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. The day Jerusalem falls, Miriam Elmahdy knows her life is over. Houses are burning, the streets run red with blood, and a traitorous army is massacring every last … massacring every last resident. There is no surviving this, especially not once Miriam catches the eye of War himself. But when the massive and terrifying horseman corners Miriam, he calls her his wife, and instead of killing her, he takes her back to his camp.
Now Miriam faces a terrifying future, one where she watches her world burn town by town, and the one man responsible for it all is her seemingly indestructible “husband”. But there’s another side to him, one that’s gentle and loving and dead set on winning her over, and she might not be strong enough to resist.
However, if there’s one thing Miriam has learned, it’s that love and war cannot coexist. And so she must make the ultimate choice: surrender to War and watch humankind fall, or sacrifice everything and stop him.
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Laura Thalassa has created another antihero I felt almost uneasy falling in love with. (But I still did!) When Pestilence came to earth, he was alone and innocent, never having been touched by love. He spared no one on his quest to fulfill his God-given mission until he met one woman who opened his heart.
War, on the other hand, spared many and bid them join him on his quest. Or…die. Not because he felt anything for them, but because he loves the game of war. He is definitely no innocent and when he finds Miriam, the one woman God has marked as his ‘wife’, he does everything in his power to ensure her safety. Miriam goes out of her way to thwart War’s attempts to rain down punishment on mankind. I loved her. She was fierce and brave and refused to put up with War’s domination and unbending rules. And in the end, I couldn’t help falling in love with War either.
This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I loved it!!! I am so looking forward to reading the third book in this series.
Absolutely loved it. Reminded me of a darker more morbid Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley. War has quickly grown to be a favorite antihero for me. They are always my favorites.
Five stars for this book. Great read. I loved it so much. The best I can say about this book is that it was entirely worth the wait!!
I love…love…LOVE this book! I also loved Laura’s first book in the series, too. Pestilence. , Pestilence (The Four Horsemen Book 1),
I love this book series so much. I love the world that Laura Thalassa creates with The Four Horsemen series. It is not an Insta-love story which I love that about these books. These “heros” have to really work for it.
Then we have very strong heroines with these stories and I really LOVE that. Especially with WAR Miriam is very headstrong and woman who know what she believes in and will not be walked all over or stop fighting for humanity.
I also really loved War, I felt like he was a very likable character even when he was at his worse I still really liked him. He is probably one of my favorite “bad” guys I’ve ever read.
Like I said I really loved this book, if I had to complain about anything it would be I felt like it was a tad long. Other than that it was really good and I loved the world building and the characters. I can’t wait to read the next one.
Should I say “Holy Hades!” or “Oh my god!” because we’re talking about War here and while he’s a heavenly sent creation, he is after all, war.
This book starts a bit slower than Pestilence, but once it hits its stride it’s a horror filled, drama rich, emotional read. I was expecting this to be a copycat of book one, but it is far from that. With an engaging, if often times troubling, plot and characters that are uniquely developed, I was drawn into this story to the point I didn’t want to stop when real life interfered.
Miriam, the heroine, was fierce and capable in a world where survival is the strategy for each day. When War and his army descend upon her town she engages with the enemy in what will surely be a futile attempt to defeat them. But when her failed attempt to kill the warlord brings his attention to her personally, the last thing she expects is him to claim her as wife.
What follows is not only the horrors of war, but some that were never even on my radar. War’s actions did nothing to help me fall in love with him, but his evolution from a creature designed for killing into a man who would do anything to save his wife left me no choice but to do so. Just trying to find words to describe this hero is impossible. He’s so much more than words on a page. This author created this hero to such a degree that he would never fit into a neatly defined checkbox.
While this is War’s story, this is actually Miriam’s tale. She is the type of kick butt heroine many of us love, but she’s very real in the way she reacts to what’s happening around her. Even as she plans her strategies, they are often not completely formed and while I’d never even consider some of the things she does, I totally related to her “not thinking things through”. Despite that glitch in her character, which I found charming, she is not a too stupid to live heroine. Just the opposite. She is real, she is relatable, she is exactly what I would want to be if, god forbid, I should ever find myself in the heart of the apocalypse as she does.
