ROSE OF JERICHO by @therealalexgrecian was a really fun return to the world of Sadie Grace, her daughter Rabbit and their sometimes companion Moses Burke in Book 2 Thank you to the author, @netgalley and the publishers, @macmillan.audio and @tornightfire for the audio and e-ARCs.

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All is not as it seems in the small town of Ascension, Massachusetts - the dead are not staying dead. Sadie Grace and Rabbit accompany their friend Rose to the town in historical New England so.that Rose can tend to her ailing cousin. When the cancer-ridden cousin all of a sudden appears to be cancer free, and when other unexplained accidents and misfortunes do not end in the ultimate tragedy as expected, Sadie is sure that the ghosts in the house they are staying at, Bethany Hall, are the least of her worries. Moses Burke has accidentally set in motion a string of events that will eventually find him meeting up with his old friends as a terrible, unstoppable force stalks toward them.

It was a pleasure to return to the historical fantastic world of RED RABBIT! I love these characters and enjoyed hearing another story with them at the center. This installment could certainly be read on its own too if you haven't had a chance to read RR. While not quite as action packed as the first, this one had a spooky, witchy mystery at the center that was really fun to unravel. I feel very present in the historical, rough, gritty atmosphere of Grecian's books because the descriptions and language are engulfing.

If you like historical horror, witches, ghosts that are not the villains, heartwarming found family,nand paranormal mysteries, you really can't go wrong with either of the books in this universe. This one just came out this month and is on shelves NOW!

The dead don’t die—but they do rot.
So what happens when Death itself is gone? How long before the torches and pitchforks come out for the witches? This story had me hooked. The characters were unforgettable, the atmosphere thick with dread and dust, and the way Alex Gracian blends western grit with eerie horror is just masterful. A follow-up of Red Rabbit, this one’s going to hit just as hard—maybe harder. It’s a reunion in all the right ways, but if you're new, don’t worry. You can jump in here and still feel the full impact. I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator absolutely nailed it. Totally immersive—like being pulled into a ghost town where the dead still whisper.

I don't typically read horror, but I felt this was manageable. What happens when the dead die, but they don't decompose and live among you? That's what is happening in this creepy New England town. Searching for a reason why, the town's citizens try to find answers.

I really liked the cast of characters, and the very original take on the western horror. Eerie and spooky vibes throughout the whole book, but also had you hanging on wanting to know wtf is going on!

I didn't know about Red Rabbit and plan to go back and read that now.

I listened to the audiobook version and I loved the narrator. I feel it was a really immersive work.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Yes!! I love this little series so much. It was pretty fast paced. I feel like the story really took off in the first few chapters. We pick up many years after the first book, and it would have been nice to have more info on what happened with Rose, Rabbit and Sadie Grace. We did get a nice glimpse into Moses’ life, which was nice.

The concept is dark and intriguing—unlike anything I've read before. I also loved "Red Rabbit"; it might be my favorite of the two, but I would rate both of them five stars. I didn't realize this was the second book in the story until after I requested, so I listened to both.

Rose and Moses are my favorite characters in both books. This second book introduced more characters than the first, which made it a bit challenging to keep track of everyone. However, I still felt the impact of their experiences. If you enjoy historical fiction, horror, and paranormal tales with ghosts, witches, and themes of death, you should add this one to your list!

The narrator does an incredible job with these characters. He seems like he would fit right in with the era and setting of the story. I especially loved the singing throughout the stories. That was such a nice touch. Great story! Definitely recommend.

Like Red Rabbit, Rose of Jericho starts off slow but steadily picks up steam, blending gritty western and horror elements into a tense, immersive ride. It leans heavily into plot, but never at the expense of its characters. I hope we get to revisit this world and some of these old friends again in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley for this audio to listen to. I really enjoyed it and used it to do an immersive read along with the book. The creepiness of the town and the characters of the story was very enjoyable. It had me hooked till the end of the book. I could not put this book down. I highly recommend reading or listening to the audio. The narration was done very well in this audio.

