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.
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.
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.
CAWPILE
Characters
Atmosphere
Writing
Plot
Intrigue
Overall:
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.
I feel like I'm a million pages old. I've lived thousands of lives, loved, grieved and died many deaths. I've had a home in almost every corner of the earth and in many new worlds. I've made many friends and fought many enemies. ─ Good books aren't read, they're lived and at the end of each book we're left changed. In comparison, reality sometimes just seems grey. ─ They say we're the heroes of our own stories, or the villains. But it often seems very realistic, as if we readers are more like the tragic-comic supporting characters. ─ Goodreads Librarian | My book wish list. ;)
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