I just finished Terror at the Gates last night and how could I not like this book? It was suspenseful, forbidden love, paranormal activity and a plot twist ending. The forbidden love had a slow burn that was just finally weaseled its way from what I presume after the 60% mark and I was screaming from the rooftops!

The narrators of this book were amazing. I love Laura Horowitz, she really captures her audiences. This was the first time I've heard Tristan Warden and he was good too, he made Zahariev sound hot. He will be on my narrator listen list.
☺️

My first Scarlett St. Clair book — but definitely not my last.

This is a dark romantasy that pulls no punches. The story follows Lilith, inspired by the Lilith of Jewish folklore (iykyk), set in the sin-soaked city of Nineveh. Lilith uses her magic to survive, stealing and selling religious artifacts. But one relic changes everything — people start dying, mysterious creatures appear, and Lilith begins having disturbing visions.

She reluctantly teams up with Zahariev, her childhood crush, in a world where women are subservient, commodified, and denied agency over their own lives. The chemistry simmers between them, but it unfolds in a world built on control, violence, and faith twisted into fear.

This book is rich in dark themes and trigger warnings — misogyny, religious trauma, violence, and systemic oppression — so tread carefully if you're sensitive to those elements. But if you're drawn to deep, layered world-building with a sharp edge, this one might hit you right in the soul.

It takes the blindfold off systemic religion and exposes its darker underbelly — the hypocrisy, the misogyny, and the way belief can be used as both shield and sword.

Thanks to NetGalley, Bloom books and Tantor Audio for the eARC and ALC. Laura Horowitz is the perfect Lilith and this was my first time hearing Tristan Warden breathe life to his character. Absolutely recommend reading Terror at the Gates and can’t wait for the next book.
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A slow burn with sexual tension built in from an “I hate you” to an “I love you!” A place where mob and church meet patriarchy with a dash of rebellion! Lilith a young rebellious young woman (with good reason) with a past she suppressed for so long. Ohh that Zahariev… sexy, strong, tattooed type…with a soft spot for “Little Love”
“Witches, snakes, and demons… oh my.”
I was enthralled and fully captivated by narration of the characters. The storyline that left me wanting more…

Thank you Scarlett St. Clair, RBmedia, and NetGalley for gifting me this ALC copy.

First off, I would like to say that Laura Horowitz did a fantastic job as the female narrator in this audiobook; she's by far my favorite female narrator, and her performance here was just as good as usual. Her narration carried this book for me; if this was narrated by someone else, or if I physically read this book, I'm not sure I would've finished it.

I was excited about this book using the lore of Lilith; I enjoy exploring angel/demon lore. I think my expectation for what this book would be doesn't align with how it actually is, which is definitely all on me. This book gave off a gritty urban fantasy vibe, which I liked.

For me, the romance in this wasn't fully fleshed out. We start this book with the love interests having known each other for many years, already having a firm foundation to their blossoming romance that we as the reader never got to see. Personally, I like seeing how the relationship started, even if that relationship pre-book never got romantic. Lilith mentions that she always found the MMC attractive, and she basically kept denying how she felt about him to herself most of the book. Their relationship also didn't feel very deep to me; it felt very lust-forward and physical. It might not have felt that way if the reader got to see the foundation of their relationship within the book.

Overall, I thought this book was just ok; I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. I'm not sure if I'll continue on with the series.

3.75
´

I love a good retelling and Scarlett St. Clair writing a Lilith story? Sign me up!

Terror at the Gates snuck up on me a bit.

The premise is almost inconspicuous and could have gone either way. It were the twists and deep emotional pull that captured me. The secrets and corruption run deep in this world and although the overall problems that came with misled religious control were clear, I have a feeling there is much more that's yet to be revealed.
I love the magic system and the feminine rage that fuels the power dynamics.

Although I was slightly confused by the world building at first, especially geographically, I assume this had to do with the fact that I listened to the audio and didn’t see a map if one is included in the digital/print version. However, this was only a slight hiccup in the beginning.

While the main POV lies with the FMC, the scenes from the MMC’s perspective feel like an enhancement, a bonus almost. Not least because of the way they’re incorporated in the structure.

Lilith is the kind of brash, angry FMC that I very much support - a perfect representation of the original mythology while also fitting for the present gaze in my opinion. I am very curious to see how she evolves in the next book, what changes and character arcs are waiting for her. Especially after how this book ended.

Zahariev is a character so shrouded in darkness that I find him difficult to grasp, yet somehow easy to fall in love with. He is just… there. And despite their initial relationship, there was not one second of doubt about him. I especially loved the contrasted view we got of him as a friend versus Lilith's sparring partner.

I enjoy Scarlett St. Clair’s writing, loved it in the Hades x Persephone series too. Her style and approach to retelling these myths support a sort of confidence in her knowledge about them.

