The 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse have come to Earth to punish humanity. Pestilence, the first horseman, brings plague everywhere he goes. Sara Burns attempts to end the suffering by killing Pestilence, but things do not go according to plan, and he takes her as prisoner. They travel the country getting to know each other; with Sara hoping she can change his mind and make the death end.

I didn't think I could care about literal Pestilence, but Thalassa got me again! There were many interesting twists and turns as Sara and Pestilence got to know each other, and their relationship changed. The story and thoughts about humanity were much deeper than I anticipated.

Next, on to War!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book for an honest review.

Fantasy Romance! My first paranormal type of read and I feel like it was so well written I was hooked from start to finish with it all. Overall I really enjoyed the book and recommend anyone to read this one =D

Thank you to Bloom for the eArc.

I was intrigued about how the romance would go in this book and how I would feel about it. After finishing it I can say it was a really interesting story that dealt a lot with morality and the romance was one I was rooting for and against at the same time which was kind of fun. By the end I was all onboard and am excited to pick up the next books in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an interesting fantasy romance with unique circumstances.

The first of the Four Horsemen series! If you like brooding men who who believe in one goal and one goal only… to end the world…. but then a woman comes into play…. you have found the book. Filled with adventure, uncertainty, and stubbornness. Loved this book!

This copy was kindly given to me by Netgalley and the publisher for review. All opinions are my own.

I love this whole series and am excited to see the new covers as they are being republished. Pestilence might have been my favorite horseman from the series so far (I haven't finished Death yet). I enjoyed the journal aspect, the growth of both characters as they spend more time with each other.
And Trixie the loyal steed was my fav animal side kick.

I received a revised copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley!

Pestilence is a book that intrigued me for a while. The premise of a romance between a human and one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is certainly original and daring. I was curious to see how the author would handle such a difficult subject, especially since the romance involves Stockholm syndrome and a lot of violence and suffering.

I have to admit that I was not disappointed by Laura Thalassa's writing. She has a way of creating complex and compelling male characters that make you feel conflicted and fascinated by them. Pestilence is no exception. He is ruthless, cruel, and merciless, but also loyal, honorable, and capable of change. His transformation throughout the book is gradual and believable, and his chemistry with Sara is undeniable.

Sara, on the other hand, was not my favorite heroine. I found her to be inconsistent and annoying at times. She oscillates between hating and loving Pestilence, between fighting and surrendering to him, between being brave and being foolish. I understand that she is in a very difficult situation, but I wish she had more depth and personality.

The plot of the book is also a bit repetitive and long. The story follows Sara and Pestilence as they travel across the country, encountering different obstacles and challenges along the way. Some of these scenes are exciting and emotional, but others are boring and unnecessary. I think the book could have been shorter and more focused.

However, despite these flaws, I still enjoyed reading Pestilence. I am a sucker for stories where love conquers all, even in the most hopeless and dark circumstances. And this book delivers that message in a powerful and satisfying way. The ending left me wanting more, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

If you are looking for a unique and dark romance with a touch of fantasy and dystopia, you might want to give Pestilence a try. Just be warned that it is not for the faint of heart or the easily offended.

Pestilence by Laura Thalassa is a dark and twisted paranormal story that will leave you questioning morality, humanity, life, and death. The book follows Pestilence, the first horseman who comes back after their arrival on Earth, as he rides through the world, spreading plague. Every city he sets foot in gets infected. The story is equally action-packed and character-driven, with both Sara and Pestilence growing quite a bit as characters. The interactions between them were enjoyable, and the book swept me into the story, making me not want to put it down. There was one particularly moving scene where they came upon an older couple who took them in, knowing who Pestilence was, and knowing what the outcome would be. It was the first moment where you see the beginnings of Pestilence's understanding of humanity. Overall, Pestilence is a great read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark paranormal stories. My rating for this book is 5 stars.

When I first heard of the four horsemen series, I was not sure if there was going to be a way for me to see them as a likeable love interest. Especially Pestilence, right after a pandemic like covid. However, I do enjoy a lot of dark romance, and I always love learning a bad guy's arc. So, with an open mind and being excited to learn more about Laura's writing style, I jumped all in.

The story had me gripped pretty quickly, and the world-building was really interesting. There are definitely triggering aspects of this story, with a lot of sad death. However, I really liked our firefighting protagonist, Sara. She's strong both in body and mind. I was very interested in her character and her role. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Pestilence and Sara as they both learn more about each other and why the four horsemen are there.

