Most definitely my favorite from the series!
I just love how very morally grey Pestilence is and how Sarah keeps on trying to show him the bright side of humanity, ever when we ourselves question if they should be saved.

I feel this book was an excellent introduction for the series and really captivated me throughout the book.

This is one of those books that’s not for me. The writing was ok but the story had so many plot holes and the relationship between main characters made no sense.

A Unique Take on the Apocalypse – 4 Stars

Laura Thalassa’s Pestilence is a novel and inventive addition to the post-apocalyptic romance genre. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but it provides an intriguing look at love developing in the midst of a cataclysmic event.

Pestilence

Pestilence ♦ Laura Thalassa

Opinion

You are captivated by Thalassa’s writing from the first page forward. Her evocative depictions of a world engulfed in death and disease make it simple to imagine the bleak surroundings. It is clear from the well-thought-out world-building that the author spent a great deal of time creating this gloomy, lonely setting.

The characters are deep and well-developed, particularly Sara, the main character. It’s fascinating to watch Sara’s transformation from a strong-willed survivor to someone who questions the very entity causing suffering in the world. Sara and Pestilence, who represents one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, have an unexpected but somehow seductive romantic tension.

Pestilence excels because it explores morality, atonement, and the idea that love may triumph even in the most dire situations. It’s thought-provoking and will cause you to reevaluate your personal definitions of right and wrong.

But there are issues with the book. The plot moves along at a somewhat erratic pace, with some sections dragging while others pick up speed. In addition, individuals looking for a lighthearted romance may find the plot to be too gloomy and sad.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Pestilence is a gripping and inventive story that blends romance and the end of the world, providing a novel perspective on the genre. Although Laura Thalassa’s writing and character development are excellent, not every reader will enjoy the story’s fast-paced and dark subjects. This novel is well worth reading if you’re up for an unusual love story in a gloomy setting.


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

This review was first published at The Art of Reading.

Laura Thalassa I love you. Period the end.

Thank you for every escape you’ve provided my debilitating anxiety, pain, and illness. You are everything I need in a perfect artist.

This book was such a fun surprise. I really enjoyed this one, and I’m glad I decided to give it a chance because usually fantasy isn’t my genre. The author really drew me in with her writing, and even had me in tears at one point. This book could’ve easily been a disaster, but the author did such a good job at making you feel so many different emotions throughout. I can’t wait to read the next in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for my free copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.85 rounded up to 4 stars!

This book really got better and better as it went on. A bit of a slow start but wow I couldn’t put it down after 35%! Who knew the four horsemen could be so hot?

Very modern writing style,
Slow burn enemies to lovers, almost felt a bit like a bully romance at first.
Strong character development in both the FMC & MMC.
Magical realism.

I will definitely continue on with these, had me giggling and laughing out loud often, swooning over banter, and smiling like a fool into my kindle. There are some triggers in there so please be sure to check those out beforehand.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Bloombooks for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of Pestilence.
I have to say that I absolutely loved this book. I can't wait to see what is going to happen in War.
I loved the relationship that formed between Sara and Pestilence. As they both learn to see the other perspective. Especially when Pestilence learns what it is to be human.

*Thank you for the ARC!! All opinions are completely my own.** 4 stars. Thoroughly delectable slow burn enemies to lovers. I devoured this book in one night. Witty main character included.

I enjoyed this take on the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse. This one followed Pestilence (obviously) and the human woman, Sara. She sets out to kill him before he can spread his plague any more than he already has, and instead, he takes her prisoner. Forced proximity works its magic while he's stuck with her, and he has to see her humanity and compassion. And she gets to see that while spreading plague is his God-given task, he doesn't necessarily enjoy it. Love how it ended and can't wait to read War!

Pestilence by Laura Thalassa is one of the most captivating romances I’ve ever read. Moreover, the fact that it is a dark dystopian romance but somehow has me swooning more than I thought possible is the most fascinatingly unexpected feats & I stand in awe & bow to the author for creating this.

This is book #1 in The Four Horsemen series & now I am beyond curious to continue on with this series. Pestilence was recommended to me through one of the most compelling suggestions I’ve ever read & I am so glad I listened. This is like nothing I’ve ever read before & it was transfixing & enthralling.

Pestilence is the perfect read to fans of…
🖤Dark Romance
🖤Dystopian
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🖤Forbidden Romance

The way in which Pestilence speaks is an enchanting song that you can’t help but swoon over. In the midst of such darkness & horrors, the author magically is able to write such a beautiful love story that also somehow includes humor, angst & so much heart!

I’ve seen so much about this series & now I totally get why everyone is raving on about it. It’s truly a story for the ages.

If you are looking to be swooned & enraptured by a dark dystopian romance, I highly recommend reading Pestilence!


Massive thanks to NetGalley & Bloom Publishing for the gifted arc, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

Love this story!

„Pestilence“ is the first book in Laura Thalassa's The Four Horsemen series and tells the story of the apocalyptic rider Pestilence and the human woman Sara.

As the Horsemen of the Apocalypse come to Earth to wreak havoc on humanity and decide whether they deserve to stay alive. There is nothing left of the modern world. To me, a post-apocslyptic world still exists without electricity and modern conveniences. Many people are trying to escape. The protagonist Sara drew the shortest straw and had to stay behind to try to stop and kill the Horseman of the Apocalypse. She fails in her plan and Pestilence takes her on his journey to drive humanity to death with disease and watch them suffer.

Although the plot is pretty simple, I really enjoyed the story of Pestilenece and Sara. The conversations between the two made me think from time to time and the development of Pestilence was great. Sara made it into my heart from the first page. She is not only incredibly brave, but also has a big heart and stands by dying people until their last breath.

