Wow wow wow, this book was bloody brilliant, I loved Lilith from the get go and her and Zahariev together just oozed chemistry! I love that Zahariev is super powerful, seductive and sarcastic and he will literally start a war for Lilith. You bet I annotated those quotes!

I loved Lilith’s growth in this, she is strong and bratty and has a whole lot of sass which adds to the tension between her and Zahariev. I honestly just loved every single interaction between the two of them.

Coco and Gabriel and all the other side characters were really strong, they all felt authentic and genuine to the core. Like a Blood of Lilith version of the inner circle.

The ending was absolutely nail biting and filled with tension, I was racing to see what would happen and yet didn’t want it to end either. A totally bingable read, I am very excited to continue reading this series!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5

Thank you Scarlett St. Clair, Sourcebooks and Tantor Audio for an Advanced Reader Copy via Netgalley in return for an honest review.

I will start by saying, I have previously read and enjoyed Scarlett St. Clair's previous publications, however, I believe this may be my favourite yet!

Terror at the Gates, is a slightly dual POV (with the majority being from the fmc's perspective) dark urban fantasy. And follows Lilith Leviathan - the black sheep of one of the most notorious govening families in Eden. As the only female "heir" in her family, her role is to marry the a chosen heir - picked by her father to carry on the family legacy. The governing families are second only to the church; who oversee, enforce and ensure morality is upheld in their society. This involves ensuring women are pius and silent, despite holding the power and magic gifted by GOD. Regardless, it is the husband who holds the authority and dominance in this society, encouraged and expected by the church.
Lilith, reeling from religious trauma, flees to Nineveh, the district of Eden dovted to Sin. Where she uses her magic, steeped in sex and femininity, to steal for a living - overseen and protected by Zahariev, head of the Zareth family and ruler of Nineveh. Zahariev deals in information, and his power is extortion, though he's always had a soft spot for Lilith. As the only governing five, viewed to be an outsider, Lilith and Zahariev find kinship in each other (Lilith rather reluctantly).
When Lilith steals an blade, she gains more than she bargained for and she must work with Zahariev, the only person she can trust to help her in discovering the true power running their world.

Terror at the Gates features:
🗡️ Frenemies to Lovers
🩸 He Falls First
🗡️ Touch Her and Die (Literally)
🩸 Mafia-esq Vibes
🗡️ Slow Burn
🩸 Found Family
🗡️ Strong FMC
🩸 Forbidden Romance
🗡️ Magic
🩸 Feminist Themes - Feminine Rage

Potential Triggers:
🩸 Sexual Assault (Mentioned - Past)
🗡️ Religious Trauma
🩸 Corrupt Religious Leaders
🗡️ Religious fundamentalism
🩸 Murder
🗡️ Grief and Death

I cannot recommend this book enough. Terror at the Gates is a gritty, mafia inspired urban fantasy; a fast-paced mystery, neo-noir culminating in a biblically inspired Lilith retelling.

The Magic System and World Building are unique and rich. Terror at the Gates does something I believe many authors would be at least tentative to attempt, if not avoid entirely. The themes of religious corruption and the inherent politics involved within the church, are mirrors of the corruption seen within our own world. The world itself, is heavily influenced by the Old Testament, however we also see some more modern religious influences. In addition to the primary GOD, there is also mention and vast discussion of the OLD GODS, which are reminscent of the pagan polytheistic religions that existed prior to organised monotheism.

In regards to the magic system; the magic within this world is either learnt (and attached to the OLD GODS) which persecuted and hunted to near extinction; or inhereted through the five governing families and is solely inhereted by WOMEN. Despite this, world is purely Patriarchal, with women only permitted to use said magic with the permission of their husbands and fathers and only for the betterment of their religious society. The suppression of magic and by extension female power and matriachalism plays heavily throughout this book. Lilith's power specifically, was unique, direct contradiction to the rules and parameters of their society. Her manipulation and use of it was equally as interesting and I hope we get to see her use it more in the sequel.

