Rose of Jericho

Sadie Grace #2

by Alex Grecian

From the New York Times bestselling author of Red Rabbit comes a supernatural horror where ghosts and ghouls are the least of a witch’s problems in historical New England.

Something wicked is going on in the village of Ascension. A mother wasting away from cancer is suddenly up and about. A boy trampled by a milk cart walks away from the accident. A hanged man can still speak, broken neck and all.

The dead are not dying.

When Rabbit and Sadie Grace accompany their friend Rose to Ascension to help take care of her ailing cousin, they immediately notice that their new house, Bethany Hall, is occupied by dozens of ghosts. And something is waiting for them in the attic.

The villagers of Ascension are unwelcoming and wary of their weird visitors. As the three women attempt to find out what’s happening in the town, they must be careful not to be found out. But a much larger―and more dangerous―force is galloping straight for them…

Genres: Horror, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical, Witches, Westerns

337 pages, Hardcover

First published March 11, 2025

About the author

Grecian is the author of several bestselling thrillers, including THE SAINT OF WOLVES AND BUTCHERS, and five novels featuring Scotland Yard's Murder Squad: THE YARD, THE BLACK COUNTRY, THE DEVIL'S WORKSHOP, THE HARVEST MAN, and LOST AND GONE FOREVER, plus the original Murder Squad ebook, THE BLUE GIRL.

He also created the six-volume graphic novel series PROOF, and the two-part graphic novel RASPUTIN.

He currently lives in the American Midwest with his wife and son. And a dog. And a tarantula.

Reviews

[MagretFume · Rating 4 out of 5]

The dead don't die, but they do decompose. 
What happens when Death is dead and how soon will the whitch hunt start? 

It was a gripping tale. I really liked the cast of characters, and the very original take on the western horror, all in the beautiful and eerie prose of Alex Gracian. 

If you liked Red Rabbit, you'll love this one and reuniting with some of the characters. 
But you also can start here and fully enjoy this book. 

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

Thank you Macmillan audio for this ARC!

[Sadie Hartmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title/Author: Rose of Jericho by Alex Grecian

Page Count: 352 pages

Publisher: Tor Nightfire

Format: NetGalley ebook

Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: Want to read Red Rabbit

Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978125087...

Release Date: March 11th, 2025

General Genre: Horror; Gothic fiction; Historical fantasy; Dark fantasy

Sub-Genre/Themes: 1800's, Accidents, Cancer, grief, Ghosts, Haunted houses, Superstition,
Undead, Villages, Witches

Writing Style: World-building, sparse

What You Need to Know: From the New York Times bestselling author of Red Rabbit comes a supernatural horror where ghosts and ghouls are the least of a witch’s problems in nineteenth-century New England.

My Reading Experience: I knew this book would be good (I've heard a lot of praise for Red Rabbit) but I was not prepared for this. The main character is so deep in grief, that he stalks Death, and kills him. It goes so badly for everyone involved.
The setting is split between Nicodemus, Kansas (1881) and Ascension, Massachusetts, where things are getting… weird. The dead aren’t staying dead, people are going missing, and something is seriously wrong. Meanwhile, a trio of women—Sadie, Rabbit, and Rose—arrive in Ascension, only to find themselves caught in the middle of a supernatural mess. I love how Grecian writes them; they feel like real people, full of humor and wisdom. They move into a local cabin known to be haunted and sure enough, it is filled to the brim with spirits.

"At least twenty-seven women had been murdered in the cabin. Twenty-seven people had gone missing and their stories had ended in that lonely place."

This book is eerie in the best way. The atmosphere is thick with gothic vibes, a mix of Western, horror, and folk magic, and it’s so cinematic—I can practically see this playing out like an old-school horror movie.

Final Recommendation: Perfect for fans who love genre-blending horror with elements of dark fantasy and humor with just a hint of Gothic and a historical Western setting. The characters are colorful and entertaining.

Comps: Red Rabbit by Alex Grecian, Himself by Jess Kidd, At the Bottom of the Garden by Camilla Bruce

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

WANTED: Rugged individual to don black robe and carry scythe. Duties include severing the fine thread between life and death, and sending souls on to the next plain of existence. Travel required.

