
Member Reviews

I was excited to get an arc on NetGalley for the sequel to River of Ashes. I had no idea where the authors could go after book one. It had a fantastic ending, and that epilogue was a chef's kiss! But I was thrilled to hear additional books are coming. I really wanted to know more about the Devereaux family. While this series is a dark family saga filled with secrets, deception, and murder, it is so much more. With characters who feel real and a haunting Louisiana atmosphere, we follow older teen Leslie Moore and Gage Devereaux (patriarch of the river town) as secrets unfold and more bodies are found, both figuratively and literally. Though you can read this installment without reading book one, you don't want to miss out on the character arcs and growth of what brings us to this point. Addictive reading I highly recommend! |

This is the second book of this series. I enjoyed this book as much as the first. I like how the author kept adding to the story. The reader already knew that Beau was a bad guy but to find out that the issues might be hereditary was a new grain of the thought. To find out the father was just as guilty for hiding stuff from the community was more of wealth being able to protect bad choices. This is an author to read. |

I didn't realize this book was a sequel until I got it and it was a mistake. I had picked this book up because of its cover( I'm not going to lie)Overall, I didn't connect with any of the characters. It seemed like the characters created so much unnecessary trouble for themselves because they refused to communicate, and it was pretty rushed towards the end. I'm seriously so sorry I didn't like it but this book just isn't for me. |

First, I must say this cover is breathtaking!! Now onto the book: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Rating *Triggers: rape, sexual & physical abuse, POV of psychopath.* ***Make sure to read the author's note at the end of the book, explaining why it was written.*** Umm what did I just read? Wowser! This book was really really good, although some of what Beau did in this story to others was pretty rough. Such a dark and creepy story. It did bring to the forefront about rape, sexual abuse, and bullying and how a person who commits this can be thinking. This book was very chilling and eerie. Especially The Abbey, which plays a large role in this story. The way the author described it made me imagine not wanting to go in it. This was very well written, and so happy I found this author. Getting ready to read book 2. If you are okay with sensitive material then you definitely need to read this one |

I unfortunately didn't realize that this was book two in a series when I asked to read it and I believe that this may have led to my overall lack of enjoyment with the book. If I had realized that this wasn't a standalone I would not have read them out of order. There were parts that I enjoyed like when everything picked up at the end although I do feel that it ended a little too abruptly for my taste (I guess because it'll be finished in the next book?). I do feel that people who have read the first book would enjoy this book more than I did. Also those who like a Gothic mystery. I will say that one of the twists I saw coming and the other one really got me. Thanks so much for the opportunity to read this book. |

So this took me a bit to finish due to i was declined to read book 1 on netgalley but was approved for book 2. so i had to look for a way to read book 1. thankfully the library apps i have on my phone stepped up and i was able to read this. so this is a mixed review for both books. Book 1: Kept me pulled into it. loved it alot. Couldn't put it down at all. 5 star book book 2: Picked up where book 1 left off. yes you need to read book 1 to understand whats going on. kept me pulled into it. 5 star book. couldn't put it down at all. highly recommend both books. |

After the events in the last book, Leslie is struggling with what happened, not only with the death of her sister but what she chose to do in the aftermath. She has pushed Derek away and has been hanging out with a new group of friends, all but one I really like. You would think that St. Benedicts has had enough, but it's just gotten started. A new boy has moved to town and seems a bit too good to be true, we have more bodies, and so many more secrets are coming out. I think we've only scratched the surface of what's hidden beneath St. Benedicts and I can't wait to discover everything it's been hiding! This book was suitably spooky with the ruins at the Abbey and the Wild dogs that when heard signal death is near, In the first book, we know who the bad guy is from the beginning, but in this, we have no idea who is behind what's going on until it's revealed and trying to figure it out had me glued to the pages. And that twist at the end! I will definitely be reading the next book! |

This book did not disappoint!! I seriously cannot wait for book 3!! Very harrowing, beautifully written! “The lies we protect aren’t worth the burden of guilt they create” Such an amazing paranormal mystery! |

2/5 stars! I'm not sure. I'm just not sure. This didn't read at all like a second book in a series. It read like part two of the first book. While this doesn't automatically make the book lesser than, it does get frustrating trying to follow all the nuances that heavily steer this book. I really disliked Derek's character. I wanted to stab him gently with a fork and tell him to back off. I don't know if there is any way he would be redeemable for me. The story was somewhat predictable and the cliffhanger did leave a decent hook for the audience. However, the cover was one of the prettiest gothic covers I have seen in a long time. I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily |

