You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
owlsreads 's review for:
Terror at the Gates
by Scarlett St. Clair
I’m not going to lie, I picked this up because of the religious elements. I thought my catholic upbringing would finally be useful for something.
It only sort of was…
So. There are many religious references tied to Christianity; some of them are done in very interesting ways while others seem to be there for no reason. The worldbuilding tries to work with them to create a setting that doesn’t quite become as solid as it should? There are many names thrown out and little description to try and make them connect in a meaningful way—at least a meaningful way that goes beyond: look! A religious reference!
Lilith herself is a bit of an odd ball. This is supposed to be a feminist take on her story, but I don’t think it quite succeeds at it. Lilith is strong and determined and, yes, she has been through a lot and come out on the other side of it, but that doesn’t make a lawyered feminist character. She’s constantly needing to be saved by a man after she puts herself in danger? And then gets angry about it. In that sense, there is almost no growth that we see from her as the story progresses.
Zahariev, for his turn, is a little more consistent. I really enjoyed the little interludes from his perspective, as they let us get to know him some beyond Lilith’s vision of him. I do wish he was more upfront about certain things? And that the author had bothered to develop his character and backstory more.
The plot is intriguing, especially as some pieces start coming together in regard to the gates. Some scenes are very rushed and without much emotional impact, however, something that extends to the final scene for me. There is a huge reveal in the last chapter that feels a little disconnected from the plot in the way it happens. Mostly because of the rushing through certain scenes and information to focus on… having space for sex scenes, I guess.
I’m not sure I will continue with the series. The direction the story takes towards the end isn’t what I expected from the premise and I’m not sure Im going to be happy about how it all goes down…
It only sort of was…
So. There are many religious references tied to Christianity; some of them are done in very interesting ways while others seem to be there for no reason. The worldbuilding tries to work with them to create a setting that doesn’t quite become as solid as it should? There are many names thrown out and little description to try and make them connect in a meaningful way—at least a meaningful way that goes beyond: look! A religious reference!
Lilith herself is a bit of an odd ball. This is supposed to be a feminist take on her story, but I don’t think it quite succeeds at it. Lilith is strong and determined and, yes, she has been through a lot and come out on the other side of it, but that doesn’t make a lawyered feminist character. She’s constantly needing to be saved by a man after she puts herself in danger? And then gets angry about it. In that sense, there is almost no growth that we see from her as the story progresses.
Zahariev, for his turn, is a little more consistent. I really enjoyed the little interludes from his perspective, as they let us get to know him some beyond Lilith’s vision of him. I do wish he was more upfront about certain things? And that the author had bothered to develop his character and backstory more.
The plot is intriguing, especially as some pieces start coming together in regard to the gates. Some scenes are very rushed and without much emotional impact, however, something that extends to the final scene for me. There is a huge reveal in the last chapter that feels a little disconnected from the plot in the way it happens. Mostly because of the rushing through certain scenes and information to focus on… having space for sex scenes, I guess.
I’m not sure I will continue with the series. The direction the story takes towards the end isn’t what I expected from the premise and I’m not sure Im going to be happy about how it all goes down…