***4 Stars***

It took me a minute to dive into this book, why I don’t know since I like dystopian reads and the concept of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse finding love (especially after watching “them” do their thing on Supernatural :) ) is intriguing.

But I dove in and I enjoyed the ride.

I really liked Sara and how stubborn she was, from refusing to die to fighting against her rising feelings towards Pestilence. And Pestilence, it was hard not to be intrigued by him and watch as he went from having only being a vessel of destruction to becoming, for lack of a better term, human.

Obviously their journey is not ideal for more reasons than one, one being the fact that one can’t help but have Stockholm syndrome come to mind, but it was fascinating to watch as they both fall for each other, even when they both didn’t really want to.

This was an intriguing read for me. I enjoyed the writing and though there were times the pacing did drag a bit for me, it still held my focus. The situations that arise throughout the story are ones that can be difficult to handle, and one actually had me tearing up, but the destruction of the human race via the plague isn’t pretty. The only thing I wish had been apart of the story was Pestilence’s POV. Not where every other chapter was his POV, but towards the latter part of the story when things did change for him. But it is what it is and I’m looking forward to reading about the rest of the brethren.

OOOH man do I love Laura and her MMCs (I'm a Desmond Flynn girlie till I die) and Pestilence was chef kiss. He is a big ol' softie with the exterior of a gigantic a**hole. Sara was not having any of it and I couldn't respect her more. She's the imperfect heroine that I just absolutely love. Even though The Bargainer series is my favorite from Laura, and of all time, this is a great series filled with lots of spice and banter to turn my Laura addiction.

This was my first Laura Thalassa book and it did not disappoint. I will definitely be reading more of Laura's books and the Four Horseman series.

For a book where a lot of people are dying, nothing really happens. And the chemistry is nonexistent

Really enjoyed this story about love, compassion, forgiveness, and understanding! I found it really kept me interested and I didn’t want to put the book down once I really got into the story. I’ll definitely continue on in the series and would recommend to others.

Loved this book! The tension between the characters and watching as they went from enemies, to begrudging travel companions, to more, and seeing how Pestilence saw the end of the world was great. It's not his fault, he's just doing his job. His unwanted but still curious growing interest in human beings was fun to watch. The story and style of writing was easy to follow and hard to put down. Recommend! Thank you for the opportunity to read a great book!

I love everything Laura does and this was just as great as her other books. I look forward to reading the rest of them.

I’m not sure why I waited so long to read this, I actually really enjoyed it! It was much more slow burn and not as spicy as I expected. I am super curious about the other books in the series.

"Pestilence" introduces a gripping story filled with tension and passion. The tale of a fierce heroine and the embodiment of Pestilence creates a captivating enemies-to-lovers dynamic. The writing is vivid, and the plot is fast-paced, offering a unique take on romance in a dark world. Fans of the series will love this thrilling addition!

I read this and quickly went out and bought the rest of the series! It is so good and such a unique premise. I love the combination of fantasy with the real world. Kept me hooked from the very beginning to the very end.

I really enjoyed this book, found it easy to get into, and loved the writing style! I have previously read The Bargainer (Rhapsodic) series by her and absolutely loved it so was excited to start with another series by her. It was hard in the beginning to imagine Pestilence and Sara together due to how they treat each other physically and make the other one suffer but given the plot of the book and the description on the back, I wasn’t all that surprised they were off to a bad start. I liked how it set up the book for the rest of the series as well and gave us some background on how the world came to be like this. I like how the romance slowly built between the two of them and you could tell they had a deeper connection and she was put in his path for a reason. I liked that Sara stood her ground about things in the end and helped direct Pestilence in a good way to what he valued more, her or his “calling”. It definitely had some emotional parts dealing with all the people dying all the people that try to harm Pestilence. You do come to care for him even though he’s doing what he did. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in a four horsemen, end of world type romance, with some hard topics but a great ending!

I received a digital copy from NetGalley & the author of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Laura Thalassa for this novel!

*Pestilence* by Laura Thalassa is a masterful and enthralling fantasy novel that redefines the boundaries of epic storytelling. Set in a richly imagined world where the enigmatic figure of Pestilence wields immense power, the book dives into a gripping tale of love, conflict, and redemption. Thalassa’s world-building is both intricate and immersive, creating a vivid backdrop for the intense and emotional journey of the characters.

