Narration: Dual narration. The narrators are *chefs kiss* perfection at their characters. I love both of them so much.

If you love:
• Frenemies to lovers
• Urban Fantasy
• Mafia
• Neo-Noir Vibes
• Animal Sidekick
• Pet name
• He Falls First and it’s *obvious*

Unique elements I loved:

Overall thought: I thought I would love this more than I did because it has everything I love but I don't think it was for me at the right time. I felt like something was missing from the book to make it *chefs kiss*. But I'm hopeful to try this again in the future because I love the authors writing, characters and world building.

Thank you for the ALC NetGalley & Tantor Audio in exchange for an honest review 🎧

The audiobook was beautifully narrated. Lilith's narration (by Laura Horowitz) sounded like Megara from Hercules with the inflection and personality. I really enjoyed her narration and it helped keep me interested in listening to this book.

The dual POV mainly focused on Lilith's with small excerpts by Zahariev at the end of most(all?) chapters. This created a balance where Lilith would reach conclusions and Z would confirm or provide perspective that gave the reader insight into his pining.

Their combined forces to discover what is happening in the city and uncover the truth of the church had me invested in this story.

Definitely going to continue this story as I enjoyed it more than Hades x Persephone series which I gave up after the second book.

P.S. I wasn't into Gabriel's nickname of 'baby girl' - regardless of his relationship with Lilith it made me cringe each time I heard it.

Terror at the Gates by Scarlett St. Clair
(4.5/5)
Scarlett St. Clair has done it again, at least for me. Terror at the Gates delivers a healthy dose of religious trauma, deconstruction, and feminine rage in a Western religion-inspired world. The yearning and slower-burn between the main couple was also top-notch. Both narrators also did a fantastic job at bringing this story to life.

Angsty and overflowing with feminine rage, this was a story I’ll be thinking about for a very long time. The emotional hits just kept coming but I just kept getting up for more.

To me this felt pretty similar in vibes to Rose In Chains, but also way less problematic?? If that makes sense haha.

Read if you like: Forbidden romance, fighting the patriarchy

Thanks to Netgalley and RBMedia for providing me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I got an advanced copy of the audiobook for this from NetGalley and soooooo good!!!!! I love the narration and the story. I love Scarlett's books so much!

Terror at the Gates is a gripping, empowering fantasy that blends rich world-building, high stakes, and a fierce heroine you can’t help but root for. Lilith’s journey from betrayal to power is both thrilling and deeply moving, while her slow-burn chemistry with Zahariev adds just the right spark. Scarlett St. Clair delivers a story that’s dark, romantic, and impossible to put down.

I Absolutely loved this book, the plot kept me intrigued through out and it was full of highs and heartbreak lows. With the mafia vibes I completely forgot I was reading a fantasy untill the ending.

Lilith knows what she wants and more to the point what she doesn't want. She sticks the middle finger right up to the patriarchy and I love how her friends, found family and especially Zaharieve try protect her from it. She's been through a lot and understandably lashes out making life a little difficult for herself which is why she is a brat and I love her all the more for it, she hates asking for help and it was great watching her grow to finally realise why people wanted to help her.
I love the way Lilith would try rile Zahariev up, the tension between the two was perfect and the restraint this man has is something to behold. He is such a morraly grey green flag,

The mystery continues with that cliff hanger!!! When is book 2??

Thank you so so much to Netgalley, Bloom Books and Tantor Audio for allowing me to read the ARC and listen to the ALC of Terror at the Gates.

I think this book soothed something in me I didn't realize was so angry and at the same time fueled that rage.

Lilith has moved out of her family home and is living in the sinful while under the protection of Ninevah's leader, Zahariev. Using her magic, she's able to easily steal trinkets to pawn off and make her ends meet without asking for help, until she steals a dagger that leaves a trail of bodies for just touching or being in its presence and unearths hidden history and motives.

I absolutely loved Lilith's character. She just wants to be free to live true to her self, to love who she wants, to not hold back, and I feel for her so much. That rage just circles and circles looking for an outlet. I did not know this was a retelling in anyway if it was, but having religion in my childhood, there was a lot of familiar pieces and it was so easy to just love Lilith and relate with her mindset. That slow burn, SLOW... BURNED... but it was so delicious with little chapter endings form Zahariev's POV or part and just seeing both sides made the angst and yearning so good. It was modern, and mysterious, and emotional. I just loved it, whole heartedly. I loved it so much I bought myself a physical copy lol, I didn't even want to wait for a special edition.

I did do an immersive read, I was able to listen to the audiobook, and Laura is a vocal artist like no other. She gave Lilith such sass and emotion. Tristan played such a great smooth but stern voice to Zahariev and really helped firmed his character for me even what Laura was doing his characters' parts. No notes, it was wonderful! It is a dual audiobook, so to recap the narrators will voice both their character and others but I found both narrators to be fantastic in their skills, it didn't distract from the story at all and would absolutely recommend it if it interests you.