All that being said, and I can’t even pinpoint why, I somehow didn’t fully fall in love with the book. It was more like a slow entanglement, luring in me in while somewhere along the way I got involved for lack of a better word.. I hope that whatever comes next continues this and fully hooks me because I really want to love this story on a 5 star level.

Overall, I liked Terror at the Gates. It is full of female rage and the pain of unfairness and lies - just what I’d expect from a Lilith retelling. It comes with some twists and turns so unexpected they felt like being punched in the heart, and a pull as alluring and elusive as the main characters. I’m very curious to see where this story goes in book two.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio and Scarlett St. Clair for an ALC of this book.

Holy smokes y'all, this book took me for a ride and just when I thought I had it figured out, SSC slammed me with a curve ball! On the surface, I would describe this book as if Sin City, The Mummy, and Baz Luhrmann's Romeo & Juliet had a paranormal mafia romance baby. Yes, there's all the things we love about an SSC romance- the tension, the banter, the found family, the healthy female friendships, and the slow burn that nearly killed me. But if you're paying close attention, there's lore being sprinkled throughout that tells us Lilith is no ordinary woman- she has a power that no one quite understands and the establishment does everything they can to control her. Speaking of which, expect a heavy dose of feminine rage against a religious patriarchy. This book was everything I didn't know I needed and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy to tab up the lore drops. And this goes without saying, but the lead narrator Laura Horowitz was phenomenal in her performance. She really brought out the sass in Lilith and knew exactly how to hit all the emotional notes, whether light or serious.

This was more not my taste of fantasy. It was dark and salacious, which works for some but I felt the plot could have used a bit more. I did appreciate what the author does and she really did a great job at creating the atmosphere and setting of the book — it was so vivid and strong. However, I just didn’t love the concept overall. This is more a ME thing in this case.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

FANTASTIC! Rich world building, compelling characters, and fantastic pacing!

The narrators do a fantastic job at bringing this story to life and adding that added layer of emotion to the storytelling.

Thanks so much for this ARC! This is my first read by this author and I went in fairly blind! I saw the cover and some art and really felt drawn to this book! The world we step into is modern but with deep religious roots and families holding the power on the world. Women are second rate citizens used mostly for their magic and breeding. As many of us understand our FMC was not interested in following that path set out for her. The dark fantasy plot took a front seat for most of the book but the romance was simmering the entire time! Our MMC is a fantastic balance to the current world and a character that makes you want to know more. Our FMC is the opposite and seems to be an open book to everyone and doesn’t hide her emotions or opinions well. Makes for delicious combination! I cannot wait for the next book in this series!

I have read a few Scarlett St. Clair books, I have always enjoyed her writing. This book was also exceptional.

Story: I have yearning for a urban fantasy vibes in a newer book, I was so excited about this. It felt pretty fresh and new! The world she built was intriguing and left me wanting to know more. I found the parallels to modern religion pretty interesting too.

Characters: I did find both leads to be kind of typical in comparison to her other leads in her other works. Similar vibes, especially with the main FMC. BUT if something isn't broke, why fix it. I enjoyed the tension between the two leads. A good slow burn. in the beginning.

Things I didnt like: FMC was always reckless and a little annoying at times but I can understand that's how she is supposed to be. At times if felt like the storyline was moving too fast, I had to rewind a bit to really hear what was going on. The male narrator had a few random chapters, and it really threw me off. I think just having the female narrator do the whole thing wouldve been better.. He just felt really random and out of place and disrupted the flow of everything else.

Over all I would give this a solid 4! I am excited for the sequel and to get more into this world.

This is the best book I’ve read so far this year! Everything about this book is perfection! The story, the banter, the spice, all five stars. This book is Christian mythos meets sin city, but in the best way. The audio book is done in duet narration, and is soooo good! I am begging you to read or listen to this! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tantor audio for this ALC.

Dark, delicious and dangerously addicting. An ubarn romantasy with a new and interesting worldbuilding, spicy tones and a gripping story.
We follow a headstrong heroine trying to navigate in a magical world that slowly udfoldes. There's chemistry, banter, tension and a morray grey male - oh and spice.
The audiobook greatly done - the female narrator also did "The Wicked Games"

4,5 stars !

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Fierce and Unforgettable Start to a Bold New Fantasy Series

Terror at the Gates by Scarlett St. Clair is a stunning introduction to a dark, intoxicating world where magic, power, and rebellion collide. From the very first chapter, I was hooked by Lilith Leviathan—a sharp, clever, and deeply complex heroine who refuses to be silenced or tamed.

