read it again before posting a goodreads review incase I find anything else I like! However need to read another book first to cleanse the mind!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book an an ARC!

4 Demon Blob Stars ⭐️
Spicy Rating: 🌶️🌶️.5/5

“That was when I realized I was wrong, that there was no difference between what I wanted and what I would choose. The answer had always been Zahariev.”

𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Lilith is the daughter of one of the most powerful families in the five regions of Eden, a world where men rule, but only women possess magic. Refusing to be controlled or treated like a possession, she flees to Nineveh, the district of sin, to forge her own path. One day, she uses her magic, which is an ability rooted in seduction and persuasion, to steal a blade. But there’s a problem: everyone who comes into contact with this dagger ends up dead. And no matter how many times she tries to get rid of it, it keeps finding its way back to her. Desperate to uncover what the dagger is, why it's drawn to her, and why it keeps killing people, she turns to Zahariev for help. But the more time they spend together, the more their unlikely partnership begins to evolve... into something deeper.

𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
So it has been a very long time since I’ve read a Scarlett St. Clair book, the last one being King of Battle and Blood, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I went in blind with a cautiously optimistic view, and I’m quite glad that I did. This has some of the best vibes I’ve felt in a book in a long time. It brings on that mafia vibe, with a hint of dystopian, but you can feel how it’s underpinned by religious metaphors and correlations. It’s done in what I believe is a respectful, tasteful way, while still being true to the elements of where these characters originate in religious texts.

Lilith is an amazing main character because she’s so complex and convoluted in what makes her who she is. She’s grown up in a society that expects her to be something she doesn’t want to be. She rebels, mainly because the intent is for her to be used and defined by the men in her life, with all her decisions directed by them. She stands up blatantly against this regime and what she believes is wrong. She doesn’t back down from her beliefs and is very pragmatic and resourceful in trying to make her own way. She hates that she's followed by the "spoiled rich girl" history. She doesn’t want to be defined by being rescued, especially by a man, and wants to stand on her own. She does go through a lot of struggles, but she’s independent and strong enough to pull herself out.

Then we have Zahariev, and this man is the epitome of "only soft for her." Lilith tests him constantly. She fights him on everything, clashes with him at every turn, pushes his boundaries, and he is just so patient, caring, and graceful when it comes to her. On the surface, he’s dangerous. He’s tattooed. He’s the leader of his faction. But their friendship runs deep. You can see how much they care for each other, even though they both know the political landscape they were raised in means they can’t actually explore their attraction. This dynamic between them creates the most perfect tension and push and pull as they navigate what a relationship would look like in a society where they’re not allowed to have one. Zahariev would literally burn the world down for her, and even though Lilith can be a little oblivious to what he does for her, it’s so sweet and special. You find yourself screaming at the page for her to just open her eyes and see how much he cares and how much they deserve each other.

The plot is primarily written from Lilith’s point of view. There are small ending sections in each chapter from Zahariev’s POV, but they’re more like teasers or snapshots of what he’s up to. The main story focuses on Lilith and everything she’s dealing with, but those Zahariev snippets keep you hooked and give a glimpse of the bigger picture while Lilith is on her own journey.

Now, if you are religious, I wouldn’t recommend this to you. It pulls a lot from Eden and from the Biblical version of Lilith, and the "story" she represents. It’s not necessarily blasphemous, but if you’re sensitive to that kind of reinterpretation, it might not be for you. This is very much a book about female empowerment and feminine rage. It’s about rising up against misogyny and the patriarchy, and what it means to be taken advantage of as a woman. In today’s culture, I think every woman should read something like this. Especially to realise that no matter what the world has told you to be as a woman, no matter how down on your luck you are, or what people’s perceptions of you may be, you can stand up and say FUCK MEN. You don’t need a man to choose your path. You can build something for yourself!

The writing was incredibly beautiful and captivating and it kept me engaged the whole time. I also adored the animal companion sidekick who travels everywhere with Lilith. Honestly, I want my own cat sling now. It added these really cute and humorous moments in between all the tension and weight of the plot.

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Feminine Rage Dark Romance
▶ Star Crossed "Romeo and Juliet" Romance - Forbidden Romance
▶ Mafia Vibes
▶ Slow Burn
▶ Touch Her You Die
▶ Burn the World for You
▶ Unique Magic System
▶ Poor Girl X Rich Boy
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Friends to Lovers
▶ Age Gap

𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙠𝙨:
➢ Brat
➢ Car Sex
➢ Spicy/Steamy Water Scene
➢ Hand Necklaces

and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Nicknames
▷ Chin Lift
▷ "Good Girl"
▷ Rolled Sleeves/Forearms
▷ Undressing/Dressing Help
▷ "Don't Stop"
▷ He Takes Care Of Her
▷ Share a Bath

Overall, I highly recommend this! It makes a bold statement to fuck the patriarchy, and I cannot wait for the next book.

Thank you to Sourcebooks UK, Netgally and Scarlett St. Clair for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own

An amazing installment! Scarlett St. Clair did a really great job with this book! I connected with her FMC immediately and with all she has been through, she still stood strong and didn't falter easily. The plot twists at the end were so unexpected that I didn't even realise there was more to come. The ending was an abrupt cliffhanger which makes me more excited to read the next installment! Can't wait for the next book!

4/5 stars

I enjoyed this. It was fast paced, and I liked Lilith as a character. She went through so much in the book, but that just made her stronger. And I liked how down bad Zahariev was for Lilith and how he put her first. The slow burn was well done and the wait was rewarded closer to the end because the spice was hot. The only minor issue for me was that I wanted more of Zahariev's POV than we got in this one.

This was the first book I read from this author and now I want to read other series by her too. Can't wait to read the sequel/sequels some time in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC.

This was sooooo good!

The tension was *chefs kiss*. All the characters are great and interesting. I thought I had a pretty good twist and I didn't see it coming.

I do wish there was more world building and usel explanation of the magic system, but I have a feeling there will be more of that in the second book.
I'm so excited for the second book!

The only reason I really wanted to read this book was because of the fantastic cover. It's absolutely beautiful, but then I read the blurb and was desperate to read it.
I've read a couple of books by this author and have enjoyed them all but this one was top tier, a favourite read of 2025.
The plot was addictive, it was so interesting and I was hooked from the first page. The world building was fantastic, the author's description helped me create that world in my mind without making it confusing. This story is a Lilith retelling with lots of female rage, totally here for it. Religion plays a huge role in this book, it pushes the story forward.
I absolutely loved Lilith, she's such a strong leading character. She doesn't bow to the powers that be. She's impulsive and stubborn, but she is a character that is easy to love after learning what she went through as a child. Zahariev is our main man and what a main man he is. He is devoted to Lilith and has been for years without her realising it. I loved him so much.
This book is everything I needed and more, there's mystery, suspense and action. I was absolutely hooked from the first page to the last.
THAT CLIFFHANGER!!!!!
OMG, that cliffhanger was intense and a little cruel because I am dying for the next book!
Thank you the Scarlett St. Clair, Sourcebooks and Netgalley for my ARC!!