erinarkin20's review against another edition
4.0
Retribution Rails is book two in the Vengeance Road series by Erin Bowman and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book since I loved book one. If you were smart enough to preorder your copy of this book, you could have received a novella called Kate and Jesse. Trust me, if you love the swoony bits, this is something you will want to read. It was also a great lead in to Retribution Rails and I’m glad I read it before I dove in.
According to the timeline, Retribution Rails picks up about 10 years after the end of Vengeance Road and we get to focus on some different characters. Reece Murphy and Charlotte Vaughn are our focus and I liked both of them. They have their own challenges to face but happen to cross paths amidst them and from there the book is non-stop action.
Of the two, I have to admit Reece was my favorite. He was forced into a situation that he really had no good choice to make. It all started when he was working as a farmhand for a family who was unfortunate enough to be visited by the Rose Riders. When the gang robbed and killed the family they were about to kill Reece too but he happened to have a very specific coin in his pocket and when Luther Rose saw it, he decided to force Reece into the gang with the promise he could leave when he found the cowboy who had given him the coin. Until then Reece was stuck as Luther had leverage and Reece knew he would never be free until he gave Luther what he wanted.
The thing about Reece is that despite all the time he spent with the Rose Riders, he wasn’t all bad. I’m not going to pretend he didn’t do anything wrong, he for sure did and he lives with the guilt of it but when push comes to shove, he does still have a conscience and that is the most important thing when he meets Charlotte despite how much risk he takes keeping her around / alive. Now because of the time he has spent with the Rose Riders and the reputation he has developed as the Rose Kid, he is as much a wanted man as Luther Rose and the rest of his gang.
Reece and Charlotte cross paths for the first time on a train that the Rose Riders are robbing. Charlotte is definitely one of those characters that doesn’t shy away from a challenge. When she comes face to face with the Rose Kid and decides to do whatever she needs to in order for him to face justice for the things he has done. On top of that she sees this as an opportunity to write the story of a lifetime to help her get the journalist job she wants so her mother doesn’t have to worry about her. She is a motivated and determined young woman and she is willing to do whatever she thinks is right and in some cases this puts her in danger.
As I mentioned, she has her own challenges and they revolve around the fact that her father recently passed away and now her uncle is trying to not only take over the mine her father worked hard to build but also their wealth and he isn’t above threatening to get what he wants. As he threatens and blackmails everyone around her, Charlotte sees only one way out of this situation. She needs to find someone to get rid of her problem.
At first, I have to admit, Charlotte annoyed me a bit. Mostly because I knew things she didn’t about Reece and she wasn’t able to look past his role within the Rose Riders. I can’t hold that against her, but I wanted her to give him a chance…I completely understand why she wouldn’t have but still.
This book really is pretty much non-stop action. As Reece tries to resolve his relationship/role with the Rose Riders and Charlotte tries to protect her mother, I didn’t feel like the pace slowed down at all. They were jumping from one situation to the next and the pages flew by. I also have to say, Bowman does a fantastic job of pulling the reader into this environment. It was so great to experience the Wild West through these characters as well as see how Reece and Charlotte figured each other out.
Although I’m not going to say anything about their story line, I will say I loved having the characters from Vengeance Road make an appearance because it really does tie this story together. One of my favorite things in series books is seeing where characters are after time and it was great to see how Kate and Jesse evolved as characters in this series.
That’s about all I can say without ruining anything. I will just say, if you are looking for a story that will pull you in from the very first page and some great characters, definitely consider checking out not only this book, but this entire series. This companion story was everything I was hoping it would be and the ending was perfect…just saying.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.
According to the timeline, Retribution Rails picks up about 10 years after the end of Vengeance Road and we get to focus on some different characters. Reece Murphy and Charlotte Vaughn are our focus and I liked both of them. They have their own challenges to face but happen to cross paths amidst them and from there the book is non-stop action.
