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The Dawn of Judgment #1
The Huntress and The Four Horsemen
I was created to banish them, not fall in love with them.
I am the last chosen. The last Child of the Blessed.
A maiden with no name. A weapon shaped by holy hands.
I sacrificed everything—my sisters, my order, my life—to fulfill one purpose: destroy the Four Horsemen. I was the first to witness them tear into this world, and I believe it is my fate to cast them out.
Across an ash-ridden, dying earth, I hunt them:
The Soul Serpent. The Weaver of War. The Plague Caster. Living Death.
They serve neither heaven nor hell—only the Holy Scale, judging what remains of humanity. And humanity won’t survive that judgment unless I ensure it does.
Trained in the lethal arts of war and seduction, I intend to lure them close and strike the killing blow.
But an older evil rises from the fractured earth, hungry and unchecked, seeking to claim the world before Judgment Day.
Suddenly, the enemies I was raised to slay become the only allies capable of standing beside me.
Four immortals feared across the ages…and nothing like what I was led to believe.
They are not heartless.
Not blindly obedient.
Not immune to desire.
They possess free will—and once they wield it, everything changes.
I am the last chosen. The last Child of the Blessed.
A maiden with no name. A weapon shaped by holy hands.
I sacrificed everything—my sisters, my order, my life—to fulfill one purpose: destroy the Four Horsemen. I was the first to witness them tear into this world, and I believe it is my fate to cast them out.
Across an ash-ridden, dying earth, I hunt them:
The Soul Serpent. The Weaver of War. The Plague Caster. Living Death.
They serve neither heaven nor hell—only the Holy Scale, judging what remains of humanity. And humanity won’t survive that judgment unless I ensure it does.
Trained in the lethal arts of war and seduction, I intend to lure them close and strike the killing blow.
But an older evil rises from the fractured earth, hungry and unchecked, seeking to claim the world before Judgment Day.
Suddenly, the enemies I was raised to slay become the only allies capable of standing beside me.
Four immortals feared across the ages…and nothing like what I was led to believe.
They are not heartless.
Not blindly obedient.
Not immune to desire.
They possess free will—and once they wield it, everything changes.
603 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2026
About the author
Darby Briar
6 books503 followersDarby Briar is an American author who loves writing stories about men with broken souls and women who don’t know their own strength. She’s a lover of fiction whether it be a movie or book, but prefers stories with some romance, and ones that include a happy ending. She grew up in Utah and still lives in the northern part of the state. She’s married and her and her husband have three adorable kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
June 27, 2026
Thank you to Nerd Farm for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The basic premise of this book is that you have the end of days with the four horsemen and one woman who believes she is the chosen one to stop them from destroying the world. Except in her efforts to do so, her encounters with the horsemen turn into something else and she struggles with her desire for them and her duty to destroy them.
My overall impression of this book is that it is a lot going on. Some good and some not so much. The story has an interesting and compelling storyline. It’s clear this is rooted in religious tones but is not religious at all either. Rather think of it like you would have a story rooted in mythology retellings.
The good is that this is unique and has a lot of twists that are hard to see coming. The not so good is that there are several confusing elements and plot lines. The beginning is quite disjointed and hard to follow. My guess is the author did this on purpose to mimic the melee of the beginning of the apocalypse. However as the reader, it was difficult to follow.
There are times the story felt a bit long and had some slow pacing due to this extraneous information. After the beginning, the story did seem to make more sense and I rather enjoyed it. However as we near the end of the book, we’re once again thrust into a rather confusing set of scenes that take away from the story because I struggled to understand why and what was happening.
Overall this book was compelling and unique but suffered from some slow pacing and confusing moments. Four stars.
The basic premise of this book is that you have the end of days with the four horsemen and one woman who believes she is the chosen one to stop them from destroying the world. Except in her efforts to do so, her encounters with the horsemen turn into something else and she struggles with her desire for them and her duty to destroy them.
My overall impression of this book is that it is a lot going on. Some good and some not so much. The story has an interesting and compelling storyline. It’s clear this is rooted in religious tones but is not religious at all either. Rather think of it like you would have a story rooted in mythology retellings.
The good is that this is unique and has a lot of twists that are hard to see coming. The not so good is that there are several confusing elements and plot lines. The beginning is quite disjointed and hard to follow. My guess is the author did this on purpose to mimic the melee of the beginning of the apocalypse. However as the reader, it was difficult to follow.
There are times the story felt a bit long and had some slow pacing due to this extraneous information. After the beginning, the story did seem to make more sense and I rather enjoyed it. However as we near the end of the book, we’re once again thrust into a rather confusing set of scenes that take away from the story because I struggled to understand why and what was happening.
Overall this book was compelling and unique but suffered from some slow pacing and confusing moments. Four stars.
June 25, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I thought I was picking up a romantasy about a huntress sent to kill the Four Horsemen.
What I got was an epic, post-apocalyptic fantasy with biblical horror, incredible world-building, morally gray immortals, ancient gods, demons, and a story that constantly challenged everything I thought I knew.
The beginning takes a little patience. You’re dropped into a world with almost no answers, and for the first few chapters I wasn’t entirely sure where the story was headed. But somewhere around chapters 7–8, I was HOOKED.
From that point on, I couldn’t stop reading.
Every chapter peeled back another layer. Every revelation made me question who was actually good, who was evil, and whether the Huntress had been lied to her entire life. The mythology is so much deeper than “the Four Horsemen arrive to end the world.” It becomes a story about Judgment, free will, faith, creation, heaven, hell, monsters, gods, and the terrifying gray space between them.
And the Horsemen?
They’re nothing like I expected.
Watching them slowly become individuals instead of the monsters she’d been raised to fear was one of my favorite parts of the book. The dynamic shifts from hunter and prey into something much more complicated, and I can’t wait to see how the relationships evolve in the rest of the series.
There were multiple moments where I literally had to stop and process what I’d just read because I did not see those twists coming.
Then Darby Briar ended the book with one of those cliffhangers…
You know the kind…
The one that leaves you staring at the last page wondering how you’re supposed to function until book two.
If you love:
🖤 Expansive world-building
⚔️ Biblical horror
🐎 The Four Horsemen
🔥 Morally gray immortals
❤️ Why choose romance
✨ Fated mates
📖 Twists you genuinely won’t see coming
…add this to your TBR IMMEDIATELY.
This ended up being so much bigger, darker, and more ambitious than I ever expected—and now I desperately need book two.
I thought I was picking up a romantasy about a huntress sent to kill the Four Horsemen.
What I got was an epic, post-apocalyptic fantasy with biblical horror, incredible world-building, morally gray immortals, ancient gods, demons, and a story that constantly challenged everything I thought I knew.
The beginning takes a little patience. You’re dropped into a world with almost no answers, and for the first few chapters I wasn’t entirely sure where the story was headed. But somewhere around chapters 7–8, I was HOOKED.
From that point on, I couldn’t stop reading.
Every chapter peeled back another layer. Every revelation made me question who was actually good, who was evil, and whether the Huntress had been lied to her entire life. The mythology is so much deeper than “the Four Horsemen arrive to end the world.” It becomes a story about Judgment, free will, faith, creation, heaven, hell, monsters, gods, and the terrifying gray space between them.
And the Horsemen?
They’re nothing like I expected.
Watching them slowly become individuals instead of the monsters she’d been raised to fear was one of my favorite parts of the book. The dynamic shifts from hunter and prey into something much more complicated, and I can’t wait to see how the relationships evolve in the rest of the series.
There were multiple moments where I literally had to stop and process what I’d just read because I did not see those twists coming.
Then Darby Briar ended the book with one of those cliffhangers…
You know the kind…
The one that leaves you staring at the last page wondering how you’re supposed to function until book two.
If you love:
🖤 Expansive world-building
⚔️ Biblical horror
🐎 The Four Horsemen
🔥 Morally gray immortals
❤️ Why choose romance
✨ Fated mates
📖 Twists you genuinely won’t see coming
…add this to your TBR IMMEDIATELY.
This ended up being so much bigger, darker, and more ambitious than I ever expected—and now I desperately need book two.
July 19, 2026
A morally corrupt FMC and the four horsemen? Say less. ⚔️🖤
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.!
I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself into when beginning this story. The tropes sold me and they definitely met the mark…
• Why Choose/ Reverse Harem
• Fated Mates
• Morally Corrupt FMC!
But as a girl who loves post-apocalyptic/ end-of-days books & movies this was perfect.
Will I continue this series and find out what happens to the FMC and the 4 horsemen? Absolutely.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.!
I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself into when beginning this story. The tropes sold me and they definitely met the mark…
• Why Choose/ Reverse Harem
• Fated Mates
• Morally Corrupt FMC!
But as a girl who loves post-apocalyptic/ end-of-days books & movies this was perfect.
Will I continue this series and find out what happens to the FMC and the 4 horsemen? Absolutely.
Did Not Finish
June 21, 2026dnf at 43%
i don’t know if it’s me or the book but i’ve really struggled to get into this one. i don’t feel connected to any of the characters and the religious element isn’t for me.
i don’t know if it’s me or the book but i’ve really struggled to get into this one. i don’t feel connected to any of the characters and the religious element isn’t for me.
June 21, 2026
The Huntress and the Four Horsemen was a genuinely refreshing read. The premise immediately stood out to me because it felt different from anything I’ve read before, and that uniqueness was one of the book’s biggest strengths.
The beginning was a little slow, especially during the first fifteen chapters, but since this is the first book in a fantasy series, I didn’t mind it too much. Once Eridessa’s journey truly began and she met Pollock, the White Horseman, the story became much more engaging. I loved seeing their interactions, their banter, and the growing connection between them. Pollock’s curiosity about Eridessa made their dynamic fun to read, and I found myself looking forward to every scene they shared.
However, my favorite Horseman was actually Oran. I loved the way he was introduced and the fact that he had been secretly watching Eridessa for a month before meeting her. That detail added depth to their relationship and made their connection feel meaningful. At the same time, I do think his feelings developed a little too quickly. While I understand that he had been observing her for some time, the intensity of his emotions often felt as though he had known her for years rather than weeks.
One thing I appreciated about this book is that I was rarely bored. The plot kept moving, and there was always something happening. I also enjoyed the moral complexity surrounding Eridessa. At times, I found myself agreeing with Oran when he accused her of playing God. She spends much of the story condemning the Horsemen for their actions, yet some of her own choices mirror what she’s criticizing. That contradiction made her character interesting, even if it occasionally frustrated me.
Lila ended up being one of my favorite side characters. For a while, I genuinely wondered whether Eridessa had crossed a line and was using her for experiments. When we finally learned more about Lila’s perspective, it added a lot of emotional weight to the story and reminded us that Eridisa’s intentions, despite her flaws, come from a place of wanting to help others. Because of that, I was incredibly frustrated when Lila disappeared near the end of the book and several chapters passed without any update about her. I found myself more worried about her than some of the main plot developments.
I also suspected the Grand Minister from very early on. The clues surrounding the altered scripture and the way he was described made it clear to me that there was more to him than the story initially revealed. While the reveal wasn’t surprising, I thought the foreshadowing was handled well.