When Death is murdered, no one will lie down and die anymore.

Witches, angels, ghosts, and the walking undead mix it up with us regular old human folk in this dark but entertaining tale.

[Dead Inside · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You’re not our enemy, she said at last. But like you say, you brought the enemy to us.”

Outstanding follow up to Red Rabbit, I love the setting of this book, I can feel the atmosphere in Grecian’s writing.I did not want to leave Ascension and I hope I can return soon.

[Amos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Far from dreadful, but nowhere near as enjoyable as Red Rabbit. Booooo! Was the spark missing, or did I snuff it out with constant comparisons? Hmmmm....??
I'm not totally sure, but the bottom line is that this tale never fully grabbed a hold of me. I kept forgetting who was who, who was doing what and why- ya know, things I normally remember when I'm fully engrossed in a story. The premise was fun, and it was nice to visit with characters past, but as a whole, this one was a bit of a disappointment.

Three Dispirited Stars

[I’m a book mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the return of my favorite characters from the first book, however, I wish we didn’t miss out on 10 years of Rabbit’s life or all of them for that matter. Tell me more about those 10 years or don’t move forward in time at all. In my opinion, her age didn’t have any impact on the events that transpired. Really the only reason for the passing of years was Moses’ storyline, otherwise, I feel like we could have simply picked right back up with our fave characters without a gap in time. Anyway, I digress.

I wish I could say that this plot was as riveting as the first, but it just didn’t impact me the same. Less suspense and gore and violence than I expected. Everything felt incredibly rushed. I wasn’t as invested in certain characters because I started to suspect or even predict how each scene would play out. It was basically like…who is gonna “die but not die” next. Also, I wanted soo much more background on the side characters. An entire horror book solely about the masked generational witch hunters would have been freaking epic and creepy.

That being said, I thoroughly enjoy this author’s writing style. It was engaging and read quickly, I just felt there were too many characters and not enough background info to make them all feel significant. I also never felt like I fully grasped the significance of the Record Keeper and the Shepherd or the motive behind Bell lingering about. Overall, not nearly as good as Red Rabbit, but I loved the premise of “what happens when the natural order is disrupted and the dead don’t stay dead” and I just wish we settled on a smaller cast of characters with more details to really drive the concept home. I couldn’t decide between 3 & 4 stars, so I decided to go with 4 because of how fast paced and attention-keeping it was.

[♡ retrovvitches ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

i’m sorry hear me out… it wasn’t bad!! i think objectively it’s got strong writing and a great plot. just for some reason i could not get into this!! the dialogue comes off so odd to me. i liked it in the beginning but by the end i just wanted to finish it. this has very good reviews and i wish i felt the same :(

[Krystle Rouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got to listen to Rose of Jericho on audio. It was okay, sometimes I had a hard time with so many point of views and so many plot lines. There wasn’t enough depth in the book which would had made a better impact. I also wish I knew that this was the second book of Red Rabbit. I wish NetGalley would have mentioned that and maybe I would have understood something’s better.

I want to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

💙📚
🩸📚
🌶️📚

[Kurryreads (Kerry) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars - thank you Tor Nightfire for an early copy of this book!

It’s always hard to really give a full review for a sequel without spoiling parts of the first, so I’m definitely holding back details I’d otherwise mention.

The first book as I described in my review was a wild and action packed ride, while this one is slower (not to say it doesn’t have action, it does) but it’s more focused on character development while at the same time having the perfect balance of mystery occurring throughout.

I really enjoyed just getting to know the characters that I loved in the first book in a different light as well as new characters that really complement each other. Definitely recommend if read the first book, honestly even if you didn’t love Red Rabbit I’d still recommend this one.


Video review: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT2f2qS2X/

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a world of witches, ghosts, angels, and more, readers are thrust into the stories of several characters. They each navigate strange phenomenon, including dead folks not dying, creatures with too many eyes appearing in the darkness, a cabin full of women’s scalps from so-called witch hunters, and more.

