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endemictoearth's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This one starts off with a lot of trauma for the young Mason. I could appreciate how one type of abuse could lead you into another form, thinking it can’t be abuse bc it’s not X or it’s not as bad as being physically hurt. It made me think about this world and how important it is to have frank discussions about the difference between sexual and non-sexual scenes and consent. It threw me again with real world media references, but this time I chuckled when they all agree The Big Lebowski is a five star film as a former attendee of Lebowski Fest (but still, I think there would be different stories being told).
I was grateful for the time jump to twelve years later when Mason is 28 and using his Animal Magic to work with horses and other animals. He comes to the coven/farm we know from the first book and meets Charlie, who is a Dom with very weak magic. They start as friends and eventually start to scene together, with Mason trying to keep Charlie at arm’s length. What I loved about this book was Mason’s journey to really become part of the coven and its community, even more than he realizes at first. The romance is there, and it is very sweet (no 3rd act break, but rather a wake-up call when Mason tries to scene with a former lover and finds he can’t go through with it), but even more than than seeing Mason get a best friend (Roman) and help out Cross (who I am very intrigued to see his story; he’s got a lot to work through) and just integrate himself in a way he’s never let himself before.
I really liked that this book had a different emotional arc/flow from the previous one; it is much more Mason's story than a back and forth between him and Charlie. But I did appreciate the epilogue from Charlie's POV.
I also loved seeing Roman and Tyler feature somewhat prominently (though not overshadowing Mason and Charlie), because it was wonderful to see how far Roman has come.
I don't know that I'd say the worldbuilding is substantially expanded upon (which is fine for me bc too much worldbuilding and lore overwhelms me), but we do learn more about the types of magic and how the covens are organized, which I appreciated. If there was too much of that exposition, it wouldn't feel like a Vivancos book, if that makes sense. The feels are always at the core, and this story is no exception. If pressed, I think I prefer book 1 just a hair more than this one, but they are both books I am happy to round up to five stars.
I was grateful for the time jump to twelve years later when Mason is 28 and using his Animal Magic to work with horses and other animals. He comes to the coven/farm we know from the first book and meets Charlie, who is a Dom with very weak magic. They start as friends and eventually start to scene together, with Mason trying to keep Charlie at arm’s length. What I loved about this book was Mason’s journey to really become part of the coven and its community, even more than he realizes at first. The romance is there, and it is very sweet (no 3rd act break, but rather a wake-up call when Mason tries to scene with a former lover and finds he can’t go through with it), but even more than than seeing Mason get a best friend (Roman) and help out Cross (who I am very intrigued to see his story; he’s got a lot to work through) and just integrate himself in a way he’s never let himself before.
I really liked that this book had a different emotional arc/flow from the previous one; it is much more Mason's story than a back and forth between him and Charlie. But I did appreciate the epilogue from Charlie's POV.
I also loved seeing Roman and Tyler feature somewhat prominently (though not overshadowing Mason and Charlie), because it was wonderful to see how far Roman has come.
I don't know that I'd say the worldbuilding is substantially expanded upon (which is fine for me bc too much worldbuilding and lore overwhelms me), but we do learn more about the types of magic and how the covens are organized, which I appreciated. If there was too much of that exposition, it wouldn't feel like a Vivancos book, if that makes sense. The feels are always at the core, and this story is no exception. If pressed, I think I prefer book 1 just a hair more than this one, but they are both books I am happy to round up to five stars.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
christi_reads_mm's review
2.0
DNF @ 35%.
Unlike the previous book in the series that grabbed me from the first page, this one didn't. It wasn't the TWs , I wasn't triggered by those although they started to get to me. What was my issue, was that there was no chemistry between Mason and Charlie, between Mason and any other character be it a two legged one or a four legged one or even between me and the story.
Yes I'm DNFing early and maybe things would have clicked between Mason and the characters but since the story didn't click with me I couldn't see myself changing my mind and I'm glad I didn't continue based on martina (chaotic version)'s review here. Yeah that would have made me resent the book and I don't want that.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
Unlike the previous book in the series that grabbed me from the first page, this one didn't. It wasn't the TWs , I wasn't triggered by those although they started to get to me. What was my issue, was that there was no chemistry between Mason and Charlie, between Mason and any other character be it a two legged one or a four legged one or even between me and the story.