My biggest criticism involves the alpha/omega wolf storyline connected to Pollock and Eridessa. It felt random and underdeveloped. I understand that there were hints leading up to it, particularly with the wolf guiding Pollock to Eridessa and his heightened awareness of her, but when the concept was finally introduced, it felt abrupt. The story acknowledges it, labels them as alpha and omega, and then moves on without fully explaining how or why it happened. For me, it was one of the weaker elements of the book.
As for Eridessa herself, she was probably my least favorite major character. I understood her motivations and sympathized with her past, but by the end of the book, there were several moments where her actions felt less like strength and more like stubbornness. There is a fine line between writing a strong female protagonist and writing a character who refuses to listen to reason, and at times I felt Eridessa crossed that line.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It offers a unique premise, memorable characters, strong writing, and a story that kept me invested from beginning to end. Despite a few issues with pacing, the alpha/omega subplot, and some character choices, I’m very excited to continue the series and see where the story goes next.
The beginning was a little slow, especially during the first fifteen chapters, but since this is the first book in a fantasy series, I didn’t mind it too much. Once Eridessa’s journey truly began and she met Pollock, the White Horseman, the story became much more engaging. I loved seeing their interactions, their banter, and the growing connection between them. Pollock’s curiosity about Eridessa made their dynamic fun to read, and I found myself looking forward to every scene they shared.
However, my favorite Horseman was actually Oran. I loved the way he was introduced and the fact that he had been secretly watching Eridessa for a month before meeting her. That detail added depth to their relationship and made their connection feel meaningful. At the same time, I do think his feelings developed a little too quickly. While I understand that he had been observing her for some time, the intensity of his emotions often felt as though he had known her for years rather than weeks.
One thing I appreciated about this book is that I was rarely bored. The plot kept moving, and there was always something happening. I also enjoyed the moral complexity surrounding Eridessa. At times, I found myself agreeing with Oran when he accused her of playing God. She spends much of the story condemning the Horsemen for their actions, yet some of her own choices mirror what she’s criticizing. That contradiction made her character interesting, even if it occasionally frustrated me.
Lila ended up being one of my favorite side characters. For a while, I genuinely wondered whether Eridessa had crossed a line and was using her for experiments. When we finally learned more about Lila’s perspective, it added a lot of emotional weight to the story and reminded us that Eridisa’s intentions, despite her flaws, come from a place of wanting to help others. Because of that, I was incredibly frustrated when Lila disappeared near the end of the book and several chapters passed without any update about her. I found myself more worried about her than some of the main plot developments.
I also suspected the Grand Minister from very early on. The clues surrounding the altered scripture and the way he was described made it clear to me that there was more to him than the story initially revealed. While the reveal wasn’t surprising, I thought the foreshadowing was handled well.
My biggest criticism involves the alpha/omega wolf storyline connected to Pollock and Eridessa. It felt random and underdeveloped. I understand that there were hints leading up to it, particularly with the wolf guiding Pollock to Eridessa and his heightened awareness of her, but when the concept was finally introduced, it felt abrupt. The story acknowledges it, labels them as alpha and omega, and then moves on without fully explaining how or why it happened. For me, it was one of the weaker elements of the book.
As for Eridessa herself, she was probably my least favorite major character. I understood her motivations and sympathized with her past, but by the end of the book, there were several moments where her actions felt less like strength and more like stubbornness. There is a fine line between writing a strong female protagonist and writing a character who refuses to listen to reason, and at times I felt Eridessa crossed that line.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It offers a unique premise, memorable characters, strong writing, and a story that kept me invested from beginning to end. Despite a few issues with pacing, the alpha/omega subplot, and some character choices, I’m very excited to continue the series and see where the story goes next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2026
First thing first: if you are triggered or uncomfortable with religious orders, sects indoctrination, religious abuse and trauma, grooming, psycholical manipulation, apocalyptic destruction, Christian End of Days (reinterpretation of actual religions and religion event), grief, violence, ritualistic self-harm, child loss and sexual assault.
If you might have any problem with one or more of these triggers, this read will most probably not be for you.
Now that this is said, as its a why choose with many main characters and a really interesting fantasy world setting, it starts off slowly so we actually get to have consistent, interesting and solid characters to read about. Imo very necessary in there.
It pick up the pace at around 33 to 36% I would say? But it is true that it can feel a bit sluggish at times in the first few chappy. I personally really like to get to know the characters deeper before we get to the steamy parts😏
It is a fantasy world integrated into the modern world (a bit in the future of our actual year 2026), if you go till 8-9% of the book you'll understand what I mean eheh but then apocalyptic destruction happens so there's no more modernity but bits of modern technology here and there like weapons or digital devises, etc.
The fmc is ageless (she was around 4 to 6yrs old in the prologue and then wait 41 yrs underground, but she still looks pretty young when she goes outside in chpt 5).
Also bcs she was in a closed door monastery underground all her life pretty much she really don't know the world outside (at the start anyways) except from books and from what her groomer told her bfr he told her to kill him.
When she starts getting outside in chpt 5, it is around 7 years after 'The Great Rumbling'.
Wars, plagues, nuclear explosion, murders, famine, etc.. Not a lot of survivors and only death left in its path. Only Death and his brothers left really.
Multiple pov (Fmc + all four mmc)
Pollock and Orán (Cutie sexy patootie! My favorite hot babyyy!)
These two are the only ones that have interacted directly with Eri so far (although Tíarnach interacted with her many time in dream-battles. Kahill, and his counterpart, is the only one that haven't interacted with her at all yet) but it IS a book 1 with lots of characters! I can't wait for the other two to actually meet her eheh
I totally felt like I was part of a crusade for a good chuck of the book, so it was definitely super well written on that imo! You should definitely give this book a try if the triggers don't bother you.
Sooo ready and hyped for the next book already !!🤩
Thank you to the TheNerdFam and the Author for the review copy !
ARC provided by the TheNerdFam in exchange for an honest review
If you might have any problem with one or more of these triggers, this read will most probably not be for you.
Now that this is said, as its a why choose with many main characters and a really interesting fantasy world setting, it starts off slowly so we actually get to have consistent, interesting and solid characters to read about. Imo very necessary in there.
It pick up the pace at around 33 to 36% I would say? But it is true that it can feel a bit sluggish at times in the first few chappy. I personally really like to get to know the characters deeper before we get to the steamy parts😏
It is a fantasy world integrated into the modern world (a bit in the future of our actual year 2026), if you go till 8-9% of the book you'll understand what I mean eheh but then apocalyptic destruction happens so there's no more modernity but bits of modern technology here and there like weapons or digital devises, etc.
The fmc is ageless (she was around 4 to 6yrs old in the prologue and then wait 41 yrs underground, but she still looks pretty young when she goes outside in chpt 5).
Also bcs she was in a closed door monastery underground all her life pretty much she really don't know the world outside (at the start anyways) except from books and from what her groomer told her bfr he told her to kill him.
When she starts getting outside in chpt 5, it is around 7 years after 'The Great Rumbling'.
Wars, plagues, nuclear explosion, murders, famine, etc.. Not a lot of survivors and only death left in its path. Only Death and his brothers left really.
Multiple pov (Fmc + all four mmc)
Pollock and Orán (Cutie sexy patootie! My favorite hot babyyy!)
These two are the only ones that have interacted directly with Eri so far (although Tíarnach interacted with her many time in dream-battles. Kahill, and his counterpart, is the only one that haven't interacted with her at all yet) but it IS a book 1 with lots of characters! I can't wait for the other two to actually meet her eheh
I totally felt like I was part of a crusade for a good chuck of the book, so it was definitely super well written on that imo! You should definitely give this book a try if the triggers don't bother you.
Sooo ready and hyped for the next book already !!🤩
Thank you to the TheNerdFam and the Author for the review copy !
ARC provided by the TheNerdFam in exchange for an honest review
June 17, 2026
A steamy post apocalypse fantasy romance featuring the four horsemen and the chosen one meant to kill them.
You start off with the FMC as a child on the day the four horsemen arrive, barely making it out alive and being brought inside with the rest of her order to prepare. As the world around her burns, she trains and learns the scriptures day after day until it’s determined she’s ready, and as the chosen, she must make the ultimate sacrifice and kills the rest of her group and takes an elixir that will allow her to fulfill her final mission. Many years later, after setting up more of her plan, she finally comes across one of the horsemen and tries to find a way to infiltrate his life and end him, only to find out he’s not what he seems and she might have to flee before completing her mission. She ends up unsure what of her teachings were true and after meeting a different huntsman, realizes there may be something bigger here at work.
I really enjoyed the progression of the FMC and how she slowly starts to question what she’s been taught and realized she may have been conditioned to believe some incorrect things. I also liked all the multiple POVs to see not only her struggles and perspective but also the MMCs and how they react to her and very quickly decide that even if she wants to kill them, they want to keep her. You also get to see some softer sides of the FMC with those she’s saved and the animals in her home that tie her to humanity even if what’s she’s been forced to do is kill. With that ending and some secrets slowly coming apart, I can’t wait to see what happens next! My rating 4.5/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
You start off with the FMC as a child on the day the four horsemen arrive, barely making it out alive and being brought inside with the rest of her order to prepare. As the world around her burns, she trains and learns the scriptures day after day until it’s determined she’s ready, and as the chosen, she must make the ultimate sacrifice and kills the rest of her group and takes an elixir that will allow her to fulfill her final mission. Many years later, after setting up more of her plan, she finally comes across one of the horsemen and tries to find a way to infiltrate his life and end him, only to find out he’s not what he seems and she might have to flee before completing her mission. She ends up unsure what of her teachings were true and after meeting a different huntsman, realizes there may be something bigger here at work.
I really enjoyed the progression of the FMC and how she slowly starts to question what she’s been taught and realized she may have been conditioned to believe some incorrect things. I also liked all the multiple POVs to see not only her struggles and perspective but also the MMCs and how they react to her and very quickly decide that even if she wants to kill them, they want to keep her. You also get to see some softer sides of the FMC with those she’s saved and the animals in her home that tie her to humanity even if what’s she’s been forced to do is kill. With that ending and some secrets slowly coming apart, I can’t wait to see what happens next! My rating 4.5/5!
Thanks to the author for the gifted copy, all opinions given are my own!
June 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (2.5-3 stars)
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
This was such an interesting and unique read. The post-apocalyptic setting combined with biblical themes is something I haven’t come across much before, and I really enjoyed seeing those ideas explored. The writing itself was beautiful too, with some genuinely poignant lines that stuck with me.
That said, I did struggle at times because there was so much happening. As someone who’s fairly new to these themes and this style of world-building, I occasionally found it difficult to keep track of everything. I also would have loved more exploration of the past, particularly the end of the world itself and the Order that Eridessa was a part of. These aspects felt incredibly intriguing, but I wanted them to be fleshed out more, especially given the length of the book.
The romance dynamics were another highlight, and I definitely found myself rooting for one particular option. However, the progression felt a little rushed for me. There were hints as to why things developed the way they did, but I would have loved those reasons and emotions to be explored in greater depth so that I could be more invested in the romances.
