I'm obsessed. Pestilence is an enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance that actually does the enemies-to-lovers trope right.
Sara's living in a post-apocalyptic world where the four horsemen have come to wipe out humanity. When her community has the chance to take out Pestilence, the first horseman, Sara is picked for the almost certain death task. At first it looked like she succeeded, but she ended up just making him angry enough to take her prisoner to punish her. Over time they get to know each other and end up building a relationship together

A good book for those looking to read a romance first and foremost.
One that starts out with the MCs as enemies, and slowly turns into something more as 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 build between them. Set in a dystopian/post apocalyptic world.

The story definitely made me 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭! At different points, I felt shocked & appalled, incredibly sad, angry, touched by Pestilence's strong love for Sara, anxious and then relieved. Many times I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next. Sometimes Sara thoughts and actions had me wanting to throttle her! Thankfully, she improves as the story continues.

The ending was a bit anticlimactic with the MCs being reunited and all being well. I didn't like how Pestilence would always be immortal and Sara would always be human. Their love had a time limit, one that would run out as Sara aged.

I'm interested in reading the next book, and have added it to my TBR list.
Please click on the link to read my extensive Goodreads' review.

I was so excited to see that this series is getting new covers and I can't wait to buy them for my shelves. I read this years ago when it first released, but was excited to read again under this new cover. This is such a unique paranormal romance. It is a bit taboo but I adore Laura Thalassa's writing!

This book is a post apocalyptic four horsemen story. If you like Stockholm syndrome fantasy books then this book could be for you!
Personally I struggled to get on board with this romance as I found it hard to believe she liked him when all he had going for him was his looks but maybe the prisoner story would appeal to others more.
This book was recommended to me by a friend for being unhinged and funny and she was right, its one of those books you enjoy and can read quickly but don't actually think is particularly amazing.

“For all your righteousness,” I say over my shoulder, “you really are a heartless bastard.”

I laughed.
I cried.
I loved.
I lost.


Good god this book made me feel every emotion under the sun, but I’m not sure how I feel now.

Pestilence is setting out what he was made to do. Sara is just another human fighting for her people.

“If I am such a monster,” Pestilence finally says, “then what does that make you, who have willingly fallen into my arms?”

“A fool,” I say, “but that’s nothing new.”

Can she make him see her way? Or will she be doomed to live her life suffering while her race dies?


My only complaint is that there’s a certain point in the book where her feelings become Stockholm ish and not necessarily love ish. However, the ending and reasoning and defining that is done by the author makes up for it in the end.


“It’s yours,” he says bitterly. “I may have laid claim to the world, but I’ve lost you, the only thing I ever really wanted.”

This is a great paranormal, apocalyptic story with a bit of romance. The plot is solid and the bit of spice adds to the story but isn't in your face.

Sara Burns is a firefighter. She helps people but Pestilence, one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, is traveling the world spreading the fever. Millions are dying. As he comes toward Sara's Canadian town, every evacuates but her. She has a mission: kill Pestilence.

What follows is the tale of an immortal being and his human prisoner. Eventually they become more than capturer and prisoner. Pestilence has his eyes opened in more ways than one. Sara's journey is unexpected but can she still stop him from killing every human in the world?

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC to review this book.

I realize that to you, reader, there won't feel like any real connection or parallels but at the time of writing this/receiving this ARC (hello from April), I've only just finished another indie-oldie-but-repackaged-as-trad title (also by Bloom/Sourcebooks!) and this makes for yet another on my existing TBR that I've been able to tackle this year because of the irresistibility of the Read Now option on NetGalley. And bonus, this was actually on one of my backlist TBR challenge lists specifically for 2023, unlike the other, so it's really a whole bunch of winning.

Sadly said winning doesn't really carry-over into the experience of the book but I guess we can't win them all.

So, listen, obviously no one made me read this, no one is to blame for all my disbelief over this, and there's definitely been weirder books I've not only read but enjoyed. But this one was a hard sell. And a human falling in love with the literal manifestation of plague is only half of that hard sell.