Yes I'm DNFing early and maybe things would have clicked between Mason and the characters but since the story didn't click with me I couldn't see myself changing my mind and I'm glad I didn't continue based on martina (chaotic version)'s review here. Yeah that would have made me resent the book and I don't want that.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book
mousie's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
_isabel_'s review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Well, excuse me while I go cry my eyes out.
Marina Vivancos does it again, my fellow book lovers: every single one of her books has been majestic and "Out of The Wild Night" is no exception.
This dream of a book, oh my god. It's emotional and moving and delicate and sexy and sweet and lovely. I loved it to absolute bits: Mason and Charlie's romance was precisely what I expected from Marina Vivancos' pen, but at the same time, it still surprised me, how subtly gut-wrenching and heart-stopping it was. I don't know how she does it, but seriously, there's no one who can do hurt/comfort quite like Marina does: every single one of her books has been an emotional ride like no other, and I feel like I need a week or two to recover.
"Oh, Sacred Dark" was slightly tougher to get through, because of the relentless trauma Roman went through, but "Out of The Wild Night" was still pretty heavy, especially the first few chapters. Even though Mason's traumatic experiences are less recent than Roman's were, they still come through, loud and clear, through his prickly and constant self-preservation. His heart is still pretty bruised, but seeing him slowly come back to life was wonderful: Mason, thanks to the Meliora coven, learns that he is as worthy of love and respect and joy as every single living being and I thought that, as usual, Marina handled this, and everything that came before his time in the coven, with astounding thoughtfulness.
Another thing I loved about this book (and I noticed this when reading book one too!) was the fact that although Mason's the only POV, his love interest, Charlie, is given room to be vulnerable and needy, despite him being a Dom. Marina challenges the usual, and unrealistic (if fun), D/s dynamics where the Dom is only there as the possessive protector. Instead, Charlie is an absolute joy of a man: he's cheerful and cheesy and flirtatious, but also so damn charming and soft and sweet. I loved him so damn much: I literally spent half of the book swooning.
Mason, on the other hand, comes across as a little prickly and judgemental, but like his co-workers and his soon-to-be-friends at the coven, the reader learns to love him: he has the right to be jaded and sharp and complicated. And oh god, his character arc! It's the thing of beauty.
Obviously, his relationship with Charlie literally gave me life: their dynamic is fun and loving and affectionate, and a whole lot of steamy. This second book is definitely more explicit than the previous book! *fans herself*
“I could eat you up,” Charlie whispered close to him, words round and thick, syllables slipping into each other.
Mason’s knees shook. There was nothing he’d like more than to disappear into Charlie’s mouth, bite by bite.
I also completely adored Mason's friendship with Roman (THE CUTEST BFFS EVER!!!) and, surprisingly, Cross. Now, that man is a complete mystery and he broke my heart: I can't wait to see what kind of book his will be, and what kind of sub will finally give him his so well-deserved happiness.
Anyway, read this book and this series.
Scratch that, read Marina's entire backlist. I still have a few more of her books to devour myself, so I'll probably do that while I wait for her next masterpiece.
Thank you GRR for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
Marina Vivancos does it again, my fellow book lovers: every single one of her books has been majestic and "Out of The Wild Night" is no exception.
This dream of a book, oh my god. It's emotional and moving and delicate and sexy and sweet and lovely. I loved it to absolute bits: Mason and Charlie's romance was precisely what I expected from Marina Vivancos' pen, but at the same time, it still surprised me, how subtly gut-wrenching and heart-stopping it was. I don't know how she does it, but seriously, there's no one who can do hurt/comfort quite like Marina does: every single one of her books has been an emotional ride like no other, and I feel like I need a week or two to recover.