Overall, despite some frustrations, this was a fun read with a world and premise that stood out to me. I’m very interested to see where the story goes in book two, which I think has the potential to expand on some of the elements I felt were missing here.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
This was such an interesting and unique read. The post-apocalyptic setting combined with biblical themes is something I haven’t come across much before, and I really enjoyed seeing those ideas explored. The writing itself was beautiful too, with some genuinely poignant lines that stuck with me.
That said, I did struggle at times because there was so much happening. As someone who’s fairly new to these themes and this style of world-building, I occasionally found it difficult to keep track of everything. I also would have loved more exploration of the past, particularly the end of the world itself and the Order that Eridessa was a part of. These aspects felt incredibly intriguing, but I wanted them to be fleshed out more, especially given the length of the book.
The romance dynamics were another highlight, and I definitely found myself rooting for one particular option. However, the progression felt a little rushed for me. There were hints as to why things developed the way they did, but I would have loved those reasons and emotions to be explored in greater depth so that I could be more invested in the romances.
Overall, despite some frustrations, this was a fun read with a world and premise that stood out to me. I’m very interested to see where the story goes in book two, which I think has the potential to expand on some of the elements I felt were missing here.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is an interesting take on the 4 horseman of the Apocalypse. I will say it starts Very slow and I did get confused in the beginning as it seems to skip around in time a lot. If you can push through the first quarter of the book, it starts to make sense and fall into place. It went into different events that lead to the “end of Times” but kinda fell short at really explaining much of why it lead the world there. Also the Alpha Omega aspect has a unique fit I just hope we get more about that in the next book.
In this book our FMC only meets 2 of the horseman, while we meet all 4 they haven’t found Eri yet. It seems there is more to Eri than just being “The Chosen One”, but they just can’t seem to piece it all together yet. Her bond with Pollock comes to light and we see why she is tied to Oran but the other 2 we have no idea. The Religious aspect was interesting and it definitely has cult aspects to it. There are a lot of mysteries still to unfold by the end of this book. The story line really starts to unfold about halfway through the story and does leave you on a cliffhanger in many ways.
In this book our FMC only meets 2 of the horseman, while we meet all 4 they haven’t found Eri yet. It seems there is more to Eri than just being “The Chosen One”, but they just can’t seem to piece it all together yet. Her bond with Pollock comes to light and we see why she is tied to Oran but the other 2 we have no idea. The Religious aspect was interesting and it definitely has cult aspects to it. There are a lot of mysteries still to unfold by the end of this book. The story line really starts to unfold about halfway through the story and does leave you on a cliffhanger in many ways.
July 10, 2026
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this book!
So I had a little trouble getting into this story. There was a lot going on personally in my life, and honestly I was trying to read too many books at once 🫣 I know, crazy problem to have. But boy once I got into this, I COULD NOT put it down. This was so good! I instantly wanted to start the next one. I need to know what's going to happen to our characters and where the story is going to go! And don't even get me started on our boys and their character development *chef kiss*
The story was written so well and beautifully. At times I honestly didn't think I was smart enough to be reading this book, but in a really good way. Most of the time, I feel like I can guess a twist or a surprise that's going to happen. With this one? I have no clue what's going to happen and I'm living for it!!!! I'm so excited for book 2! 5 stars for sure! Well done Darby!
So I had a little trouble getting into this story. There was a lot going on personally in my life, and honestly I was trying to read too many books at once 🫣 I know, crazy problem to have. But boy once I got into this, I COULD NOT put it down. This was so good! I instantly wanted to start the next one. I need to know what's going to happen to our characters and where the story is going to go! And don't even get me started on our boys and their character development *chef kiss*
The story was written so well and beautifully. At times I honestly didn't think I was smart enough to be reading this book, but in a really good way. Most of the time, I feel like I can guess a twist or a surprise that's going to happen. With this one? I have no clue what's going to happen and I'm living for it!!!! I'm so excited for book 2! 5 stars for sure! Well done Darby!
July 9, 2026
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted books. #thehuntressandthefourhorsemen #thenerdfam"
@thenerdfam
I have to be honest I wasn't sure how I was going yo react to this book. It starts off extremely spiritually. So much so, I checked my email to make sure I didn't request a Spiritual Romance or something by mistake.
It did take some time for me personally to get over/past that. I think it was roughly 10-13% in before I was comfortable continuing.
Once I moved past the beginning part the rest of the book was a roller coaster. I am still trying to process what all happened. If you think you have figured out this book you are mistaken.
I would recommend this book to a reader worth patience. (Shes a little long but worth it). I would also read from this author again.
@thenerdfam
I have to be honest I wasn't sure how I was going yo react to this book. It starts off extremely spiritually. So much so, I checked my email to make sure I didn't request a Spiritual Romance or something by mistake.
It did take some time for me personally to get over/past that. I think it was roughly 10-13% in before I was comfortable continuing.
Once I moved past the beginning part the rest of the book was a roller coaster. I am still trying to process what all happened. If you think you have figured out this book you are mistaken.
I would recommend this book to a reader worth patience. (Shes a little long but worth it). I would also read from this author again.
July 3, 2026
Thank you to the Nerd Fam and Darby Briar for giving me the opportunity to arc read this book. If you have religious trauma or aren’t really a fan of religious based books this might not be for you. The themes in this book are very religious/ physiologically religiously heavy. Reading this book made me feel like I was on a literal crusade and how war driven the deity is and the extremes the followers are willing to go to be noticed. I honestly enjoyed but then again, I love anything based on any mythology. Especially reading it from someone who isn’t nor was ever in any faiths. But I do think this book should be given a try at least.
July 26, 2026
I really enjoyed this! The apocalyptic setting and Four Horsemen concept felt different from my usual romantasy reads, and I loved how the biblical mythology was woven into the story without becoming overwhelming. The world building takes some time, but once I was immersed, I was completely invested in the Huntress, the morally gray Horsemen, and everything she begins questioning about the life she was raised to believe. There is plenty of tension, mystery, and slow building chemistry, and that ending definitely left me ready for book two.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and Darby Briar for the gifted ARC!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and Darby Briar for the gifted ARC!
July 28, 2026
I enjoyed a lot of the elements of this book. I am not usually a fan of religion based stories but I do think that this was
Done well. I would have preferred if the horsemen had not been brothers however. I do think that I will continue this series at some point.
Done well. I would have preferred if the horsemen had not been brothers however. I do think that I will continue this series at some point.
July 1, 2026
The Huntress and the Four Horsemen has an interesting premise that initially drew my attention and I was looking forward to this paranormal dystopian romance. Sadly, I think the author missed the mark a bit with the overall story and characterization. There were so many tropes and inclusions that felt scattered, random, and overwhelming at times, a if the author wanted to do so many things and refused to cut down and commit. I was looking forward to the why choose/polyamorous dynamic, but most of the book is character driven and felt stagnant more than not. I would've appreciated more character development; they were all two dimensional and lacking. If you asked me what happens in this book, I would summarize by saying an FMC is raised in seclusion to take down the four horsemen when the apocalypse starts, and though she starts the process and does kick one of their asses, nothing else happens except her playing Frankenstein and hooking up with brothers. I will most likely not be continuing this series.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for sending me an early copy.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam and the author for sending me an early copy.
Review of advance copy
July 9, 2026DNF at 65%. Thank you NerdFam for the ARC read.
I hate DNFing an ARC that I was lucky enough to receive, but this one just wasn’t for me. The pacing was incredibly slow. Every time I felt like the story was finally starting to pick up, it would go right back to pages of nothing happening.
The author spent a lot of time setting up the plot and showing that the world was nearing the end times. One chapter follows a wife discovering the new virus that’s killing everyone, only to reveal that her husband is already sitting in a chair dying after catching it himself. Another chapter focuses on people creating chaos and turning on one another. While I understand the purpose of these scenes, much of it felt drawn out and could have been summarized in a few paragraphs rather than entire chapters.
When we finally returned to the main female character, I realized I just wasn’t connecting with her. Every time I thought the story was about to gain momentum, it would slow down again. Combined with the extremely long chapters, I found myself struggling to stay engaged and ultimately decided I couldn’t push through to the end.
I hate DNFing an ARC that I was lucky enough to receive, but this one just wasn’t for me. The pacing was incredibly slow. Every time I felt like the story was finally starting to pick up, it would go right back to pages of nothing happening.
The author spent a lot of time setting up the plot and showing that the world was nearing the end times. One chapter follows a wife discovering the new virus that’s killing everyone, only to reveal that her husband is already sitting in a chair dying after catching it himself. Another chapter focuses on people creating chaos and turning on one another. While I understand the purpose of these scenes, much of it felt drawn out and could have been summarized in a few paragraphs rather than entire chapters.
When we finally returned to the main female character, I realized I just wasn’t connecting with her. Every time I thought the story was about to gain momentum, it would slow down again. Combined with the extremely long chapters, I found myself struggling to stay engaged and ultimately decided I couldn’t push through to the end.
Review of advance copy received from Author
As soon as I heard somebody say ‘Four Horsemen’ I was there… at this point that's basically a summoning ritual for me in book genres, and with Darby Briar as the author I was chomping at the bit (haha suits the book). How and where do I start on this review????
What I expected was apocalypse, angst, hot immortal men come to destroy the world and a woman that wanted them gone to save it.
What I got was feet kicking, squealing pure emotional damage and tension in the best way possible.
The Huntress and the Four Horse drops you straight into a brutal world where ‘The Chosen’ girl has spent her entire life believing one thing… that the Four Horsemen are monsters and that it's her duty to destroy them. Watching her certainty get chipped away piece by piece was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book… that slow unravel.
She's fierce, stubborn, capable and absolutely refuses to make anything easy for herself or anyone around her… which had me often screaming at her as if she could hear me!
And then there are the Horsemen.. oh I am soooo gone for them.. bring on the apocalypse if I can catch these men!
Each one somehow manages to have a completely different dynamic with our Chosen FMC, which is impressive because a lot of books would have stopped at ‘four powerful immortal men brought to their knees together’ and called it a day, but Darby Briar digs deep and each is so so different! It never felt like four versions of the same man with different colours. Each Horseman has his own personality, motivations and relationship with the FMC, which made every interaction feel fresh.
Orán (The Plague Caster) absolutely blindsided me and man that horsemans complex and not at all what i expected! Half his appeal is that quiet steadiness that makes you trust him even when you probably shouldn't.
Pollock (The Soul Serpent) exists solely to raise my blood pressure. Every conversation feels like a challenge. Every interaction is charged with tension and I spent most of the book wanting to shake him and kiss him in equal measure.
Tíarnach (Living Death) and usually my kryptonite in all things four horseman, carries himself like someone who has seen centuries of loss and somehow keeps going anyway, because, well that’s his job right?His scenes hit differently because there's always this sense of weight behind everything he says and does.
And then the fourth Horseman... Kahill (The War Bringer) has one of my favourite tropes.. no spoilers.. read! Haha. This moody and powerful is all I will say!