Mostly because.. Pestilence was kind of vanilla? Dull? I guess the goal was to make him somewhat of an innocent, a bystander in his task with no real motivation or hate beyond some general contempt for humanity but nothing personal (until it was), and we get to see him actually experience something of humanity throughout his time traveling from city to city (and breaking into a house each night.. yes, it's as repetitive as it sounds) with his captive, Sara. Who, sadly, was also pretty dull when she wasn't leaning into her quirks, I mean, the parts that made up her persona. Also here's where I express my frustration about her age because I would've believed in a somewhat hardened, but still compassionate, poetry-spouting firefighter who was in her thirties but.. twenty-one? Spare me.

Additionally, I'm sorry, but she should've been a whole hell of a lot more scared in the initial days. But no, there was some immediate checking out the plague-bringing-angelic-looking-hottie and very little sense in her brain. Though I'm rather impressed how long it took for them to, to quote the book, bone down. You'd think it was all the dead and decaying bodies surrounding them all the time but no, that was not an obstacle at all. Gross.

What I desperately wished for was a little more consideration towards hygiene. And though we had a surplus of bath scenes, where was the tooth brushing (also, yuck, they made out after she puked and I really thought Thalassa was going to try and get away with that but she did eventually acknowledge it.. but that was it. just a "guess he doesn't care" omg woman YOU should care). Where was the concern about her period whilst on the road for weeks and weeks? I think I've been spoiled by this because it's become so much more common to see these inclusions in post-apocalyptic and fantasy stories these days and so I really felt the lack here. It felt so purposely ignored, as if by not acknowledging it we might all just forget about these things. Which, sure, it's supposed to be romance, and a fantasy one at that, maybe I'm the only one distracted by the fact that she's likely foul of breath. Maybe that's why I wasn't into the steamies. But seriously, one offhand comment about stashing some toothpaste in a bag, or finding a tampon, would've solved all my problems.

Rant aside, the highlight of this read for me, beyond the uniqueness of the concept (I mean, I at least assume it's unique, I don't think I've seen this done before), were some of the discussions about religion, morality, and humanity; all of which I hope we get more of, as we (hopefully) learn more about the horsemen with each new arrival. And, well, watching Pestilence experience foods -- the early scenes where he just grabs weird combinations of condiments for her, assuming they were meals, were pretty funny. Less cute, but still of interest, was also the level of gore; Pestilence gets smoked quite a few times and the way he comes back.. well. I won't spoil it but it isn't sexy. But I liked that. Makes me interested to see how gnarly the next book will be because, well. War.

But also, with Pestilence being something of a (burnt) marshmallow, what will that make the rest of them? More like their namesakes or somehow contradictory? I'd also like to take this opportunity to request some older heroines. But now that I'm in it, even if it wasn't a win, I'm curious to read on.

I read this when it was first published but have now got a copy to keep and it has been renewed.
With the hindsight of reading the whole series this first book is a very poignant read and my perspective of Pestilence has changed from the first reading.
It is an extremely emotional book with all the twists and turns of the result of the arrival of the first of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
It is still a favourite read for me and I still felt the pull as I did originally so now need to reread the rest of those complex Horsemen

To be honest, I was not sure what to expect when it came to a romance with one of the four horseman of the apocalypse but I was not disappointed.

Thank you so much for an opportunity to read and review this story.

Our story takes place during the start of the apocalypse, the four horseman arrived and the world’s way of life was destroyed. While, they disappeared for five years, Pestilence arrived to start his “ task” and when a brave young woman attempts to kill him , she has no idea where her story will go next or if she will survive to tell the tale.

I liked the romance between the Pestilence and Sara ,however I am not going to pretend like there were not a hundred red flags to ignore in order to enjoy it. The pace and build of their relationship is also gradual and I liked that aspect as well. Watching them learn and grow to understand each other.

I like the way death was talked about. There were a lot of different feelings and opinions. Some good and some bad but all valid opinions. I liked how the author went about discussing religion as well and the background of Pestilence and his brothers, also the concept and idea of “ God”. I am not religious myself but just like any mythology , interesting stories can be made from it.

