Famine (Four Horsemen, #3)

by Laura Thalassa

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.

Ana da Silva always assumed she’d die young, she just never expected it to be at the hands of Famine, the haunting immortal who once spared her life so many years ago. But if the horseman remembers her at all, he must not care, for when she comes face to face with him for the second time in her life, she’s stabbed and left for dead.

Only, she doesn’t quite die.

If there’s one thing Famine is good at, it’s cruelty. And how these blighted bastards deserve it. Try as he might, he can’t forget what they once did to him. But when Ana, a ghost from his past, corners him and promises pain for what he so recently did to her, she and her empty threats captivate him, and he decides to keep her around.

In spite of themselves, Ana and Famine are drawn to each other. But at the end of the day, the two are enemies. Nothing changes that. Not one kind act, not two. And definitely not a few steamy nights. But enemies or reluctant lovers, if they don’t stop themselves soon, heaven will.

• ISBN13: 9798695371796
• Publish Date: 1 October 2020
• Publish Status: Unknown
• Imprint: Independently Published
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 472
• Language: English

Reviews

[mvk]

I don't want to see Famine and Ana in the next book, and here is why >>


Let's start with the positives: the dynamic between the main characters, their dialogues, and the overall vibe were sometimes engaging and enjoyable. However, beyond that, the book left me feeling frustrated for several reasons.

The biggest issue for me was the main female character, Ana. Her behavior and motivations made her nearly impossible to empathize with.

And the problem is not that she is an ex-whore, nope, I like the Pretty Woman movie. Btw, Vivian from Pretty Woman, I could root for her and empathize, as she is open, warm, kind even though life wasn't kind to her, her personality is attractive and charismatic. While Anna's is well... selfish at best, only wanting to save her own ass. In the worst scenario, she says, literally: I'M GLAD THAT YOU (FOUR HORSEMEN) ARE KILLING HUMANITY. WTH? Is she really an FMC? AND SHE IS A MAIN FEMALE CHARACTER who I should associate myself with!!!!

Additionally, I'm not a snob, but the constant barrage of crude sex jokes was overwhelming and unnecessary (all the time). And it's an additional question to Ana as she doesn't seem more empathetic when she constantly brings that into dialogues too much. It doesn't feel like she wants to end her ex-life as a sex worker, it looks like she is simply... vulgar and could not bring anything more to the story.

I also struggled with the overarching theme of the book. Both Ana and Famine repeatedly express disdain for humanity, painting people as universally cruel or violent. Famine's claim that he has only ever met one "good" human (guess who, of course, our Ana who is OK with humans being slain) is absurd and feels statistically impossible, even within the fantasy world. This stark view of humanity is not only unbalanced but also contradicts the subtle nuance in *Pestilence*, where the Horseman encounters selfless, kind individuals who challenge his perceptions besides Sara. And that was deeply moving and gave the story a sense of hope.

Here, that hope is absent. Both Ana and Famine are consumed by their selfishness, and their lack of empathy or willingness to forgive (only each other) makes it hard to root for them. For me, stories like this should be about finding humanity in even the darkest moments, about love and forgiveness as a way to save ourselves. This book lacked that entirely, and it left me feeling disconnected and disappointed.

Even at the end of the book, when Famine got help from people to save Ana (who, of course, fucking fear and hate him - you're killing their loved ones in one of the most terrible ways), and then they help him and Ana find a house and everything, they - yes, Ana - behave like pricks. Famine doesn't question his thoughts about humans, and Ana doesn't feel any guilt that her LOVER behaves like a fucking monster who still thinks that humans are mud.

[stefu1]

SPEACH. LESS. This book had one of the best conclusions that I have ever read! Very excited about the next book!!

I even had to take some time to process the book. It was delightful! First of all, I went into the book thinking that Famine would be the lamest character because it seems like the lamest apocalyptic scenario. I mean, if plants can't grow, just eat fish?? But nope!

Famine
If you thought the other two hated people, they don't have anything on Famine. He really was the uncaring, unseeing deity I mean; we just read a War where he knew they were connected and Famine literally spent a night before with Ana and deadass let her die because he didn't recognize her.. He was so much fun to read about! Definitely unpredictable. He actually seems the most human; he was very colloquial. His journey was a rollercoaster! Anytime you think it's going to be all right, BOOM Laura hits you with a plot twist. I thought she was a perfect lead, but I think I put Famine up there as well! Pestilence was literally the worst and was such a low bar to climb over, but I am glad that I kept reading this series!

Ana
Ana is, by far, my favorite leading woman! She's crass, easy to follow, and a delight to be around! The other two leads (admit it, you don't remember their names either) were pretty drab and ok to follow, but Laura pulled Ana out of a diamond. She is the only one who seems to really think her situation through, and she is a freaking badass! She is the only heroine to save herself multiple times ON TOP OF THAT SHE SAVES FAMINE NOT ONCE BUT TWICE. she is a work of art. ! I aspire to be Ana (except for her career). Her charisma, her attitude, her badassery it was all perfection. I also liked that she acknowledged her flaws, but in a way, that doesn't seem like she's depressed and constantly mulling over the knowledge of this. She embraces her flaws and makes them her strengths. I would read about Ana every day of the week! She STABBED death. enough said!

Rom-ANTs
I liked Ana and Famine's chemistry the most because it was such a good slow burn! These two definitely grew to like each other instead of being fated together like the other two leads were. Did I mention that slow burn? Worth the wait! I loved their interactions with each other and how they push and tease each other! Like Famine growing plants to see how long it would annoy Ana was hilarious!. I was rooting for them!

The Ending
I can't say much without spoiling it, but it was a page-turning fiasco that had me literally gasping and almost waking up the house! I know I mentioned it earlier, but DEATH finally makes an appearance, and he's a total jackass to Famine! He literally resurrected all the other boring women, but now he's stubborn about Ana??? I can not wait to see who he is paired up with! I still can't believe she STABBED him. I mean, it works with her character but still. Incredible.

Should you read it? Uh, why aren't you already? This book was made for my "Oh my Ham" category.

[ellieroth]

THAT last line.
*screeching*