Together, this couple kept me glued to the pages of my Kindle. The romantic angle of this story isn’t in your face. It’s a subtle change in the characters reactions, thoughts, emotions and beliefs. While we don’t get War’s point of view, it’s apparent his war-hardened heart softens towards Miriam and we are never in doubt as to where his emotions lay, even if those emotions are murky at times.
This is a story rife with brutality, scenes that will make you cringe, decisions that will have you shaking your head, and surprises that will make you gasp out loud. And at the heart of it all is War and Miriam, a battle between two people who are polar opposites, and the demand for surrender.
This is book 2 in the series, but other than a tiny spoiler that really gives nothing away at the end, I believe this can be read as a standalone. However, I highly recommend you read Pestilence because it’s just so good and then once you recover, dig into this one and hold on for a wicked ride.
Read via Kindle Unlimited
First off, I am a huge fan of the author’s work. I have read several of her books and been eagerly awaiting the next installment of this series. What with the title, I’m quivering with excitement to dive into it. That’s why I was sad that it took me until now to finish it. It even pains me to write this kind of review. I’d point it out to the story setting which is a touchy subject for me, not to mention the cultural background too. I had to put it down most of the time. Still, I went ahead to finish it. Barring my reasons, I got to enjoy some of the good moments but it wasn’t the same I got with Pestilence. Having said that, I will check out Famine when it goes out.
“Be brave”
Sadly I’m not one hundred precent in love with this book as I was with Pestilence. I still enjoyed it thoroughly and was even moved to tears in the end with the whole Romeo and Juliet theme going on. However I did feel that something was missing from the story for it to be as impactful as the first book.
As I started reading I found the book very similar to the Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashely and later on I found many similarities and same patterns as in Pestilence. It made me worried that the story would be lacking originality and become dull (who wants to read the same story twice?). Luckily War took its own twists and turns and found its own unique ways of keeping me invested with the beautiful writing and romance. Even if there still were some similarities to the first book I also could not fault the book for it since it was automatically forced into the same concept as Pestilence with the whole Horsemen apocalypse theme. And the author still did an amazing job of differencing it from the plot of the first book. I also like the fact that it took place on another continent, making the end of the world theme much more realistic than if it was only in America. That is just too usual in literature nowadays.
On thing I cannot glass over however is the inappropriate setting for War. While I am not personally that offended I have read many reviews and comments from fellow readers that are and even found it racist and Islamphobic. I do not believe the author meant any offense to anyone, but at the same time it cannot excuse the insensitive way she handled the Palestine/Israel conflict in the book. This kind of story with romance and sex in it is perhaps not the best platform for such a serious and real conflict that has affected so many.
If we think away the racism from the book, then I really only had one problem with the story and that was the somewhat insensible back and forth from Mariam. She constantly went from “I hate him and must fight him” to “I cannot help but love him and surrender to him”. While the back and forth from her part was understandable and a great tool of conflict between them, it often didn’t make sense to me. I mean, when War did such monstrous deeds I expected it from her. But this also happened so often without any real cause or reason. One day, they were great, the next he was a monster again. This happened so often that it was difficult to tell if their relationship was developing at all.
I tend to focus extra hard on flaws when writing reviews, which I guess is my own flaw. However, looking at the positives, I absolutely loved the enemies to lovers theme and of course the romance that follow. I loved the added drama and conflicts and I really enjoyed the different setting compared to the previous book. Plus that we readers got to see more of the happily ever after as well. The “be brave” message was well implemented and flowed beautifully throughout the story. Although, it kind of feels like an oxymoron (if that is the correct term?), since being a clever coward really is what would keep you alive in an apocalypse. Oh well.
Wow! I thought Pestilence was a great book but War actually made me cry. I cried for humanity and even War himself. Like Miriam I believe people can redeem themselves or to some extent redeem themselves. And like War, who am I to give judgment until their time has come. Not all humans are bad but collectively we do make poor decisions.