The novel's protagonist is a remarkably well-drawn character whose evolution is both compelling and heart-wrenching. Thalassan’s prose is lyrical and evocative, effortlessly drawing readers into the tumultuous world and the high stakes of the narrative. The chemistry between the characters is electric, and the tension is palpable throughout, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

With its deft blend of romance, fantasy, and profound emotional depth, *Pestilence* is a standout work that showcases Thalassans exceptional talent. It’s a must-read for fans of high fantasy and epic romance, offering a powerful and unforgettable reading experience.

I just finished reading Pestilence, the first book in Laura Thalassa’s The Four Horsemen series, and it’s absolutely incredible. Thalassa has truly outdone herself with this one, leaving me eager to see what could possibly top it. Each book in the series focuses on a different Horseman—Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death—and their power is portrayed with such intensity that it feels like it could destroy humanity.

I couldn’t put this book down; it was one of those rare reads where you find yourself multitasking just to keep going. Laura Thalassa’s writing is so engaging and straightforward, and the characters are both complex and entertaining. I’m really looking forward to diving into the rest of the series!

I wanted to like this book so much after hearing so much good about the series but unfortunately I couldn't get into it. I don't know if it's because I wasn't in the mood or if it's because I couldn't connect with the writing but I couldn't get past the first 30%. DNF

This was an honestly surprising read. It doesn't shy away from humanity's good (or bad) traits, and tries to find an even middle ground when the world is ending. The romance is touching, and I thought it wasn't too dark. The build up between the characters was great, and I'll likely check out the other books in the series.

In "Pestilence," Laura Thalassa delivers a gripping tale of love in the face of apocalypse. Thalassa's vivid prose plunges readers into a world ravaged by disease, where hope seems lost. Yet amidst the chaos, a captivating romance unfolds between the protagonist and Pestilence himself, a figure both terrifying and strangely alluring. Thalassa skillfully weaves together elements of romance, dystopia, and the supernatural, creating a story that is as thrilling as it is thought-provoking. With its compelling characters and unique premise, "Pestilence" is a must-read for fans of dark romance and apocalyptic fiction alike.

To be honest I've read two books from this series and this was the first. It was also the best one. I felt myself at times getting somewhat emotional. To see all the death of everyone around you...in such brutal detail, no matter of age. There was just something that really touched my heart with this book. I loved the older couple that made an appearance, and how pestilence cared for them in his own way. I highly recommend this book. Oh, not to mention the pain the Mfl was made to endure by pestilence was brutal, and underneath it all wr see his shame and guilt because of it. There's just something about this story.

I really wanted to love this book, and while I did enjoy parts of the story, overall it was not for me. I did not feel like there was any legitimate chemistry between the characters. At times I felt like I could see the relationship building - but overall it did not get there for me. I did enjoy the wrong style, so I will be picking up other books by this author to see if they fit my tastes better.

A friend recommended this book to me. I had forgotten I received an eARC on NetGalley and purchased it on my kindle haha what a great story with solid characters and plot. I will be adding this to my bookstores fantasy shelf!

Pestilence (The Four Horseman, Book 1) - Laura Thalassa

I was provided a copy of this story through Net Galley.

Laura Thalassa is an American author who loves being curled up with a good book also loves chocolate and some guacamole. She has written a few books in genres varying from fantasy to post-apocalyptic.



Pestilence, one of the four horsemen has come to Earth and is slowly making his way across the planet leaving a trail of sickness and death in his wake.

So, when he starts heading for the town where Sara Burn lives – she is determined to find a way to kill him.

Yet it would have been handy to know before she made an attempt that Pestilence cannot be killed.

Sara finds herself now a captive of Pestilence and for whatever reason seemingly immune to the sickness he spreads.

Now along for the destruction Pestilence is wreaking Sara at first tries to escape but quickly realises this path leads to pain.

However, she is soon able to make Pestilence realise not all humans are beyond saving. Before they both realise what is happening, they are soon more involved with each other than either of them expected.

Sara might just yet be able to save Earth and the human race, but what will she lose for that to happen.



“Pestilence” is a post-apocalyptic story exploring one of the horseman Pestilence and human nature. I found this book to be a quick and easy read, but it was also lacking for me in a few areas. It wasn’t as gripping or captivating as I hoped it would be. This story would have benefited if the writer had expanded on certain points rather than glossing over them. The character of Pestilence I found to be extremely annoying and really grated on me as did a lot of the dialogue and interactions between Sara and Pestilence.