Lilith is a strong, slightly bratty (to Zahariev obviously), opinionated yet soft fmc. She is the embodiment of everything the church fears. She has a strong sense of her feminity and owns her individual strength and sexuality, despite being told that doing so is wrong - that she is essentially the property of her father and eventually her husband. She has a complicated relationship with her family which is abundantly clear - she is recovering from SA missed and ignored by both her parents at the hands of Lisk. She is also coming to terms with the abuse she was subjected to by her mother. That being said, she has an intense love for her father despite his role in stifling her power and freedom; this in part is quelled by the fact he is the reason she was able to leave the family "on a temporary basis" to go to Ninevaeh.

In this first book, we only start to see Lilith come to terms with the corruption within society and religion, which in turn sees her start to embrace her own power as belonging to HER. The feminine rage and feminist themes, while present are budding and will most definitely feature more heavily in book 2.

Zahariev is the perfect mafia-esq, badass mmc. Outwardly he is perceived first and foremost as a no-nonsense leader - however, there is far more to him than meets the eye. He is fiercly loyal to his "family" consisting of his brother, but also select employees and of course Lilith. He is the ideal morally grey mmc, with a strong sense of justice while not giving into the corruption of politics and the religion which are inherent to the society he oversees. Even more, there is a soft and gentle side to him, which predominantly is seen in his interactions with Lilith - he is her safe place in a world that has been nothing but cruel to her; all along, he has been her biggest supporter and encourages her to embody her rage and revenge.

The side characters were equally as rich and diverse. Coco (Lilith's roommate and best friend) is a dancer at Zahariev's club; and is one of the first and only true friends Lilith makes when she comes to Ninevaeh. She is intensely protective of Lilith but also encourages her to LIVE the life she deserves. She is also the reason Lilith gains her familiar Cherub <3
Gabriel is the sweet older brother Lilith needed, but also the friend and family Zahariev adopted. His girlfriend Esther is equally as sweet and wholesome.

Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend this book for anyone looking for a darker, grittier urban fantasy, with a hot and spicy romance. The mystery elements are gripping and unqiue, while retaining the "magic" of the worldbuilding. The characters are well-developed, loveable and mulitfaceted. In regards to the plot, I had a number of predictions, but I DID NOT see the plot-twist at the end coming! I cannot recommend enough.

this is my first book from this author, but i've been familiar with her hades x persephone retellings (which i've heard great things, by the way). also, this is my second time reading an urban fantasy book.

i love the setting. i giggled at lilith and zahariev's banter. but i'm sad that some of my favorite characters are passed. and i love how the ending wrapped up.

but there are some parts that are lacking. for example, lilith's past. i mean she mentioned it, but it didn't tell the whole story so i've been expecting for the next book.

for the audiobook, they did good. at first i thought this is narrated in duet (since at the start of chapter is fmc's point of view). well i'm wrong

2.75 rounded up. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for my e-arc.

Firstly I loved a touch of darkness and Adrian x Isolade. But this just didn’t hit the mark.

I felt lost throughout the book, there was limited world building, and the relationships were so intense without any explanation.

Our FMC is the daughter of mafia boss and she has been allowed to live in another area of the city (how??) and she is now under the protection of the MMC. This city is overseen by the church.

We don’t ever fully under why the MMC is obsessed with her or when it started. She has been in this area of the city for 2 years and has people who she calls her sisters but we don’t ever find out how they met or why they are so close.

After some very traumatic events the FMC decides to spend the last 20% of this book sh*****g the MMC instead of finding out what has happened and why.

The ‘demons’ gave me ghostbusters vibes.

Where to start! (maybe with Zahariev 🥵) Our girl Lilith is trying to break free of the restrictions she’s dealt with both by being a woman and her family name and trying to survive in a very gritty reimagined Eden. Her world is thrown when she steals a dagger that comes with a whole heap of trouble and lands her right on the radar of her frenemy…protector… forbidden hottie… Zahariev, head of the Zareth house, all round baddie but in truth he’s so down bad for Lilith. Oh the tension in this!! Delicious! We’ve got mafia vibes, religious trauma, he falls first, friends to lovers, healing together, touch her and d!e and after that ending I cannot wait to see what happens next!