I was moved and driven to think about subjects we like to push aside. Not to mention one sexy, alpha, demigod and you got yourself an awesome story.
It’s hard to love War
This review is a wee bit spoilerish if you haven’t read Pestilence yet. Please proceed with caution.
I think the hardest part of reading an EPIC book like War is deciding whether to surrender. You are faced with so many internal dilemmas about choices, sacrifices, deciding whether to have faith and whether there is redemption for those who sin. Can we look at someone like War, and judge him for something he has no power over? War’s purpose was to judge the hearts of men and send them onto their maker if they are sinners. It’s like reading Pestilence all over again. I can’t help but look at the world around me, and think, we’ve done wrong by our people and our planet, when will we stop?
War is nothing like Pestilence. Well, in some ways he’s like Pestilence, as they’re both mean buggers and their purpose and mission is EVERYTHING. But, in a lot of ways, they are different. Pestilence could kill a city just by walking through it. War brings an army to help him kill a city. I think the biggest difference for me was that I felt sympathy for Pestilence a lot sooner in his story than I felt for War. I hated War for a lot of his story. His single-minded focus on killing, narrow-minded views, and judgemental attitude made him less than desirable. I found War, hard to love.
I spent most of the time reading War thinking Miriam made ALL the wrong decisions. The only problem is…I don’t know if there was a right decision Miriam could have made. Do you kill, or be killed? If you protect, will you let someone else pay for it? When your “husband” is the evilest man you’ve ever met…and he can’t be killed, what do you do? Like Miriam, I spent a lot of time trying to work out how to get through to War that what he was doing was wrong. BUT, in the next minute, bloody humans do what comes naturally to them…fight, rape, kill and steal…and I’m back to thinking maybe War’s right. Well, maybe not right, but not completely wrong either.
Laura Thalassa has an amazing talent for making you think beyond what is in front of you. I’ve had a cold this week and I’ve felt extremely sorry for myself. How can I complain, though? I have a roof over my head, access to medicine and doctors, electricity to heat my house and loved ones to care for me. Not even comparing my situation to War, there are a lot of people who are not as lucky as me. Like after reading Pestilence, for about 2.5 seconds I want to be a better person and do better by my fellow humans. The problem is that this task is bigger than just me, we all need to want to be better and do better by each other.
Ok, ok, I’m off my high horse. But, wouldn’t it be nice if there was no War…
I honestly LOVED this journey and I think Laura Thalassa is a master at her craft. War flowed in a way that felt intimidatingly long but was over in what felt like the blink of an eye. This is a story that will make your skin crawl, heart beat extra hard, and mind whirl with unanswerable questions. You want to kill but know that killing isn’t the answer. You want to care but know that caring will not save them all. You want to love but know that loving the monster means loving what you hate most. I loved that I hated War, but I loved that I came to love him too.
War took me from the highest highs to the lowest lows. I never thought I would end this story with a goofy smile on my face, but I did. It’s ugly, dark and sinful but it’s also bravery, determination and dedication.
At the end of the journey, I surrendered to War.
I find it almost impossible to finish an EPIC story like War…and just move on. I can’t read anything similar because it will be hard to beat. If I change up the genre, then there’s a chance that I might misdiagnose my mood and pick the wrong sub-genre. The next book after an EPIC is always hard to pick. Maybe I should take a break from reading…HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Dang Miriam is a bada$$! I really admire this heroine she is fierce and she is a perfect mate for War. Her fierceness as she fights War WOW! I got goosebumps!! It had me on the edge of my seat. I was feeling like the book was channeling Khal Drogo from GOT with the languages. “For your soft heart” sigh, swoon”. I Loved that this series was on another continent and starts in the holy land.
War was more worldly than Pestilence. I’m so glad this want a tearjerker like Pestilence was. I love the two books equally in different ways. I will definitely buy the paperback. I Love the cover and it was channeling John Snow for me at least. I Love how this author writes strong women. Miriam was stubborn and she tried again and again. She was very resilient and kept at him. In another note, I ship Zara and Famine. This was so good!! It is going on my favorites list. Perfect!! Bravo!! Such a great addition to this series! I highly recommend!