This is such a hard review to write, because I do not want to spoil a thing for the readers but I could write an essay on this one! Just know I was taking mental and written notes and building conspiracy boards the entire read... Darby Briar heard it ALL!
What really surprised me was how much heart this story has beneath all the apocalypse and violence. It’s a story about belief, loyalty, grief and discovering that the truth is rarely as simple as you’ve been taught!
The world we find ourselves in, feels huge, all the stakes feel very real and there are moments that genuinely hurt my heart. Not because they're shocking but because you've become so attached to these characters before you realise it's even happened!
The tension? Excellent and edge of the seat, I need the next chapter type.
The character dynamics? Delicious, in alllll ways.
The emotional suffering? Generously dished out the entire book, I felt every unsure or cemented belief.
The Horsemen? Your honor, I love them and I may need a tight jacket that hugs me (hint it’s white with buckles!)
By the end I was sitting there staring at the wall like I'd personally survived the apocalypse myself and need to know what happens next!
Anyway, Darby Briar can have my sleep schedule because apparently I wasn't using it at all while I read this in like record time! Darby Briar deserves special recognition for writing one of those dangerously addictive books that starts with ‘I'll just read a chapter before bed’ and somehow ends with the sun coming up. The worldbuilding is immersive, the character dynamics are impossible not to obsess over and every chapter seems designed to make you promise yourself you'll stop after the next one, only to immediately break that promise.
If you’re a fan of Four Horsemen romances, enemies to lovers tension, morally grey immortals, found family vibes and a heroine who refuses to roll over and accept what she’s told, then this book needs to be on your TBR immediately!
What I expected was apocalypse, angst, hot immortal men come to destroy the world and a woman that wanted them gone to save it.
What I got was feet kicking, squealing pure emotional damage and tension in the best way possible.
The Huntress and the Four Horse drops you straight into a brutal world where ‘The Chosen’ girl has spent her entire life believing one thing… that the Four Horsemen are monsters and that it's her duty to destroy them. Watching her certainty get chipped away piece by piece was honestly one of my favorite parts of the book… that slow unravel.
She's fierce, stubborn, capable and absolutely refuses to make anything easy for herself or anyone around her… which had me often screaming at her as if she could hear me!
And then there are the Horsemen.. oh I am soooo gone for them.. bring on the apocalypse if I can catch these men!
Each one somehow manages to have a completely different dynamic with our Chosen FMC, which is impressive because a lot of books would have stopped at ‘four powerful immortal men brought to their knees together’ and called it a day, but Darby Briar digs deep and each is so so different! It never felt like four versions of the same man with different colours. Each Horseman has his own personality, motivations and relationship with the FMC, which made every interaction feel fresh.
Orán (The Plague Caster) absolutely blindsided me and man that horsemans complex and not at all what i expected! Half his appeal is that quiet steadiness that makes you trust him even when you probably shouldn't.
Pollock (The Soul Serpent) exists solely to raise my blood pressure. Every conversation feels like a challenge. Every interaction is charged with tension and I spent most of the book wanting to shake him and kiss him in equal measure.
Tíarnach (Living Death) and usually my kryptonite in all things four horseman, carries himself like someone who has seen centuries of loss and somehow keeps going anyway, because, well that’s his job right?His scenes hit differently because there's always this sense of weight behind everything he says and does.
And then the fourth Horseman... Kahill (The War Bringer) has one of my favourite tropes.. no spoilers.. read! Haha. This moody and powerful is all I will say!
This is such a hard review to write, because I do not want to spoil a thing for the readers but I could write an essay on this one! Just know I was taking mental and written notes and building conspiracy boards the entire read... Darby Briar heard it ALL!
What really surprised me was how much heart this story has beneath all the apocalypse and violence. It’s a story about belief, loyalty, grief and discovering that the truth is rarely as simple as you’ve been taught!
The world we find ourselves in, feels huge, all the stakes feel very real and there are moments that genuinely hurt my heart. Not because they're shocking but because you've become so attached to these characters before you realise it's even happened!
The tension? Excellent and edge of the seat, I need the next chapter type.
The character dynamics? Delicious, in alllll ways.
The emotional suffering? Generously dished out the entire book, I felt every unsure or cemented belief.
The Horsemen? Your honor, I love them and I may need a tight jacket that hugs me (hint it’s white with buckles!)
By the end I was sitting there staring at the wall like I'd personally survived the apocalypse myself and need to know what happens next!
Anyway, Darby Briar can have my sleep schedule because apparently I wasn't using it at all while I read this in like record time! Darby Briar deserves special recognition for writing one of those dangerously addictive books that starts with ‘I'll just read a chapter before bed’ and somehow ends with the sun coming up. The worldbuilding is immersive, the character dynamics are impossible not to obsess over and every chapter seems designed to make you promise yourself you'll stop after the next one, only to immediately break that promise.
If you’re a fan of Four Horsemen romances, enemies to lovers tension, morally grey immortals, found family vibes and a heroine who refuses to roll over and accept what she’s told, then this book needs to be on your TBR immediately!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
She sacrificed everything—her sisters, her order, her life—to fulfill one purpose: destroy the Four Horsemen. She was the first to witness them tear into this world, and she believes it is her fate to cast them out. The Huntress and The Four Horsemen is a dark, apocalyptic dystopian dark romance that has it all; Why Choose, Fated Mates and Enemies to Lovers. If the hook and tropes don't entice you to read further, I'm not sure what will.
The Huntress is the last Child of the Blessed. Raised on Holy Scripture and trained to be a weapon, our FMC survives on the belief that she has the power to save the world from certain destruction at the hands of the four Horsemen. Her faith in her mission is unyielding, having been tested in so many devastating ways that would see all others crumble. Surviving alone, underground for decades, she emerges into an ash-covered world where order and balance are yet to be found knowing only that she must change fate, hunt and kill the Horsemen by any means necessary.
Each Horseman felt distinct and memorable, with their own motivations and personalities that kept me invested in their individual journeys.
The Soul Serpent - Pollock
The War Bringer - Kahill
The Plague Caster - Oran
Living Death - Tiarnach
As the Huntress and the Horsemen's paths cross, she is forced to question all that she has been taught. The evil killers that would show no mercy, have a softer side. Could they truly care about humanity? Is there another way to ensure all that is good, is not lost?
The chemistry between the FMC and the Horsemen builds steadily throughout the story, creating tension that complements the larger apocalyptic plot without over powering the story. But don't let that statement fool you, this is a 3 chilli book for sure.
This is the first book that I have read from Darby Briar and to say I am hanging out for book two in The Dawn of Judgement series is an understatement. There is action from the very start of the Prologue setting the scene for what is a complex series of events that unfolds. I have read some other reviews saying the first 15 or so chapters were "slow" and while I can understand their POV's I honestly believe that the pace was needed to create the world building and depth of the main characters and it wasn't without action. In comparing to other Fantasy series I wouldn't say the pace was any slower or detracting from the overall story.
Having pieces of Eridessa's and the Horsemen's independent histories slowly reveal throughout the story helped to build context and understanding. Darby has a knack for depicting the apocalyptic feel of the world ending, slowly coming to life again before being faced with the ultimate judgement. I've never encountered a Horsemen interpretation quite like this before. It is refreshing in nature and shows what a talented Author Darby is.
The "To Be Continued..." had me gasping out loud and wishing I didn't have to wait for more.
"Sometimes the right choice is to choose restraint rather than conquest. Life doesn't simply come down to souls and scales and covenants. Life holds more meaning than that, or at least it should" - Eridessa Wrathborne
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted ebook - I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Huntress is the last Child of the Blessed. Raised on Holy Scripture and trained to be a weapon, our FMC survives on the belief that she has the power to save the world from certain destruction at the hands of the four Horsemen. Her faith in her mission is unyielding, having been tested in so many devastating ways that would see all others crumble. Surviving alone, underground for decades, she emerges into an ash-covered world where order and balance are yet to be found knowing only that she must change fate, hunt and kill the Horsemen by any means necessary.
Each Horseman felt distinct and memorable, with their own motivations and personalities that kept me invested in their individual journeys.
The Soul Serpent - Pollock
The War Bringer - Kahill
The Plague Caster - Oran
Living Death - Tiarnach
As the Huntress and the Horsemen's paths cross, she is forced to question all that she has been taught. The evil killers that would show no mercy, have a softer side. Could they truly care about humanity? Is there another way to ensure all that is good, is not lost?
The chemistry between the FMC and the Horsemen builds steadily throughout the story, creating tension that complements the larger apocalyptic plot without over powering the story. But don't let that statement fool you, this is a 3 chilli book for sure.
This is the first book that I have read from Darby Briar and to say I am hanging out for book two in The Dawn of Judgement series is an understatement. There is action from the very start of the Prologue setting the scene for what is a complex series of events that unfolds. I have read some other reviews saying the first 15 or so chapters were "slow" and while I can understand their POV's I honestly believe that the pace was needed to create the world building and depth of the main characters and it wasn't without action. In comparing to other Fantasy series I wouldn't say the pace was any slower or detracting from the overall story.
Having pieces of Eridessa's and the Horsemen's independent histories slowly reveal throughout the story helped to build context and understanding. Darby has a knack for depicting the apocalyptic feel of the world ending, slowly coming to life again before being faced with the ultimate judgement. I've never encountered a Horsemen interpretation quite like this before. It is refreshing in nature and shows what a talented Author Darby is.
The "To Be Continued..." had me gasping out loud and wishing I didn't have to wait for more.
"Sometimes the right choice is to choose restraint rather than conquest. Life doesn't simply come down to souls and scales and covenants. Life holds more meaning than that, or at least it should" - Eridessa Wrathborne
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted ebook - I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 31, 2026
Interesting Enough To Read The Next
My Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars.
Some important notes:
In the author's note, there is confirmation that our main female character will have four men.
I cannot find a guarantee that this series will have a happily ever after.
There is a blending of fantasy and various religions, but there is a very heavy emphasis on Christianity.
Contains MM scenes outside the harem.
Set approximately 200 years in our future, Eridessa is the only surviving witness when the four horsemen of the apocalypse come to Earth. She is trained by a cult-like religious order to defeat them and save humanity.
This is a slow to medium-paced book. It's fairly slow for about the first 60% of the book. I felt like the chapter detailing events around the world was particularly flat, and almost nothing would be lost if it was taken out.
There were some other things about this that niggled at me. Despite being about 200 years in our future, it may as well have been more modern times. Characters, whether born 200 years in our future or thousands of years in our past, quite regularly used modern language and euphemisms and made references to modern things. (Apparently, Henley shirts will still be popular 200 years into the future as well as during the apocalypse.)
I also noticed some minor inconsistencies. A reference to taking off a cloak shortly before being pulled by said cloak. Three women mentioned, then the third one appears to be simply forgotten. The characters seemed mostly consistent though and there weren't any glaring plot holes that I noticed. Although, sometimes there are shifts between points of view that get slightly confusing. World events happen in one character’s chapter only for the next character's chapter to jump back in time. It made following the timeline of events a little hazy.