Didn’t love the old west settings, and there were too many characters taking centre stage. I felt like I knew everyone’s name by the end, but no real details about their history, motivations, etc.

As a standalone, it’s ok, but if it’s a series, I definitely won’t be continuing it.

Oh, I just read another review that says this is the second book in a series… and that a lot of explanation happens in the first book…. Good to know I guess 🙄
Still disappointed the other gave zero background on Sadie, Rabbit, Rose and others.

[Katrina Vallett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex Grecian has done it again! Rose of Jericho is an action packed sequel to Red Rabbit, the jaw dropping, heart pounding, supernatural/horror/historical fiction mashup.

Rose of Jericho picks up about 10 years later centering around the few characters who made it out of book 1 alive. I highly recommend reading Red Rabbit first because it provides important insight into the main characters in this book. But no worries! You have time to devour Red Rabbit before Rose of Jericho's publication date in mid-March (3-11).

Rose of Jericho is a fast paced, plot driven novel with short chapters that follow along several characters all leading to one path. As with the last book, there are many deaths, but the question this time is whether or not the dead will finally lie down. (Don't worry, they are not zombies.)

Despite this being a supernatural/horror/historical fiction, there is also spit-out-your-tea humor, redemption and love.

I have no idea how he comes up with this entertaining madness, but I'm grateful for it all the same! I hope we haven't seen the last of Sadie Grace!

I'll be checking out more of Alex Grecian's other novels.

[Ryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

More thoughts to come after the book has been officially published…. this whole book got me messed up

[Darcia Helle · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.*

[Samantha Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

About halfway through the book, I found out that it was a sequel to a book called Red Rabbit. Separate from that I don't think you need to read the first one to enjoy this one but it is important to note. I enjoyed the premise of the story and how the author developed an overlapping web of characters that interacted with each other but I felt that a certain depth was missing. The atmosphere reminded me of Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle which was part of what made this story so enjoyable for me.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“…This is the story of how Death returned to the world…”

There is, of course, a natural order to things. We are born, we live, and then we die. But what if we meet our demise and Death cannot keep his appointment with us? What happens then? It seems like it would be quite chaotic with the dead still living, wearing the evidence of their (sometimes violent) deaths on their bodies.

You might think that sounds like a zombie story, and since the characters of Rose of Jericho are technically the walking dead, I suppose you aren’t wrong. But I don’t really think this is a zombie story, and it is certainly unlike any zombie tale I’ve ever encountered before. I think you’ll agree that it’s refreshingly original once you get to know the residents of Ascension.

Rose of Jericho is a gut punching horror that hurts the reader almost as much as it hurts its characters. It’s beautifully told, sometimes even humorous, and its narrative path is continuously unexpected and exciting. I truly adored this story, and had trouble setting the book down.

I did not realize that this was a sequel to Red Rabbit, a novel I have not yet read, until I was already invested in the story. While I’m sure there is some pertinent background information in the previous book, I do believe this can easily be consumed as a standalone. Having declared this as my current favorite of 2025, however, I fully intend to dive into Red Rabbit soon. I need more of Alex Grecian‘s creative mind fully occupying my own.

I am immensely grateful to Tor Nightfire for my copy. All opinions are my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

THIS IS A SEQUEL/COMPANION TO RED RABBIT!! It does spoil Red Rabbit as characters from that book are prevalent in this one.

With the amount of animal death/abuse, this book is lucky to get 3 stars. It also had HORRENDOUSLY long chapters that made me want to pull my hair out, but the story itself was very interesting, so I pushed myself to finish it. I know this is a bold statement, but I'm starting to feel like if an author can't write a horror/darker book without harming animals then they need to sit down and do some soul searching. 🤷‍♀️ just my opinion. Do whatever you want to the stupid, nasty humans but leave the innocent animals tf alone.

oh... and the book takes place in 1881 but contains a song that didn't exist until 1892... soooo just because something is fiction doesn't mean it doesn't have to be historically accurate. 🤷‍♀️

[Books Amongst Friends · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narration: 3.75/5
Overall: 4/5

First, a huge thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC, and my local library for the physical copy!