Pirhalla does a really nice job and has the perfect voice for narrating a western. And even has a lovely singing voice! It was great to revisit some old characters from Red Rabbit and inhabit this ghoulish world from Grecian.

I was so thrilled to see @macmillan.audio grant me access via @netgalley to 𝑹𝑶𝑺𝑬 𝑶𝑭 𝑱𝑬𝑹𝑰𝑪𝑯𝑶 𝒃𝒚 𝑨𝒍𝒆𝒙 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒏! I knew @watermarkbooksandcafe was hosting a pub week event, and I was so glad I could make it!

This was the first book of Grecian and I thoroughly enjoyed it! I had not known it is a sequel to RED RABBIT, so if you are like me and randomly gravitate to a book, feel free to do so here. I do want to read the, for me, prequel, now.

This is a story that begins with a man named Moses who after losing his beloved wife and child, hunts down The Grim Reaper and kills him. The ramifications are quickly revealed, and Moses seeks out help from a couple of witches he knows up in New England named Sadie and her daughter Rabbit.

I really loved the deeper themes in this book about the beauty of life, legacies, and why they matter in the framework of death. The way it was told made me chuckle aloud, gave me real emotional pause, and overall gave me sense of delight. There are ghosts, spirits, & some gory scenes, but the humor interspersed throughout kept it lighter and even reminded me of a certain knight in an old film whose loss of limbs were simply a flesh wound!

3.5 ⭐️

This was an interesting read. What happens when the dead are no longer dying? The villagers of Ascension are in the middle of multiple bizarre and supernatural incidents happening around them and have to figure out how to cope with the consequences.

The atmosphere throughout the story was eerie, with dark undertones. There were multiple characters, some of whom I found very interesting. Overall it was an enjoyable read though the pacing felt a bit slow at times.

Audio Narration Review: I enjoyed the narration. I think the narrator did a great job of bringing the story and characters to life.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

CW
Spouse death (child loss)
Murder
Gore
Hanging

This supernatural horror takes us to the eerie town of Ascension, Massachusetts, where death’s natural order is seriously disrupted. People aren’t staying dead, and as you can imagine, it’s not just ghosts and ghouls causing trouble—there’s something much darker at play. The book weaves a fantastic mix of historical setting, suspense, and eerie supernatural occurrences that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The characters are intriguing, especially the main trio—three women trying to uncover what’s going on, all while dealing with ghosts, witches, and a mysterious force threatening their lives. The balance of mystery and horror is solid, and while the pace doesn’t always hit the “action-packed” mark, it’s still engaging enough to keep you turning pages. The writing is beautifully atmospheric, with a hint of humor to lighten the intensity now and then.

Overall, it's a fun and unique read that adds a fresh twist to the supernatural genre. While it didn’t hit the same nerve-tingling excitement as some other horror novels, the world-building and character dynamics were enough to make it an enjoyable ride. If you’re a fan of creepy stories with a historical twist, this one’s for you.

A big thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion!

In this magical New England setting, Grecian tells a tell of death and troubles there-within. I did not know this was a sequel going into it, but still enjoyed the book!

