What a great follow-up to Red Rabbit! I loved the undead vibes and how these band of weirdos came together. Their adventures had me chuckling more often than not and the banter was top tier.
I thoroughly appreciated how easy it was to follow all of the POV's as this was in third person. The narrator did a fantastic job! Thank you for my advanced copy!

I could write a book about this book and Red Rabbit and still want to talk more about them. I adored Red Rabbit so much, and just happened to stumble upon Rose of Jericho. I had no idea Red Rabbit was going to have a follow up book, but am I so very excited that we got to follow the characters more, and get full closer with the characters.
If you've ever seen the episode of the Librarians that has the traveling house and Kattie Bender in it, that house has the vibes I imagine in the house that Rose, Saddie Grace and Rabbit are living in in this book. It is the immaculate combination of creepy and haunting but also this feeling that the house is caring for the people staying there.
I didn’t know how much I needed another book with these characters. Getting more of Rabbit, and being in Rabbit's head than the previous book brought me so much joy, and being able to see how much Rabbit has grown, and continues to grow was so nice to see. Multiple year time gaps between books sometimes scare me, because sometimes it feels as if the characters had no growth in that time period but that was not the case with this book. I could tell that Alex Grecian really sat and thought about what the characters would do in that ten year period and how it would affect and change them.
All of these characters have been through so much, SO MUCH, But nothing ever seems purposeless to me. Every detail in this book is important. Everything the characters go through means something and leads to something else. My brain loves following the paths laid out and trying to figure it out before the path is revealed. My brain very rarely figures it out. This book constantly kept me on my toes and when I thought it was going one way it wasn't, or it was but it happened so far down the line of where I thought about it that I had long forgotten about it.

I adore books that can combine historical elements and supernatural elements and so far Alex Grecian is one of the best at combining the two so flawlessly.

Also I will almost always appreciate one using the creepiness of biblically accurate angels.

There is a lot more I could say about this book, but I feel like that would reveal too much, and part of the fun about this book is not knowing some elements until you get to it.

Alex Grecian is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Red Rabbit was my introduction to his work, and I had such a great time with it that returning to this cast of characters in Rose of Jericho felt like a treat. I'm consistently amazed by how Grecian balances a cozy and atmospheric tone,with deeply unsettling—and at times, downright gruesome imagery. His is storytelling is refreshingly original; the plots are unlike anything else I’ve encountered in recent horror fiction.

John Prihalla's performance of the audiobook helps to bring the story to life even more with each unique voice for the characters (even one's with the smallest part in the story).

I LOVED THIS. I am not sorry for typing in all caps, because seriously. This year is killing it in terms of audiobooks. For a story like this, the audiobook is an experience that all need to feel. It was cinematic. I was super immersed into it and often lost time.

Lately, I’ve been caught in a fog of ennui, waiting for the right book to break through. And then I stumbled upon Rose of Jericho by Alex Grecian—a strange, spellbinding tale that matched my mood perfectly.

Set against the eerie backdrop of the Old West, the story begins with a man shattered by grief. Moses has lost both his wife and newborn, and in the depths of his sorrow, he does the unthinkable—he sets out to find Death itself. What unfolds is a beautifully twisted, almost mythic journey that stretches far beyond his small town, affecting the lives of people across the world.

The narrative centers on Moses and his circle—Rose, Sadie, and Rabbit who are residing in the quaint town of Ascension, where the bizarre has become a part of daily life. There’s a creeping sense that something ancient and powerful is stirring just beneath the surface. Grecian slowly peels back layers of this alternate reality, blending magical realism with a sense of timeless mystery.

The pacing is unconventional—like a train hesitant to leave the station but relentless once it gains momentum. Don’t expect a typical Western, or even a straight thriller. This story resists categorization: it’s not quite horror, not quite suspense, but something in-between. Call it a mystery—but a deeply unusual one.

I experienced this story via audiobook. At first, the narrator’s attempt at female and children’s voices felt jarring. But as the narrative deepened, I found myself completely immersed, the voices blending seamlessly into the strange cadence of Grecian’s world.

While I haven’t yet read his other work, this novel has me intrigued—especially about Sadie and Rabbit. There’s a sense that Rose of Jericho is either their origin story or a continuation, and now I’m compelled to go back and discover more.

If you crave a story with creeping oddities, magical undertones, and the sense that something is watching just out of sight—Rose of Jericho might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Grecian, and Macmillan Audio for the ARC.

