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.
more
Obsessed! War can attack me any time!
War continues as Book 2 of the Four Horsemen Series. In Book 1, the Four Horsemen have come to earth and brought with them destruction, chaos and death. Pestilence is the first Horseman to bring with him a plague to wipe out humanity. This book was a great beginning to the series, although most of us reviled the captivity, abuse, and torture that Pestilence put the heroine through. In Book 2, War, has its own very dark struggle between a war and Miriam, the heroine. This is a much longer book, and some people may not want to invest so much time in reading one book. However, if you do, it is so worth it. What I liked most about this book was the character development. Not just between the hero and heroine, but with the characters as well. The back story for Miriam was just so fabulous and the one for Was was very unique. I literally could not put this book down. I felt that this book was so much better than Book 1, which is why I gave it 5 stars.
The lead female, Miriam is alone in this post apocalyptic world. Her father dies on the first day when the Four Horsemen arrived and all the world knew destruction, chaos, and death. When she and her sister attempted to flee the city later, she lost her remaining family in an accident. Now she survives, trying to eek out a living by hand crafting weapons. While she is out on a scavenger hunt for items she can use for her trade, she spots a fearsome man on a fearsome beast, leading an army to her city. She hides until they pass her by, then makes her way back to the city. She needs to return to her apartment, grab what supplies and weapons she can, and flee the city. But when she finds her home ransacked, she takes what she can find, and heads out. The one person or thing she hopes most to avoid is in her path, so she uses her bow and arrow against him. Just as he prepares to end her, he sees a curious scar on the base of her throat and spares her, calling her is wife. Wife to the enemy?
No way! He wants surrender, and she can’t do that. So the battle begins.
This book has a great deal of profanity and sexual content. It also contains significant violence and some religious beliefs. Some people may be offended by this material and may wish to avoid reading. This book should be read by a mature audience, 18 or older.
I am so lucky to start reading this series now when three books are out because I wouldn’t survive the wait! Laura Thalassa dragged me from snowy Canada mountains to the conflicted land of Jerusalem on another jaw dropping journey. War was everything I expected and then some more.
It’s hard to describe the surreal feels this story evoked in me. War, the second Horseman of Apocalypse is invading one city after another with his army and effectively slaughtering mankind. Miriam, the weapon craftsman need to run when War strikes her city. Only War claims her to be his wife and she has to go with him on a bloody path.
What I love most about this series is the women are kickass. Miriam is such a brave, strong and fierce character. She didn’t ever stop fighting War’s army from withing. Literally and figuratively. And these horsemen are too damn irresistible for their own good. I know I know I am supposed to hate War for killing people mercilessly, I am supposed to be scared of his violence and brutality..but he is just so gorgeous and caring and protective of Miriam. This aching contradiction is so beautiful and dreamy. This balance is delicate. A bit too easy and it won’t seem real. A bit too less and i won’t feel the connection! Like the first book, this story is a large conundrum of philosophy, religion and humanity. Love do make miracles happen. The evolution of War and Miriam was genius. The ugly and devastating feels. The angsty, messy, angry, complex feels. Everything. And the steam factor was HIGH.
What an amazing and captivating and unique story. The storytelling of Laura Thalassa is simply exquisite. And I am ready to jump on to Famine! See you on the other side.
This is one of the best romances I have read in years! I fell under War’s spell and never wanted this book to end. It’s got it all. A fearless and brave heroine, the most alpha hero you’ll ever meet, pathos, and action! It’s also beautifully written so I cannot say enough good things.
***Consists spoilers***
I’m sad that War wasn’t as interesting as Pestilence was, in fact it lacked the depth and I found few thoughts of the characters repetetive. At the beginning the story picked up with a mysteric aura, Miriam recognized as the wife then getting kidnapped. All went downhill with War and Miriam’s interaction, their romance was “occuring occur” as in not happening anytime.
War is misogynist, rapes women and is indifferent to human beings. This books has alot of triggers. I half read, half skimmed the book. Miriam is manipulative. She exploited War’s weakness to get her necessary means.
I’ve no complains with the length of the book since I read Pestilence and enjoyed it. I am hoping Famine would bring something new.
Edit note: I skimmed the book so my thoughts are not readily correct.
