Pestilence - Book #1
Laura Thalassa | 2018 | 383 Pages | ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Adult, Dystopia, Romantasy
Where to Read Series: Kindle Unlimited
SUMMARY
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.
MY THOUGHTS
Laura Thalassa’s Pestilence is a chaotic blend of post-apocalyptic drama, dark romance, and absurdity that captivates despite its many flaws. It’s not the kind of book you read for depth or consistency, but it’s undeniably entertaining in its over-the-top nature. While the romance offers moments of sweetness, the repetitive plot and questionable dynamics make it a mixed bag.
The Good:
➕ Besotted MMC: Pestilence, the Horseman of the Apocalypse, transforms from a detached harbinger of death into a devoted lover. His journey from indifference to all-consuming love is both ridiculous and oddly charming. His poetic declarations, like, “When you smile at me… I feel like I am lit on fire,” add drama that romance fans will enjoy. Once he falls for Sara, he’s utterly smitten, and his unwavering devotion is a guilty pleasure to read.
➕ Addictive Pacing: The book’s enemies-to-lovers arc and post-apocalyptic setting keep you turning the pages. It’s the kind of “trashy but addicting” story you can binge on in one sitting despite its flaws.
➕ Witty Heroine: Sara Burns, an ex-firefighter, is a relatable heroine with sharp humor that balances the darker moments. While her decisions are often questionable, her internal dialogue is amusing, making her likable even when her actions are frustrating.
The Bad:
➖ Problematic Dynamics: Pestilence’s actions throughout the book are hard to ignore. He tortures Sara, forces her to endure unimaginable suffering, and causes mass death wherever he goes. Despite this, Sara falls for him, which feels deeply unsettling. The romance asks readers to overlook the fact that the “hero” is actively spreading a plague and murdering countless innocents.
➖ Repetitive Plot: The story follows a monotonous cycle: Sara and Pestilence travel to a town, infect everyone, they die painfully, while the pair stay in a random house before repeating the same events. This lack of progression makes the middle portion of the book drag.
➖ Unrealistic Forgiveness: Sara’s attraction to Pestilence feels forced, especially when she begins to admire his “gentle” care after he bandages the wounds he inflicted on her. Her ability to romanticize him while innocent people, including children, die agonizing deaths in the next room is hard to comprehend.
➖ Confused Morality: The book struggles to reconcile Pestilence’s actions. At times, he’s painted as a victim following God’s orders, but it’s clear he has free will to stop or reverse the plague. This inconsistency undermines the story’s attempt to justify his actions and leaves the reader unsure whether to root for or condemn him.
➖ Names and Tropes: The heroine’s name, Sara Burns, feels like an on-the-nose choice for a firefighter. Pestilence’s lack of a real name makes intimate moments awkward, as calling out “Pestilence” during romantic scenes is unintentionally comical. In addition to that, the overuse of the “traitorous body” trope and the romance feel even more far-fetched.
My Thoughts:
Pestilence is a strange ride—equal parts frustrating and captivating. While the romance is problematic, it has moments of genuine sweetness. Pestilence’s naivety about human emotions and gradual vulnerability make him endearing in some ways. Sara, while funny and relatable at times, struggles to maintain logical consistency in her decisions. However, the lack of plot progression and the repetitive nature of their journey dull the impact of these moments.
The book doesn’t explore its post-apocalyptic world or philosophical themes deeply. Instead, it relies heavily on romance, which can feel absurd given the backdrop of mass death and suffering. The premise that “love conquers all—even the apocalypse” is intriguing but poorly executed, leaving readers to question how much they’re willing to suspend their disbelief.
Conclusion:
Pestilence is a guilty pleasure read at best. It’s an addictive, fast-paced story that’s easy to binge but hard to take seriously. The repetitive structure, confused morality, and problematic romance make it flawed, but its over-the-top drama and bizarre charm keep it entertaining.
This book offers a decent, mindless escape if you’re willing to shut off your moral compass and embrace the chaos. Just don’t expect depth or consistency—this is apocalypse smut, plain and simple.
War - Book #2
Laura Thalassa | 2019 | 544 Pages | ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Adult, Dystopia, Romantasy
SUMMARY
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. The day Jerusalem falls to the horsemen, Miriam Elmahdy knows her life is over. Houses are burning, the streets run red with blood, and a traitorous army is massacring her people.