I think the book that most surprised back in 2023 was Alex Grecian’s Red Rabbit. It was a masterful blending of genres: western, fantasy, and horror lite. And I have been dying to find another book that captured that same magical mix. Well here it is, and wouldn’t you the book Rose of Jericho and also just happens to to be by Alex Grecian and is in fact the follow up to Red Rabbit. I do recommend reading Red Rabbit first. I don’t necessary think it’s a requirement, though having knowledge of these character’s previous adventure will enhance your enjoyment of this one. A bit slower paced than Red Rabbit, the story of Rose of Jericho is no less thrilling. Moses, Sadie Grace, Rabbit, and Rose are return for this adventure. I really don’t want to give too much of the story away, stop reading this review and go in blind if you can. But if you are still reading here is a little taste of what you’ll find. Sadie Grace, Rabbit, and Rose arrive in the town of Ascension to find things are quite off. No one is dying. No, everyone isn’t the picture of health, they just aren’t dying. A woman who was on death’s door from cancer only days ago is now up and about, her son trampled by a wayward wagon is also up and moving. Are old friend Moses, who might have had a hand in what is happening, has a conversation with a hung man. This is but a tease of events within this fantastic story. Rose of Jericho features great characters, a fantastic setting, and one heck of a story. I really hope this isn’t Grecian’s last foray in this world. I’d be more than happy to saddle up for another adventure. John Pirhalla, who also worked on Red Rabbit, has returned and he once again does a fantastic job with the narration. I can’t recommend this series enough. This is a mixing a genres you never knew you needed. And believe me, you need it! I’d like to thank Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review an advanced copy of the audio version of Rose of Jericho.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2EXW1OGZZZDIE/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing with Macmillan Audio as well as the author and the narrator for this audio ARC.
#NetGalley #MAC25 #TorPublishingGroup #MacmillanAudio #RoseofJericho #AlexGrecian
#audiobook #ARC #horror #western #fiction #John Pirhalla

Title: Rose of Jericho
Author: Alex Grecian
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: John Pirhalla
Publisher: Tor Publishing/Macmillan Audio
Publication Date: March 11, 2025

For the reader who loved Red Rabbit, the author has given us this sequel to it. I liked this one more, and I loved Red Rabbit. This one tells the story of a small village in Ascension, MA. It seems the dead aren't staying dead. Rabbit and Sadie Grace travel to Ascension to help a friend of theirs care for a sick family member and find the small village teeming with supernatural residents. They try to figure out what’s going on, but they have to be discreet because something else is coming for them, something much worse.

It’s notable that this novel can stand alone from the first one. Having said that, read the first one. It’s great and will add to the reader’s enjoyment of this novel. While this new installment isn’t as action packed as the first, it did solidify my relationship with returning characters and establish solid connections and feelings with new ones. My favorite thing about this book was the plethora of ghosts and other supernatural beings. The ghosts were my favorite. Although the many characters and shifting points of view were a lot sometimes, I enjoyed it too. It made me pay attention and, like I said, I loved all the monsters. The author balances the strange with the humor masterfully. I advise the reader to dive in and pay attention. This book is great for horror fans and western fans alike. Alex Grecian is a fantastic writer and we’ll be seeing plenty of him. I advise readers to get in on this!

All in all, I recommend the audiobook as it is fantastically narrated by John Pirhalla. This book is a super fun weird western and I loved every minute of it.

Important note: Be aware that ROSE OF JERICHO is a sequel to RED RABBIT. This information isn’t (at the time I’m writing this) anywhere on the cover or in the description, but it absolutely should be.

This story picks up ten years after the first book. We don’t get anything in the way of introduction to help with remembering past details, so it took me a bit to settle in.

I really liked what the author was going for with this story, regarding the persecution of witches, and the issues around death as an entity and a necessity. But I felt it was all spread a little thin. I loved the first book, and while I enjoyed this one, I just didn’t feel that same magic.

I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by John Pirhalla, who also narrated RED RABBIT. I loved the way he embodied the mood and tone of the story and characters.

*Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook download.*

4.5 Stars – A Hauntingly Haunting Sequel

I enjoyed this more than the first book. It has a less adventure, more haunted feel to it, which perfectly suits the eerie setting of Ascension, Massachusetts. The atmosphere is rich with unease—ghosts in Bethany Hall, a village where the dead don’t stay dead, and something lurking in the attic.

Rabbit, Sadie Grace, and Rose are compelling, but I do think you’ll want to read the first book to fully appreciate them. If you love horror with creeping tension and witchcraft, this is a must-read. Haunting, unsettling, and highly recommended!

Thank you, NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and TOR Publishing, for the advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.

The way I wanted to love this!!!! But it ended up being average for me.

Disclaimer: I read this as an audiobook. Thank you so much for the free audiobook. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The premise of this book was sure to be an absolute banger. And while I did enjoy the book as I was listening to it, I don't think it's gonna be something that sticks with me and I don't think it's something I'll ever reread or come back to you.

I just found all of the characters to be very similar in tone and tempo. I had a hard time telling one character from another. They all seem to have very similar voices and agendas. There was a stark difference for me and characters. I cared to read about and other POV's that I absolutely just wish would go by faster.

But I really love the premise and the idea of the story and that's what kept me going. I found the ending to be fully satisfactory as well. I hesitate to give this a low rating simply because I feel like part of the situation for why I did not enjoy this might be my own fault. I found out partway through my listen that this is the second book and what is a series. so I feel like I might be missing context and character development from the first book. I did like the premise enough and a few of the characters enough to go ahead and order the first book so I'm gonna go back and read that and see if that changes my opinion of this book at all.

I had to pause this at 40% because I realized that it was a sequel to Red Rabbit. So I went back and listened to Red Rabbit first and then re-started Rose. I loved the audio. The narrator was perfect for this type of book and did a great job with the different characters and their unique voices. It can be tricky to follow multiple POV (3rd person) on audio and I think he did a solid job. The story is fun. It felt a little like Monty Python with the band of buddies traveling around. I also really enjoyed the "dead who are not dead* theme. It was humorous but dark. I think this would be a good read for fans of Stephen Graham Jones and who like Clint Eastwood/Django type movies. I wouldn't necessarily classify this as horror although there are some horror-esque components with the living dead and the hangings. Also TW for hangings and some animal death.

A great follow up to Red Rabbit without the issues of the first novel. It's just as devastating and gory as the first and I'd love to see more happen in this world -- preferably with the surviving characters.

“It might have happened, but this is the story of how Death returned to the world, not the story of a happy little girl.”

Rose Nettles arrives in Ascension, Massachusetts to visit her dying cousin. Rose, along with Sadie Grace and her daughter Rabbit, are shocked to discover that Clarissa Sinclair is far from knocking on death’s door. There is something strange about Ascension and it’s not just that the dead don’t seem to die. Their new home, Bethany House, seems to have an unusual number of ghosts and people tend to vanish and never return.

I didn’t realize this was a sequel to Red Rabbit when I requested - honestly, I loved Red Rabbit and just wanted another book by this author. I do think it can be read as a standalone. It’s been a few years since I read RR so I’ve definitely forgotten some of the lead up, but I think you will enjoy Rose of Jericho even more if you read both. I loved seeing these characters again and loved how the author focused on Rose, Sadie Grace, and Rabbit to continue the story. I loved how cut off from the world the characters seemed and how we did get a look into parts of Ascension’s history. This was a creepy good time full of grotesque imagery, ghosts, and Death himself.

This was such a well done audiobook. We follow quite a lot of characters over the course of this novel and John Pirhalla did such a good job voicing them all. It was easy to follow and I never lost track of who was speaking. I really hope we get a third novel set in this world.

Thank you to Tor Nightfire & Macmillan Audio for an early copy.

I loved Alex Grecian’s ‘Red Rabbit’, so I was excited to dive into ‘Rose of Jericho’ the sequel that brings back familiar faces. You can totally read it on its own, but you’ll miss out on some great character development!

Set in 1881, this wild ride follows a mismatched crew of bandits and cowpokes on a quest to find a witch in a quirky version of America where people are dying but not staying dead. Grecian has nailed the blend of supernatural horror and historical fiction.

I listened to the audiobook arc and had a blast revisiting this strange American West and hanging out with these fascinating characters. John Pirhalla absolutely nailed it here! Fingers crossed for a third book!

Rose of Jericho publishes tomorrow! March 11th and I highly recommend this novel via audiobook. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️