If you're looking for your next dark fantasy romance obsession, Terror at the Gates isn’t your average romantasy. Scarlett delivers a gritty Lilith reimagining steeped in religious trauma, mafia politics, and forbidden love. Think: frenemies-to-lovers, a morally grey love interest, and a touch of grimdark woven through a patriarchal, corrupted fantasy world.

Content Warning: This is not a light-hearted read expect religious trauma, violence, and themes of systemic oppression. Please read with care.

Lilith Leviathan is a fiery, complex heroine who refuses to play the role the world demands of her. Exiled and underestimated, she’s fierce, frustrating, and utterly unforgettable. When she crosses paths with Zahariev the ruler of Nineveh and the embodiment of the “touch her and die” trope the tension crackles. Their slow-burn romance simmers with banter, yearning, and emotional depth, and when it hits... it hits.

But Scarlett doesn’t stop at romance. Beneath the spice, she crafts a story of resistance, survival, and defiance. This isn’t empowerment wrapped in sunshine it’s raw, bold, and often painfully real. Scarlett interrogates systems of power and control, and she isn’t afraid to hold up a mirror to our own world through the lens of fantasy.

The softer moments are equally rewarding. There’s a tender found family subplot, a loyal sapphic best friend, and an animal companion you’ll absolutely adore. These lighter elements add balance without softening the story’s edge.

If you’re craving a romantasy with bite, a strong female lead, and a story that dares to push boundaries, add Terror at the Gates to your TBR now. Trust me you’ll want to meet Lilith and Zahariev before the spoilers start flying.

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks UK for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

This may be my first Scarlett St. Clair but it certainly won't be my last!

What to expect from Terror at th Gates:

⚔️ Friends-ish (fremenimies?) to lovers
⚔️ Fantasy mafia
⚔️ Romeo and Juliette type romance
⚔️ He falls first
⚔️ Slow burn (but so worth the wait)

My favourite thing about this book is the well rounded cast of characters. The women were bad ass and the men were not afraid to feel their emotions.

Lilith is deeply flawed (not in a negative way unless you're her family) but she owns those flaws and her friends love her for them. Lilith is a daughter of one of the five families of Eden. All she wants is to be accepted for who she is but she lives in a deeply religious and patriarchal society. Everything about her makes her an outcast.

And these flaws are exactly what draws Zaharieve (🔥🔥🔥) to Lilith. He is powerful and dangerous as one of the heads of the five families of Eden. It's clear to readers the Z is head over heels for Lilith but she's either blind or choosing not to see those feelings.

The story follows Lilith as she has a rebellious year in Nineveh (under Z's protection of course). The sexual chemistry and tension between the two characters is palpable. But this isn't just a romantasy, the powerplays and schemes going on between the five families as well as the morally corrupt religious aspects of the plot will keep you on your toes.

A well written plot, feminine rage, and brimming with secrets and hidden magic, Terror at the Gates will be a favourite amongst romantasy and high fantasy readers.

I'm addicted to the books by this author! For me they are the perfect mix of plot, character growth and smut. When I saw that this book was in the "read now" section on Netgalley for a day I therefore had to grab a digital copy! Thank you Sourcebooks UK!

This was everything I had hoped it would be and then probably a little bit more! Everything about it worked for me. The world building, the characters, the plot and the romance. The author did an amazing job giving us a society where religion is almighty and embedded in everything. In politics, in marriage, in who can get which job and who is allowed to live where. I especially love how the author shows us that the issue is mostly the people in control of this religion.

I also really loved the characters. The author takes her time to introduce them all to us and despite their flaws and strengths it feels like almost all characters are complicated and more than just good or bad guys. And Lilith is very much Lilith as I always imagined her to be. She's rebellious, but for the right reasons. She's terrible at following rules, but she almost always breaks them for a very good reason. All she wants is a choice, a voice and being more than a tool for men to use.

The plot also makes a lot of sense when you look at the myths and legends surrounding Lilith and her connection with the Bible. I of course don't want to give too much away, but the author does the same thing with the myths surrounding the Bible as she did with the Greek myths and legends. It's also totally worth it to read the afterword where she explains where her inspiration comes from and how she twisted some elements to fit them into this story.

I can't wait for the next book to be released!