There is no surviving this, especially not once Miriam catches the eye of War himself. But when the massive and terrifying horseman corners Miriam, he calls her his heaven-sent wife, and instead of killing her, he takes her back to his camp.
Now, Miriam faces a terrifying future, helplessly watching her world burn town by town, and the one responsible for it is her seemingly indestructible "husband," who refuses to let her go. But there's another side to him, one that's gentle and loving and set on winning her over, and she might not be strong enough to resist.
However, if there's one thing Miriam has learned, it's that love and war cannot coexist. She must make the ultimate surrender to War and watch humankind fall, or sacrifice everything to stop him.
MY THOUGHTS
Laura Thalassa’s War, the second installment in the Four Horsemen series, delivers another dose of apocalyptic romance, blending mass destruction, enemies-to-lovers tension, and morally dubious dynamics. Like its predecessor, War is an addictive but flawed read, with a mix of intense moments and repetitive storytelling that makes it difficult to take seriously.
The Good:
➕ Intense MMC: War, the second Horseman of the Apocalypse, is as intense and possessive as Pestilence. He’s a walking romantic red flag, but his unwavering fascination with Miriam—whom he insists on calling “wife”—adds a compelling layer to their dynamic. Once he falls for her, his devotion is fierce, and his struggle to reconcile love with his apocalyptic purpose brings moments of emotional depth.
➕ Addictive Readability: Thalassa’s writing has an undeniable pull. The pacing, tension, and romance keep the pages turning, even when the plot veers into absurd territory. It’s a fast, engaging read for those who enjoy chaotic romances.
➕ Strong Heroine: Miriam Elmahdy is a resilient and resourceful protagonist. While her decisions are often frustrating, her determination to show War humanity’s worth and fight for survival makes her a relatable lead. Her sarcastic humor and stubbornness will bring fun moments to an otherwise grim story.
The Bad:
➖ Repetitive Plot: Much like Pestilence, the story follows a rinse-and-repeat cycle. War and Miriam travel with his camp, destroy cities, and encounter resistance, all while their relationship shifts between hatred, lust, and eventual love. This lack of variety makes the middle feel tedious.
➖ Questionable Setting: The initial setting of Israel/Palestine feels unnecessary and problematic, especially given the lack of depth in exploring this choice. While Miriam’s mixed religious background attempts to justify the setting, it ultimately adds more discomfort than meaningful context.
➖ Problematic Romance: Miriam’s relationship with War is riddled with contradictions. War is responsible for mass genocide, captivity, and starvation, yet Miriam swings between despising and lusting after him. Her eventual love for him feels unearned, given that his “redemption” involves little more than minor exceptions to his destruction.
➖ Undercooked World-Building: The addition of zombies feels out of place, adding confusion rather than intrigue to the apocalyptic setting. While War’s purpose is clear, the lack of detailed world-building leaves the collapse of humanity feeling more like a backdrop than a fully developed narrative.
➖ Lack of Originality: War's structure and tone are too similar to Pestilence's, making the story predictable. Swapping a plague for active warfare doesn’t do enough to distinguish this book from its predecessor.
My Thoughts:
War has moments of emotional intensity and romance that shine, but they’re overshadowed by repetitive storytelling and questionable themes. Miriam’s journey as a heroine is sometimes engaging, and War’s possessive devotion will appeal to fans of morally gray heroes. Still, the lack of meaningful development for both characters and the world undermines the story’s potential.
Thalassa heavily relies on romance, which often feels at odds with the horrors unfolding around the characters. While the enemies-to-lovers dynamic can be entertaining, the moral dilemmas and inconsistencies—particularly Miriam’s sudden shift from horror to love—make it challenging to invest entirely in their relationship.
Conclusion:
War is a guilty pleasure read for fans of dark romance and over-the-top apocalypse smut. It’s fast-paced and addictively dramatic, but it struggles with originality, world-building, and its handling of sensitive themes. While it doesn’t bring much new to the series, it’s still entertaining if you can set aside the flaws and embrace the chaos.