It's likely a me-problem, but I struggled to find any of the characters relatable or to connect with them on an emotional level. If one of them died, the only concern that I would have is how it will impact the story. On that note, it was quite a while into the story before any sort of character depth started to reveal itself. It does show up eventually, but in some ways it's so subtle that it almost seems like a jarring change. There wasn't a lot of growth that happened, but there is still plenty of mystery and potential for that in future books.
The relationships between the various characters are not all well defined yet. Of the relationships that do develop, there is a push and pull with resistance coming from our female lead.
The writing style was at times too descriptive for my taste. The emphasis on Christianity was also a bit much for me. I felt like I was reading A Dark Reverse Harem Christian romance for most of the book (even the explicitly spicy scenes didn't escape this feeling), with some other mythology and fantasy elements sprinkled in. That feeling did start to diminish around the 75% mark.
I did notice a small handful of errors that a spell check wouldn't have caught, but a grammar check might have. Things like “Decimal” instead of “decibel”, “nits instead of knits”, and “gones” instead of “bones”.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and the blending of religious mythology and fantasy. I'll read the next book to see where the author is taking it.
My Rating: 3.75 out of 5 stars.
Some important notes:
In the author's note, there is confirmation that our main female character will have four men.
I cannot find a guarantee that this series will have a happily ever after.
There is a blending of fantasy and various religions, but there is a very heavy emphasis on Christianity.
Contains MM scenes outside the harem.
Set approximately 200 years in our future, Eridessa is the only surviving witness when the four horsemen of the apocalypse come to Earth. She is trained by a cult-like religious order to defeat them and save humanity.
This is a slow to medium-paced book. It's fairly slow for about the first 60% of the book. I felt like the chapter detailing events around the world was particularly flat, and almost nothing would be lost if it was taken out.
There were some other things about this that niggled at me. Despite being about 200 years in our future, it may as well have been more modern times. Characters, whether born 200 years in our future or thousands of years in our past, quite regularly used modern language and euphemisms and made references to modern things. (Apparently, Henley shirts will still be popular 200 years into the future as well as during the apocalypse.)
I also noticed some minor inconsistencies. A reference to taking off a cloak shortly before being pulled by said cloak. Three women mentioned, then the third one appears to be simply forgotten. The characters seemed mostly consistent though and there weren't any glaring plot holes that I noticed. Although, sometimes there are shifts between points of view that get slightly confusing. World events happen in one character’s chapter only for the next character's chapter to jump back in time. It made following the timeline of events a little hazy.
It's likely a me-problem, but I struggled to find any of the characters relatable or to connect with them on an emotional level. If one of them died, the only concern that I would have is how it will impact the story. On that note, it was quite a while into the story before any sort of character depth started to reveal itself. It does show up eventually, but in some ways it's so subtle that it almost seems like a jarring change. There wasn't a lot of growth that happened, but there is still plenty of mystery and potential for that in future books.
The relationships between the various characters are not all well defined yet. Of the relationships that do develop, there is a push and pull with resistance coming from our female lead.
The writing style was at times too descriptive for my taste. The emphasis on Christianity was also a bit much for me. I felt like I was reading A Dark Reverse Harem Christian romance for most of the book (even the explicitly spicy scenes didn't escape this feeling), with some other mythology and fantasy elements sprinkled in. That feeling did start to diminish around the 75% mark.
I did notice a small handful of errors that a spell check wouldn't have caught, but a grammar check might have. Things like “Decimal” instead of “decibel”, “nits instead of knits”, and “gones” instead of “bones”.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and the blending of religious mythology and fantasy. I'll read the next book to see where the author is taking it.
June 23, 2026
🗡️🔥 The Huntress and The Four Horsemen sounded like the perfect book for me.
A steamy post-apocalyptic fantasy romance featuring the Four Horsemen and a chosen huntress destined to kill them? I was immediately sold. 😍
The story began with a young girl surviving the arrival of the Four Horsemen and being raised by a religious order that trained her to become their weapon. Years later, she set out on a mission to infiltrate the Horsemen’s lives and fulfill the destiny she had been preparing for her entire life. Along the way, she began questioning everything she had been taught and uncovered truths that hinted at a much larger mystery. ⚔️🐎
The premise was fantastic.
Unfortunately, the execution never lived up to that promise for me. 😔
The beginning felt chaotic and difficult to connect with. There was a lot of information being thrown at the reader, but very little that made me emotionally invested in what was happening. I kept waiting for the story to click into place, but it took far too long to reach a point where I felt interested. 📖
Even when the plot started moving, I found myself increasingly frustrated.
The book constantly introduced new information, new mysteries, and new plot points. Yet somehow many of those details felt unnecessary while the things I actually wanted answers to were barely explored. 🤷♀️
I spent most of the book expecting the various storylines to eventually come together in a satisfying way. Instead, I reached the end with more questions than answers.
There were several moments where I stopped and thought, “Wait… but what about this?” only for the story to move on without addressing it. 😕
One aspect I did enjoy was the multiple POV structure. 🖤
I liked getting perspectives from the different main characters, and I appreciated the attempt to show the larger scope of the world through their eyes. However, the POVs often felt disconnected from one another. Rather than building anticipation, they made the story feel fragmented and difficult to fully immerse myself in.
By the time some of the connections between the storylines started becoming clear, the book had already lost me. 💔
What disappointed me most was the amount of potential I saw in the story. The world-building concepts, the mythology of the Horsemen, the questions surrounding faith and truth, and the overall premise all sounded incredible on paper. 🌙✨
But the pacing felt uneven, the focus seemed misplaced, and many of the plot points I cared about never received the development or explanations I was hoping for.
📚 Perfect for readers who enjoy:
⚔️ Chosen One heroine
🐎 Four Horsemen mythology
🔥 Post-apocalyptic fantasy romance
🖤 Multiple POVs
✨ Religious conspiracies and hidden truths
💀 High-stakes fantasy worlds
❤️ Slow-burn tension
🌙 Destiny and prophecy-driven plots
Sadly, this one wasn’t for me. While the concept had so much potential, the storytelling felt too disjointed for me to fully enjoy, and I ultimately walked away feeling more confused than satisfied.
💜 Thank you to Darby Briar and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity.
A steamy post-apocalyptic fantasy romance featuring the Four Horsemen and a chosen huntress destined to kill them? I was immediately sold. 😍
The story began with a young girl surviving the arrival of the Four Horsemen and being raised by a religious order that trained her to become their weapon. Years later, she set out on a mission to infiltrate the Horsemen’s lives and fulfill the destiny she had been preparing for her entire life. Along the way, she began questioning everything she had been taught and uncovered truths that hinted at a much larger mystery. ⚔️🐎
The premise was fantastic.
Unfortunately, the execution never lived up to that promise for me. 😔
The beginning felt chaotic and difficult to connect with. There was a lot of information being thrown at the reader, but very little that made me emotionally invested in what was happening. I kept waiting for the story to click into place, but it took far too long to reach a point where I felt interested. 📖
Even when the plot started moving, I found myself increasingly frustrated.
The book constantly introduced new information, new mysteries, and new plot points. Yet somehow many of those details felt unnecessary while the things I actually wanted answers to were barely explored. 🤷♀️
I spent most of the book expecting the various storylines to eventually come together in a satisfying way. Instead, I reached the end with more questions than answers.
There were several moments where I stopped and thought, “Wait… but what about this?” only for the story to move on without addressing it. 😕
One aspect I did enjoy was the multiple POV structure. 🖤
I liked getting perspectives from the different main characters, and I appreciated the attempt to show the larger scope of the world through their eyes. However, the POVs often felt disconnected from one another. Rather than building anticipation, they made the story feel fragmented and difficult to fully immerse myself in.
By the time some of the connections between the storylines started becoming clear, the book had already lost me. 💔
What disappointed me most was the amount of potential I saw in the story. The world-building concepts, the mythology of the Horsemen, the questions surrounding faith and truth, and the overall premise all sounded incredible on paper. 🌙✨
But the pacing felt uneven, the focus seemed misplaced, and many of the plot points I cared about never received the development or explanations I was hoping for.
📚 Perfect for readers who enjoy:
⚔️ Chosen One heroine
🐎 Four Horsemen mythology
🔥 Post-apocalyptic fantasy romance
🖤 Multiple POVs
✨ Religious conspiracies and hidden truths
💀 High-stakes fantasy worlds
❤️ Slow-burn tension
🌙 Destiny and prophecy-driven plots
Sadly, this one wasn’t for me. While the concept had so much potential, the storytelling felt too disjointed for me to fully enjoy, and I ultimately walked away feeling more confused than satisfied.
💜 Thank you to Darby Briar and The Nerd Fam for the ARC opportunity.
Review of advance copy
Thank you for the gifted copy from the author & Nerd Fam.
The Huntress and The Four Horsemen • Darby Briar
The Dawn of Judgment #1
One phrase: chosen to kill them, doomed to want them 🖤⚔️
A post apocalyptic romantasy with the Four Horsemen, a chosen huntress meant to destroy them, forbidden attraction, biblical horror, immortal antiheroes, and world ending stakes?
Say less. I’m seated.
The Huntress and The Four Horsemen starts with the FMC as a child on the day the Horsemen tear into the world. She barely survives, only to be shaped into a weapon by the order that takes her in. She is trained in war, scripture, seduction, and sacrifice, all for one purpose.
Destroy the Four Horsemen.
Years later, after giving up everything, including her sisters, her order, and her old life, she sets out across a dying, ash covered earth to fulfill her mission. She is supposed to lure them close, strike the killing blow, and save humanity from Judgment.
Simple, right?
Absolutely not.
Because the Horsemen are not what she was taught to believe. They are feared. Immortal. Dangerous. Morally gray. Fully capable of desire. And once she gets close enough to see the truth, everything she has been conditioned to believe begins to crack.
I really enjoyed watching her progression. She starts so certain of her purpose, but the more she sees, the more she questions what was truth, what was manipulation, and what parts of herself survived beneath all that conditioning.
And the multiple POVs? Loved them. Getting inside the Horsemen’s heads made the tension even better, especially as they realize this woman wants to kill them and their response is basically, “Interesting. We’re keeping her.”
Obsessed.
There is also such a good contrast between the FMC as a weapon and the softer pieces of her humanity. The people she has saved, the animals in her home, the little things that tie her to life when she has been forced to become death, all of that made her feel so much more layered.
With secrets unraveling, an older evil rising, and that ending leaving me desperate for more, I am so ready to see where this series goes next.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
⚔️ chosen one FMC
🐎 Four Horsemen
🖤 apocalyptic romantasy
🔥 enemies to allies
😈 immortal antiheroes
🕯 biblical horror
💀 world ending stakes
👀 “she wants to kill us” tension
🫶 found humanity
🌑 morally gray characters
❤️🔥 obsessive slow burn
😮💨 possessive heroes
📚 Read this if you like:
Post apocalyptic fantasy romance, Four Horsemen stories, morally gray immortals, chosen one heroines, enemies to lovers tension, biblical horror, and love stories forged in ruin.
This was dark, addictive, emotional, and full of the kind of deadly tension that makes me need book two immediately.