Overall I would not say this is a relaxing read, for a pretty spicy romance novel, it touches on a lot of really tough topics. It is also very depressing. Pestilence spreads plague so there is a lot of death and mourning. Also many scenes of violent vengeance. With that said, there was a lot of enjoyable and beautiful scenes mixed in. Definitely worth reading if you are looking for your next fantasy romance.

I loved this book so much. It was such an incredible journey. I will 100 reccomend this book to anyone who reads dark romance with a touch of pain. Thank you so much for this arc

Pestilence was an interesting and different read. It's an enemies-to-lovers romance with a heavy dark side that may not appeal to all readers, but I have no triggers and will read anything, so nothing in the content bothered me personally, although it was a bit of a tearjerker at times! Sara as a character felt a touch juvenile for her stated age on occasion, but other than that she was a refreshingly blunt narrator with a distinct voice, and the prose was easy, quick reading. This first book left me wondering how the other horsemen will be, especially Death, who made an intriguing cameo in this volume, so I potentially would read on in the series if the opportunity to do so arises. I would give this book 3.5 stars.

Ok um I didn't expect to enjoy this book so much, it was a lot of slow burn fun reading it. Based on the past crimes of Pestilence, I pretty much expected to hate him throughout, but the author has done such a compelling and good job of writing Sara's journey towards understanding and forgiving him, whilst also using her love to bring out his humanity and save the world (whatever is left anyway :'( ). I loved their banter, and the narration was written so well. I am very much looking forward to reading book 2!

--- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was so addicting and I was fully immersed in the world of The Four Horsemen.

I devoured this! Pestilence was the first book I’ve read by Laura Thalassa and it certainly won’t be the last. The writing was so enthralling and the pacing felt pretty even throughout the story. She managed to make an alternate version of our own world feel so foreign and intimidating.

This book ended up being darker than I thought it would be, but it was a welcome surprise. Fair warning, it gets pretty dark and quite graphic right from the start and the relationship between Sara and Pestilence is very much an uphill battle. You will probably hate everyone and everything before you end up loving them, but that just makes the payoff all the better!

Sara has got to be one of my favorite FMCs. She’s strong, determined, funny, and sarcastic. She’s the perfect foil to Pestilence, who is very much a fish out of water when it comes to humans. He’s stoic and committed to his duty that he sees as the appropriate punishment for the misdeeds of humanity.

Along their journey, the two experience the extreme ends of good and bad at the hands of humans and must lean on one another for support. As their personalities clash less and less, our protagonists realize that the feelings simmering between them might not be hate. Is one woman enough to stop a horseman of the apocalypse? Is love a justifiable reason to forsake a divine order?

The ending of this book brings everything full circle and leaves it open for the next book, War. I am so excited to meet our new main characters and see what happens next!

uhm… it was nothing for me.

the genre is not my fave… dunno why i decided to read it tho.

hope u like it more than me

This book was a bit too dark for me. It was hard to relate to a hero who was responsible for killing humans. And the overlying themes of christianity were meant to explain it. I couldn't get over how horrible the heroine was treated in the beginning

I was given an Arc copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I read this book in one sitting! Now I can’t wait to read the rest!

I have recently discovered Laura Thalassa and now I will read anything she writes! I absolutely love the new covers for these books too.

Dark fantasy perfection

This is Pestilence, the first book in the Four Horsemen series - Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death. This story is filled with carefully crafted, meticulously planned and expertly delivered words but the characters breathed into life, images painted, feelings evoked, and epiphanies delivered make this so much more than a simple dark fantasy. It is storytelling perfection. Pestilence is a horseman of the apocalypse and as such, is not a very likable character. No one is going to feel like cuddling Pestilence especially at the beginning of the book. Sara is also not a typical damsel in distress. She is a capable strong firefighter who chooses to kill Pestilence to save the rest of humanity even knowing her death will also be the result. Of course, Pestilence is immortal and when Sara’s murder attempt does not work, he decides to make Sara suffer as she allowed him to suffer. This is not a flowery love story chock full of sunshine and rainbows. It is at time dark and harsh. But despite being a dark fantasy, there is also light here, goodness, hope, and love. On their way to finding love with each other, Pestilence and Sara also try to deal with their own issues without magically making them vanish. The storyline is told through tender moments, mundane life snippets, death, violence, steamy scenes, chuckles, painful pasts, and poetry. It also gives you all the feels - horror, anger, love, sadness, resignation, joy, and annoyance. Underlying the main storyline is thought provoking realism about the effect humans are having on the world and each other - actions which lead to the arrival of the Horsemen. I am excited to continue reading the stories of the other horsemen.