Of the two, I have to admit Reece was my favorite. He was forced into a situation that he really had no good choice to make. It all started when he was working as a farmhand for a family who was unfortunate enough to be visited by the Rose Riders. When the gang robbed and killed the family they were about to kill Reece too but he happened to have a very specific coin in his pocket and when Luther Rose saw it, he decided to force Reece into the gang with the promise he could leave when he found the cowboy who had given him the coin. Until then Reece was stuck as Luther had leverage and Reece knew he would never be free until he gave Luther what he wanted.
The thing about Reece is that despite all the time he spent with the Rose Riders, he wasn’t all bad. I’m not going to pretend he didn’t do anything wrong, he for sure did and he lives with the guilt of it but when push comes to shove, he does still have a conscience and that is the most important thing when he meets Charlotte despite how much risk he takes keeping her around / alive. Now because of the time he has spent with the Rose Riders and the reputation he has developed as the Rose Kid, he is as much a wanted man as Luther Rose and the rest of his gang.
Reece and Charlotte cross paths for the first time on a train that the Rose Riders are robbing. Charlotte is definitely one of those characters that doesn’t shy away from a challenge. When she comes face to face with the Rose Kid and decides to do whatever she needs to in order for him to face justice for the things he has done. On top of that she sees this as an opportunity to write the story of a lifetime to help her get the journalist job she wants so her mother doesn’t have to worry about her. She is a motivated and determined young woman and she is willing to do whatever she thinks is right and in some cases this puts her in danger.
As I mentioned, she has her own challenges and they revolve around the fact that her father recently passed away and now her uncle is trying to not only take over the mine her father worked hard to build but also their wealth and he isn’t above threatening to get what he wants. As he threatens and blackmails everyone around her, Charlotte sees only one way out of this situation. She needs to find someone to get rid of her problem.
At first, I have to admit, Charlotte annoyed me a bit. Mostly because I knew things she didn’t about Reece and she wasn’t able to look past his role within the Rose Riders. I can’t hold that against her, but I wanted her to give him a chance…I completely understand why she wouldn’t have but still.
This book really is pretty much non-stop action. As Reece tries to resolve his relationship/role with the Rose Riders and Charlotte tries to protect her mother, I didn’t feel like the pace slowed down at all. They were jumping from one situation to the next and the pages flew by. I also have to say, Bowman does a fantastic job of pulling the reader into this environment. It was so great to experience the Wild West through these characters as well as see how Reece and Charlotte figured each other out.
Although I’m not going to say anything about their story line, I will say I loved having the characters from Vengeance Road make an appearance because it really does tie this story together. One of my favorite things in series books is seeing where characters are after time and it was great to see how Kate and Jesse evolved as characters in this series.
That’s about all I can say without ruining anything. I will just say, if you are looking for a story that will pull you in from the very first page and some great characters, definitely consider checking out not only this book, but this entire series. This companion story was everything I was hoping it would be and the ending was perfect…just saying.
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.
theawkwardbookw's review against another edition
3.0
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCferU-BCL2dlFjWdD0rS75Q
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
3.5/5 Stars
This takes place 10 years after the events of Vengeance Road. Reece Murphy is forced into The Rose Gang against his Will. On a train robbery gone wrong, he gets tangled up with Charlotte Vaughn, an aspiring journalist who may be the answer to his freedom.
I liked this much better than Vengeance Road, which I wasn't the biggest fan of. I liked how this had a much quicker pace then VR, and kept me intrigued throughout. This was told in alternating POVs between Reece and Charlotte. Reece was a great character, and I loved his redemption arc. It broke my heart that he thought he wasn't deserving of certain things. Charlotte was an okay character, but at times she annoyed me with her instance that there was only good and evil and nothing in between. She definitely grew on me as the story progressed. I also really liked that the romance was not the main focus and did not overtake the plot of the book. I loved that Kate and Jesse were a big part of this story, and I loved watching them learn to trust Reece and Charlotte.
