Pestilence: Unveiling the Story of The 1st Horseman
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Prepare to embark on an epic journey into the heart of darkness as we unveil the chilling tale of ‘Pestilence’ by the talented author Laura Thalassa. In this spellbinding book review, we’ll delve deep into the world of apocalyptic fantasy and romance, where Pestilence reigns and love blossoms amidst the chaos.
Laura Thalassa’s masterful storytelling beckons us to explore the enigmatic persona of the first Horseman. Offering a unique blend of thrilling suspense and passionate allure. Join us on this expedition as we dissect the novel’s key elements, decode its secrets, and unearth the captivating mysteries lurking within its pages.
Get ready to be captivated, intrigued, and utterly spellbound by ‘Pestilence,’ a literary journey you won’t want to miss
Title: Pestilence
Author: Laura Thalassa
Published: 2018
Pages: 416
“A woman should not be oddly pleasing. She should be a ball-busting, skull-crushing, badass motherfucker who is impossible to forget.”
“He’s like the most aggressive form of my already most hated male combo: the hot asshole.”
Thoughts
Let me preface this by saying this story definitely will not be for everyone. It is a bully romance. And as what I think is my first bully romance, I am quite puzzled about what I feel about this story.
So here goes nothing…
There are two major parts to this story. On one hand, there is the romance side of things that is fueled by Stockholm syndrome. I don’t think (I know) under any other circumstance would the FMC find herself in love with Pestilience. And then there is the dystopian/apocalyptic side of the story. It’s definitely not post-apocalyptic the way it is perceived because they are actively riding through town, offing people. It is the former that caught my attention.
It’s not that the “riding through town murdering people as you go” doesn’t get me (spoiler, it doesn’t), but in order for me to be remotely involved in a story and ultimately end up loving it, I have to feel something. You know, the bare minimum, fall in love with the FMC/MMC or both. Love the world that immerses me to the point where I don’t want to leave, you know, the basics.
“I am Pestilence the Conqueror, the first of the Four Horsemen come to claim your world. eternal, and my task, unwavering. I do not require anything to sustain me.”
Sara is sassy and witty. Often making me laugh and understand where she is coming from. It is Pestilence that I had an issue with. While I can’t expect much for Pestilence, he is a horseman, for goodness’ sake. He was often very cringe for me until the book’s latter half. At that point, he started softening all his rough, jagged edges. Becoming what I like to think is a little more relatable, less God-like (PAUSE! I love a good God! Hades can turn me every way but loose), but the way Pestilence is written is almost like (I don’t know) like you aren’t supposed to like him.
“Love is the greatest gift we can give or receive,”
And yes! I hear you; you’re not. He is one of the four horsemen, bringing about the end of days. The problem is that I wanted to like him but couldn’t until the last 15 chapters of the book, and that’s a little too late for me.
I guess this was pretty good for a romance between a woman and one of the four Horsemen of the apocalypse who is spreading disease to wipe out humanity.
Furthermore, I am the last one you should look at for morality. The magnet drawing me is in every direction and forever pointing to the gutter. But even I am aware that their relationship was problematic, to say the least.
Did I enjoy it? Yes.
Will I continue with the series? Yes.
Do I think you should read it? Absolutely yes!
But I have to say I don’t know where you jump the pole and pull down the flag like Super Mario is here, signifying the end of the game. Because if they are all like this, I don’t know how I will feel about it. Because the hands-down best part of the book was the last 5 chapters and the epilogue.
For now, it gets a 6/10.
Grab a copy of Pestilence on Bookshop.org.
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