“Pestilence” gets 4 out of 5 stars from me! Thank You to Blooms Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

thank you so much to Bloom Books & NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy of this amazing book, i am truly grateful.

he’s a 10 but he’s one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse who spreads plague ??? he’s still a 10 😌 12 even 😉

this book has been on my netgalley shelf since August, but i kept putting it off and i kind of regret it because this was actually so good !!!!!!!

there was something that Laura Thalassa did in this book that completely sucked me in, and held me captive until the very last page. and i must say, i was pleasantly surprised.

Sara was a strong female character and i absolutely adored her. and Pestilence was such a sweetheart. (i know calling him a sweetheart is odd, considering the fact that he is one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse), but i meant what i said.

i loved the development of their relationship, how these two went from enemies to lovers was just so cute.
this book gave me all the feels — i was swooning, giggling, laughing, crying, and smiling so hard that my face hurt.

when he brought her to church the day after they had s€x 🥹😆 this man was something else i swear.

i really had a fantastic time reading this book, and i’m so excited to see if the other books are going to top this one 😉

I knew going into this book that it was going to be interesting. However, this was too much out of my wheelhouse. I have read other books by Laura Thalassa and I loved it. This one was a no-go for me. I might try other ones in this series but this one was too dark and Sara was an odd one.

Thank you to Bloom Books and Netgalley for the ARC. All the above opinions are my own in exchange for a copy.

Dnf’ed after about 20%. I couldn’t read anymore of the torture the male love interest was putting the main character through and then watch her fall in love with him.
The writing was very thrilling, I was easily sucked into the story but I just couldn’t stand the relationship, it really romanticises torture and pain. That is not for me.

I world like to thank Netgalley for this Arc.

I didn’t like this book. At all. It was very difficult to go through all of it.
The FMC, tries to kill one of the four horsemen, and gets caught. But the worst part is that she gets tortured and she still think how hot he is. Also, I could not stand him. Torture and then fall in love. Nope.
But the cover is stunning!

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I am confuse about this book. I like it but I don't feel I should have enjoyed it this much. It's quite crude. I knew it was an enemies to lovers situation... but these mortal enemies are really mortal. I thought about DNFing it but I really wanted to see how it ends. And I'm grateful I continue on. This love story will make you laugh, cry, want to kick something, but, more than anything, it makes you feel. Not every author can do that. That's why I would love to read this series until the end.

5/5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley, Bloom Books and Laura Thalassa for this ARC of "Pestilence", the first book in the Four Horsemen Series in exchange for an honest review!

This book is definitely one of my favorites

The end if the world is here and Sara Burn will not go down without a fight. After having attempted to kill Pestilence she is taken as a prisoner as punishment, forced to watch everyone around her die while she survives.

However sparks fly as they travel, and well, spice.

Enemies to Lovers
Strong Main Character
Otherworldly Love Intrest
The Apocalypse
Spice

What's there not to like?

Sara Burns attempts to defy fate by shooting the immortal horseman, Pestilence. However, her plan backfires as Pestilence takes her captive. Amidst their struggle, uncertain feelings brew between them. To save the world, Sara must grapple with her emotions, knowing she might have to sacrifice her heart in the process.

.Enemies to lovers
.Apocalyptic
.Only one bed (and tent?)
.Hurt/comfort
.Virgin MMC

This book served up an apocalypse with a side of drama. A world falling apart, morally grey characters, and enemies reluctantly turning lovers? Count me in. The romance, nothing groundbreaking, mind you, but it keeps a good pace and the story flows without ever being dragged out.

Our main man, Pestilence, takes a crash course in humanity, stirring up some serious debates about good, evil, immortality, and what it means to be human. Personally, I craved a bit more brainy banter, a theological showdown, if you will. It would've added some much-needed depth, making our leading lady's choices a tad more sensible. Cause yeah, I’m a nerd that likes reading romance, so I need a bit of substance in them and I’m always eager to learn more.

In the end, this book does its job, it keeps you entertained, setting the stage for the rest of the series. Which I will definitely read in the future!

(This review will be shared on Instagram @Beco_books)

I've had this book on my TBR for FOREVER - what was I thinking?! Super unique story with super interesting characters, and some of the irreverent humor that I just love from Laura Thalassa. If you are like me and have been putting this series off - STOP THAT and read immediately, you won't regret it.

When the first of the Four Horsemen of the apocalypses arrived on Earth, the world was thrown into chaos. Technology failed and a deadly plague began to spread, courtesy of Pestilence, the lone rider sent by God to punish humanity. In a last stand outside of her abandoned post, Sara Burns attempts to kill Pestilence, but ends up being taken prisoner by him instead. While Sara expects him to kill her, he ends up keeping her alive to punish her. As Pestilence learns about the limits of human suffering and sees her compassion through Sara, however, he starts to feel differently towards her. And as Sara sees Pestilence struggle with her purpose, she questions whether he is really her enemy.

I loved that this is a true enemies to lovers story - both characters literally try to kill each other before they fall for each other. Pestilence is so adorably clueless about human nature - he's some kind of angel/messenger of God entity and basically acts like an alien most of the time. Sara is the kind of stubborn and snarky FMC that I LOVE in Laura's books. It (understandably) takes her a LONG time to warm up to Pestilence, but in the context of the story, all of her reluctance to fall for him actually makes a lot of sense. She's compassionate, caring, and strong - and her funny quips kept things light throughout this really dark story.

I've read A LOT of fantasy, and I've never read anything quite like this story. It's kind of part urban fantasy/part dystopian world, and who would have thought to have a girl fall in love with a guy who is trying to kill all of humanity with a plague?! And I'm so intrigued now about the other horsemen... so I guess I'll be reading the rest! I think War is up next, so expect a review (somewhat, I'm busy) soon!