I can't wait for the next book. The last 15% had me on the edge of my seat and the ending was just totally a shock! I didn't see most of it coming, I had no idea going in to it what to expect, and I really recommend it, going in with just a blank slate, minor assumptions. It's a fun wild ride, and I can't wait to go back!!

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Tropes
• Political/Religious Intrigue
• Slow Burn
• Prophecies/fates
• Chosen One

I was so excited for this. I was so excited when I was finally approved for this audio… but I cannot stand the narrators. I don’t think I can make it through this. Maybe I can try the print version… but as of right now it’s a DNF.

Terror at the Gates by Scarlett St. Clair is a darkly seductive start to a new romantasy series, brimming with intrigue, danger, and forbidden desire. Banished from her family and surviving in the sin-soaked district of Nineveh, Lilith Leviathan is a fierce, morally complex heroine whose life changes when a mysterious dagger falls into her hands along with a curse of deadly consequences. St. Clair’s lush, atmospheric writing pulls you into a world where power is currency, the church rules with an iron fist, and alliances are as intoxicating as they are treacherous. The slow-burn tension between Lilith and Zahariev crackles, adding heat to a plot woven with political intrigue, dangerous magic, and high stakes. This is a thrilling blend of fantasy and romance that leaves you eager for the next chapter in Lilith’s rise.

I had such a great time reading this book! It pulled me in right from the start and kept me turning the pages. The writing flowed so well, and I found myself completely invested in the story and characters. It’s one of those reads you just don’t want to put down.
huge thanks to the publisher for sending me an early copy!! I’m so glad I got to read it ahead of the release day and can't wait for the world to get to enjoy it too!!

A lot of mixed feelings while reading but ultimately after sitting with it for a bit, didn’t enjoy it sadly. Terror at the Gates is a Lilith retelling rooted in biblical references and “female rage”. The biblical references were very on the nose (the city is called Eden) but they were effective in portraying the repressed and religious trauma. The villains in this story are the leaders of the church and God in general which I loved but the rest of the plot fell flat and felt very disjointed. We had so many different threads to follow and saying they all came together by the end is a stretch. We had this mystery blade, weird dreams, church corruption, and some weird demon goop - pick a lane people. At least the religious lore was interesting.

And don’t get me started on the “female rage” - more like mild female irritation. I feel like if you’re gonna market a novel as “female rage” we better be ready to go to war against the patriarchy. Instead we have a rebellious 20ish year old who hates men but is still dependent on the men in her life. It rubbed me the wrong way. Lilith wanted to get away from her family’s expectations so she moves to the district devoted to sin but she still reaps all the benefits of her family’s privilege and is ultra dependent on her fathers bodyguard sent to watch out for her. I could say she’s financially independent but her bodyguard/love interest pays 3 months of rent.

As much as I had issues with the novel, the narration was good for the most part. The female narrator fit Lilith very well and did a great job. The male narrator on the other hand…he did not fit Zahariev the MMC AT ALL. This guy sounds like a 50 year old coal miner not a hot young bad boy. Thank god the MMC POV was like a minute or two the end of each chapter but it took me out the story completely. Honestly the female narrator should’ve just used her male voice it was such a small amount of Zahariev POV.

Consider me banging on the gates!

A city divided and a church to lead them. Women are gifted magic, they can use only under the supervision of their husbands, brothers, and fathers... a patriarchal society that values womens silence and expects devotion.

Lilith is a runaway Viper heir with a bad attitude and an uncanny ability to tempt trouble. Zahariev is the ultimate fantasy mafia boss and heir to a seperate territory.

Scraping together enough money to pay her rent by using her magic to steal from inspecting men- Lilith really doesn't worry about the consequences when the man in charge is watching her back.

Doesn't take her long to steal the wrong thing from the wrong person, at the wrong time, then the bodies just keep piling up in her wake.

The second half of the story lost me a little as the plot got lost amongst the relationship between L and Z. It had a lot of potential but it kind of lost its momentum and that drive we got in the begining.

Our FMC also didn't show any personal growth even as she lives amongst those less fortunate than herself, always worrying about Lilith first and foremost.

I do hope we see a shift in her perspective and attitude in the following books of the series.

The audio narrators for this book were fantastic. Tristan Warden is a new narrator to me and I'm well and truly converted. Laura, does an excellent job no matter what she is reading so if you've listened to anything read by her before you'll know what to expect. Great tone of voice, expression as she breaths life into her character.

Best bit-
Love a magical object that doesn't take no for an answer. Chaos.

Ever since “Hazin Hotel” blew up last year a book about Lilith was right up my alley. Scarlett St.Clair’s Hades and Persephone books always gave me what I wanted. As every person who was a kid in early 2000, obessed with mythology. But this Lilith and Zahariev is an untapped genre and I was HERE for it. I felt like I was reading higher level mythology. This book has St. Clair’s romance hits but also had a darker glitzy tone I was obsessed with. The uniqueness of the plot is what just made this book explosive. As an audiobook this gets double points off the bat for having dual narrators. Laura Horowitz also narrators “Cruel Promises” by Nicole Fox which was one of my 2024 favorites. As female audiobook narrators go you can’t get much better.