I devoured this book. It drew me in and kept me hooked 😍

Tropes in this book:

✨️Frenemies to Lovers
✨️He Falls First, and HARD!!
✨️Slow burn, but the tension is 🔥
✨️Mafia vibes

For our characters, first off, we have Lillith, daughter of one of the 5 families of Eden. She is stubborn and bratty, but beneath it all, she just wants to be enough for someone exactly as she is. Her family wants her to be something she's not, so she left and has been biding her time in Nineveh, one of the districts of Eden.

There we meet Zahariev, head of the family that runs Nineveh. This man is 🥵🥵🥵 it's obvious from the start that he has feelings for Lillith, but she's too blind to see it, and he refuses to act on it.

"𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁?" 𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗲𝗱. "𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻'𝘁," 𝗜 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱. "𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘄𝗮𝗿."
"𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝘄𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂," 𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱.

The tension between these two is delicious! Zahariev's just the right amount of ruthlessness and sarcasm but also soft and protective. He deals so well with Lillith's bratty side, too!

The plot and story in the book were so well written! We have corrupt religious figures, scheming power plays between the 5 families and secrets that could end the world as they know it!

Another absolute BANGER from Scarlett. The worlds she weaves are magical and compelling from the very start. I’m so excited for this world. I am already sucked into it.

Lilith is one of my favourite characters that Scarlett has written. I love her strength and the way she isn’t afraid to go for what’s right and fuck up everything that’s wrong. She faces anyone without a care in the world and she loves her people with her whole being.

Zahariev js one of my new fave book boyfriends. You can see how much he ADORES Lilith from the very beginning but cannot do anything about it due to their families standings.

This book has great world building, beautiful friendships and amazing plot lines. It’s a must read for anyone just wanting to get into Scarlett’s work or if they want to devour anything new from her.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️



I glanced at Zahariev. "You're such a daddy."
"You only get to call me that when you behave," he said.
🥵 🥵 🥵 🥵


Zahariev is the newest entry into my book boyfriend list. Heavily tattooed mafioso who is obsessed with the FMC? Check ☑️

Lilith is a survivor of past SA (trigger warnings, babes!) and uses her ability to control men through their lust and sexual desires to survive in the seedy underbelly of Nineveh, a district in the city of Eden devoted to sin. She uses her magic to steal and sell her loot for a living.

Y’all know me well by now, so you know I’m going to insta-love a book with an animal sidekick, especially a kitty familiar— aka Cherub 🐈‍⬛

This was a fun quick read, and I do enjoy a good dark fantasy romance. This is the first book in a series from Scarlett St. Clair, so I know I’ll have plenty to look forward to in the future sequels. I did have a little issue with the pacing and the world building wasn’t as fleshed out as I would have liked, but still a solid 4 star read for me! I’m excited to see where she takes the series when the gates open!

Notable Tropes:

😈 Smash the patriarchy
😈 Commentary on organized religion
😈 Eden mythos reimagined
😈 Strong female lead/ SA Survivor
😈 Friends to Lovers
😈 Slow burn 🔥🔥🔥
😈 He falls first


Trigger Warnings: Religious fundamentalism, Past SA of a MC, Abuse of a child. Please check the full list on the author’s page!




Thank you to Sourcebooks UK for the eARC and to Tantor Audio for the ALC, and for the opportunity to read and review and give my honest opinion.

Terror at the Gates is a sizzling hot urban fantasy. We follow Lilith on a feminist retelling of the Biblical story. It’s dark, full of mysterious magic and has those Catholic roots sprinkled throughout. I loved the modern world setting and Mafia vibes bringing this story up to date. The FMC and MMC have a backstory, we don’t get much of this and come in after they have been skirting around each other for years. The forbidden element is done well creating the tension. I would say this book is mainly focused on the romance, there is a bit of a plot but this is all about feminine power and lust. I also have to mention the cat, love an animal companion and this delivered very much on that front. A very enjoyable and quick read for a romantasy binge read.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

This book! This book!! It was exquisite 👌🏻 The writing was stunning, the world building was in-depth but not overwhelming and the main and side characters were just incredible. I absolutely devoured this read and was hooked from start to finish. The feminine rage, the lore, the whole thing was amazing and is definitely up there as one of my favourite reads.