The sequel to River of Ashes is no less crazy good, and it's definitely a roller coaster ride all its own. The authors know how to keep this psycho-drama playing out and even added more paranormal activity. While highly entertaining, it is also sobering (just like book one) in the realism of how power corrupts and bleeds out into everything around you, destroying lives. While answering some lingering questions from book one, book two ends on a cliffhanger, leaving fans of this suspense-filled soap opera eagerly awaiting book three. Thank you NetGalley and Vesuvian Books for the advance copy. These opinions are my own. |

It seems I totally missed the fact that this book is the second in a series. I honestly don't think that mattered as I didn't feel like there was missing information that took away from the story. The book was a pleasant enough read, but I felt throughout the entire book that it either was or should have been geared toward young adults. It felt a little too "high-schoolish" to me. I wouldn't classify this as a horror novel as the appearance of a few ghosts doesn't translate to that for me. It was more suspenseful and even the suspense was not that dramatic. I would recommend this for young adults who like the genre, but I don't think it was meaty enough for adults. |

I didn't notice that this was the second book in a series, despite the rest of the title in parentheses. "River of Wrath" just took my all of my attention away. Overall, it was an interesting read. I do feel the need to read the first book, though. |

4.5⭐️ This is the second book in the St. Benedict series, it's on par with book one when it comes to secrets and twisted actions of the characters. Book two is lower on the trigger scale than book one, thankfully. River of Wrath starts right after the ending of book one, we follow Leslie and the girls in the aftermath from book one I love the twist that came with this book and will for sure be waiting for book three. |

"The lies we protect aren't worth the burden of guilt they create" I enjoyed this much more than the first one, especially the new characters. I feel that it is much darker and more captivating than the previous one and the authors managed to keep a much more stable pace in this one. The way the paranormal elements were included provided a very creepy and disturbing atmosphere. Even though I was able to predict some twists, it generally kept me clueless the entire time. A pleasant surprise, I did not expect such a step up in comparison to the first. Also, stunning cover. "Self-control in all things. Never let them see who you really are" Thank you to NetGalley, the authors and Vesuvian Books for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. |

We finally get more of the ghost/horror vibes which I loved! It was what felt like I was missing in RoA. Some questions from book 1 are being answered plus there’s new secrets to uncover. For instance, I loved delving into the Devereaux past and having the ghost story become more relevant to the plot! I loved Derek in book 1 but now I hate him 🙈 River of Wrath was a quick read, and less dark compared to River of Ashes (thank god)! The switching POVs are almost too much because instead of 2 or 3 characters it’s more like 6, so now you don’t get as much insight into each person compared to book 1. I correctly guessed all the plot twists within the first 50 pages, but there was one slight twist I didn’t predict. That twist however was more like a “oh yeah of course” instead of a jaw dropping “WHAT?!” because it slightly confirmed one of my theories, just in a different method. Overall, I did enjoy this one a bit more than River of Ashes! I do however wish the twists and secrets were more surprising and less predictable from the start. I’m looking forward to book 3, River of Ghosts, later this year! If they can combine the shocking twists of book 1 with the ghost/horror vibes of book 2, then it’ll be perfect 😄 Review will be posted to Instagram January 10 |

This series is addicting! We are back in St. Benedict’s. Leslie is still reeling from the murder of her sister. She has broken up with her boyfriend. Then a body uncovers more secrets from the past. A new strangers enters their lives. This series is a dark gothic series and it draws you in. Lucas and Alex’s writing is amazing. I am so interested into the storyline and what’s going on. They know how to draw you in and then hit you with a freaking cliffhanger. This is a creepy story. You don’t know if you’re reading a thriller or ghost story. I won’t say which one it is. The setting really makes a spooky tales with the abandoned buildings and Spanish moss. So excited to dive into Book three |

This story starts not long after the last book ended. It was just as good as the first with so much going on it made my head spin. Leslie is grieving the loss of her twin. Knowing it should have been her. She is not the he same person she was before and it has broken her family. The apparition would grin at her with all the savagery of a rabid wolf and say, “I killed the wrong Moore twin.” That was how she knew it was Beau. There are many huge secrets revealed from the past and present. This story keeps you on edge wondering what’s going to happen next. Greed and corruption are everywhere. The Devereux family will do anything to keep keep there secret from coming out. “‘The impact of their demise will resonate like a dying star throughout the heavens. But beware their wrath. Such a fate can fashion the monsters men come to fear.’” “The Dust of Giants.” I for one can’t wait for the next book because of where this one left off. So many unanswered questions. If your a fan of creepy ghost stories and gothic murder mysteries you need to jump on this series. |

What??? Oh my goodness an amazing paranormal mystery! My favorite! Great creepy read with realistic characters and unputdownable writing style. Grab this one for your first five star read of 2023 |

I was a fan of the gorgeous cover but I wasn't a fan of the story that didn't keep my attention Not my cup of tea Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine |

I love this cover so much thats why i wanted to pick this up, but sadly this wasn't my favorite. I was having a hard time getting into the story most of the time. |