Overall, I actually really liked the story. Laura's storytelling is easy to follow and really pulls you in.

Was Pestilence my favourite LI in a novel? No. I didn't leave the book adding him to an embarrassingly large list of book boyfriends. I did like him, though. There were parts of him I really liked, others feel a bit flat. Again, the plague horseman was going to be a harder sell for me.

Do I want to keep reading this series? Yes. Absolutely.

“I come to you now like a thief in the night, for I fear you’ll never listen to me under the light of day,” his voice is whisper soft, “and I must confess all the things in my heart.”

This was my very first book by this author and made me an instant fan. Even before reading this book, I was so intrigued about the Four Horsemen and I couldn’t wait to dive into this story. I wasn’t disappointed! I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed a dystopian romance like this story. I couldn’t not get enough! Pestilence and Sara’s story was the perfect enemies to lovers romance set during the apocalypse.

I typically don’t read many fantasy or dystopian romances, there was something about this story that captivated me. This story was so addictive and I was immediately hooked from the beginning. Who would’ve thought that I would actually be rooting for Pestilence especially after some of things that he had done. But this author did such an amazing job in making someone like Pestilence likable and redeemable. Half way through this book, I was already rooting for Pestilence and Sara to get their HEA. Overall, I really enjoyed Pestilence and would recommend it. The Four Horsemen series is a definite must read!

I was so nervous to start this series. I absolutely loved this book and it was a crazy roller coaster the entire time. I absolutely loved Sara and her determination. I don’t want to say to much and ruin anything but if you like post apocalyptic, slow burn, a little bit of bully romance vibes, and a traveling journey this one is definitely for you.

This was the perfect mix of fantasy and romance.

Pestilence (Four Horsemen #1) - Laura Thalassa
5⭐️/5 ~🇪🇸
~Es un placer releer como ✨ARC✨ este libro que tanto amé cuando me lo leí por primera vez🥰
~Adoro la saga por completo, pero sobre todo al primer libro le tengo más cariño. Tenemos: enemies-to-lovers, además de verdad😂; mundo post-apocalíptico, el protagonista es un Jinete del Apocalipsis (que más se puede pedir🌝) y la protagonista femenina es una tia dura.
~Me encantó la trama, la historia en sí y la relación entre ambos. No es amor a primera vista ni por asomo (y me encanta😌). Se produce decir que es un poco bully romance, dado que el MMC está en la Tierra para acabar con la humanidad y nuestra FMC es una humana…(ups😬).
~Dadle una oportunidad a la saga entera, porque lo merece🥰

•••••

5⭐️/5 ~🇬🇧
~It is a pleasure to reread as an ✨ARC✨ this book that I loved so much when I first read it🥰
~I love the whole saga, but I'm especially fond of the first book. We have: enemies-to-lovers, enemies for real😂; post-apocalyptic world, the main character is a Horseman of the Apocalypse (what more could you ask for🌝) and the female protagonist is a badass.
~I loved the plot, the story itself and the relationship between the two. It's not love at first sight by any stretch of the imagination (and I love it😌). It comes off as a bit of a bully romance, given that the MMC is on Earth to wipe out humanity and our FMC is a human...(oops😬).
~Give the whole saga a chance, because it deserves it!🥰

TW: Torture, burning, death, disease, gore

The end of the world has begun, the four horsemen of the apolcolypse are present on Earth and Pestilence the Conquerer is making his way across North America spreading a deadly plague to any towns he rides through. Sara is the last firefighter left at her station and is determined to save the world by killing Pestilence. After a gruesome and awful attempt she comes to realize that he can't actually be killed. And he's none to pleased with her attempt either.

I read this years ago when it first came out and remember loving it, but when I reread it for review purposes (Go Laura, getting traditionally published!) I am realizing how wild of a book it really is. This review will contain spoilers so beware!

Sara is pretty badass, you pretty much have to be if you're a female firefighter right? Even tho it felt absolutely awful killing Pestilence she went through it for the good of humankind...or so she thought. Pestilence is so pissed he literally tortures the hell out of her making her run miles and miles with her tied to his saddle and ends up actually dragging her at one point...it was super brutal. And Pestilence starts out as the unfeeling "humans are pathetic" type which was again brutal seeing him not care even with children dying from his plague.