#TheHuntressAndTheFourHorsemen #DarbyBriar #ApocalypticRomantasy #FantasyRomance #BookReview
The Huntress and The Four Horsemen • Darby Briar
The Dawn of Judgment #1
One phrase: chosen to kill them, doomed to want them 🖤⚔️
A post apocalyptic romantasy with the Four Horsemen, a chosen huntress meant to destroy them, forbidden attraction, biblical horror, immortal antiheroes, and world ending stakes?
Say less. I’m seated.
The Huntress and The Four Horsemen starts with the FMC as a child on the day the Horsemen tear into the world. She barely survives, only to be shaped into a weapon by the order that takes her in. She is trained in war, scripture, seduction, and sacrifice, all for one purpose.
Destroy the Four Horsemen.
Years later, after giving up everything, including her sisters, her order, and her old life, she sets out across a dying, ash covered earth to fulfill her mission. She is supposed to lure them close, strike the killing blow, and save humanity from Judgment.
Simple, right?
Absolutely not.
Because the Horsemen are not what she was taught to believe. They are feared. Immortal. Dangerous. Morally gray. Fully capable of desire. And once she gets close enough to see the truth, everything she has been conditioned to believe begins to crack.
I really enjoyed watching her progression. She starts so certain of her purpose, but the more she sees, the more she questions what was truth, what was manipulation, and what parts of herself survived beneath all that conditioning.
And the multiple POVs? Loved them. Getting inside the Horsemen’s heads made the tension even better, especially as they realize this woman wants to kill them and their response is basically, “Interesting. We’re keeping her.”
Obsessed.
There is also such a good contrast between the FMC as a weapon and the softer pieces of her humanity. The people she has saved, the animals in her home, the little things that tie her to life when she has been forced to become death, all of that made her feel so much more layered.
With secrets unraveling, an older evil rising, and that ending leaving me desperate for more, I am so ready to see where this series goes next.
✨ Tropes and vibes:
⚔️ chosen one FMC
🐎 Four Horsemen
🖤 apocalyptic romantasy
🔥 enemies to allies
😈 immortal antiheroes
🕯 biblical horror
💀 world ending stakes
👀 “she wants to kill us” tension
🫶 found humanity
🌑 morally gray characters
❤️🔥 obsessive slow burn
😮💨 possessive heroes
📚 Read this if you like:
Post apocalyptic fantasy romance, Four Horsemen stories, morally gray immortals, chosen one heroines, enemies to lovers tension, biblical horror, and love stories forged in ruin.
This was dark, addictive, emotional, and full of the kind of deadly tension that makes me need book two immediately.
#TheHuntressAndTheFourHorsemen #DarbyBriar #ApocalypticRomantasy #FantasyRomance #BookReview
Review of advance copy
The Huntress and the Four Horsemen by Darby Briar
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 Stars)
I went into this expecting a romantasy about a huntress tasked with killing the Four Horsemen.
What I got was something so much bigger.
This is an epic post-apocalyptic fantasy that blends biblical mythology, horror, ancient gods, demons, and morally gray immortals into a story that constantly challenged everything I thought I knew.
The beginning does require a little patience. You're thrown into the apocalypse with very few answers, and for the first few chapters I wasn't entirely sure where the story was heading. But once everything started falling into place, I was completely hooked.
⚔️ What to Expect
🖤 Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy
🐎 The Four Horsemen
🔥 Morally Gray Characters
❤️ Why Choose Romance
✨ Fated Mates
📖 Biblical Mythology & Horror
⚡ Plot Twists
🪽 Ancient Gods & Demons
One of my favorite parts of the story was watching the Huntress slowly question everything she'd been taught. Raised to believe the Horsemen were monsters destined to destroy the world, every encounter forces her to reconsider her mission and everything she's ever believed. I loved watching her growth as the lines between good and evil became increasingly blurred.
The Horsemen themselves were nothing like I expected. Instead of one-dimensional villains, they became fully realized characters with their own personalities, motivations, and emotional depth. Watching their relationship with the Huntress evolve from enemies into something much more complicated was one of the highlights of the book.
The world-building is incredibly ambitious. This isn't simply a story about stopping the apocalypse—it's about faith, free will, creation, judgment, and the terrifying space that exists between heaven and hell. Every twist peeled back another layer of the mythology, and there were multiple moments where I had to stop and process what I'd just learned because I genuinely didn't see the revelations coming.
My only criticism is that the beginning and a few scenes toward the end felt a little confusing. There were moments where I struggled to fully understand what was happening, which occasionally slowed the pacing. Thankfully, once the story found its footing, I couldn't put it down.
And then...that ending.
That cliffhanger completely wrecked me, and I already know I'll be counting down the days until book two.
If you're looking for a fantasy that's darker, more complex, and far more ambitious than the synopsis suggests, The Huntress and the Four Horsemen is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to Nerd Fam for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 Stars)
I went into this expecting a romantasy about a huntress tasked with killing the Four Horsemen.
What I got was something so much bigger.
This is an epic post-apocalyptic fantasy that blends biblical mythology, horror, ancient gods, demons, and morally gray immortals into a story that constantly challenged everything I thought I knew.
The beginning does require a little patience. You're thrown into the apocalypse with very few answers, and for the first few chapters I wasn't entirely sure where the story was heading. But once everything started falling into place, I was completely hooked.
⚔️ What to Expect
🖤 Post-Apocalyptic Fantasy
🐎 The Four Horsemen
🔥 Morally Gray Characters
❤️ Why Choose Romance
✨ Fated Mates
📖 Biblical Mythology & Horror
⚡ Plot Twists
🪽 Ancient Gods & Demons
One of my favorite parts of the story was watching the Huntress slowly question everything she'd been taught. Raised to believe the Horsemen were monsters destined to destroy the world, every encounter forces her to reconsider her mission and everything she's ever believed. I loved watching her growth as the lines between good and evil became increasingly blurred.
The Horsemen themselves were nothing like I expected. Instead of one-dimensional villains, they became fully realized characters with their own personalities, motivations, and emotional depth. Watching their relationship with the Huntress evolve from enemies into something much more complicated was one of the highlights of the book.
The world-building is incredibly ambitious. This isn't simply a story about stopping the apocalypse—it's about faith, free will, creation, judgment, and the terrifying space that exists between heaven and hell. Every twist peeled back another layer of the mythology, and there were multiple moments where I had to stop and process what I'd just learned because I genuinely didn't see the revelations coming.
My only criticism is that the beginning and a few scenes toward the end felt a little confusing. There were moments where I struggled to fully understand what was happening, which occasionally slowed the pacing. Thankfully, once the story found its footing, I couldn't put it down.
And then...that ending.
That cliffhanger completely wrecked me, and I already know I'll be counting down the days until book two.
If you're looking for a fantasy that's darker, more complex, and far more ambitious than the synopsis suggests, The Huntress and the Four Horsemen is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to Nerd Fam for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
July 7, 2026
The Huntress and the Four Horsemen surprised me but not in the way I expected. I went into this book thinking it would focus primarily on the romance and the Four Horsemen themselves. Instead, it's a story built on history, world-building, and discovering that the truth isn't always what you've been taught to believe.
The Huntress was an interesting main character because every decision she made was shaped by her past. She wholeheartedly believed in the mission she'd been raised to fulfill, and while I admired her conviction, it was also frustrating at times because she was so blind to anything that challenged those beliefs. Watching her perspective slowly shift as the story unfolded was rewarding.
I loved how the Four Horsemen were introduced. You don't get the same amount of time with each of them, but it never felt unbalanced. One becomes incredibly familiar, two you get to know well, while the other remains more mysterious. It was just enough to understand their individual perspectives and realize there was so much more to the story than what the Huntress believed.
The real turning point for me was when the truth finally started coming to light. Piece by piece, everything I'd assumed about the world was challenged, and once those layers were peeled back, the entire story took on a new meaning. There were so many "oh my goodness" moments where I genuinely didn't see the twists coming, and those reveals kept me completely invested.
Darby has a very detailed writing style, and while that means the book leans heavily into world-building, history, and understanding the larger picture, it never felt wasted. Every piece of information had a purpose, and by the end I understood why so much time was spent building the foundation of this world.
But the absolute cherry on top for me was Oran. Every interaction he had with the Huntress, every word he spoke, every action he took... it was exactly what I wanted from his character. I honestly wish there had been even more of him because those moments were some of my favorites in the entire book. At the same time, I understand why the story prioritized the world-building—it was necessary to set up everything that's still to come, and now I'm excited to see where the series goes next. I received this as an ARC and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
This is no mere coincidence. This is cosmic, alchemy, destinies running parallel, the weaving of fates, and I will not deny it any longer.
The Huntress was an interesting main character because every decision she made was shaped by her past. She wholeheartedly believed in the mission she'd been raised to fulfill, and while I admired her conviction, it was also frustrating at times because she was so blind to anything that challenged those beliefs. Watching her perspective slowly shift as the story unfolded was rewarding.
I loved how the Four Horsemen were introduced. You don't get the same amount of time with each of them, but it never felt unbalanced. One becomes incredibly familiar, two you get to know well, while the other remains more mysterious. It was just enough to understand their individual perspectives and realize there was so much more to the story than what the Huntress believed.
The real turning point for me was when the truth finally started coming to light. Piece by piece, everything I'd assumed about the world was challenged, and once those layers were peeled back, the entire story took on a new meaning. There were so many "oh my goodness" moments where I genuinely didn't see the twists coming, and those reveals kept me completely invested.
Darby has a very detailed writing style, and while that means the book leans heavily into world-building, history, and understanding the larger picture, it never felt wasted. Every piece of information had a purpose, and by the end I understood why so much time was spent building the foundation of this world.
But the absolute cherry on top for me was Oran. Every interaction he had with the Huntress, every word he spoke, every action he took... it was exactly what I wanted from his character. I honestly wish there had been even more of him because those moments were some of my favorites in the entire book. At the same time, I understand why the story prioritized the world-building—it was necessary to set up everything that's still to come, and now I'm excited to see where the series goes next. I received this as an ARC and am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
This is no mere coincidence. This is cosmic, alchemy, destinies running parallel, the weaving of fates, and I will not deny it any longer.
June 23, 2026
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted book.
★★★★☆
The Huntress and the Four Horsemen surprised me.
What initially drew me in was the premise. A post-apocalyptic world shaped by prophecy, faith, and the looming presence of the Four Horsemen, but what kept me turning pages was the emotional depth beneath the spectacle.
At its core, this is a story about questioning the narratives we’ve inherited. It asks what happens when the truths that have guided your entire life begin to unravel, and whether faith, identity, and purpose can survive that unraveling.
Eri’s journey was the heart of the novel for me. Her growth never felt rushed or convenient. Every moment of uncertainty, every challenge to her worldview, and every step toward self-discovery felt earned. Watching her navigate a world where certainty becomes increasingly elusive made her feel remarkably human.
Darby Briar also balances scale exceptionally well. The world is harsh and unforgiving, filled with violence, sacrifice, and impossible choices, yet it never loses sight of the people living within it. The emotional stakes remain just as compelling as the physical ones.