Umm yeah if you have not read War then you definitely need to cause it sort of blew by mind. Miriam, just like all the female leads in this series, experiences so many conflicting emotions. But going into her time with War, she had already experienced heavy emotional loses, which to me makes her that much stronger. Add into the fact that she is literally living with War and seeing bleed shed, pillaging, assault, and of course death on a regular bases. She is one badass lady.
The romance between these two were to die for!! I immediately fell in love with both of them ans coudlnt get enough!!! I wasn on a rollercoaster of emotions during this book, and it was so much fun ! I DEFINETLY recommend this book to EVERYONE ‼
Oh My!!! This Was Amazing.
I might have been a bit on the fence regarding the first book in this series (I did enjoy it though) but this one actually blew me away it was that incredible.
I devoured this in one sitting I was that invested in the unfolding drama.
So this is set some years after Pestilence and starts in Year 13 of the Horsemen.
Here we centre on War and he is actually a lot more bloodthirsty, savage and much darker than his brother Pestilence was.
It also has a very barbarian warrior feel to the story that I practically inhaled, it’s a definite weakness of mine the whole warlord warrior trope.
And can I just say that cover on this loved it so much it was definitely giving me a Uhtred from the lost kingdom vibe or is that just me?
Anyways War is doing his thing his divine duty of annihilating the undeserving and wicked human-race with his army of conscripted and conquered.
No exceptions man, woman and child wiped out in every city, town or village along his path none are spared his vengeful wrath.
He crosses Miriam’s path while invading her home city of Jerusalem but instead of killing her he recognises her as a divine gift from his god a mortal wife.
Now Miriam finds herself the unwilling spouse of this inhuman immortal horseman.
So this was fabulous it was slow-burn and this story totally captivated me from the instant I picked it up.
I especially liked how nothing here was glossed over and that the atrocities that War was committing in the name of his god were not easily overcome.
War had to come to a gradual realisation as he slowly opened himself up to Miriam that what he was doing was fundamentally wrong.
It was a very gradual process with lots of mistakes and missteps along the way: on both sides.
The more he felt and the greater his losses could be the further he grew but it was definitely slow-going there for a while and there were times I didn’t think he was ever going to make it the path to War’s Redemption was not an easy one.
Originally he did things to please and win Miriam’s favour and further his own agenda with her but as he opened himself up to the infinite possibilities her love and affection could bring that’s when clarity struck opening his eyes.
When he finally looked deep into his own heart and judged his own deeds.
But Despite Wars actions, I did feel for him especially when he was trying to win the girl, he really had no clue beyond the obvious and for all his otherworldliness and heinous actions he did believe what he was doing was right and his ultimate purpose on earth, it was like he was blinkered.
Miriam was such a strong individual she definitely didn’t want to fall for war but was unable to prevent it her feelings just wouldn’t play ball and kept going off on their own tangent.
And though on the surface War seemed such a monster she also got to see a side others didn’t.
Miriam saw Wars vulnerability and loneliness and also his tender care despite her humanity.
With her he could be less guarded it was this side oh him that chipped away at her armour and ultimately her tender heart.
Every time War uttered the word Wife and he really did love that phrase my heart smiled and soared it just gave me all the feels.
So despite me griping that the first book in this series was sole POV I actually didn’t mind that fact here.
I felt it did work and I didn’t feel like I lost out on anything regarding War himself.
I also loved all the lyrical language used it gave it all such an authentic feel which I really liked.
I also really appreciated the middle eastern setting and the post-apocalyptic backdrop add in the whole barbarian feel and I was a serious gonna.
This book worked for me every way possible it’s definitely up there with my favourite reads of this year and I am so excited for the next one in this series I can’t wait to get stuck into Famine next.
This gets a massive thumbs up from me and I highly recommend you all read it.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9460945-bex-beckie-bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
http://www.beckiebookworm.com
Just wow… Better action than pestlince
I absolutely HATE starting a series that isn’t finished…so OMFG WHYYYYY did I start this one now?!?! Knowing the pre-order went up recently for the next books release in SEPTEMBER (ok, the author said maybe July)…but it’s so far away ;(
War was everything you want in an anti-hero – larger than life, devastatingly handsome and 200% ALPHA MALE. Miriam was straight up one of my favorite heroines – strong when she needed to be, a fighter for what she loved and believed in and she had War’s heart in the palm of her hand. His love for her was all consuming…gah…total book boyfriend material.