But even after all of this they actually end of up falling in love with each other and Laura writes it in a way that doesn't make it seem crazy at all, it's actually very sweet. Pestilence becomes quiet the simp for Sara and it's very sweet and sighworthy and a bit funny too. The struggle of realizing she loves Pestilence even when he does such awful things really wars within Sara, but you can't help who you love. I really enjoyed all the scenes of her teaching him what being human was like, most of them I laughed out loud. Overall a really solid book and one that makes you want to continue the series to see what happens in the world with the other horsemen. I would recommend this to any romantasy readers who enjoy a mild amount of spice with a solid plot.

Thank you so much to Bloom Books for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

this surprised me! essentially, pestilence comes to town and our dear friend sara tries to murder him and burn him alive. he’s not real happy about being made into human bbq so after his immortal ass recovers he takes sara prisoner and true love ensues. duh.

I was definitely surprised at the discussion of immortality and morality in this. also by the characterization. plague daddy was really endearing after the whole rah rah pustule nonsense & sara was compassionate and a badass the whole time.

also the sex wasn’t that descriptive but it was cute. definitely interested to read the next book.

"Were you born with all your organs intact?" he responds.
"Yes..." I say cautiously.
"Good," he responds, "then I expect you to use the one beneath your skull."
4/5 ⭐️

I've been in love with Laura's writing since i read The Bargainer series and I thought I should give this series a chance. Be aware that this is dark romance, so check the TW first.

Pestilence is a horseman of apocalypse sent to k!ll humans because of their deeds. He does not have any kind of morals or ounce of kindness in his bones so he treats the main character, Sara, horrible. His character development was very abrupt as he, throughout the book, injured Sara a lot, didn't care for her needs until the middle-ish of the book when Sara started to teach him small, but significant, things like eating a pie.

Sara is the definition of female rage. She doesn't give up even when the world is giving her all the crap. She is a bit foolish and thinks things can be solved easily, but she quickly learns that is not the case. She shows the horseman kindness and how to feel happiness, mercy, sadness, and most importantly: love. Sara is a strong main character and she throws back whatever Pestilence gives her (as much as she can lol).

This book is easy to read, but sometimes it drags too long. It is a very quick read and it doesn't have much worldbuiling (it is set in the real world) and very few and easy to understand fantastic terms and the magic system is, as well, easy to get through.

**Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS for giving me this arc!

A fantastic series! And this opener really hooks you in. It’s a truly unexpected kind of book, def taboo, and violent, but wow - Thalassa pulls it off!

I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy this book, as I went into it on a blind recommendation. Loved it. I loved Pestilence as a character, and I really enjoyed both he and Sara’s character arc/growth. The only thing I felt it was missing was a little more explanation for why the Horsemen came when they did, but I’m looking forward to reading the other books for some more answers!

Ok but why was this so much fun? I’m going to devour this entire series. Seriously the world building was so interesting and unique and I’ve literally never heard of a romance involving one of the four horseman and it was just as wild as it sounds.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are brought to life in a fresh and interesting way in Pestilence by Laura Thalassa. In this tale, protagonist Sara Burn fights the first horseman, Pestilence, in an effort to prevent the end of the human race. Unfortunately, she unwittingly becomes Pestilence's prisoner when she shoots him off his steed, and the two of them are now stuck on the road together as Pestilence spreads his terrible plague.

The world after the apocalypse and the horrors that Pestilence brings are described in this story with great detail. Sara's strength and resolve make her a fascinating heroine, and Pestilence's layered and conflicted feelings give him a more three-dimensional personality.

Sara and Pestilence's romance is an unexpected and genuine addition to the plot. The plot moves quickly, with plenty of exciting events and unexpected turns. Pestilence is a great book for those who like post-apocalyptic romances because it is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

4/5 Stars from me.

***A big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.***

This was a fun read! I did feel like Pestilence and Sara went from enemies to lovers a bit quickly. I couldn't really see why Sara was falling for him after all the things he did to her and the ways he hurt her and at the same time I couldn't see how Pestilence was going against his nature to fall for her. However, once I got past that hurdle, their relationship was sweet. I'm excited to read more of this series!

Finished it in one afternoon. Could not stop reading!
Pestilence and Sara are both super stubborn, which made this a frustrating read, but in a good way. The world was really cool (if somewhat depressing lol) and the character development was fun to read. Overall, I really liked it and am looking forward to meeting War next.