What impressed me most was how seamlessly the story weaves together action, mythology, political tension, and relationships. The characters are allowed moments of tenderness and vulnerability even as the world around them edges closer to catastrophe. Those quieter moments often carried just as much weight as the battles themselves.
The relationships at the center of the story add another layer of complexity, bringing warmth and emotional resonance to a narrative already rich with conflict and consequence. Beneath the tension and chemistry is a deeper exploration of trust, loyalty, and what it means to choose someone when everything else is uncertain.
And then there is the ending.
Just when I felt confident I understood where the story was heading, it shifted beneath my feet. The final chapters left me with more questions than answers, in the best possible way, and eager to see where the series goes next!
The Huntress and the Four Horsemen is an ambitious blend of fantasy, prophecy, survival, and human resilience. For readers who enjoy stories that balance epic stakes with deeply personal character journeys, this is a series worth exploring.
A compelling start to what promises to be an unforgettable journey.
★★★★☆
The Huntress and the Four Horsemen surprised me.
What initially drew me in was the premise. A post-apocalyptic world shaped by prophecy, faith, and the looming presence of the Four Horsemen, but what kept me turning pages was the emotional depth beneath the spectacle.
At its core, this is a story about questioning the narratives we’ve inherited. It asks what happens when the truths that have guided your entire life begin to unravel, and whether faith, identity, and purpose can survive that unraveling.
Eri’s journey was the heart of the novel for me. Her growth never felt rushed or convenient. Every moment of uncertainty, every challenge to her worldview, and every step toward self-discovery felt earned. Watching her navigate a world where certainty becomes increasingly elusive made her feel remarkably human.
Darby Briar also balances scale exceptionally well. The world is harsh and unforgiving, filled with violence, sacrifice, and impossible choices, yet it never loses sight of the people living within it. The emotional stakes remain just as compelling as the physical ones.
What impressed me most was how seamlessly the story weaves together action, mythology, political tension, and relationships. The characters are allowed moments of tenderness and vulnerability even as the world around them edges closer to catastrophe. Those quieter moments often carried just as much weight as the battles themselves.
The relationships at the center of the story add another layer of complexity, bringing warmth and emotional resonance to a narrative already rich with conflict and consequence. Beneath the tension and chemistry is a deeper exploration of trust, loyalty, and what it means to choose someone when everything else is uncertain.
And then there is the ending.
Just when I felt confident I understood where the story was heading, it shifted beneath my feet. The final chapters left me with more questions than answers, in the best possible way, and eager to see where the series goes next!
The Huntress and the Four Horsemen is an ambitious blend of fantasy, prophecy, survival, and human resilience. For readers who enjoy stories that balance epic stakes with deeply personal character journeys, this is a series worth exploring.
A compelling start to what promises to be an unforgettable journey.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was definitely a longer book than what I’ve picked up recently, and I’ll admit it took me some time to really become invested in the story. The beginning felt like a lot of setup, with world-building, new characters, and different pieces being introduced all at once. However, once the story really started moving, I found myself much more engaged and had a hard time putting it down.
The premise of this book immediately caught my attention: the world has reached Judgment Day, and the Four Horsemen have returned to fulfill their purpose. What they weren’t expecting was a chosen female who would stand against them and try to stop what was coming. It’s an interesting concept with a lot of potential, and I was curious to see how the story would unfold.
One thing I found interesting (and also struggled with a bit) was how closely certain aspects of the story mirrored the current climate of the world we live in. Some themes felt very familiar, which added another layer to the reading experience but also made it harder at times to completely disconnect from reality and fall fully into the fantasy.
This book is marketed as a why choose romance, but I think it’s important to go into this knowing that the romance progression is much slower. The actual why choose elements don’t really come into play until close to the end of the book. That being said, I didn’t necessarily see that as a negative because it feels like this first book is focused on establishing the world, the characters, and the larger storyline. Based on how this ended, I definitely expect we will see more of that dynamic develop in future books.
I also felt like there were a lot of moving parts happening at once. There were many characters, plot points, and details to keep track of, and at times it felt like some characters or storylines faded into the background only to return later. It made the story feel a little overwhelming in places, and I occasionally found myself trying to remember where certain pieces fit.
Overall, this was a solid read for me. While I had some struggles with pacing, character connection, and the amount of information being introduced, I do think there is a lot of potential here. The ending definitely left me curious, and I would absolutely pick up the next book in the series to see how everything continues to unfold.
The premise of this book immediately caught my attention: the world has reached Judgment Day, and the Four Horsemen have returned to fulfill their purpose. What they weren’t expecting was a chosen female who would stand against them and try to stop what was coming. It’s an interesting concept with a lot of potential, and I was curious to see how the story would unfold.
One thing I found interesting (and also struggled with a bit) was how closely certain aspects of the story mirrored the current climate of the world we live in. Some themes felt very familiar, which added another layer to the reading experience but also made it harder at times to completely disconnect from reality and fall fully into the fantasy.
This book is marketed as a why choose romance, but I think it’s important to go into this knowing that the romance progression is much slower. The actual why choose elements don’t really come into play until close to the end of the book. That being said, I didn’t necessarily see that as a negative because it feels like this first book is focused on establishing the world, the characters, and the larger storyline. Based on how this ended, I definitely expect we will see more of that dynamic develop in future books.
I also felt like there were a lot of moving parts happening at once. There were many characters, plot points, and details to keep track of, and at times it felt like some characters or storylines faded into the background only to return later. It made the story feel a little overwhelming in places, and I occasionally found myself trying to remember where certain pieces fit.
Overall, this was a solid read for me. While I had some struggles with pacing, character connection, and the amount of information being introduced, I do think there is a lot of potential here. The ending definitely left me curious, and I would absolutely pick up the next book in the series to see how everything continues to unfold.
Review of advance copy
I have read several Four Horsemen series before and I've loved all of them, as they each have their own take of what might happen when they come. So when I came across The Nerd Fams sign ups for an ARC of this, I signed up lightening fast. I believe this is my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be the last!
The beginning of the book starts off with our Chosen as a child, when the 4 Horsemen first come to earth. Then we get bits and pieces of her growing up, though to be fair, its a bit disjointed and a lil confusing. But as the story line goes on, it starts to make sense as to why. What she has to endure as not only a child but as a young woman is enough to break your heart. Her whole purpose is to thwart the Horsmen and keep humanity alive.
Our Four Horsemen are exactly who they seem to be but also, more. As we get further in the story, we learn at least 2 of their backstories and a bit of a 3rds but the 4th one is still a bit of a mystery. Again, understandable as the story goes on. Even though they're "The Four Horsemen " they also have thoughts and feelings of their own and are each unique in their own way. However, at least 2 of the 4 are smitten with Eri and though they try not to, they allow some things to be influenced by their feelings while also trying to get her to understand the why of who they are and what their tasks really are for.
However, in the midst of all that is going on, Lucifer steps outside the agreement with God. This causes timelines to be changed, demons to arrive on earth and our Horsmen begin to realize that they might need the Chosen to help them fulfill their oaths to God. Unfortunately, she has been groomed since childhood to fight against them and as much as she wants to believe that she can believe in them, its hard for her to take that leap in faith.
With as epic of a story line as this one is, we're left on a cliffhanger. I knew it was coming but I still feel like I'm left dangling from this cliffie by the tips of my fingers, praying that the author is already working on it. Oh! Oh! I can't forget! Yes, 100% yes, there are some spicy asf scenes in this book and I'm really hoping there's as many of not more in the next book! 😏😏
The beginning of the book starts off with our Chosen as a child, when the 4 Horsemen first come to earth. Then we get bits and pieces of her growing up, though to be fair, its a bit disjointed and a lil confusing. But as the story line goes on, it starts to make sense as to why. What she has to endure as not only a child but as a young woman is enough to break your heart. Her whole purpose is to thwart the Horsmen and keep humanity alive.
Our Four Horsemen are exactly who they seem to be but also, more. As we get further in the story, we learn at least 2 of their backstories and a bit of a 3rds but the 4th one is still a bit of a mystery. Again, understandable as the story goes on. Even though they're "The Four Horsemen " they also have thoughts and feelings of their own and are each unique in their own way. However, at least 2 of the 4 are smitten with Eri and though they try not to, they allow some things to be influenced by their feelings while also trying to get her to understand the why of who they are and what their tasks really are for.
However, in the midst of all that is going on, Lucifer steps outside the agreement with God. This causes timelines to be changed, demons to arrive on earth and our Horsmen begin to realize that they might need the Chosen to help them fulfill their oaths to God. Unfortunately, she has been groomed since childhood to fight against them and as much as she wants to believe that she can believe in them, its hard for her to take that leap in faith.
With as epic of a story line as this one is, we're left on a cliffhanger. I knew it was coming but I still feel like I'm left dangling from this cliffie by the tips of my fingers, praying that the author is already working on it. Oh! Oh! I can't forget! Yes, 100% yes, there are some spicy asf scenes in this book and I'm really hoping there's as many of not more in the next book! 😏😏
July 15, 2026
The Huntress and the Four Horsemen by Darby Briar
This book had such an interesting premise that I was excited to dive into. A huntress created to destroy the Four Horsemen, only to discover they aren’t what she’s been taught to believe, is a compelling setup and one that immediately grabbed my attention.
The first half of the book was my favourite. I enjoyed learning about the world, the mythology, and meeting the Horsemen as the story unfolded. The writing itself was engaging and easy to read, which kept me invested through the early chapters.
Around the halfway point, however, I felt the pacing began to slow considerably. At over 700 pages, the story started to feel longer than it needed to be, and I found myself wishing some sections had been tightened to maintain the momentum established at the beginning.
One thing I wasn’t expecting was just how heavily the story centred around religious themes and imagery. That’s entirely on me for not reading the content information beforehand, but I realised as I read that this simply isn’t a subgenre that resonates with me personally.
Spoilers below.
By the end of the book, only two of the Four Horsemen have really become part of the central story, and while I found one of them intriguing, I struggled significantly with the other. His behaviour became increasingly forceful, and I personally found it difficult to view the relationship as romantic. Because of that, I had a hard time connecting with the direction the romance ultimately took.
I also found the ending abrupt. With the stakes established as the potential end of the world, I expected the story to continue building toward that conflict. Instead, much of the focus shifted toward the romantic relationship, and the novel ended on a cliffhanger just as it felt like the larger story was about to begin.
Overall, I can appreciate the originality of the concept and enjoyed the author’s writing style, but the pacing, the emphasis on religious themes, and the direction of the romance meant this series ultimately wasn’t the right fit for me. While I won’t be continuing with Book Two, I think readers who enjoy darker, religion-heavy romantasy may have a very different experience.
This book had such an interesting premise that I was excited to dive into. A huntress created to destroy the Four Horsemen, only to discover they aren’t what she’s been taught to believe, is a compelling setup and one that immediately grabbed my attention.
The first half of the book was my favourite. I enjoyed learning about the world, the mythology, and meeting the Horsemen as the story unfolded. The writing itself was engaging and easy to read, which kept me invested through the early chapters.
