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A review by sharondaisadora
Terror at the Gates by Scarlett St. Clair
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This will be a rant review so hold onto your wig if ya got one.
I’m weary, honestly truly. The blurb says this is a feminist retelling. I’m seeing “female rage” as a descriptor and yeah, I’m tired. This character, Lilith is simply a clueless spoiled brat. She is steeped in privilege. She is steeped in selfishness. Lilith is not a likable character at all. And throwing trauma on her didn’t help. Why? Because there is no growth to her character, no redeeming qualities. She lacked self awareness and empathy. Putting her in an urban setting when she lacks these attributes made her irritating and careless. So, no I did not care for Lilith. She represents everything that is wrong with women who don’t care about anyone else until things start to affect them. When terror comes knocking at their door.
Let’s talk about this world. There are seven territories in this world. Here, Lilith comes across a knife which we find out is one of the seven keys to open gates “doors” if you will. These seven keys also are supposed to be merged into a sword that is supposed to bring back a betrayed God. Firstly, for much of this read, this knife plays a huge part in what goes on with Lilith. But, it’s all unclear and rambling. This world is shaky at best. The magic we are supposed to see is severely lacking. Lilith herself has magic but we don’t truly see it on page. It’s barely described and it’s weak…. Much like its owner. It’s made clear that she was not taught how to use it so why even add it as a vice for her character? It added nothing.
The love interest. This author has a way she writes her female and male characters. I think as readers, we will either hate or love them. Terror at the Gates is no different in this perspective. Zahariev serves as a backdrop to Lilith’s character. This man who is a head of a whole ass mafia family essentially serves as a “couch” for her. Even when this woman made the dumbest of choices because let’s be real that’s what they were.
Anyolways, him: “I would go to war for you.”
Like, sure my guy. But please stop. He lets this lady run around his territory putting herself and others in danger and did nothing. Sure he got stern with her but yeah he did nothing.
Look, I don’t mind a man that is going to go all out, who is going to protect but he gotta make sense. Call this woman out on her bullshit especially when it’s harmful to herself, you or anybody else for that matter. He was useless.
Sidebar: what/who is Zahariev? Because he was able to touch the knife as well and nothing happened to him.
I’m not even going to go in about the religious themes here. Basically, it was useless because this world and its characters are. I can acknowledge the harm but that’s it.
All and all, I did not like this book. The ending was rushed. Four hundred and ninety-five pages and we get a cliffhanger? Bye!
Here’s the thing. Throwing important themes in a story surrounded by inept characters and lazy world building is harmful. Topics such as religious trauma, oppression, indoctrination and sexual assault deserve better. I want authors and publishers to understand this.
Thank you to the publisher, Bloom Publishing for the opportunity to read and review. Just because Terror at the Gates was not for me, it doesn’t mean I’m discouraging anyone else from reading this.
I’m weary, honestly truly. The blurb says this is a feminist retelling. I’m seeing “female rage” as a descriptor and yeah, I’m tired. This character, Lilith is simply a clueless spoiled brat. She is steeped in privilege. She is steeped in selfishness. Lilith is not a likable character at all. And throwing trauma on her didn’t help. Why? Because there is no growth to her character, no redeeming qualities. She lacked self awareness and empathy. Putting her in an urban setting when she lacks these attributes made her irritating and careless. So, no I did not care for Lilith. She represents everything that is wrong with women who don’t care about anyone else until things start to affect them. When terror comes knocking at their door.
Let’s talk about this world. There are seven territories in this world. Here, Lilith comes across a knife which we find out is one of the seven keys to open gates “doors” if you will. These seven keys also are supposed to be merged into a sword that is supposed to bring back a betrayed God. Firstly, for much of this read, this knife plays a huge part in what goes on with Lilith. But, it’s all unclear and rambling. This world is shaky at best. The magic we are supposed to see is severely lacking. Lilith herself has magic but we don’t truly see it on page. It’s barely described and it’s weak…. Much like its owner. It’s made clear that she was not taught how to use it so why even add it as a vice for her character? It added nothing.
The love interest. This author has a way she writes her female and male characters. I think as readers, we will either hate or love them. Terror at the Gates is no different in this perspective. Zahariev serves as a backdrop to Lilith’s character. This man who is a head of a whole ass mafia family essentially serves as a “couch” for her. Even when this woman made the dumbest of choices because let’s be real that’s what they were.
Anyolways, him: “I would go to war for you.”
Like, sure my guy. But please stop. He lets this lady run around his territory putting herself and others in danger and did nothing. Sure he got stern with her but yeah he did nothing.
Look, I don’t mind a man that is going to go all out, who is going to protect but he gotta make sense. Call this woman out on her bullshit especially when it’s harmful to herself, you or anybody else for that matter. He was useless.
Sidebar: what/who is Zahariev? Because he was able to touch the knife as well and nothing happened to him.
I’m not even going to go in about the religious themes here. Basically, it was useless because this world and its characters are. I can acknowledge the harm but that’s it.
All and all, I did not like this book. The ending was rushed. Four hundred and ninety-five pages and we get a cliffhanger? Bye!
Here’s the thing. Throwing important themes in a story surrounded by inept characters and lazy world building is harmful. Topics such as religious trauma, oppression, indoctrination and sexual assault deserve better. I want authors and publishers to understand this.
Thank you to the publisher, Bloom Publishing for the opportunity to read and review. Just because Terror at the Gates was not for me, it doesn’t mean I’m discouraging anyone else from reading this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Classism