Set in the sin-drenched district of Nineveh, the worldbuilding is rich with grit and glamour, danger and temptation. The tension between the ruling families, the ever-watchful Church, and the looming threat of ancient power creates a backdrop of constant suspense. And then there’s Zahariev—equal parts dangerous and magnetic—whose connection with Lilith simmers with intensity and slow-burning depth.

Scarlett St. Clair delivers a feminist retelling of the Lilith myth that doesn’t hold back. Lilith isn’t just surviving—she’s rising, reclaiming her voice, and becoming a force to be reckoned with. Her journey is empowering, haunting, and beautifully written.

The audiobook narration was phenomenal and brought the emotion, edge, and atmosphere of the story to life in such a vivid way. I couldn’t stop listening.

I received this book as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and am leaving this review voluntarily.
If you love morally gray characters, slow-burn tension, rich worldbuilding, and stories where women burn down the systems that try to contain them—Terror at the Gates needs to be on your shelf. I cannot wait to see where this series goes next.

Terror at the Gates by Scarlett St. Clair❤️‍🔥

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You’re telling me I just need to move on with life like normal now?! Ugh I loved this story so much I desperately need the next one to know what happens next! Lilith was such a badass female main character and I admired her strength so much especially with everything’s she’s been through. Zahariev is the epitome of touch her and die vibes while also being perfectly morally grey, the ends he would go for her while not constraining her was everything. Lilith family situation was seriously the worst I cannot believe everything she had to endure especially with entities that were worshipped... I'm glad we got to see her support system through Esther, Gabriel, Coco, and Zahariev! It added another layer to Lilith story while giving readers the power of knowing she’s not alone she has an army of people that would start a war for her and oh Zahariev the man that you are😍 “I would go to war for you” was such a powerful scene more to say after release! but I just absolutely melted seeing him do such subtle but powerful gestures for Lilith always putting her first on his priorities and the nickname he had for her like come on!! ❤️ The story is definitely still spreading it’s wings but oh man it’s about to soar!❤️‍🔥desperately need book 2 ASAP!

SN: Cherub is the best kitty in the world I can’t wait to see more of her!

Thank you Scarlett St. Clair/NetGalley for giving me an ALC truly feel so honored I got to read this before release!❤️‍🔥 my heart is truly so full!

Some people journal. Me? When I want to punch a wall, I reach for a book full of feral, feminine rage.

𝘛𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 is an ode to the 𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧™—the ones too loud, too stubborn, too angry to be silenced by internalized misogyny or relentless gaslighting. It’s fantasy, sure, but the injustices in St. Clair’s world are all too real.

Here, a woman is only valued in how she—and her power—can serve a man. Religious zealots. Political dynasties. Daughters treated like bargaining chips. It’s a brutal world that often hit far too close to home.

The backdrop? Eden is gritty, raw, urban. St. Clair wires the city with thick, electric tension; you feel the watchful eyes of the mafia-esque ruling families on the back of your neck. Drama—and trauma—lurks in back alley shadows, seeps through every crack in the pavement.

In Lilith, we get a feral, furious FMC with first rate Fuck You energy. She’s Tory Vega but more brat. Bryce Quinlan with extra bite and a looser grip. She’s reckless, vulnerable, tenacious—and for all her magic, deeply human. She made choices that made me want to scream. Somehow, I kept rooting for her. As she figured her shit out, she grew on me—and by the end, I was all in.

Though no one is as all in on Lilith as Zahariev. This broody man is beyond down bad. His protectiveness? Pure touch-her-and-die devotion. I loved every searing moment of tension—and their collision when they finally caved to the heat.

𝑨𝒍𝒔𝒐:

✨ A unique magic system that’s just starting to reveal its layers

🩸 Mystery, intrigue, and gut-punch twists that keep you hooked—even when the pace slows

🐍 Authority figures you’ll want to rage against

❤️ Found family and besties who bring just the right touch of levity and softness to the story’s sharp edges

🐈‍⬛ Proof that kittens make everything better (though honestly, I just wanted to cuddle Cherub)

💥 A HOLY SH*T ending that’ll leave you desperate for the next book

🎧 𝑶𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒖𝒅𝒊𝒐: Laura Horowitz is pure perfection—giving full Megara vibes that fit Lilith to a tee. Her emotion had me so locked in that once I switched to the audio about halfway through, I couldn’t go back to my Kindle. I’ve already added more of her work to my TBR.

𝑻𝑳;𝑫𝑹: If you crave gritty, urban fantasy soaked in neo-noir tension—and a heroine who refuses to be tamed—𝘛𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 will fuel your feminine rage against a brutal, twisted world. This story grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go until the final, jaw-dropping moment.

🩸 Feminist Retelling
⚔️ Urban Romantasy
🩸 Mafia
⚔️ Frenemies to Lovers
🩸 Slow Burn
⚔️ He Falls First
🩸 Feminine Rage
🐈‍⬛ Familar

I'm not normally a slow burn girlie but the sexual tension was 🤌🏻.