If you enjoyed Pestilence, you’ll likely find War equally compelling—but don’t expect it to break new ground. This one might miss the mark for those seeking deeper storytelling or character development.
Famine - Book #3
Laura Thalassa | 2020 | 512 Pages | ⭐️⭐️
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Adult, Dystopia, Romantasy
SUMMARY
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.
Ana da Silva always assumed she'd die young, but she never expected it to be at the hands of the haunting immortal who spared her life years ago. Famine.
But if the horseman remembers her, he must not care, for when she comes face to face with him for the second time in her life, she's stabbed and left for dead. Only, she doesn't quite die.
If there's one thing Famine is good at, it's cruelty. He can't forget the pain humanity has brought him, and he's ready to bring it back to them tenfold. But when Ana, a ghost from his past, corners him for what he did to her, she and her empty threats captivate him, and he decides to keep her around.
In spite of themselves, Ana and Famine are drawn to each other. But at the end of the day, the two are enemies. Nothing changes that. Not one kind act, not two. And definitely not a few steamy nights. But enemies or reluctant lovers, if they don't stop themselves soon, heaven will.
MY THOUGHTS
Laura Thalassa’s Famine, the third book in the Four Horsemen series, delivers more of the same formula: enemies-to-lovers romance, apocalyptic destruction, and morally gray dynamics. Unfortunately, it struggles to rise above its predecessors, with repetitive storytelling, shallow world-building, and unlikable characters making this installment a frustrating read.
The Good:
➕ Moments of Sweetness: Famine’s occasional endearments, like calling Ana “little flower,” add brief glimpses of tenderness to an otherwise chaotic relationship. These moments stand out as the few times the romance feels genuine.
➕ A Glimpse of Depth: When Ana shows vulnerability, it’s refreshing. These rare instances give her some humanity, even if overshadowed by her abrasive personality and forced humor.
➕ Death Cameo: Death's appearance toward the end adds a spark of intrigue and offers a sliver of connection to the broader series arc.
The Bad:
➖ Recycled Plot: The story feels like a rehash of the previous books. Famine rides around destroying towns. Ana follows him while making crude jokes, and the last 20% shifts to a steamy marathon. There’s no real progression or effort to expand the narrative.
➖ Lack of World-Building: Once again, the post-apocalyptic world is poorly developed. Opportunities to explore the horsemen’s origins, powers, or the larger stakes are ignored, leaving the setting as a bland backdrop.
➖ Ana’s Humor: Ana’s constant sarcasm and crude jokes fall flat, coming across as forced and repetitive. While humor could have added fun to the grim story, it instead makes Ana unlikable and detracts from any meaningful character development.
➖ Zero Chemistry: The relationship between Ana and Famine feels hollow. Their interactions lack depth, and any chance for emotional connection is buried under Ana’s nonstop quips and Famine’s inconsistent personality.
➖ Unlikable Characters: Ana’s portrayal as a former sex worker isn’t enlightening or nuanced, and her lack of growth makes her difficult to root for. While occasionally sweet, Famine is mostly cruel and uninteresting, failing to stand out as a compelling love interest.
➖ Odd Ending: While the conclusion avoids being predictable, it feels disjointed and unsatisfying. The lack of meaningful resolution between Ana and Famine or progression in the overarching series makes it feel pointless.
➖ Disconnected Series: By this point in the series, the lack of interconnection between the books is glaring. No cohesive narrative links the horsemen’s stories, making each installment feel isolated and repetitive.
My Thoughts:
Famine lacks originality and effort. The pacing is slow, the characters are unlikable, and the world remains underdeveloped. Ana’s relentless sarcasm and the overemphasis on physical intimacy overshadow any potential for meaningful storytelling.
The series leans too heavily on the enemies-to-lovers trope without offering anything new, and Famine’s cruelty, coupled with Ana’s shallow portrayal, makes their romance feel forced and uncomfortable. While the cameo from Death hints at larger stakes, it’s too little, too late to save this installment.
Conclusion:
Famine is a disappointing continuation of the Four Horsemen series. With its recycled plot, unlikable characters, and lack of world-building, it fails to engage or justify its place in the series. While there are fleeting moments of sweetness, they’re buried under a tedious and uninspired narrative.