Unfortunately this was a dnf for me at 25% the fmc was giving ‘I’m not like other girls’ and it was just a little too cliche for me BUT I don’t think that means other people won’t like it and I probably have a few friends I would recommend it to.

3.75 ⭐️

Things I liked:

Female rage
Lilith retelling
Slow burn
Forbidden love
Strong FMC

Things I didn’t enjoy:
Loooong chapters
Clunky smut scenes with almost juvenile dialogue during
We lost the plot for two (LONG) chapters of sheer smut
Lack of world building

Whilst I’m aware this is the first of a series I feel there could have been more developed in the plot, there are so many plot points that could have been further explored instead of spending the majority of the book on the slow burn romance.

I did enjoy this book and will pick up the next one, but I may be inclined to skip the smut scenes 😅

⋆｡°✩ ᴀʀᴄ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ ✩°｡⋆

ᴛɪᴛʟᴇ : Terror at the Gates
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ : Scarlett St. Clare
ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ : Book 1 Blood of Lilith

Tropes:
⚬ Urban Fantasy
⚬ Religion Inspiration
⚬ Mafia Vibes
⚬ Slow Burn
⚬ Forbidden Romance
⚬ Unique Magic System

Terror at the gates follows Lilith Leviathan, Daughter of 1 of the 5 family's. She recently moved to another district, Nineveh to escape the life she had growing up. The only thing was that this was Zahariev's district. The head of one of the 5 Family's and someone who refuses Lilith's teasing. One day a buyer dyes Infront of Lilith and she has no choice but to turn to Zahariev for help.

WOAH, This book is 20/10 i LOVED it! Its been a hot minuet since i read an urban fantasy book and I'm so glad i read this one to dive back into that genre. Scarlett St. Clair did an amazing job of keeping this modern but magical without them overthrowing each other. The characters were all really well wrote and all had a depth to them that really attached to you. I love feeling connected to the characters i read about, it always makes a book so much better! Plus i really enjoyed the religious aspect of this book, normally i am a little weary of religious books, but i like how this one felt similar... but not. If that makes sense.

Lilith is B a s A s s! I love her. Her past broke my heart and i spent the whole book fighting in her corner for everything she wants! I love her determination to complete tasks and just be your average woman. Because that's what she wants, to be normal, and girl, you go for it!

Zahariev is just full of mystery, i love how at the end of the chapter you only get a little peep into his head. It really pulled me in and made me wanting more instantly. Zahariev is just s t u n n i n g, even on paper i can tell that. The way he followed Lilith round like she is the sun and air he breathes is everything. Them two together is pure fireworks and i cannot wait to dive deeper into their relationship in future books!

The magic in Terror i found was super unique. The women hold all the power but the men rule. Plus the gloopy aliens stuff!?!?! I loved that, gives you a sci fi feel and i like a sprinkle of that here and there!

I did an immersive read for Terror at the Gates with the e-book & the audio and i really enjoyed this! Laura Horowitz and Tristan Warden did a great job! Do i wish the audio was duet? yes? But i loved it non the less!

Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks UK for the ARC. DNF @ 70%.

"She is terror knocking at the gates" — the true terror is how deeply underwhelming and mediocre this was. I read way past the midway point and the fantasy aspect of the worldbuilding is so weakly developed. Our protagonist Lilith has magic but doesn't use it much, which granted, the in-narrative reason was that she lives in a very patriarchal society where women aren't permitted to use their powers without male supervision. But the whole point of her character is to rebel, no? Break the ceiling? The synopsis calls it a "feminist retelling" but is the feminism in the room with us or mostly in the final 30% ? Lilith rightfully calls out the sexism she faces as a woman, but she still possesses far more power and privilege as an heiress and doesn't use said privilege to uplift other women in worse conditions. She shows no inclinations in wanting to dismantle the patriarchal shackles that she and even other women face.