Overall, enjoyed this more than VR, and would recommend this one over it... but you should probably read them both to fully understand the gist of it all.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
3.5/5 Stars
This takes place 10 years after the events of Vengeance Road. Reece Murphy is forced into The Rose Gang against his Will. On a train robbery gone wrong, he gets tangled up with Charlotte Vaughn, an aspiring journalist who may be the answer to his freedom.
I liked this much better than Vengeance Road, which I wasn't the biggest fan of. I liked how this had a much quicker pace then VR, and kept me intrigued throughout. This was told in alternating POVs between Reece and Charlotte. Reece was a great character, and I loved his redemption arc. It broke my heart that he thought he wasn't deserving of certain things. Charlotte was an okay character, but at times she annoyed me with her instance that there was only good and evil and nothing in between. She definitely grew on me as the story progressed. I also really liked that the romance was not the main focus and did not overtake the plot of the book. I loved that Kate and Jesse were a big part of this story, and I loved watching them learn to trust Reece and Charlotte.
Overall, enjoyed this more than VR, and would recommend this one over it... but you should probably read them both to fully understand the gist of it all.
fatimareadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
After [b:Vengeance Road|23719270|Vengeance Road (Vengeance Road, #1)|Erin Bowman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422925649s/23719270.jpg|41187933], I didn't think I'd really enjoy any follow-up novel to this series. Boy, was I wrong. Retribution Rails was just as good as, if not better than, Vengeance Road, IMO. If you're reading this book just for Kate and Jesse, you definitely won't be disappointed, because there's plenty of them to go around in this book. Although this is just a companion novel to Vengeance Road, I advise reading the first book to really get the full story.
Erin's ability to write tough-minded, strong young women of the west truly never ceases to amaze me. Charlotte has such a vivacious character that you just can't help but root for from the very beginning. Throw in her determination and quick wit? You've got yourself a helluva character! Oh, and don't get me started on Reese Murphy. His character really brings in a certain kind of complexity that was not present in the first book. Haunted by his actions, he struggles to reconcile who he is versus how he views himself. He tries to right his wrongdoings every chance he gets, and is constantly at war with himself. When Charlotte and Reese collide, they slowly change each other's perceptions of themselves and of the other. Their interactions were something I constantly looked forward to!
The writing, as always, was top notch! Erin has such a vivid writing style that immediately transports you to the Wild West, infusing your imagination with exciting train robberies, gunfights, and showdowns. The world is very impressively well-built and immersive. It's really unlike anything I've ever read -- very refreshing!
I truly can't recommend Vengeance Road and Retribution Rails enough! Before VR, I never would've thought of myself as someone who would pick up a book from the Western genre, but I'm a changed woman now! Trust me, you'll thank me later.
From the well-written vernacular to the complex characters to the immersive world, Retribution Rails is a wild ride from start to finish. So buckle up!
*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Follow me on my blog, Book Whizz | Bloglovin' | Twitter
Also, check out my review of Vengeance Road, the book that started it all.
Erin's ability to write tough-minded, strong young women of the west truly never ceases to amaze me. Charlotte has such a vivacious character that you just can't help but root for from the very beginning. Throw in her determination and quick wit? You've got yourself a helluva character! Oh, and don't get me started on Reese Murphy. His character really brings in a certain kind of complexity that was not present in the first book. Haunted by his actions, he struggles to reconcile who he is versus how he views himself. He tries to right his wrongdoings every chance he gets, and is constantly at war with himself. When Charlotte and Reese collide, they slowly change each other's perceptions of themselves and of the other. Their interactions were something I constantly looked forward to!
The writing, as always, was top notch! Erin has such a vivid writing style that immediately transports you to the Wild West, infusing your imagination with exciting train robberies, gunfights, and showdowns. The world is very impressively well-built and immersive. It's really unlike anything I've ever read -- very refreshing!
I truly can't recommend Vengeance Road and Retribution Rails enough! Before VR, I never would've thought of myself as someone who would pick up a book from the Western genre, but I'm a changed woman now! Trust me, you'll thank me later.
From the well-written vernacular to the complex characters to the immersive world, Retribution Rails is a wild ride from start to finish. So buckle up!
*Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Follow me on my blog, Book Whizz | Bloglovin' | Twitter
Also, check out my review of Vengeance Road, the book that started it all.
mikrokosm0s's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed this one so much more than Vengeance Road! Still can't get over these covers - so pretty.
emilygaynier's review against another edition
5.0
I really want to reread this series!
Actually, my only complaint is that the author referred to pain flaring up as heat spreading. Everything else was great!
Actually, my only complaint is that the author referred to pain flaring up as heat spreading. Everything else was great!
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, this was such a fantastic read, I had a really great time reading it, it was such a great adventure and I can't wait to read more by Erin Bowman!
kblincoln's review against another edition
4.0
I gave 5 stars to the first in this wild west revenge companion book duology: Vengeance Road.
The protagonist of the first book, 18 year old Kate, won me over with her voice of no-nonsense, western slang, and cross-dressing. I liked the romance with the cowboy brother as well.
That voice that I liked in the first book didn’t work as well for the main protagonist in this follow up book, a young woman reporter. The alternating POV of Reece, the outlaw “Rose Kid” reminded me quite a lot of Kate and worked better.
The reporter, Charlotte, gets kidnapped by the Rose Kid and then sticks around for a story. The Rose Kid is trying to escape his outlaw gang. Both of them get a leg up when they encounter Kate from the prior book.
There’s quite a lot of repetitive conversations going over their options as they hole up to fight the Rose gang. That’s balanced by fun with Kate’s situation and Reece’s fun voice, but the Charlotte parts seemed to lack believable motivation (she and Reece just aren’t thrown together long enough in non lethal situations for her to overcome social barriers that way) and I confessed I skimmed some of her parts. Her mother’s dire situation seemed contrived and then she easily overcomes it.
Still, it was fun to catch up with Jesse and Kate, and Reece’s voice still won me over. I wouldn’t necessarily call this YA, actually, they’re young adults making decisions, not kids.
The protagonist of the first book, 18 year old Kate, won me over with her voice of no-nonsense, western slang, and cross-dressing. I liked the romance with the cowboy brother as well.
That voice that I liked in the first book didn’t work as well for the main protagonist in this follow up book, a young woman reporter. The alternating POV of Reece, the outlaw “Rose Kid” reminded me quite a lot of Kate and worked better.
The reporter, Charlotte, gets kidnapped by the Rose Kid and then sticks around for a story. The Rose Kid is trying to escape his outlaw gang. Both of them get a leg up when they encounter Kate from the prior book.
There’s quite a lot of repetitive conversations going over their options as they hole up to fight the Rose gang. That’s balanced by fun with Kate’s situation and Reece’s fun voice, but the Charlotte parts seemed to lack believable motivation (she and Reece just aren’t thrown together long enough in non lethal situations for her to overcome social barriers that way) and I confessed I skimmed some of her parts. Her mother’s dire situation seemed contrived and then she easily overcomes it.
Still, it was fun to catch up with Jesse and Kate, and Reece’s voice still won me over. I wouldn’t necessarily call this YA, actually, they’re young adults making decisions, not kids.
jackiesomuch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I rarely ever read sequels, but Vengeance Road was so entertaining that I needed more. This book lived up to my expectations for a good, fun Western.
iggyebab's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this duology. Although this story follows different characters, there are clear connections to the first book and characters that show up again.
It’s not a perfect book, there are some plot holes but the characters are interesting and the story lines are compelling. I don’t read many westerns but I’m really glad these covers caught my eye.
"Secrets are like bullets. Ditto the dark, personal stuff. Folks say they’ll take ’em off yer hands, share the burden, but really they just load ’em into their own weapons so they can use ’em against you later. "
It’s not a perfect book, there are some plot holes but the characters are interesting and the story lines are compelling. I don’t read many westerns but I’m really glad these covers caught my eye.
"Secrets are like bullets. Ditto the dark, personal stuff. Folks say they’ll take ’em off yer hands, share the burden, but really they just load ’em into their own weapons so they can use ’em against you later. "