Unless you’re committed to finishing the series, this one is skippable. For fans of apocalyptic romance, there are better options out there.
Death - Book #4
Laura Thalassa | 2021 | 560 Pages | ⭐️⭐️
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Adult, Dystopia, Romantasy
SUMMARY
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.
The day Death comes to Lazarus Gaumond's town and kills everyone in one fell swoop, the last thing he expects to see is one woman left alive and standing. But Lazarus has an extraordinary she cannot be killed. Not by humans, not by the elements, not by Death himself.
She is the one soul Death doesn't recognize. The one soul he cannot pry free from her flesh. Nor can he ignore the unsettling desire he has for her. And the longer she tries to stop him from his killing spree, the stronger the desire becomes.
When Lazarus crosses paths with the three other horsemen, an unthinkable situation leads to a terrible seduce Death, save the world. A hopeless task, made worse by the bad blood between the two. But try as she might, Lazarus cannot stay away from that ancient, beautiful being and his dark embrace.
The end is here. Humankind is set to perish, and not even the other horsemen can stop Death from fulfilling his final task. Only Lazarus can.
MY THOUGHTS
Death is the final installment of Laura Thalassa’s Four Horsemen series. It brings the apocalypse to its climax with an immortal heroine, a deadly love interest, and a repetitive storyline. While there are fleeting moments of intrigue, the book ultimately suffers from recycled plot elements, lackluster world-building, and problematic dynamics.
The Good:
➕ Immortal Heroine: Lazarus, a woman who cannot die—even by Death’s hand—is a compelling concept. Her immunity adds an intriguing twist, though it’s frustratingly underexplored.
➕ Cameos from the Horsemen: The brief appearances of Pestilence, War, and Famine add some humor and nostalgia, offering a break from the monotony of Lazarus and Thanatos’ story.
➕ Moments of Emotional Depth: Despite the flaws, some moments between Lazarus and Thanatos reflect an emotional vulnerability that hints at a better story beneath the surface.
The Bad:
➖ Repetitive Plot: Like previous books, this one follows the same cycle—travel, destruction, and romance—with little to distinguish it from its predecessors. The apocalyptic towns and endless death grow tedious, making the narrative feel stagnant.
➖ Shallow World-Building: While Lazarus’ immortality and the arrival of Death offer potential for expanding the lore, these elements are barely explained, leaving too many unanswered questions.
➖ Problematic Smut: The steamy scenes become uncomfortable, particularly when Lazarus says, “Enough,” and Death disregards her. While the scene is intended to be passionate, it lacks the necessary consent to be enjoyable.
➖ Baby Trope: Introducing a baby trope feels unnecessary and rushed. It adds little to the story and detracts from the overall tone.
➖ Insta-Love: The romance between Lazarus and Thanatos develops too quickly, undermining any genuine emotional connection. Falling for someone immediately after they destroy your entire town feels implausible and forced.
➖ Underdeveloped Characters: Lazarus lacks personality beyond being reckless and stubborn, while Thanatos alternates between naivety and horniness. Their interactions feel shallow, leaving little room for genuine chemistry.
➖ Predictable Ending: As expected, the story concludes with Death learning that humanity is worth saving and the horsemen settling into domestic bliss. It’s a predictable and uninspired resolution.
My Thoughts:
Death had the potential to bring a grand conclusion to the Four Horsemen series, but instead, it rehashes the same tired formula. The lack of meaningful world-building, repetitive pacing, and problematic dynamics make it a disappointing finale. Lazarus’ immortality is an intriguing concept, but its lack of explanation leaves it feeling like wasted potential.
While the romance is central to the story, it is plagued by insta-love and uncomfortable smut scenes that fail to build genuine connection. Add to that a rushed baby trope, and the book feels like it is trying to pack in tropes rather than deliver a satisfying conclusion.
Conclusion:
Death is a lackluster end to the Four Horsemen series. While there are moments of emotional depth and humor, they’re overshadowed by repetitive storytelling, weak characters, and unresolved questions. Fans of the series may enjoy the cameos and familiar tropes, but for others, it’s a tedious read that overstays its welcome.
Unless you’re deeply invested in the series, this one is skippable. For a book about the apocalypse, it sadly fails to deliver a satisfying bang.
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