So yes, even though the wait is long for the next one, start reading this series NOW!!! It is amazing!!!
Who knew a concept of romance with the horsemen of the apocalypse would work? But it clearly does! This book was so addictive and hard to put down. Thalassa is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. I really love how she doesn’t shy away from anything with these books. I mean this is a harbinger of the apocalypse and he acts like it. It makes for such an interesting dynamic with the characters and it just has a real addictive quality to it.
Wow! War was epic! I cannot find the words I find best describe how much I loved this book! Miriam was fierce. A force of nature that took War by surprise. She was relentless and determined to save as many people she could while War was sent to take them. He may call her Wife but surrender is not something he knows or may not even be capable of. He demands it of her, to surrender, to his will. Battles will be fought, against each other, against cities and all who inhabit them, but the war will be one they will both have to wage and sacrifice to win and hopefully they will both be standing when it’s over. Loved, loved, loved it! I can’t wait for the next one!
Not sure why I put off reading this book for so long. I loved Pestilence! That book was everything to me. And then, there is War. So, if you feel the same way that I do, then bump this book to the top of your TBR. You’ll be hating yourself if you don’t. This story was written so well, pacing was perfect, and the plot was very immersive. I mean…come on, it’s the four horsemen. Need I say more?
Yes, I must!
War is just like what you’d expect. The villain sent by God himself to wreak havoc by destroying humanity. This man is going to surprise you with all his gifts, his stature, his allure, his manly-hood and in the end will make you fall deeply, hard in love!
If there is one thing I love just as much as these horsemen, it is the heroines. Miriam was just as strong, fierce, bold and defiant. I loved the fight this woman showed throughout the story. I can’t stop saying that enough. I loved, loved, loved everything about this story.
I’ll be waiting not so patiently for Famine, but I expect it to be just as great as the other two horsemen, if not better!
War is an excellent addition to the series.
War comes to New Palestine in his thirteenth year. He is unstoppable and unapologetic of his actions. Why shouldn’t he since he has been sent by God himself to wage War on humans that have not headed his words and shown the actual representativeness of their efforts. When he comes into the city, he once again sweeps through the town and becomes a target of Miriam, who wants to hit her mark, War himself. His words, actions are the most unbelieving thing she has seen and heard and directed at her. War is unapologetic of what he asks of Miriam.
Miriam has had a hard life since War and comes into New Palestine. In her very soul hates what brought down upon her and all the people around her. Why has God brought such misery to all? Having to learn to defend herself and grow up fast, to survive, she thinks she can bring War himself to his knees or at least change his mission from God. Having been claimed by War, she finds herself in a unique position of trying to change his mission and all the while wondering what she did to deserve this fate.
Going from town to town and watching and learning of what War is capable of only strengthens her resolve of what she feels she must do. Destroy War himself and at the same time keep herself caring for a God’s Messenger himself, War.
Through it all, War remains strong and unapologetic of his action and destroys all those that are around him. He struggles to find the right steps to make Miriam understand this is God’s Will without finding himself doubting his mission and one of the Horse Man of God.
Watch as War and Miriam find an understanding and become more than just enemies.
War (the Four Horseman) book is an excellent addition to the story of God’s Wrath on man. They find the middle ground that will bring a peaceful resolution through heartbreak and strife they both share. Watch as they both become more than the sum of their parts. As they both change through time, new life, compromise, understanding, and love brings them both satisfaction of a life worth living.
I look forward to the next book in this series.
My last review of 2019: War by Laura Thalassa, the 2nd book in The Four Horsemen series, a fantastic way to end an amazing book year for me . From the name, you could tell that there will be a lot of violent fighting, cruel battles, heartless raids, and bloody killings. If Pestilence (book 1) is about a horseman moving from city to city to spread plagues and let people die of diseases, War is moving with his army across towns to eradicate peoples through brutal raids until no one survives. If in Pestilence, a piece of humanity that was strongly emphasized is love and compassion, in War, it is bravery. If Pestilence was somewhat innocent about how humans/lovers interact , War was well experienced and more “human” from his years living among humans, reminding me of those medieval warlords, but with preternatural powers.