I can’t begin to tell you how epically magnificent this series is..I’ll try..and fail because it’s just phenomenal.
Read it.
I’m still stunned..in love ..in shock..sad that Famine is out.
Holy moly…unlike anything I’ve read. I need this is paperback..signed!
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
Plot~ 5/5
Main Characters (hero/heroine)~ 5/5
Secondary Characters~ 5/5
The Feels~ 5/5
Pacing~ 5/5
Addictiveness~5/5
Angst~ 5/5
Steam/Hotness/Chemisty ~ 5/5
Theme or Tone~ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 5/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5
Originality~ 5/5
Ending~ 5/5 –
Book Cover~ Hauntingly Beautiful
Series~ The Four Horsemen Book 2
Source~ Kindle eBook – Borrowed from KU
Would I read more from the author? Hell Yes
Would I recommend this book? Hell Yes
I waited for this book to be published for more than a year. These days there are not so many books that I anticipate so eagerly as this one…. and Laura did not disappoint.
This book is longer than Pestilence. War is different from Pestilence and Miriam from Sara as well, but I loved War and Miriam even more than Pestilence and Sara. The only thing that made Pestilence better than War was the surprise moment as it was the first book in the series, first I have ever read written by Laura and first about the four horsemen (read by me).
While I was reading War I was dreading its end as I remembered the unfulfilled hunger for more after I read Pestilence. I remembered my pain and hungover because it ended. War was the first book in a very long time which I read real slowly as I did not want it to end.
War… he was so much more human that Pestilence. Human not because he knew mercy better or loved humans more, or saved them, no … more human because he was everything bad that a human nature has. He was perfectly constructed handsome monster, but so perfect other half for Miriam who was a destructive force as well.
The way how they interacted between them, how then fell in love with each other, how she forced him to change… wow… the book made me anticipate Famine and Death books even more that I anticipated War.
I definitely recommend this book.
I am still having a book hungover….
If you guys haven’t read Pestilence and War yet … DO IT.
Buddy read with the QT’s
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2892331022
RTC here or I’m thinking about opening a blog.
10 addictive I surrender stars!!!
“I saw it myself, two cities back,” she says, her eyes bright as she retells the story. “A man had gotten angry over something—who knows what. He pulled out his sword and approached the horseman.
“War let the man drive his blade straight through his torso—right between those tattoos of his. And then he laughed.”
Gods, what Laura does to me with her stories… This is everything!
From the depths of brutality … I absolutely adored War and Miriam’s story, there’s something so incredibly heart-wrenching about seeing War surrender. His love towards Miriam was almost touchable.
I love how this author paints her characters and her romances. There are conflicts and barriers, but the sparks and deeper feelings rise even as they grow closer together.
I want to crawl into these books and live there. This book is perfection! Pure. Perfection.
This beautiful, intoxicating story is likely to stay with you for many days afterward… absorbing.
Why did I read this so fast??? The book is amazing- the writing incredible. Start with Pestilence (also 5 billion stars) and follow it up with War. Get ready for your heart to hurt in all the best ways.
I really liked this one. I loved how the characters somewhat reminded me of Dany and Drogo from got. I’m sad we’ll have to wait over a year for the Famins book. I’m just curious to see how the next one plays out.
HOLY GUACAMOLE. Thalassa knocks it out of the park with War. I’m in awe of this epic book, it is a beast and every word has a purpose. It’s not drawn out, the pacing is on point. The characters are wonderful. As much as I enjoyed Pestilience, I fucking LOVED War. Definitely in my top five reads so far this year.
Thalassa’s writing gets stronger with each book she puts out, and I can’t wait to see what she does with Famine and Death. I have no doubt they’ll be full of gruesome awesomeness.
Hopefully this isn’t too spoilery as it happens within the first 10% of the book, but War’s certainty that Miriam is his wife and all of the arguments are funny and adorable. I know, I know, he’s War and a horseman of the apocalypse. But, he can be sweet and wonderful *at times.*