As an exvangelical, that will constantly be deconstructing, I love a feminist religious retelling and this Lilith retelling is ✨️so✨️ good. I loved the unique magic system and Lilith's journey and subsequent feminine rage when she losses her faith. Can't wait for the next installment!

And after that cliff hanger, I'm already planning an immersive reread before the next one releases.

4 stars — Powerful, bold, and emotionally gutting.

This is a dark feminist fantasy steeped in religious trauma, political power, and female rage. It’s a modernized retelling of the story of Lilith.

In this alternate world, only women have magic, but are still completely subjugated by men and the Church. Lilith, a daughter of one of the five most powerful family, grew up facing horrific abuse from the Church’s highest-ranking authority. When she comes of age, she refuses to marry and instead runs, finding refuge under the protection of Zahariev, a morally gray mafia-style leader who becomes her protector.

🔥 What to expect:
• Witchcraft & forbidden magic
• Fantasy mafia vibes
• Only women wielding power
• Slow-burn, forbidden romance
• Female rage simmering beneath the surface
• Powerful religious and feminist themes

Lilith is a deeply flawed but fierce protagonist. Her choices don’t always make sense, but they feel honest. I cried more than once for her. Zahariev, while not as fully developed yet, feels like the perfect grounding force in her life. I loved their complicated, intimate dynamic.

There are tough topics throughout; assault, oppression, systemic abuse, and control of women’s bodies. Please read content warnings carefully before diving in.

If you love mythological retellings, rage-filled women reclaiming power, and stories that aren't afraid to challenge religious and societal norms, this one’s for you.

The narrators did a great job; however, once again, I would have preferred a duet rather than narrators separated by chapter.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the opportunity to read Terror at the Gates.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tantor Audio for providing me an ALC in exchange for my review.

Terror at the Gates is actually my first Scarlett St. Clair book. I had always been a bit intimidated by her long running Hades x Persephone series as I'm just the worst at staying dedicated for longer than two or so books. But this book was pitched a slow burn urban fantasy filled to the brim with feminine rage and sexual tension which sounded like something I needed desperately.

And I think Scarlett delivered on everything promised.

Terror at the Gates follows Lilith, the daughter of House Leviathan, who escapes the cloying pressures of her family by finding refuge in Nineveh. Zahariev is the ruler of Nineveh and has been asked by Lilith's father to watch over her, much to Lilith's annoyance. Lilith uses her magically enhanced powers of seduction to steal an ornate dagger from a man in a bar. Once it's in her possession, she is plagued by odd dreams and terrible events in her waking life. The church is desperate to get it back and Lilith is desperate to sell it, especially after she learns just how dangerous it is.

First, I loved our narrator, Laura Horowitz. I love her voice and she always adds that extra little human-ness to the audiobook. As for the plot, I loved pretty much everything about it. Lilith is a strong willed, angry, but vulnerable main character. She pushes against society and the roles women are forced into by the church. While the tension between her and Zahariev is electric, she battles between her attraction to him and her resentment of him always swooping in to take care of her. She doesn't want special treatment, and hates him for always reminding her that she is special. Speaking of Zahariev, he was a wonderfully complex love interest. He is equal parts dominate, cold, and caring. He supports Lilith in anyway he can, and that she'll let him. He loves her hardheadedness and never tries to reel her in, only is there to help in the clean up. I really enjoyed the world building as well. Angels, demons, old gods, unreliable prophets are something I always like in my stories. The ending left me absolutely desperate for more!

My one minor nitpick is that once the slow burn is over, it's OVER. There are a handful of sex scenes right at the end and it feels like the story slows just a bit to work around them. I loved the tension between our two MCs and really wished it would have continued on just a bit longer, especially since this is the beginning to a series.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. I was immersed from the start and really liked the characters which included a found family and the plot was good throughout and kept my attention. As for the romance aspect there was a lot of tension and the mmc was very protective of the fmc which I loved, also enjoyed the small glimpses of the mmc pov. The audiobook narrators did a great job!

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.

I enjoyed this one! It gave me Crescent City vibes (FMC characteristics, FMC dealing with death of a loved one, demon hunting) without the chaos of a ton of different species, and with feminine rage and commentary on religion being a huge theme. Our FMC Lilith was a classic Scarlett St. Clair FMC - a bit immature and hard-headed, but you still love her. Our MMC, Zahariev, was dark and broody and a man of few words, which made him even more dreamy. It’s been a while since I read a good urban fantasy and I really enjoyed the twists and turns, though the pacing was a little off at times.

Definitely recommend this one! If you enjoy audiobooks, the narrators were excellent.