#BookReview #RoseOfJericho #AlexGrecian #MagicalRealism #WesternMystery #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #ARCReview #NetGalleyReads #MacmillanAudio #SlowBurnReads #AudiobookReview #BooksWithAtmosphere #LiteraryMystery #MysteriousReads #BookRecommendation

A fantastic follow up to Red Rabbit, Rose of Jericho brings back Moses, Sadie Grace, Rose and of course Rabbit. This time they are in a small town in Massachusetts called Ascension. They purchase a large home on so Rose can be near her ailing cousin. Their new home is filled with ghosts and secrets. Meanwhile Moses is on a quest of his own after the death of his wife. He finds himself drawn to Ascension, in need of help from his long lost friends. Along the way he discovers that the dead aren’t staying dead and meets several of them in his travels. This same thing is happening everywhere, including Ascension. Sadie uncovers a peculiar cabin in the woods filled with scalps of dozens of women. There are many sinister and shocking things happening all at once.

This was such a great story. I liked Red Rabbit but liked this one even more. There is such a great balance of horror, mystery and emotion that just sucks you in. This can be read as a stand alone but is so much better read together. The characters are well written and the story is fast paced,. Witches, the undead, ghosts and serial killers—this book has it all!! I will read these books as long as he keeps writing them, I love this world he has created. The narration for the audiobook was fantastic, added so much to the story.

5 ⭐️

#NetGalley #therealalexgrecian #RoseofJericho

The narrator for this book was great. I wish I had know this was a continuation of another book (Red Rabbit). This was a very original piece of literature and the cast of characters was good as well.

Dead not actually dying; what a concept! I had enjoyed Grecian’s Red Rabbit a lot too, and I liked the recurring characters here (although this can easily be enjoyed as a standalone. The writing is eerie with a touch of humor and I really liked John Pirhalla’s narration of the audiobook.

I am a huge fan of Alex Grecian's Red Rabbit and horror fantasy is my favorite genre. So when I heard that he wrote a sequel to Red Rabbit I was thrilled! Rose of Jericho did not disappoint.

A tale of love and anger, grief and celebration, bitterness and good intentions, magic and bad intentions, Rose of Jericho is a whirlwind of death and violence, as Moses, Sadie, Rabbit and Rose are set upon a collision course by dark forces.

Moses Burke is hearbroken by the death of his beloved wife, and, with dark intentions, he stalks the grim reaper and shoots him dead. This act stops the dead from dying. In a seemingly unrelated situation, Sadie, Rabbit and Rose move to the mysterious and haunted Bethany Hall in Ascension, Massachusetts to help Rose's cousin.

Moses realizes what he has done, and through messages, dreams and a dog with a purpose he finds his way to Sadie. Sadie and Rabbit are equally manipulated by spirits and entities to help stop what is happening the world over.

Yes, there is a lot happening in this book, and at times, I lost the threads of purpose and intention in the story, but the characters are so heartfelt and true, and Grecian's writing is just so good, that I did not mind losing my way within Rose of Jericho.

I realized shortly after starting this book that I probably should have read one of the author’s other books first- Red Rabbit. The three main characters in this were first introduced in that one. But it honestly read fine as a standalone (which technically it is). But if you’re like me, you prefer to read books in certain orders, so just wanted to give you a heads up on that.
This book was SO good though! It took me a little while to get into originally, but I quickly became addicted and finished this really fast. While it’s horror, I didn’t think it was scary at all. It’s more so just gory. And the gore was 🧑‍🍳💋. Not too extreme, but just … fun. (Maybe I’m the weirdo that thinks gore is fun, but I think I’ve been starting to find my peeps on here that would agree with me 😄.)
I loved the three main characters in this, and now I definitely need to read Red Rabbit to get to know them as they were first introduced. There were parts of this that felt like they could have been really heavy, but the author kept things pretty light. It almost had a whimsical feeling to it. The ending felt like it was cut a little short, but overall I really loved this book!

𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑰'𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐:
Any horror fans, or someone that wants to try horror!

𝑨 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:
I tried the audio of this, but I did not enjoy the narration and chose to read with only my eyeballs instead. I can put up with the narrator in other books as long as he doesn’t voice women’s characters much. But given most of the main characters were women, I just couldn’t do it. (He does a high pitched kind of whiny voice for women, and I can’t stand it.)

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.

Narration: 3.75
Overall: 4

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.

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.

💀💀💀

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!