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Terror at the Gates (Blood of Lilith, 1)

The first in a seductive new romantasy series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair. Banished and betrayed, Lilith rises from the shadows of her past to claim forbidden power--and a destiny written in blood and desire.

She is the beginning and the end.

She is peace and chaos.

She is terror knocking at the gates.

Estranged from her powerful family, Lilith Leviathan finds refuge in Nineveh, a district in the city of Eden devoted to sin. There, she uses her magic to steal for a living, attracting the attention of the five governing families as well as the church, which expects women to remain pious and silent. When Lilith comes into possession of a beautiful blade, she thinks all her worries are over...until her usual buyer dies while inspecting it.

Frantic, Lilith turns to the only man who can help her: Zahariev, head of the Zareth family and ruler of Nineveh. His currency is information, and his power is extortion, though he's always had a soft spot for Lilith. But when the dagger appears, he isn't sure he can protect her from what's to come.

Together, they embark on a mission to discover the true power running their world. As their lives intertwine, Lilith realizes Zahariev is more than just a friend, but their devotion to each other is a threat--to the truth, to the church, and to those who want to tear it all down.

Perfect for fans of:

  • Frenemies to lovers
  • Slow burn, but the sexual tension is...toe-curling
  • He falls first
  • Neo-noir mafia fantasy vibes

"In this sumptuous and steamy dark fantasy, bestseller St. Clair reimagines Eden as an intensely patriarchal, über-religious society... Determined to make her own way, (Lilith) relies on her power over men's desire to steal the things she needs--but, for some reason, gorgeous Zahariev is constantly in her path and swooping in to clean up her messes... A promising series launch." - Publishers Weekly

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Published Jul 8, 2025

496 pages

Average rating: 9.6

5 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

CurvyAndNerdy
Jul 20, 2025
10/10 stars
This is my first read by this author but it will not be my last. The plot and world building were phenomenal. We got pulled into an intricate setting where religion played a huge role in the societal hierarchy. Relationships, familial and not, were complicated and well established throughout the story. They helped move the story forward effectively. “Behave,” he said. My eyes instantly narrowed. “You don’t have what it takes to make me.” Lilith as a main character brought a strong leading presence and I loved that she didn’t conform. Zahariev was the hero she deserved. His priority was always Lilith. Even when she didn’t know it. “You don’t think I carry you wherever I go? You are unshakeable. A menace…” I am eagerly committed to continuing this series. I can’t wait to see what happens next! Complementary copy received and voluntarily reviewed.

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