War was the perfect book hero ! He was a man of many facets, he could be calculating and fierce on battlefield, but gentle, kind, and loyal to his lover Miriam, right from the beginning when he had set eyes on her for the first time. You just have to keep in mind and understand that he was violent by nature, it was his essence, so it’s reasonable to witness all the damages and warfare he brought to humanity. After all, it was the task he was assigned for . But what was more beautiful and swoon-worthy was the way he fell in love Miriam, how that slowly changed him, made him willing to redeem himself and sacrifice for her . A major turn of events in their relationship transformed him completely, and I have to say War has absolutely outshone Miriam in terms of character growth. It also helped that he was super and an amazing lover !
As for Miriam, I wasn’t a big fan of hers throughout the middle part of the book. Her emotions for him were all extremes, her hatred and her love for him seemed to be in constant battle. And the way she handled their relationship like a roller coaster made me frustrated, just when you felt they’d made a step forward, she made them take two steps back ! But she grew on me slowly, and toward the end, I appreciated her more for her bravery and dedication to War. She was indeed a fierce warrior, a talented archer, and that made her more worthy of War .
This book has addressed some of the questions that left me puzzled from book 1, and some logistics at the end were better clarified. However, there were still issues left hanging, and I hope those will be explained in future books. Like Pestilence, War had a very strong start and ended in a spectacular fashion, but I felt the middle part was a bit draggy, even though some battle scenes were quite thrilling. It’s a 5- read for me, and I’d definitely recommend this series .
OH MY GOSH!!!! ANOTHER AWESOME BOOK!!!! LOVED IT, SO MUCH!!!
After reading Pestilence I couldn’t wait for War….and I was not disappointed! War’s drive to complete his task is unnerving that is until he comes across Miriam. His fated wife. Of course this doesn’t go down easy with Miriam or most of War’s soldiers. While War is decimating city after city, he is also learning more about humanity, mercy, and Miriam’s soft heart.
***4.5 stars
“’ , . ’ . .”
If you love fantasy reads with an intense and powerful plot, badass heroine and a devastatingly but infuriatingly gorgeous hero; you definitely need to start The Four Horsemen Series.
War is book 2 on the series and once you start this book you can’t put it down. It has lots of action, passion, love, pain and loss. The development of this after apocalyptic world is incredibly well written. Every detail is done in a way that you can transport yourself into the story.
War is our hero and his is ruthless, strong, formidable but also possessive, protective and he has a softer side that makes you love him even when you feel you shouldn’t. He is after all one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
Miriam is a very strong, resilient and sassy woman. She has endured so much and every bit of that pain has made her the woman she is today. She will fight an inner battle because of her new feelings for the brooding, fierce and fear Horsemen.
This is a story of literal enemies to lovers, opposites attracts. All the pain, angst, struggles and losses made a perfect combination to twist you heart and keep you wanting more. I can’t wait for Famine to release.
Laura Thalassa has done it again. War is a marvelous enemies to lovers tale that grabs you by the seat of the pants and won’t let go. I read the book in one sitting.
SPOILER ALERT: I would have preferred a different ending where the heroine gets to display her might a bit more rather than being saved, however, all in all, a fantastic read that I’d love to see made into a movie.
While I don’t want the world to end….
I loved Pestilence but I love War even more.
This author found a niche that I didn’t even know existed and has made me love seeing the horsemen fall. I have to praise the fact that this was completely different than Pestilence. I mean they are a little similar; they are both horseman of the apocalypse. But War is dirtier and grittier, way more alpha and a dirty talker (that’s just a small bonus).
And they find the feistiest of women that you cannot help but root for. That no matter how exquisite these men look, these women hang on to their morality. Miriam was such a pleasure to read. Not surrendering and being a fighter – ahhh – it’s such a joy to read a heroine that is not taken by a pretty face and some rippling abs.
I loved this book. Loved it. I hate that I’ve read it so I can’t go back and read it the first time. And while I’m very much looking forward to our third horseman, I’m dying (no pun intended) for Death’s.