When I first finished this book, I had to sit with my thoughts. My initial reaction? A solid 3 or 3.5 stars. But the more I thought about it—the conversations it’s having, the way it delivers those themes—I had to give credit where it’s due. This is an undeniably well-written book. And that reflection made me bump it up to four stars. The only thing holding it back from a five-star rating is that certain sections felt dragged out. There were moments where I was waiting for something to happen, and while those moments serve the story, I found my interest waning. That said, I’m glad I stuck with it because once it hits its stride, it really hits. Grecian has a talent for laying the groundwork so that, in hindsight, you can appreciate the space he creates for reflection.

One thing I really liked was the continuation of utilizing the same narrator from Red Rabbit. While I enjoyed the narration and think it suited the tone of the book, I wouldn’t call it particularly riveting. The biggest drawback to the audiobook is the sheer number of perspectives and voices in the story, which made it difficult to follow on its own. There’s a lot to keep tabs on, everyone’s on a mission of their own, so having the book in front of you makes it easier to stay grounded in the story. Because of that, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend the audiobook solely—I think this book is best experienced as an immersive read with a physical copy to pair like wine and cheese.

Now, onto the story. If someone asked me to sum this up, I’d say this is a book about death and what happens when death—both the concept and the entity—is killed. I loved how the novel explores this idea through individual characters, their losses, their grief, and their pain. The characters are positioned in a way that forces you to reconsider death, purpose, and the very idea of the afterlife. One quote in particular encapsulates so much of the book’s existential questioning:
“What does the promise of heaven mean to someone who would not see it? What did the threat of hellfire mean to someone who has no fear of death?”
That’s the kind of questioning that runs deep in this story.

The book opens with Moses, a man consumed by loss and vengeance after death takes his wife and child. In his grief, he does what seems impossible—he kills death itself. This act sets off a chain of events that spiral outward in unexpected ways.

Moses, to me, is fascinating because despite being dead, he still has purpose. That sense of purpose is what keeps him grounded, which is why he never truly loses himself the way Benjamin does. And I think that’s why we continue to see him have these deeply human moments. It’s no surprise, then, when he ultimately cuts down Frank and approaches situations with humility and logic. There’s something really human about knowing your purpose and chasing it relentlessly. Then there’s Frank 😅😂 . If I had to compare Frank to a modern-day figure, he gives used car salesman energy. Shady, self-serving, always looking for the next loophole. He’s frustrating, annoying, and sometimes downright absurd, but he’s also an entertaining commentary on how people cling to life as if death isn’t inevitable. Frank is constantly scheming, constantly reinventing himself, refusing to acknowledge the finality of his existence. The irony is that, all along, death is laughing at him.

Which brings me to one of my favorite characters in the book: Lucy. Lucy took me by surprise. In some ways, she and Moses are similar: both are driven by a pursuit. But where Moses has a purpose that carries him forward, Lucy is desperately trying to regain control over something that is already lost. Lucy is fueled by desperation. Her love for her community— all that she knows—drives her, even when her actions seem unhinged.

Beyond the characters, the book also reminded me of a D&D game. There’s a clear dungeon master orchestrating the events, giving the illusion of control while guiding everything toward a predetermined end. No matter how chaotic the journey, everything remains connected, leading to the desired outcome. That aspect of the story really emphasized the idea of how small we are in the grand scheme of things, which is what made the back-and-forth between Bell and Alexander so compelling.

Now, on the horror side of things, this book would be terrifying in a visual format— preferably a graphic novel. That’s not to say it isn’t unsettling—there are definitely eerie moments, especially with Benjamin’s decline and the villagers who have lost their sense of self in death. The brutality of witch trials, the predatory older man who preys on young women, and the violence that unfolds as a result all add to the book’s eerie, and at times, disturbing atmosphere. It’s horror, but it’s also poetic, melancholic, and deeply philosophical in its examination of death.

Ultimately, Rose of Jericho is about the duality of death—how it is both heartbreaking and necessary, beautiful and violent, forgiving and vengeful. And that’s what stuck with me the most—the way this book engages with death. How we prepare for it, prolong it, resist it, and ultimately have no say in it. How in the end, it reminds us that life goes on.

