Thalassa’s writing style is lyrical, fitting given Ana’s profession as a singer. The world-building expands significantly in this sequel. We see more of the ravaged landscape and the desperate state of humanity. The author excels at painting a picture of decay and desire in equal measure. The "Strange Hymn" of the title refers to the twisted relationship between the characters—a song of survival sung in the key of damnation. Windows 7 Ultimate Super Slim Edition X64 June 2019 New Review
Fans of dark romance, enemies-to-lovers tropes, and supernatural fantasy. If you liked the chemistry of The Bargain but wanted more danger, Famine is your Horseman. Final Destination 5 Subtitles Download Extra Quality [2026]
If you enjoy the "villain gets the girl" trope, this book is a masterclass. Famine is a vastly different entity from his brother Pestilence. Where Pestilence was curious and eventually compassionate, Famine is cruel, arrogant, and unapologetically wicked. He is the Harbinger of hunger, and Thalassa does not shy away from making him terrifying.
Un himno extraño is a captivating, dark fantasy romance. It improves upon its predecessor in every way, offering higher stakes, a darker hero, and a heroine you can’t help but root for. It explores the morality of monsters and the humanity found in the most unlikely places.
If there is a critique to be made, it is that the "enemies-to-lovers" transition can feel slightly abrupt for those who prefer a slow-burn over multiple books. Famine’s cruelty in the early chapters is intense, and readers who need a "soft" hero might find the shift jarring. However, for fans of the genre, this is a feature, not a bug.
After the explosive introduction in The Bargain , Laura Thalassa returns with A Strange Hymn , the second installment in the Pesta (The Four Horsemen) series. While the first book laid the groundwork for a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by the Horsemen, this installment focuses on Pestilence’s brother, Famine, and it is here that Thalassa truly hits her stride.
The protagonist, Ana da Silva, is the perfect foil. Captured and forced to entertain Famine with her singing voice, Ana possesses a spine of steel. She is not a damsel in distress; she is a survivor who fights back with wit and defiance. The push-and-pull dynamic between them is electric. The "touch her and die" energy eventually morphing into a possessive obsession is exactly what fans of dark romance crave. Thalassa manages to write a redemption arc for a literal Horseman of the Apocalypse without stripping away what makes him frightening—a difficult balance to maintain.