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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you Valentine PR for providing me an early copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
It had been a loooong time since I read a dark romance, and this one just gave me all those classic dark romance feels.
This is a second gen series. I haven’t read the previous series, but you could tell there were some definitely found family vibes with all of Seraphina’s “uncles” and “aunts”. There also appears to have been a long brewing rivalry/hate between Seraphina’s family and Jude’s.
I may have missed some of the intricacies of those storylines by not having read the previous series, but I felt the author did a good job solidifying all those old feelings, and how they have transferred over to this new generation.
Both these characters have so much trauma in their past, and a connection that fuels their hate for one another, but they are both in the dark about the truth of that connection, and once that truth is unveiled, everything kind of explodes from there.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a dark romance that hits all the right notes, especially if they were a fan of the Hollow Boys (aka, this series’ Daddies 🤭).
Audiobook notes: Duet Narration! Michelle Sparks and Liam DiCosimo did a great job with all the voices, but especially their main characters, and how they intersected together. 👍 on the audio!
What this book is giving:
✅ Dark Romance
✅ Duet Narration
✅ Enemies to Lovers
✅ Star-Crossed
✅ Past Family Rivalry
✅ Foster Siblings
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Rating: 5/5 🌟
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Characters: Phi and Jude
This is a second-generation series. It's following the children of The Hollow Boys. This book in particular centers on Phi (daughter of Rook), and Jude (son of an enemy in the previous series). It is true enemies to lovers. Two families that attempted to end each other.
I received the ALC for it (I requested it specifically because it's a story I want to be able to relisten/reread often). It is duet narration by Michelle Sparks and Liam DiCosimo. And it was absolutely incredible! These two were perfect for the characters and really brought them to life.
Monty's writing is always stunning and beautiful, but this book is a bit next level. Jude is a poet and there are some truly beautiful poems speckled throughout. It gives it this element of magic and romance even when things are stressful or bleak for them. And it's a stunning contrast to Phi's scientific mind. Her philosophical words are just as beautiful and romantic.
These two should no work. The town hates Jude for the sins of his father and Phi's family is praised and high ranking. She is in no way the good girl. Something horrible happened to her a few years back and it changed her, made her angry, distant, and she's become a bit reckless. She also blames Jude for it, partially. Jude just wants out of the town and to start over where his name means nothing and he can write. His plan is to go to college on the other side of the country. When his father dies, he is basically forced to stay in the town for another year. The worst part is that he is taken in by Sage and Rook and becomes Phi's sort of foster brother. They hate each other but also can't seem to stay away from each other.
Honestly, I loved every single second of this. I could have read and/or listened to another 500 pages of their story. I am so excited for this series and cannot wait for the next one!
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Characters: Phi and Jude
This is a second-generation series. It's following the children of The Hollow Boys. This book in particular centers on Phi (daughter of Rook), and Jude (son of an enemy in the previous series). It is true enemies to lovers. Two families that attempted to end each other.
I received the ALC for it (I requested it specifically because it's a story I want to be able to relisten/reread often). It is duet narration by Michelle Sparks and Liam DiCosimo. And it was absolutely incredible! These two were perfect for the characters and really brought them to life.
Monty's writing is always stunning and beautiful, but this book is a bit next level. Jude is a poet and there are some truly beautiful poems speckled throughout. It gives it this element of magic and romance even when things are stressful or bleak for them. And it's a stunning contrast to Phi's scientific mind. Her philosophical words are just as beautiful and romantic.
These two should no work. The town hates Jude for the sins of his father and Phi's family is praised and high ranking. She is in no way the good girl. Something horrible happened to her a few years back and it changed her, made her angry, distant, and she's become a bit reckless. She also blames Jude for it, partially. Jude just wants out of the town and to start over where his name means nothing and he can write. His plan is to go to college on the other side of the country. When his father dies, he is basically forced to stay in the town for another year. The worst part is that he is taken in by Sage and Rook and becomes Phi's sort of foster brother. They hate each other but also can't seem to stay away from each other.
Honestly, I loved every single second of this. I could have read and/or listened to another 500 pages of their story. I am so excited for this series and cannot wait for the next one!
Liam DiCosimo and Michelle Sparks were perfect for Jude and Phi
The emotions were SPOT ON! Everything was just perfect! Enjoyed this audiobook so much!
JUDEEEEEEE SINCLAIR! THATS ALL!
What a beautiful soul, inside and out. Misunderstood.
He writes poetry. He just needs love and care.
Phi, having felt left out her whole life. She also needed the love and a big hug! The Geek and the loner found each other…
Thank you VPR for giving me the opportunity to listen to Wrath Of Exile in advance.
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Enemies to lovers
Bad boy x bad girl
Forbidden romance
Foster siblings
Forced proximity
Romeo and Juliet Retelling
Duet narration - Michelle Sparks and Liam DiCosimo
Phenomenal narration. Always love Liam!
Delicious and dark. I loved these characters so much. The story was amazing and captivating. The characters draw you into their story.
Monty Jays writing is superb! This is a second gen series and I have not read the first round but it did not hinder my experience with this book other than to say now I need to go back and read/listen to the first generation books.
Bad boy x bad girl
Forbidden romance
Foster siblings
Forced proximity
Romeo and Juliet Retelling
Duet narration - Michelle Sparks and Liam DiCosimo
Phenomenal narration. Always love Liam!
Delicious and dark. I loved these characters so much. The story was amazing and captivating. The characters draw you into their story.