The story itself is engaging enough and successfully atmospheric, but there’s also a heaviness, a deep undercurrent of philosophy and inevitability. That said, I can see why some readers might struggle with it. Many will inevitably compare it to Red Rabbit, and while Red Rabbit provides context, I think Rose of Jericho stands better on its own. Others might find it hard to accept the idea of a regular man killing death or might not enjoy the supernatural elements. But if you’re willing to go along for the ride—especially those early scenes with Frank and Billy lol— then this book will fulfill your western gothic horror needs! Definitely worth picking up.

Spoiler Section:
There were a few characters I didn’t mention in my initial thoughts because, frankly, I didn’t feel strongly about them either way. Sadie, Rose, and Rabbit are major perspectives in the book, but I never truly felt like they were in danger, which lessened my investment. What was interesting was how Bell and Alexander orchestrated events while Sadie and Rose believed they had control. Their connection to nature and their evolving abilities were intriguing elements of the story.

One of the best aspects of the book is how each death is thematically tied to the character. Frank, always in some sort of mess, is left hanging—literally. Lucy, consumed by obsession, is killed by the person she loves most, only to then kill her parents in an act that is both protective and deeply personal. Rabbit enacts brutal vengeance against the men responsible for generations of witch trials. Moses, who once took his own life because he couldn’t live without his family, finds himself unknowingly on a journey to pass death’s appointment book to his successor. Esmeralda, in contrast, represents innocence—her presence serves to reaffirm Moses’s purpose. And the yellow dog that follows them? To me, it is death, always lingering, always watching, never far behind.

[Paul Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You can’t kill me because I’m already dead. If you’re planning to drag me down to Hell, then get it over with; just stop scaring my dog.” -Moses Burke

This is the story of how Death returns to the world. Yes, that is Death with a capital D. When there is no Death, whatever is killed will remain sentient like nothing ever happened to them, even if they were run down by a milk cart, broke several ribs, and witnesses were able to peer inside them and watch their heart stop.
Much like Red Rabbit, the sequel Rose of Jericho is all about the characters. Alex Grecian is a master at creating distinctive people that you care about and then placing them in quirky situations.
While I did not find this to be scary, it was filled with ghosts, witches, the living dead, angels/demons, murder and gore. There were a few tense scenes along with many humorous ones that kept me turning the pages to discover the next strange and unexpected plot point.

“I suppose you want me to ask what this woman cursed you with, but if I were to guess I’d say it was ignorance.” -another good line from Moses

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since Death stops collecting the dead in this novel, and the dead just go on living lives (or go a lil’ crazy), this novel is filled with everything you would think might occur in that situation. There is tons of body horror, gore, blood, violence, infant death, mourning (previous deaths), decay, vom, an o.d., drug use, gun violence, poisoning, and a LOT OF **ANIMAL INJURY AND DEATH**. So be warned about this. There may be something I’ve missed mentioning, and if you can think of it, please feel free to comment about it on my review.

My friend A Mac wrote the perfect review for this novel. It mentions everything I wanted to say, and in just the right way. Please read it here, as I couldn’t say it any better:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

John Pirhalla Is the wonderful narrator for the audiobook version of this novel. Not only did I love his narration work on this audiobook, but I especially loved his singing! There were two hymns around the halfway mark , and Pirhalla has a lovely voice. I hope he gets to sing more often in his narration work, and I’m definitely going to request more of Pirhalla’s audiobooks at my library, and soon.thank you to Macmillan Audio and everyone involved, on their work on this audiobook.

3.5 stars, and recommended to those who can handle the content.

[Vaidotas · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75

Nemeluosiu, paėmiau tik todėl, kad norejau pasijuokti dėl neapgalvoto ø vartojimo viršelyje, vis dar krizenu į jį pažvelgęs. Ir tiesą tariant, palieku romaną maloniai nustebintas. Nepaisant to, kad buvo daaaaug progų spustelt akseleratorių ties makabriškais šiurpuliais (ypatingai pabaigoje, kuri apmaudžiai nusaldinta - net ir su esamu finalu, tikrai įmanoma buvo kitaip prieiti), daug smagių akimirkų suteikęs, gerai parašytas kūrinys. Beprotišką POV gausą beveik visiškai atsvėrė tai, jog kai kurie iš" pasakotojų" buvo visa galva aukščiau savo kolegų

[Lata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Returning to the world of "Red Rabbit", author Alex Grecian sets this story several years later, and brings back these characters: Moses Burke, Sadie Grace, Rabbit Grace and Rose Nettles.

