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

After the events of last semester at St. Benedict High, Leslie and her friends are slowly putting their lives back together. But a cute stranger comes to town, and bodies are still showing up at the river. Coincidence? Leslie is determined to find out.

I loved River of Wrath! The first book (River of Ashes) was good, and I think it handled some difficult topics honestly, but this book was beyond amazing. I loved that it took a bigger turn into the mystery and thriller aspect, keeping up with the southern gothic vibes, and I appreciated how the different POVs helped with that. I can’t wait to see where the next book goes!


Thank you to Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor, the publishers andNetGalley for this eARC!

I will not be reading this, as I did not realize when I asked for it that it was the second in a series. I could have sworn the parentheses that shows this after the title wasn’t there when I requested this. I am sorry. I may get to it if I get a hold of the first book and like it enough to read the second book. The cover is stunning though.

Thank you to NetGalley and Vesuvian Books for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

*NOTE: I did not realize that this was the second in a series. When I had requested it, NetGalley did not have it listed in the title or in the description. It seems they amended that by the time I finished reading.*

"River of Wrath" by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor is the second in their St. Benedict series. I have not read the first book but I imagine that my thoughts about this book would remain fairly the same. This book is essentially about a series of murders that take place in sleepy but cursed town and the teens at the center of all of it. I will be short with this review because I did not enjoy this book very much. The one thing I was interested in was the 25 year old murder victim that gets found in the first few pages of the book but the main storyline and the main characters? I did not care for them.

The main character and her friends were so shallow and flat. They all had one defining feature and that was it. No character growth, not closer look at any of them, not even with the main character. I finished this last night and I can't even remember their names. The characters in this book were so faint that they just fall to the wayside in my memory. On top of poor characterization, the writing was just awful to get through. The plot, the twist, and the "mystery" felt like a rushed season of a CW show which is saying A LOT because those shows aren't great.

Overall, this is not a book I'd recommend.

Part two in the riveting St. Benedict series does not disappoint. Well-written and fast paced, this book equally shares time between older YA and adult POVs, giving more insight to the complex Devereaux family--whose history is as sordid as it is fascinating. While lingering questions from book one are resolved, many more mysteries are introduced, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Add a chilling ghostly thread, a handsome stranger with a secret, and more dead bodies, this book doesn't let up. Book three can't come fast enough in this engaging, twisted series.

I had not read book 1 before reading this book (and didn't realize this was a sequel until I had it) - it was a mistake

This book (presumably) starts right where book 1 ended. We're thrown into a situation where 4 friends (who I think hate each other?) are dealing with the aftermath of the last book. In the prior book, psychopath Beau raped 2 of the friends, killed the sister of the 3rd, and I assume did something to the 4th (which I'm sure was mentioned and I missed it). So, as near as I can put together, they went to Beau's father, Gage, and they all agreed to murder Beau (like you do). I kept feeling like I was watching an episode of Riverdale where an over the top and ridiculous drama.

There's also a 25 year old body that is discovered. This was the most interesting part of the book (and was keeping this at a 2 star rating until the end). The body is somehow connected with Gage (the father) and it was actually a decent reveal.

One of the 4 friends, Leslie, broke up with her boyfriend, Derek, at the end of the first book (or between books). He turned into a stalker and follows her everywhere because he loves her so much and people kept telling her to get back with him because he's so sweet. I think we're supposed to find it romantic and endearing (unclear), but I wanted her to get some pepper spray for him. It might have been different if I had read book 1, but purely from book 2, not a fan of him at all.

And lastly, we have a hot stranger who shows up into town and who looks and sounds very similar to Beau - I don't want to give away if possibly there is a paternity connection - it was a big mystery and shocking surprise when that was answered! /sarcasm And, golly, do you think he's hiding something?

I never felt like I had a good grasp of the story, except for the part with the 25 year old body. The book would reference how Leslie's sister was murdered by Beau.... but, okay, she died in a fire..... okay, I guess he set the fire? I'm still not 100% clear on how she died. The book kept calling back to the prior book and kept assuming you had familiarity with the book. Even at 75% into the book, it was still referencing book 1 stuff which still wasn't clear.

Many of the characters were one note. For the friends, Leslie was the most developed. Then there was Sara who had a large bosom (said every time she was flirting with Luke and always called her "bosom"). Taylor did research - that was about all I knew about her. Holly..... Sally.... (I had to look it up) Kelly is from out of town. That's it for her character development! Derek is a stalker with a truck. Luke is hot and nice. Etc

And after wading through this book and waiting for it to get better or clearer and give me some payoff, the dang thing ends on a cliffhanger! Talk about adding insult to injury.

I highly recommend you play the drinking game where every time a character "sneers" at another, you take a shot. Warning: you will get wasted. I appreciate how the author uses words other than "said" for characters having a conversation but they all have a sneering problem.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this advance review copy.

I loved book one so much so I couldn't wait to get my hands on book two and see what happens next. This book gives off all the creepy factors with a seance, apparitions, howling dogs that kill, dead bodies piling up and so many secrets.

A new guy comes to town and he ends up being Gage's son so will he be like Beau? Is evil really in the family blood? Gage will do anything to protect the family name and his son.

Another dead body by the lake and now Kelly is discovered dead after giving birth but who took the baby?

Just so much going on to keep you engaged and on the edge of your seat until the end. Now the long wait for book three to come out.

A fast paced and easy read. Overwhelmingly good reviews so far, if you liked the first one I think you’ll like this one. The cover is to die for, but I myself couldn’t really get into. Thought I was getting something else entirely, which is my own fault. Still, good writing and interesting.

The second in the series was not a disappointment. I have high hopes for the third book in the series. This is a great series for young adults and lovers of thriller stories. I wouldn’t be surprised if every book by this author is just as good. Thank you for the opportunity to read and share my thoughts.

the story and concept were interesting, but just so poorly executed. there were too many povs which served no purpose other than to dump information that had no relation to the main mystery. the writing was also not good, and the way the teenagers were written was frankly just embarrassing.

Okay First -- can we discuss this gorgeous cover?! I adore it and it really drew me into the idea of the book. The book is shocking and mysterious and really keeps you engaged and interested. Perfect for fans of a good murder mystery and need something to keep them up all night.

An incredible sequel to River of Ashes that was as mysterious and it was shocking. Terrific writing and plotting from the authors. Looking forward to book three. Definitely recommend to anyone who likes murder mysteries, family secrets, and a slight supernatural angle that keeps the spine tingling.

Did I just go to my Kindle Store and buy River of Ashes St. Benedict Book 2? Yes! Yes I did!

River of Wrath by Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor is book 2 in an unputdownable story!
With it's southern gothic vibes and awesome characters I was intrigued from the start.
The story is a gripping from beginning to end.
The characters are amazingly developed and so put together.
And the writing was phenomenal. I was flipping the pages like a crazy girl!
Needles to say I'm stating the first one this evening and can't wait!
The beautiful cover caught my eye. And I'm so glad I opened it up because it was one hell of an amazing ride.

I read that RoA is currently in development for a TV series and if it's true that gets me all kinds of excited.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to NetGalley and Vesuvian Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately, this book did not give me what I was hoping for based on the description and the gorgeous cover. the plot felt very slow-paced and there wasn't much mystery to it, nearly everything was explained in the first third of the book. Everything not explicitly explained the book hit you in the head over with foreshadowing and descriptors. The dialogue also felt incredibly unnatural and stiff, more like people speaking in a board room than teenagers speaking to one another. Also, within the first quarter of the book the e-slur is casually dropped, which immediately made me feel disgusted.