It’s not every day I reread a book. In fact, it’s been many years. Sure, I’ll skim through favorite scenes of reads, but to read the same book from front to back twice? Unheard of! I went so many years without leisurely reading, that I don’t have time for rereads. After this second go at Pestilence, I think I need to change my mindset.

When the opportunity came up to reread Pestilence for NetGalley, I jumped on it. No hesitation. No concern about taking time away from new reads because I needed it in my life again. This is one of my favorite reads of all time. I am so happy I received the opportunity to review it— I didn’t realize how much I missed this world until I stepped back into this dystopian romance.

Pestilence still makes me swoon. Whew!


》Sara《

Gorgeous, strong, vulnerable Sara— my love for her is forever. She is so valiant in her efforts to seek redemption for the world— to see it, an effort that turns to wanting to save Pestilence from his prejudice and narrow-mindedness. She sees the ugly but also the beauty, she sees what is worth saving. I adore her completely. I also looove being in her POV! Her one-liners had me cackling! A total delight.

》Pestilence《

Oh Pestilence, my beloved. Who he is at the beginning of the tale is a being with one purpose, one mission. To eradicate humans who have failed one another, who have failed their home. He sees nothing more than the incapability of change, but it’s change that he gets to know quite intimately. His arc is beautiful to see unfold.


》The Romance《

Sublime. The romance is sublime. There is so much anger, hurt, bitterness, and hate at the beginning of their relationship. They see only the worst in one another, but slowly humanity slips in. Even in the most otherworldly, immortal being. Sara human heart gives way to feelings of pain and loss, but also love and hope. Her heart opens to Pestilence, even against what she’d consider her better judgement. He’s a harder code to crack, at times as indecipherable has the holy tattoos upon his flesh. But his prejudice again humanity is questioned upon seeing Sara— upon knowing her. From her he learns not just about lust— but about love. Above all, about love.

Their slow burn romance is everything.


》To the Victor《

This entry in The Four Horsemen series easily tops my favorite. I enjoy all four books, but this is the one of my heart. Pestilence and Sara can hold me captive anytime, I’m theirs, and they’re my favorite forever.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I received an arc copy of this book with a new cover design, and I’m feeling exceptionally lucky to be gifted this because it is GORGEOUS. Y’all see that picture ⬆️?! Gorgeous. Not that the previous cover was anything to scoff at, honestly, that’s why I read the book the first time around!

I started this book right before I took a late vacation last October. Four days laying on the beach in PCB and I finished the entire series! Pestilence remained my favorite of the series overall. The fmc of this book, Sara Burns, is a serious firecracker. Before the Four Horsemen arrived on Earth she was already working as a firefighter, battling forest fires and saving lives. As one of four firefighters without families she stays to help evacuate her town before Pestilence rides through with the Fever. When it is only her and 3 other firefighters left, they draw matches for who will stay behind and attempt to kill Pestilence. Sara pulls the burnt match, and her real battle begins. I don’t want to ruin the book by telling you Sara’s plan, but let’s just say it doesn’t work out how she intends. Instead she ends up forced to travel alongside of Pestilence, will she develop the Fever that he spreads? Or will something else develop and end up saving them both?

Pestilence by Laura Thalassa
This is the 2nd time I've read this book. I received an ARC from NetGalley for the rerelease.

I really enjoyed this whole series and this first book Pestilence. So many interesting questions.
Can humanity redeem itself?
What makes someone good?
How do we get back in community with each other?
Is God really listening? Involved? Condemning us?

Pestilence has a lot of troubling themes, scenes, action sequences, but to be honest they didn't bother me. I'm not sure why. Is it because Pestilence changes over time? Have I read so many things that this story was not shocking? Who Knows!

I enjoyed it! I look forward to the rerelease of the other books in the series!

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.