Moses Burke has married Katie Foster, and is awaiting the birth of their first child. Unfortunately, Death arrives, and Moses, overcome by anger and grief, tracks down and kills the Grim Reaper, then himself. But, he does not die, and then, accompanied by a yellow dog, begins wandering. When the dog brings him the book Death had had in his saddle bag, Moses notices names familiar to him, one an old friend, and one more recent, Rose Nettles. Though he had not seen Rose in years, he sets his course toward her.

Meanwhile, the three women have arrived in the small town of Ascension, Massachusetts, from Philadelphia, where Rose had been nursing her mother. The women move in to Bethany Hall, but find themselves avoiding the attic, for no reason they can fathom.

Sadie also finds a cabin, hidden in the woods, with horrific evidence of numerous murders of young women.

Then Benjamin, son of the wealthy Clarissa Sinclair, a cousin of Rose's, is run over by a carriage, but he gets up and walks home…..

And everywhere, including Ascension, people who die don’t stay dead. Moses encounters some of these people, including the young Esmerelda Rosas, who decides to accompany him on his journey to reunite with Rose. Sadie and Rabbit, and understand what is happening.

Travel is again a big part of this second entry in the Red Rabbit universe, as Moses begins to realize, as he moves toward the trio, that his rage precipitated a bizarre situation where the dead don't stay dead. These dead have interesting responses to their situations, where some attempt to continue with their daily lives, while others see this as an unexpected gift, while yet others end up growing delusional and violent.

Voice actor John Pirhalla again brings his talents to the many characters in this book (he voiced Red Rabbit as well); Moses' deep grief, honour and quiet sense of humour come through clearly. Rose and Rabbit's sense and concern for the worsening situation around them are well illustrated by Pirhalla.

This was such a pleasure to listen to. Grecian again balances horror with deep emotion, and while sprinkling in some dark humour and, of course, the fantastic. It's gothic and tragic; the original characters (from the previous book) are more fleshed out, and must consider new horrors, problems and choices. The story goes in directions I did not expect, and I came to love both Rose, Moses, Sadie and Rabbit even more than I already did. I would gladly read and/or listen to more stories set in this universe, as long as Grecian wants to write them.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for my review.

[Nina The Wandering Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

"What does the promise of heaven mean to someone who would not see it? What did the threat of hellfire mean to someone who has no fear of death?"

Alex Grecian really knows how to write a damn good Horror Western!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compared to Red Rabbit, this felt a little disjointed, and there was too much Benjamin and not enough of Sadie or Rabbit for me. It's not as rollicking a read as Red Rabbit, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. It is a mostly satisfying continuation of the series.

[Brittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Red Rabbit and Rose was a top tier character! I hope we get another with her new journey. While you can totally read this as a standalone you’ll enjoy it more with the character background is you read Red Rabbit first. Great for spooky season!!

[Wyatt Flett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alex Grecian's sequel continues where his characters left off in Red Rabbit, with Rose of Jericho, as the three women who managed to survive the last book make it to Ascension. A town where the dead don't die, which doesn't mean that dying doesn't take a toll on their recently resurrected souls. While Rose is looking after her cancer-cured cousin, Moses is having his encounters with the supernatural after murdering the Grim Reaper in a fit of grief and rage after the death of his wife.

I'll value what Rose of Jericho has to say about the appreciation of life and the impact of death within the perspectives of both old and new characters in the book. However, I couldn't get the emotional weight of what the people of Ascension were going through with this "curse" being placed upon them. I could guess their state of undying brings them unhappiness, especially when it comes to the Sinclairs and Lucy Knox. With how they are getting worse after they are allowed to cheat death, I couldn't help but think that something was missing that could invest me in their second chances at life. On another note, Moses' travels across the West gripped me as his journey was similar to the momentum and enthrallment of reading Red Rabbit. By comparison, I feel that the pacing of this sequel has become slower as we continue to cut back to Ascension, where tension rarely gets stressed in that little town.