Maybe all that feminism takes place in the final 30%, because up till then, we're stuck with a very bland attempt in romance where Lilith acts like her goal in life is to be fucked by Male Love Interest Zahariev. I don't mind starting a story where the romantic feelings have developed and is pre-established, but even when that happens, I can usually see why the couple are in love with each other as the story goes on. Here, I don't get why Zahariev gives a damn about Lilith at all. She's constantly being stubbornly against his suggestions or offers of assistance and regularly bemoans how he won't sleep with her. Honestly, with the way she's lusting after him, it's as if Lilith likens not being able to have sex with the hot crime boss to be one of her top problems in life.

Also, I don't think I can take an Adult book seriously if it uses "boobs". Just say breasts.

An absolutely amazing read from one of my favorite authors!! This was a very highly anticipayed read for me this year and it did not disappoint!! I was sucked into the story from the first chapter!

Lately, I’ve been gravitating towards books steeped in female rage. Maybe because real life keeps handing us fresh reasons to be furious. But I digress.

As you may be able to tell, this isn’t your average romantasy. It’s a gritty Lilith re-imagining dipped in neo noir, laced with mafia politics, religious trauma, Romeo & Juliet-esque frenemies-to-lovers grimdark urban romantasy set in a fantasy patriarchal world. Yep, that sounds like a lot but for me, the vibes were immaculate.

But beneath the aesthetic, Scarlett St. Clair gives us a mirror that reflects double standards, institutional gaslighting and hypocrisy and the habit of branding women as “too difficult” when they dare to defy. The world of Terror at the Gates is fictional but if it starts feeling a bit too real life/Gilead for comfort, that’s probably the point.

I must admit, I went into this knowing very little about Lilith beyond the vague “Adam’s first wife who got demonised for being difficult” lore. A quick rabbit hole later, I learned there are multiple origin stories, but the most enduring is that Lilith was created from the same earth as Adam, refused to be beneath him, literally and symbolically, and for that, she was exiled and rewritten as a monster. Misogyny, ancient edition.

(Or maybe she simply walked out of Eden and never looked back.)

St. Clair leans hard into this. Her Lilith isn’t here to be subservient, she’s here to be difficult, to desire, to resist. It's not an empowerment arc with rainbows and butterflies. It’s dark, raw, occasionally nihilistic.

In this fantastical patriarchal world, women inherit magic through bloodlines, but men gatekeep it and get to wield it. Marriage is strategic and transactional. You may notice some characters have internalised misogyny. This is a book that is heavy on fantasy theology and religious trauma, but before you get your knickers in a knot, this isn’t anti-faith or religion.

I interpreted it as a critique of how religion gets twisted and how power-hungry institutions and figures of authority have weaponised doctrine to climb to power and enforce control. If that makes you uncomfortable, or if you’re not ready to see religion, religious books/texts and teachings examined as a tool of oppression, this one probably isn’t for you.

Now, if you're here for the romantasy part, good news. Possibly one of my favourite pairings of the year so far. The slow-burn frenemies to lovers tension between Lilith and Zahariev is toe-curling and when the spice finally kicks in, you may need a bucket of ice. Prepare thyself.

There’s also a sweet found family subplot, a sapphic bestie and an adorable animal companion who adds just enough softness and cuteness.

That said, this isn’t a light read. There are pretty graphic content warnings to be mindful of so please be aware and read with care. (*TWs included at the bottom of this review).

If I have one quibble, it’s that I wanted more from the magic system. The concept of power being siphoned from women by the men they’re forced to marry could have been richer but it felt underexplored. Hopefully we see that dynamic bleed deeper into the story’s tension and conflict in the sequel.

If you like extremely dark grimdark romantasy where the yearning yearns, the patriarchy gets called out and the heroine refuses to be palatable, this one’s for you.

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

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Sourcebooks UK for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

*Trigger warnings: Off-page child SA specifically by an authority figure in the church (NO on-page sexual assault), child abuse and emotional abuse by a parent and authority figure in the church, religious trauma, pregnancy and birth-related body horror, toxic family dynamics, death of a loved one, misogyny, sexual harassment, violence, murder, swearing.

3.5 stars

As a fan of St. Clair’s earlier work, this fell a bit flat for me. The story was very interesting, but I had a hard time getting invested in the main characters, especially their dynamic together. I found myself easily distracted while reading until the last 15%..