'Pestilence, the first in 'The Four Horsemen' series by Laura Thalassa, follows the story of Pestilence, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, who is on a mission to wipe out humanity with his plague. However, his beliefs and mission are challenged when he meets a mortal girl named Sara who starts to influence him in unexpected ways. The plot delves into their evolving relationship, the philosophical discussions surrounding morality and humanity, and the post-apocalyptic setting created by the divine mission of Pestilence.

Characters:

The characters include a strong, relatable protagonist in Sara and a deeply flawed Pestilence, whose character grows through the narrative, although secondary characters are less developed.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and flows smoothly, combining casual dialogue with serious themes, creating a balance of humor and depth.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows the arrival of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, focusing on the character Pestilence and his interactions with Sara, who attempts to kill him but is taken hostage instead, leading to a complex exploration of suffering and redemption.

Setting:

The setting is a post-apocalyptic world where the arrival of the horsemen brings about a dystopian landscape marked by widespread suffering.

Pacing:

The pacing fluctuates, with a slow burn romance that some readers enjoy, while others find parts repetitive and less engaging.

I can see Luke preparing himself to stay behind. I’ve only ever seen that expression on his face once before, when we were putting out a wildfire that had all but encircled us. The fire moved like the...

Notes:

The story features the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, starting with Pestilence.

Pestilence, the main character, is a horseman who spreads a deadly plague.

The protagonist, Sara, is a firefighter in Canada who tries to kill Pestilence but ends up being captured by him.

The book explores an enemies-to-lovers trope, set in a dystopian world.

Sara's perspective is the main POV, which some readers felt limited the development of Pestilence's character.

Despite being a figure of death, Pestilence is depicted as having qualities that can evoke sympathy from the readers.

The romance develops slowly, with moments of dark humor and tension between the characters.

The author blends themes of morality and human nature, delving into what makes a character redeemable.

Sara teaches Pestilence about human experiences and emotions, such as love and compassion.

Critics noted the world-building was lacking, raising questions that could be addressed in later books in the series.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include graphic violence, death, plague-related themes, and emotional distress.

Has Romance?

The romance between the main characters is a central focus of the story and is developed throughout.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

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.

Ratings (149)

Incredible (23)
Loved It (57)
Liked It (34)
It Was OK (23)
Did Not Like (5)
Hated It (7)

Reader Stats (292):

Read It (159)
Want To Read (100)
Did Not Finish (5)
Not Interested (28)

2 comment(s)

marluv424

It Was OK

6 months

I think it was because I read the last 40% super high while listening to my “Rainy Day Reflections” playlist but I may have actually teared up at parts of this. Supernatural fanfiction adjacent

kerrav714

It Was OK

8 months

This one was...weird. I had high expectations based on reviewers I follow, but it didn't live up to their hype. There were times when I wasn't sure I was going to finish the story. I'm rounding up to three stars just for the unusual setting. It ultimately entertained me, but I have no interest in continuing on or revisiting the characters.

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Pestilence

Laura Thalassa

Book 1 in the series:The Four Horsemen