This dark, feminist reimagining of Lilith’s story is a sultry, chaotic cocktail of rage, romance, and rebellion that had me glued to my Kindle like it was dispensing life advice from a sexy demon. It’s a world so vivid I could taste the forbidden fruit, but, ugh, that abrupt ending cost it a half-star, and let’s be real, Lilith’s occasional Mary Sue vibes had me side-eyeing a bit.

First, the good stuff, because there’s so much to obsess over. Lilith Leviathan is the heroine of my dreams, the kind of badass I’d channel during a bar fight or a particularly savage self-care day. She’s hiding out in Nineveh, Eden’s grimy, sin-drenched underbelly, and Scarlett paints this place so vividly I could smell the incense and hear the clink of illicit deals in shadowy corners. Lilith is a glorious hot mess—peace and chaos, creation and destruction, with a side of fury that makes you want to smash the patriarchy and then get a manicure. Her journey from broken to unstoppable, sparked by stealing a mysterious dagger, had me cheering like I was at a concert. I was living for her vibe, even if sometimes it felt like the whole world was a little too obsessed with her.

Enter Zahariev, the friends-to-lovers dreamboat who had me swooning harder than a Victorian lady with a tight corset. Their chemistry is so electric it could power a nightclub, and Scarlett knows how to crank up the slow burn until it’s a full-on inferno. Their evolving bond, from wary trust to world-shattering devotion, had me giggling and kicking my feet like I was 13 with a crush on a boybander. Zahariev is  perfection, and I’d sell my soul for a date with him in Eden.

The feminist retelling of Lilith’s story is where Scarlett slays. This isn’t some shallow “girlboss” nonsense—it’s a raw, unflinching dive into Lilith’s trauma from a corrupt, patriarchal church. There’s a scene with a haunting memory (keeping it vague for spoiler-phobes) that hit me so hard I was sniffling, blaming it on “seasonal allergies.” Scarlett nails the themes of healing, reclaiming power, and embracing life’s messy gray areas. It’s heavy but hopeful, and it made me want to scream “YAS QUEEN” while flipping off every toxic ex in my life. Lilith’s rage is a feminist anthem, and I’m here for it.

Now, let’s talk spice, because Scarlett doesn’t hold back. The romance is steamy, y’all. Two scenes in the last 10 percent had me blushing so hard I looked like I’d face-planted into a vat of rosé. If you loved the Hades x Persephone series, you’ll be right at home with this forbidden, sultry goodness. Lilith and Zahariev get creative with their devotion, and I was fanning myself like a Southern belle at a scandalous ball.

But here’s where I get snarky, because this book isn’t flawless, and I’ve got some bones to pick. First, that ending—Scarlett, girl, what happened? It’s like the story was racing toward an epic finale, then tripped over a plot hole and face-planted. The last chapters feel rushed, like Scarlett was dodging a deadline and forgot to tie up loose ends. It’s not a proper cliffhanger, just a jarring “to be continued” that had me flipping pages, thinking my Kindle was broken. With two spicy scenes crammed into the last 10 percent, there was room for a few more pages to flesh out the ending and tease book two in the Blood of Lilith series. That half-star deduction hurts my heart, but it’s gotta happen.

And let’s talk about Lilith’s Mary Sue moments, because whew, they got under my skin. Don’t get me wrong, I adore her, but sometimes it feels like the entire universe revolves around her like she’s the sun in a Lilith-centric solar system. Everyone’s obsessed—friends, enemies, random strangers in Nineveh’s alleys. There’s this one character who loses his wife to a violent childbirth (heartbreaking, right?) and yet he’s STILL more worried about Lilith than his newborn son or the tragedy that just rocked his world. Like, sir, your priorities are messier than my TBR pile. It’s a bit much, and it pulled me out of the story, making me mutter, “Okay, Lilith, we get it, you’re the main character.” A touch more balance would’ve made her shine without eclipsing everyone else. Don't get me started on the character with a dogs name. Give Coco a actual personality that doesn't revolve around just being a good friend. 

Despite these gripes, Terror at the Gates is a witchy, wild ride I couldn’t put down. It’s perfect for fans of dark fantasy, feminist fury, and romance that burns hotter than a dragon’s breath. Scarlett St. Clair has built a seductive, savage world, and I’m already counting down to book two. (Please, Scarlett, give us a juicier ending and dial back the Lilith is the Center of the Universe vibes! Enhance your side characters!) Grab this book, a glass of wine, and dive into Lilith’s story—just brace yourself for a finale that’ll leave you yelling “THAT’S IT?!” at your screen.