lunahale's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tell me why this book made me sob 😭 i was unprepared for the amount of tissues i went through with this book, so i’m excited to continue this series
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
bekahzabel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
3.85 rounded up to 4 stars!
This book really got better and better as it went on. A bit of a slow start but wow I couldn’t put it down after 35%! Who knew the four horsemen could be so hot?
Very modern writing style,
Slow burn enemies to lovers, almost felt a bit like a bully romance at first.
Strong character development in both the FMC & MMC.
Magical realism.
I will definitely continue on with these, had me giggling and laughing out loud often, swooning over banter, and smiling like a fool into my kindle. There are some triggers in there so please be sure to check those out beforehand.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and Bloombooks for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This book really got better and better as it went on. A bit of a slow start but wow I couldn’t put it down after 35%! Who knew the four horsemen could be so hot?
Very modern writing style,
Slow burn enemies to lovers, almost felt a bit like a bully romance at first.
Strong character development in both the FMC & MMC.
Magical realism.
I will definitely continue on with these, had me giggling and laughing out loud often, swooning over banter, and smiling like a fool into my kindle. There are some triggers in there so please be sure to check those out beforehand.
Thanks so much to Netgalley and Bloombooks for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Gore, Grief, and Confinement
stardust_heidi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My first time rereading these books. There’s something about Laura’s writing that just sucks me in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Murder, Grief, Gore, and Genocide
theruemorgue_03's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Grief, Murder, Rape, Sexual content, Blood, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Kidnapping, and Terminal illness
bellebookcorner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“When you find someone worth spending that time with, you don’t want to share those minutes with anyone else.”
Read this book if you love;
• Dark Fantasy Paranormal Romance
• Morally Grey Character
• Enemies-to-Lovers
• Grumpy x Sunshine
• Forced Proximity
• Post-Apocalyptic World
• Touch Her and You Die
Pestilence is a story about one of the Four Horsemen who came to earth to destroy the world and a woman with a mission to stop Pestilence and save her town.
This story is intended for mature readers and I would highly suggest checking the trigger warnings below before reading this one.
I didn’t have any expectation toward this book and upon reading the blurb and seeing it a couple times on social media, I finally gave it a try.
Surprisingly, I enjoy reading this book. The plot keeps me interested from the beginning until the end with easy to read writing style, nice pacing and a well writen post-apocalyptic world building.
So many emotions played in this story by seeing it from two different sides - Pestilence and Sara.
I really like the character development of both Sara and Pestilence, especially seeing Pestilence started to slowly change as Sara show him that mankind is not all that bad. As they get closer, feelings also grow which is how they find themselves at war with their own self.
I also like the funny moments of their never ending bickering and Sara’s sassy comments that she would throw to Pestilence which liven up the story.
However, some parts got a bit repetitive especially about how much Sara keeps saying about Pestilence’s handsome face and hot body.
Overall, it’s a good and enjoyable read. I found the plot idea really interesting and I’m looking forward to see what the next horsemen will do in the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Torture, Violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Rape
katbenimble's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
I do not even know where to begin with this 😂 it was so bad. The plot holes are big enough for Tricksy to ride through. The graphic violence was almost too much for me. The MCs are both idiots. The spice started like...75% through the book. The end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Animal death, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Murder, Torture, Stalking, Medical content, Gore, Death, and Body horror
Moderate: Sexual content
plsnotanotherdamselindistress's review against another edition
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This was...something.
The logic, the romance...it sas something.
Surprisingly this book was not poorly written, but definitely not what I expected and lacking in the plot department.
Him before her eyes and her slowly falling in love with him while he continues to do that felt -let's call it- *not really relatable*.
I thought this book would be mostly about monster smecks but actually the romance was the main storyline.
Spice: max. 2/5
Only reason this gained 1 star in the rating was because it actually made me cry...surprisingly...
The logic, the romance...it sas something.
Surprisingly this book was not poorly written, but definitely not what I expected and lacking in the plot department.
Him
Spoiler
murdering masses and childrenI thought this book would be mostly about monster smecks but actually the romance was the main storyline.
Spice: max. 2/5
Only reason this gained 1 star in the rating was because it actually made me cry...surprisingly...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Gore, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Pandemic/Epidemic
bookmom92's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Did I think that I would ever read a fictional romance surrounding the horsemen of the apocalypse?
No.
Did I have doubts that I would like it?
Maybe a smidge..
Did this deliver?
YES!
The transformation between Pestilence and Sara's relationship was set up beautifully.
We have a cruel horseman and an avenging human both bent on doing what they feel is right.
What transpires is a blossoming forbidden romance that hits you RIGHT in the feels!
Why it has taken me this long to read, I don't know but I'm hungry for more.
No.
Did I have doubts that I would like it?
Maybe a smidge..
Did this deliver?
YES!
The transformation between Pestilence and Sara's relationship was set up beautifully.
We have a cruel horseman and an avenging human both bent on doing what they feel is right.
What transpires is a blossoming forbidden romance that hits you RIGHT in the feels!
Why it has taken me this long to read, I don't know but I'm hungry for more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Death, Murder, Child death, and Injury/Injury detail
lisersaurus's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Gore, Death, Violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Murder, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
jess_bythebook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
*2023 VERSION WITH THE REWRITES*
I compared the newer copy with the 2018 original version (almost word for word) to see how the two compare and I am actually pretty impressed. Where the older book was already captivating, this newer script is actually smoother.
Certain words were changed to modernize them while others were cut out altogether. Some capitalized, some italicized, and a couple of sentences and paragraphs were cut out near the end (they were completely unnecessary). While no major changes or new chapters were added, I do admit that the story as a whole reads better than the original.
Pestilence is still just as brutal in the beginning and we do get a true enemies to lovers story that ends up melting your heart in the absolute best way. And I still love Sara - the rough and caring firefighter who knows when to pick her battles, but also isn’t willing to compromise on her core values.
I adored being able to travel the post-apocalyptic Southern Canadian and Pacific Northwest terrain with them again. Even though I knew what was coming, the rewrites smoothed out some of the blunter transitions and I felt like I was experiencing the book through fresh eyes. Definitely worth it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I compared the newer copy with the 2018 original version (almost word for word) to see how the two compare and I am actually pretty impressed. Where the older book was already captivating, this newer script is actually smoother.
Certain words were changed to modernize them while others were cut out altogether. Some capitalized, some italicized, and a couple of sentences and paragraphs were cut out near the end (they were completely unnecessary). While no major changes or new chapters were added, I do admit that the story as a whole reads better than the original.
Pestilence is still just as brutal in the beginning and we do get a true enemies to lovers story that ends up melting your heart in the absolute best way. And I still love Sara - the rough and caring firefighter who knows when to pick her battles, but also isn’t willing to compromise on her core values.
I adored being able to travel the post-apocalyptic Southern Canadian and Pacific Northwest terrain with them again. Even though I knew what was coming, the rewrites smoothed out some of the blunter transitions and I felt like I was experiencing the book through fresh eyes. Definitely worth it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloom Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Gun violence and Injury/Injury detail