The fantasy and supernatural elements worked well within the narrative. However, there wasn't as much of a strong pull to them as they managed to have in the first novel. It was just how these unnatural events and people appear before the main characters before they get treated as nothing but regularly expected in Grecian's world. It was probably the same gist as Red Rabbit, which could mean that the issue could have been just a more favourable story.

While I believe that this story is more fantasy-western than horror, there were some pretty macabre moments, such as when Sadie finds the cabin in the woods filled with scalps belonging to the witch hunters or the description of the hanged and just breathing Frank Smiley with his eye sockets rotting and empty. A moment in the book that can be considered as coming closer to cringeworthy is the imagery of Newton Winter disembowelling himself in the cemetery to lessen his bodily load. Too bad after that, Winter and Prosper Knox's fates were unsatisfying, as we don't see their victims deliver proper mob justice to them.

[Carla Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. Oh WOW. This story plot was way different than anything I've ever read before. It was wonderful and refreshing. The story takes place in Ascension Massachusetts in 1881. Several people are dying in the small town, but the problem is they aren't staying dead. They just get up and continue on with their everyday lives as nothing has happened to them. Walking, talking and everything in between still very much alive. It's happening all over the world. Some people think it is a miracle, others believe it's because of witches in the town. The witch hunts begin again. Why did this start happening? Why are people starting to decompose but still very much alive inspite of it. How has this begun and how do they stop it? Read the book and find out. Very well written. A lot of very interesting characters in this book. I couldn't put this one down, I read it in less than 24 hours. You have to read this one.

[myreadingescapism · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I had no idea what this was about, I went it completely blind and I’m so glad I did because this was fucking amazing.

[Bronwyn Knox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of the gang from Red Rabbit—Rose, Moses, Rabbit, and Sadie—face a new adventure when the dead stop dying.

It’s not really a sequel; you can pick this up and enjoy it, even without reading Red Rabbit.

The main setting is a small town called Ascension, in late-19th century New England. It sort of feels like a western, but it’s not set in the west.

Sadie, Rabbit, and Rose move to Ascension mostly for Rose, so she can take a job as a school teacher and be near her sick and dying cousin, Clarissa. Once the supernatural stuff starts going down, all the dirty secrets the townspeople of Ascension had been keeping are brought to light.

Death is gone so things are unburied.

The other half of the story involves Moses, who makes a long and dangerous journey from Illinois to the east, hoping to locate Sadie and her family again. Moses has recently lost his own family, so the subject of death is his central preoccupation.

I had a good time reading this, maybe not quite as much as Red Rabbit, but Grecian once again delivered wonderful characters and relationships. He also added small touches of humor, even with the dark topic. There was enough visceral imagery and tense scenes to satisfy me as a horror reader

There were a few plot holes and things that didn’t work for me, especially around the central premise, the reason that death isn’t happening. I would have preferred a more vague explanation than the specific one Grecian gave which just didn’t feel right.

I also would have appreciated a better-developed angel mythology

There are a lot of “absence of death” type stories in different types of media, so to pull one of these off and have it come off striking and original would be quite a feat.

Two similar stories that come to mind are Torchwood: Miracle Day and, one of my favorites, Reaper Man from Discworld.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadie, Rabbit and Rose come to a small town where the dead don‘t die. In another plotline we meet Moses again, who has an unfortunate encounter with a supernatural being. He was my favourite character. Bittersweet backstory.

I took me until the third chapter (Six Days Left), before the coin dropped and I understood what the plot is all about.

I liked this, but I wasn’t as enamored with it as with the first book. I feel pretty ambivalent about the ending.

Excellent audio. I will keep my eyes open for more narrated by John Pirhalla.

[Amanda Nikhol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not realize this was a sequel, maybe thats why I didnt enjoy it. 🤦‍♀️