Scarlett St. Clair began painting another dark, fantastical world for her readers to explore and play in with Terror at the Gates. A story of the dangers of power, religion, corruption, and darkness, our eyes into the world - Lily - is an interloper in areas where she should not be. Her family wields power like a knife and Lily is expected to fall in line and do as she's told. That's not her jam. Instead, she makes a life for herself - friends, job, and suspect activities - in a less savory area of town and reluctantly accepts the protection of a family "friend" - Zahariev. Does she love him? Hate him? Find him useful? It depends on the day. However, as she uncoils the tangled web her family has woven, she finds that his support may be the only thing keeping her alive. Magic, slime demons, a kitten side kick, and spice galore. I thoroughly enjoyed this new world - Scarlett St. Clair has sucked me in again!

The narration was lovely and the brief peaks into Z's mind were glorious. I wish we had more of his POV...maybe in book 2!

I love Scarlett st Clair’s books but I could not get into this one at all. I ended up abandoning at around 30%. The book was just too slow.

I loved this book! I was sucked in immediately and could not put it down. The characters are so lovable and make you smile and the story was so intriguing!

3.5⭐️ rounded up to a 4.0

This is an ARC review. I want to thank Scarlett St. Clair and Tantor Audio for allowing me the chance to listen to this book ahead of release day! This audio narration is mostly of the FMC, Lilith, with a splash of the MMC, Zahariev.

I really cannot fathom how Lilith has lived her life under her father’s thumb, under the church’s thumb, and her trauma she has kept to herself. All of which don’t like that she has magical abilities. During this book, she has so much death surrounding her but who is constant is, Zahariev. His not so hidden love, unless you’re Lilith, is so prominent throughout the book. His whole persona exudes being her protector. The fact that he can mask his lust she can usually detect on people he obviously has for her, shows the kind of restraint he can poses.

But when I tell you I IMPATIENTLY waited for him to release it and have the who cares moment! Goodness it felt like it took forever! But also understandable as he is technically employed by her father. She literally means everything to him and I cannot get over my love for that. He also embodies “touch her and die” vibes which I love for them too. The ending left much to be desired but I would overall read it to see what happens next in their love story.

That narrators for this audiobook were great! I felt more connected to the MMC/FMC. I will say I could have done with more Zahariev because my goodness his snippets were NOT enough for me! Hopefully within the second book in the series we will get more of him!

Terror at the Gates by Scarlett St. Clair
Rating: ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ .75

Review:

“Nothings ever wrong when it’s love”

I strongly urge everyone to read the trigger warnings, as this novel delves into deep topics such as child SA, DV, death and murder. This novel also includes open-door romance scenes. And so with that… I must inform you that I would most definitely fold for both Lilith and Zahariev.

This is my first Scarlett St. Clair novel, but it will definitely not be my last. Right from the start I was pulled into this story. As someone who took many religious classes but is not someone who practices in organized religion, this was a very interesting book for me. Immediately you understand the overarching theme of this book stems from an interpretation of religion, where those who practice religion and follow those in power in religious institutions use their religion as a mask to cover their hypocrisy and evil intentions. Follow that religion and political aspect up with a magic system? You have my attention.

Now I know that this book may not be for everyone and that this may deter someone from reading it, but stay with me! Because I need more people to be talking about this because IT’S SO GOOD. This story is a great way to explain that reading is inherently political. If that rings true to you, then I highly recommend trying it out. But also… *giggles* they’re both so hot.

The feminine rage from Lilith was my favorite. That’s it, that’s all you need to know… okay but- she is literally that girl! Like okay babe, stand on business! She’s my stubborn twin for real and I love that. The sass was sassing! Zahariev...? Oh my, yes please. He’s the “touch her and die” kind of man and he means it. I loved peaking into his head for those few minutes we got with him.

On to the narration, I was graced with an audiobook and I ATE IT UP! Ooh these voice actors really did something. And don’t get me started on Zahariev’s voice… Tristan Warden. Truly so good. The perfect voice acting choice, the vibes were immaculate. When I heard him speak at the end of the first chapter it was OVER, I knew this audiobook was gonna eat! Laura Horowitz as Lilith charmed me from the very beginning. The narration was so smooth and perfectly timed. She felt like the most perfect person to voice Lilith. Everything that was read, I felt it. The hardest moments hurt my soul and Laura really did that.

I can’t praise this book enough. I’m barking at Scarlett St. Clair’s door for more. It’s a need. A must have. I shall be waiting for book 2.

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

[alc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for providing an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Terror at the Gates releases July 8, 2025

“Forgiveness is an invitation to sin. It will be our ruin.”

The slow burn tension between Lilith and Zahariev?! I’m obsessed.
I was worried that the religious trauma would detract from the overall enjoyment of the story, but it wasn’t bad at all.
Looking forward to seeing what direction Scarlett St. Clair takes this series after that ending!