Around the halfway point, however, I felt the pacing began to slow considerably. At over 700 pages, the story started to feel longer than it needed to be, and I found myself wishing some sections had been tightened to maintain the momentum established at the beginning.
One thing I wasn’t expecting was just how heavily the story centred around religious themes and imagery. That’s entirely on me for not reading the content information beforehand, but I realised as I read that this simply isn’t a subgenre that resonates with me personally.
Spoilers below.
By the end of the book, only two of the Four Horsemen have really become part of the central story, and while I found one of them intriguing, I struggled significantly with the other. His behaviour became increasingly forceful, and I personally found it difficult to view the relationship as romantic. Because of that, I had a hard time connecting with the direction the romance ultimately took.
I also found the ending abrupt. With the stakes established as the potential end of the world, I expected the story to continue building toward that conflict. Instead, much of the focus shifted toward the romantic relationship, and the novel ended on a cliffhanger just as it felt like the larger story was about to begin.
Overall, I can appreciate the originality of the concept and enjoyed the author’s writing style, but the pacing, the emphasis on religious themes, and the direction of the romance meant this series ultimately wasn’t the right fit for me. While I won’t be continuing with Book Two, I think readers who enjoy darker, religion-heavy romantasy may have a very different experience.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2026
I wasn’t expecting that !!!🤯🤯🤯
Empire of the vampire meets the Witcher meets the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse !
Just mindblowing ! I devoured this book like literally swallowed it whole.
To be honest the first 20% were quite difficult to get through, there were a looooot of informations and disturbing events like maybe the author did it on purpose to mislead the reader ?
But then… when the story kicks IN OHHHH MY LORD
In a post apocalyptic world, destroyed by wars and the violence of human beings, our huntress is the Chosen One. Her life purpose is to kill the four horsemen, the God’s Harbringers, in order to avoid the extinction of humans. Everything she’d been taught about them in The Order, a religious cult, had been moulded by hatred and destruction.
The Last Judgement’s coming. Her time is limited. She must finish her task in order to save humanity.
But what if everything she’d known about those men was false ? What is their mission is far greater and complicated than expected ? And what if somehow she’s part of this mission ?
And what our dear FMC didn’t anticipate? The sheer sex appeal of the FOUR HORSEMEN 👀
Yep, you heard me right. Four sexy-as-hell, immortal, winged angel-demon men… and two of them, THE TWINS, (for now… 😏) are completely attached to her.
She’s feisty, stabby, and absolutely feral but I guess that’s exactly what makes her so irresistible to them😮💨
This dystopian post apocalyptic book is a perfect mix of religious dogma, Celtic mythology, god’s wrath, a heroine who’s torn between what’s she’d been born for and the reality of what’s to come : the last judgment.
This book blew my mind away, made me feel restless, sad, somehow happy for our FMC and more importantly this story mirrors our human nature and its flaws. The relationship between Eridess, Pollock and Orán is giving The court of ravens duet vibes omgggg🥵
And there’s more to come ! She’s yet to meet to two others… ahhhhh I can’t wait
Great topics were brought into light and it really makes us think about our future…
100% recommend !!!! Thank you The NerdFam and the author for the gifted eARC🫶🏼
Empire of the vampire meets the Witcher meets the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse !
Just mindblowing ! I devoured this book like literally swallowed it whole.
To be honest the first 20% were quite difficult to get through, there were a looooot of informations and disturbing events like maybe the author did it on purpose to mislead the reader ?
But then… when the story kicks IN OHHHH MY LORD
In a post apocalyptic world, destroyed by wars and the violence of human beings, our huntress is the Chosen One. Her life purpose is to kill the four horsemen, the God’s Harbringers, in order to avoid the extinction of humans. Everything she’d been taught about them in The Order, a religious cult, had been moulded by hatred and destruction.
The Last Judgement’s coming. Her time is limited. She must finish her task in order to save humanity.
But what if everything she’d known about those men was false ? What is their mission is far greater and complicated than expected ? And what if somehow she’s part of this mission ?
And what our dear FMC didn’t anticipate? The sheer sex appeal of the FOUR HORSEMEN 👀
Yep, you heard me right. Four sexy-as-hell, immortal, winged angel-demon men… and two of them, THE TWINS, (for now… 😏) are completely attached to her.
She’s feisty, stabby, and absolutely feral but I guess that’s exactly what makes her so irresistible to them😮💨
This dystopian post apocalyptic book is a perfect mix of religious dogma, Celtic mythology, god’s wrath, a heroine who’s torn between what’s she’d been born for and the reality of what’s to come : the last judgment.
This book blew my mind away, made me feel restless, sad, somehow happy for our FMC and more importantly this story mirrors our human nature and its flaws. The relationship between Eridess, Pollock and Orán is giving The court of ravens duet vibes omgggg🥵
And there’s more to come ! She’s yet to meet to two others… ahhhhh I can’t wait
Great topics were brought into light and it really makes us think about our future…
100% recommend !!!! Thank you The NerdFam and the author for the gifted eARC🫶🏼
Review of advance copy
I received this ARC early...
Huntress and her Four Horseman... While this story does start out slow (the first 10 or so chapters are hard to get through) but if you can power through it is worth it. This book, it really mostly laying out the current situation of where they are at in the world.. it's ending.
We meet Eridessa - I have a love/hate relationship with her.. She is strong but really hard headed. She is willing to save others but only knows what she knows and is having a hard time listening to anyone else that has a different mission than hers. That anyone else, the horseman. However, towards the end, she is starting to see (and she really deep down always knew) that there is something amiss in what she was taught.
We have Kahill - Holy Heck... I think there is going to be some hot stuff coming in the future books. He is not a main character in this story but he is one of the horseman and he will be in the future. He also has a demon in him, that is not so nice. He has not met Eridessa yet but.. there is some heat and looks between him and Pollock. Let see where that goes.
Tiarnach - We also have lots to learn about him too.. another horseman. He has not met Eridessa yet. So we will see what will be like when it happens...
Now, the two main horseman that we get to know this book....
Pollock - The "Bad" boy - He is going to be the one that will make Eridessa a stronger fighter and there will fight with her but he will protect her with his life. Plus the whole wolf shifter thing..
Oran - The "Sweet" one - I love him. He is going to be Eridessa healer, the one that she will have her quiet moments with.
While reading, I am wondering things... will Eridessa be a mate to all the horsemen?? Will Grand Minister Judiah be back? What is the real mission for Eridessa and what will she choose? What she was taught or that of what the horseman were taught. We will see...
Also, great chiffhanger....
Huntress and her Four Horseman... While this story does start out slow (the first 10 or so chapters are hard to get through) but if you can power through it is worth it. This book, it really mostly laying out the current situation of where they are at in the world.. it's ending.
We meet Eridessa - I have a love/hate relationship with her.. She is strong but really hard headed. She is willing to save others but only knows what she knows and is having a hard time listening to anyone else that has a different mission than hers. That anyone else, the horseman. However, towards the end, she is starting to see (and she really deep down always knew) that there is something amiss in what she was taught.
We have Kahill - Holy Heck... I think there is going to be some hot stuff coming in the future books. He is not a main character in this story but he is one of the horseman and he will be in the future. He also has a demon in him, that is not so nice. He has not met Eridessa yet but.. there is some heat and looks between him and Pollock. Let see where that goes.
Tiarnach - We also have lots to learn about him too.. another horseman. He has not met Eridessa yet. So we will see what will be like when it happens...
Now, the two main horseman that we get to know this book....
Pollock - The "Bad" boy - He is going to be the one that will make Eridessa a stronger fighter and there will fight with her but he will protect her with his life. Plus the whole wolf shifter thing..
Oran - The "Sweet" one - I love him. He is going to be Eridessa healer, the one that she will have her quiet moments with.
While reading, I am wondering things... will Eridessa be a mate to all the horsemen?? Will Grand Minister Judiah be back? What is the real mission for Eridessa and what will she choose? What she was taught or that of what the horseman were taught. We will see...
Also, great chiffhanger....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When someone said, “Why choose… but make it enemies-to-lovers with the Four Horsemen?” my answer was an immediate YES. 😍
This is definitely a slight deviation from my usual reads, and I won’t lie… the beginning had me feeling a little lost. You’re thrown straight into this huge post-apocalyptic world with biblical horror, ancient mythology, demons, gods, and so many moving pieces that I occasionally had to stop and figure out what was happening. But once everything started clicking into place… I was absolutely hooked.
What I loved most was how this story constantly challenged everything. Nothing is as black and white as it first seems. The Huntress has spent her entire life believing she’s destined to destroy the Four Horsemen, only to slowly realise that maybe the monsters aren’t who she was taught they were.
And the Horsemen? I was obsessed. Watching them evolve from these terrifying immortal beings into complex, morally grey characters with personalities, emotions, and free will was one of my favourite parts of the book. The tension between them all had me completely invested, and yes… I already know which one I’m rooting for. 👀
The world-building is massive, the twists genuinely caught me off guard, and every answer seemed to uncover three more questions. I do wish we’d explored more of the Huntress’s past and the Order that raised her, and sometimes I wanted the romance to breathe just a little longer before certain feelings developed. But honestly? None of that stopped me from desperately needing to know what happens next.
And then… THAT ENDING.
Darby Briar really looked at us, smiled, and chose violence with that cliffhanger. 😭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you love: 🖤 Why choose romance ⚔️ Enemies to lovers 🐎 The Four Horsemen 📖 Biblical horror 🔥 Morally grey immortals 💀 Post-apocalyptic fantasy 🤯 Twists that make you question everything
…then this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for book two because I have QUESTIONS.
This is definitely a slight deviation from my usual reads, and I won’t lie… the beginning had me feeling a little lost. You’re thrown straight into this huge post-apocalyptic world with biblical horror, ancient mythology, demons, gods, and so many moving pieces that I occasionally had to stop and figure out what was happening. But once everything started clicking into place… I was absolutely hooked.
What I loved most was how this story constantly challenged everything. Nothing is as black and white as it first seems. The Huntress has spent her entire life believing she’s destined to destroy the Four Horsemen, only to slowly realise that maybe the monsters aren’t who she was taught they were.
And the Horsemen? I was obsessed. Watching them evolve from these terrifying immortal beings into complex, morally grey characters with personalities, emotions, and free will was one of my favourite parts of the book. The tension between them all had me completely invested, and yes… I already know which one I’m rooting for. 👀
The world-building is massive, the twists genuinely caught me off guard, and every answer seemed to uncover three more questions. I do wish we’d explored more of the Huntress’s past and the Order that raised her, and sometimes I wanted the romance to breathe just a little longer before certain feelings developed. But honestly? None of that stopped me from desperately needing to know what happens next.
And then… THAT ENDING.
Darby Briar really looked at us, smiled, and chose violence with that cliffhanger. 😭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you love: 🖤 Why choose romance ⚔️ Enemies to lovers 🐎 The Four Horsemen 📖 Biblical horror 🔥 Morally grey immortals 💀 Post-apocalyptic fantasy 🤯 Twists that make you question everything
…then this one absolutely deserves a spot on your TBR.
Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for book two because I have QUESTIONS.
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