Monty Jays writing is superb! This is a second gen series and I have not read the first round but it did not hinder my experience with this book other than to say now I need to go back and read/listen to the first generation books.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
🎧 update 8/25: I forgot how much I loved this book! ~9 months after I eyeball read Wrath of an Exile, I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook which comes out 8/26. Michelle Sparks and Liam DiCosimo did such a wonderful job narrating this duet recorded audiobook and breathing life into Phi and Jude. I wish all books could be recorded this way because it really does enhance the listening experience. If you are an audiobook listener, I highly recommend listening as it's 100% worth it. Since it's gonna be at least a year until we get Whisper of a Shadow, book 2 in The River Styx Heathens second-gen series, this will have to tide me over. 🥰 Big thank you to Monty Jay and Valentine PR for providing an ALC.
📕 original:
Rook and Sage's daughter?!? You know it's gonna be good.
This is a 2nd gen series so if you haven't read The Hollow Boys, circle back after you've read those.
Wrath of an Exile follows Seraphina Van Doren and Jude Sinclair (Easton Sinclair's son and Easton is Sage's ex). There's a lot of bad blood between these two families so when Jude moves in with the Van Dorens, it's not without a lot of angst and hostility. There's a lot of forced proximity and star crossed lovers vibes going on. Phi has a lot going on and despite having so many people in her life that love her, Jude is the only one that was able to get thru her walls. He's also been through so much and I felt so bad for all the crap his dad put him through. I loved these two together and Wrath of an Exile was such a great start to a new series.
Loved seeing all our daddy hollow boys but daddy Rook was the best. Seeing all the hollow boy 2.0s running around -- I cannot wait for the rest of the books in this series.
📕 original:
Rook and Sage's daughter?!? You know it's gonna be good.
This is a 2nd gen series so if you haven't read The Hollow Boys, circle back after you've read those.
Wrath of an Exile follows Seraphina Van Doren and Jude Sinclair (Easton Sinclair's son and Easton is Sage's ex). There's a lot of bad blood between these two families so when Jude moves in with the Van Dorens, it's not without a lot of angst and hostility. There's a lot of forced proximity and star crossed lovers vibes going on. Phi has a lot going on and despite having so many people in her life that love her, Jude is the only one that was able to get thru her walls. He's also been through so much and I felt so bad for all the crap his dad put him through. I loved these two together and Wrath of an Exile was such a great start to a new series.
Loved seeing all our daddy hollow boys but daddy Rook was the best. Seeing all the hollow boy 2.0s running around -- I cannot wait for the rest of the books in this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse, Drug use, Rape, Death of parent
Infinity stars!! And definitely will be one of my top reads of the year!
"I'm the only one allowed to hate you."
This was one of my favorite books when I read it, but hearing the audio for it = perfection! This book is so beautifully written, heartbreaking at times, but I absolutely fell in love with Phi & Jude. Every single piece of my shattered soul was put back together and I could not get enough of them. I felt so many emotions reading this and of course was crying my eyes out at times, but I wish I could read this for the first time again. If you've read any of Monty's books already, you MUST add this to the TBR!
Narrated in duet by Michelle Sparks and Liam Dicosimo @michellesparksvoice & @liamdicosimo - I literally could not stop listening and it was performed so well!
What to expect:
🪽Enemies to lovers
❤️Foster sibling
🪽Forced proximity
❤️Romeo & Juliet vibes
🪽Bad boy x Even badder girl
❤️Forbidden romance
🪽found family
"Give me all your pain, all your hurt, every ounce of that rage in your vicious fucking heart. I can take it."
"I'm the only one allowed to hate you."
This was one of my favorite books when I read it, but hearing the audio for it = perfection! This book is so beautifully written, heartbreaking at times, but I absolutely fell in love with Phi & Jude. Every single piece of my shattered soul was put back together and I could not get enough of them. I felt so many emotions reading this and of course was crying my eyes out at times, but I wish I could read this for the first time again. If you've read any of Monty's books already, you MUST add this to the TBR!
Narrated in duet by Michelle Sparks and Liam Dicosimo @michellesparksvoice & @liamdicosimo - I literally could not stop listening and it was performed so well!
What to expect:
🪽Enemies to lovers
❤️Foster sibling
🪽Forced proximity
❤️Romeo & Juliet vibes
🪽Bad boy x Even badder girl
❤️Forbidden romance
🪽found family
"Give me all your pain, all your hurt, every ounce of that rage in your vicious fucking heart. I can take it."
Coming back to Ponderosa Springs feels like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket after a wild adventure. 🥰 While you can jump right in, I highly recommend reading The Hollow Boys series first—because the cameos, the parents, and all the generational drama hit so much harder when you know them. Plus… that series is just chef’s kiss anyway.
✨ The River Styx Heathens kicks off the next generation, following Jude & Seraphina.
Jude rolls back into town for his dad’s will reading (family drama unlocked 👀), while Seraphina is thriving in her own unapologetic, bad-bitch energy four years after a major transformation. When these two collide? Sparks, banter, and tension for DAYS.
Seraphina Van Doren = iconic. She’s her father’s daughter through and through and I loved every second of it. Jude? Once you fall for him, there’s no coming back. Their chemistry had me giggling, squealing, and kicking my feet. 🫶🏽
🎧 And the audiobook? PERFECTION. Shoutout to Liam DiCosimo & Michelle Sparks for absolutely nailing it.
Content Warnings
Violence Murder Blood and gore Religious trauma Death of a parent Substance abuse Addiction Adoption Loss related to overdosing Drug and alcohol use Child abuse Sexual assault Rape Themes of post-traumatic stress disorder Mentions of suicide Suicidal ideations Enemies to lovers Foster sibling Forced proximity Romeo & Juliet vibes Bad boy x Even Badder girl Forbidden romance found family
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated