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A review by konniesbb
Pestilence by Laura Thalassa
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect going into this book but, in the end, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
Set in an apocalyptic world, Sara Burns is set to kill Pestilence the Conqueror, the first of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Unfortunately, Sara's attempt to assassinate the horseman fail and instead she is held prisoner by him.
The book is very dark and quite detailed and gruesome in its descriptions of violence, death and abuse. This did not affect my enjoyment of the book, as I did feel it added to the sinister backdrop it takes place in, but I do think it may be too much for some readers.
Naturally, this being an enemies-to-lovers romance (and an extreme one at that!), the relationship portrayed in the book is incredibly toxic and unhealthy. However, I don't think the author is trying to glamourise this kind of behaviour or relationship and, at the end of the day, it's not meant to be taken too seriously.
I really enjoyed the author's style of writing - it was rich in detail while still remaining fast-paced and dramatic. I enjoyed the first-person narration from Sara's POV and how we got to see her relationship with her captor change through her eyes.
I felt the last few chapters were rather rushed as though we were rather barreling toward the end of the story. The resolution at the end could've been a little more involved, plus it all felt a little too neatly tied up considering the circumstances; but again, I don't think it should be taken too seriously. Good setup for the next book in the series as well - I think I might give it a go.
On the whole, a very enjoyable read which kept me hooked! Would recommend to fans of fantasy romances, enemies-to-lovers, slow burns etc.
Set in an apocalyptic world, Sara Burns is set to kill Pestilence the Conqueror, the first of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Unfortunately, Sara's attempt to assassinate the horseman fail and instead she is held prisoner by him.
The book is very dark and quite detailed and gruesome in its descriptions of violence, death and abuse. This did not affect my enjoyment of the book, as I did feel it added to the sinister backdrop it takes place in, but I do think it may be too much for some readers.
Naturally, this being an enemies-to-lovers romance (and an extreme one at that!), the relationship portrayed in the book is incredibly toxic and unhealthy. However, I don't think the author is trying to glamourise this kind of behaviour or relationship and, at the end of the day, it's not meant to be taken too seriously.
I really enjoyed the author's style of writing - it was rich in detail while still remaining fast-paced and dramatic. I enjoyed the first-person narration from Sara's POV and how we got to see her relationship with her captor change through her eyes.
I felt the last few chapters were rather rushed as though we were rather barreling toward the end of the story. The resolution at the end could've been a little more involved, plus it all felt a little too neatly tied up considering the circumstances; but again, I don't think it should be taken too seriously. Good setup for the next book in the series as well - I think I might give it a go.
On the whole, a very enjoyable read which kept me hooked! Would recommend to fans of fantasy romances, enemies-to-lovers, slow burns etc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse