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.

As the first instalment in the series, this book serves as an excellent introduction to the world and characters that populate its pages. While each story may centre around a different couple, I would strongly advise reading them in order to fully appreciate the overarching narrative. In particular, the events of the final book would likely be confusing without the context provided by the earlier instalments.

What sets this series apart is its innovative premise, focusing on the Horsemen of the Apocalypse as the central figures in a fantasy romance setting. It's a refreshing departure from the typical tropes found in the genre, offering readers a unique and intriguing twist on familiar themes. I found myself drawn into the world-building and mythology surrounding the Horsemen, eager to learn more about their individual stories and the challenges they face.

One of the things I appreciated most about this book was its attention to detail and world-building. The author has crafted a rich and immersive world filled with magic, intrigue, and danger, bringing to life a setting that feels both fantastical and eerily familiar.

This is a fantastic start to a great story that I highly recommend all fans of fantasy romance read.
I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and author for the copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I am obsessed with everything Laura Thalassa releases at this point. She has stellar world and character building skills.

This review won’t be very comprehensive because this book wasn’t for me and I wasn’t invested in the story sadly

What a horrific book but so unique that I enjoyed it. Under the torment blossoms a love story unlike any I have read.

This is book 1 in The Four Horsemen series and most definitely comes in with a bang! They came to earth--Pestilence, War, Famine, Death--four horsemen riding their screaming steeds, racing to the corners of the world. Four horsemen with the power to destroy all of humanity. They came to earth, and they came to end us all. When Pestilence comes for Sara Burn’s town, one thing is certain: everyone she knows and loves is marked for death. Unless, of course, the angelic-looking horseman is stopped, which is exactly what Sara has in mind when she shoots the unholy beast off his steed. Too bad no one told her Pestilence can’t be killed. Now the horseman, very much alive and very pissed off, has taken her prisoner, and he’s eager to make her suffer. Only, the longer she’s with him, the more uncertain she is about his true feelings towards her … and hers towards him. And now, well, Sara might still be able to save the world, but in order to do so, she'll have to sacrifice her heart in the process.

So, most of this book I loved! Pestilence is definitely otherworldly and doesn't always understand humanity. I was iffy at the beginning because..well he is a jerk and the things he does to her are horrible. But the way the story is written just drew me in and kept me reading. And the fact that not only does he find his emotions, but with a vengeance, just made me like it even more. I loved their interactions once they both start trying to truly understand each other and their motives. I loved that Pestilence finds his humanity and chooses Sara over his "mission". By then end of this story, I was fully invested and needed to know how all of the "brothers" stories would go!