"Oh, Sacred Dark" was slightly tougher to get through, because of the relentless trauma Roman went through, but "Out of The Wild Night" was still pretty heavy, especially the first few chapters. Even though Mason's traumatic experiences are less recent than Roman's were, they still come through, loud and clear, through his prickly and constant self-preservation. His heart is still pretty bruised, but seeing him slowly come back to life was wonderful: Mason, thanks to the Meliora coven, learns that he is as worthy of love and respect and joy as every single living being and I thought that, as usual, Marina handled this, and everything that came before his time in the coven, with astounding thoughtfulness.
Another thing I loved about this book (and I noticed this when reading book one too!) was the fact that although Mason's the only POV, his love interest, Charlie, is given room to be vulnerable and needy, despite him being a Dom. Marina challenges the usual, and unrealistic (if fun), D/s dynamics where the Dom is only there as the possessive protector. Instead, Charlie is an absolute joy of a man: he's cheerful and cheesy and flirtatious, but also so damn charming and soft and sweet. I loved him so damn much: I literally spent half of the book swooning.
Mason, on the other hand, comes across as a little prickly and judgemental, but like his co-workers and his soon-to-be-friends at the coven, the reader learns to love him: he has the right to be jaded and sharp and complicated. And oh god, his character arc! It's the thing of beauty.
Obviously, his relationship with Charlie literally gave me life: their dynamic is fun and loving and affectionate, and a whole lot of steamy. This second book is definitely more explicit than the previous book! *fans herself*
“I could eat you up,” Charlie whispered close to him, words round and thick, syllables slipping into each other.
Mason’s knees shook. There was nothing he’d like more than to disappear into Charlie’s mouth, bite by bite.
I also completely adored Mason's friendship with Roman (THE CUTEST BFFS EVER!!!) and, surprisingly, Cross. Now, that man is a complete mystery and he broke my heart: I can't wait to see what kind of book his will be, and what kind of sub will finally give him his so well-deserved happiness.
Anyway, read this book and this series.
Scratch that, read Marina's entire backlist. I still have a few more of her books to devour myself, so I'll probably do that while I wait for her next masterpiece.
Thank you GRR for the ARC. I received it in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
amberjoy94's review
5.0
This series has easily become one of my favs. Marina knows how to write such a relatable character and you can feel their pain and the way they slowly start to accept love.
The little coven found family is everything. The way they take care of their own. Mason being skeptical of Connie, Charlie, Cross, Roman, and Tyler at first but he slowly started to open up and accept them.
“Some families you were born into. Others, he was realising, you found.”
Mason and Roman’s friendship was everything. Neither one of them having that friend to rely on and ask for advice or just hang out with. I’m glad they found that in each other 🥹
Even Mason’s friendship with Cross was so simple but he some how knew that Cross just needed someone to be there even if they sat in silence.
Charlie and Mason though🥴
After Mason’s rough childhood, he swore off relationships and love and he always felt like he was not deserving of anything more. But wow Charlie was there to show him that he deserved so much and he was there to give it. Top tier.
“I love you so much. I love you with everything I have, Mason. Nothing in this world is unlovable, and you least of all. All the proof you have is that you are so very fucking loved, darlin’.”
I received this arc in exchange for an honest review
mjulis's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“He wanted Charlie in a way he’d never wanted anybody. To touch him, yes, to sink their bodies together, to submit to him. But also just to be with him. To crack himself open and show Charlie the mess inside so Mason wouldn’t be alone with it anymore.”
Thank you to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC, I’ve never felt more honoured in my lifetime!
Obviously I CANNOT be normal about this book because it feels like MV just entered my brain and wrote this just to hurt my feelings and rip my heart out and then cradle me in a soft, magical cloud of cotton wool. Pick one Marina!!! (I’m just kidding please never change)
As the author notes, there’s on-page depictions of abuse, grooming and trauma so please go into this prepared. It’s hard to explain what made this so exquisite for me but it’s really up there with Rat Park & I will now go stare at a wall indefinitely <3
Thank you to Gay Romance Reviews for the ARC, I’ve never felt more honoured in my lifetime!
Obviously I CANNOT be normal about this book because it feels like MV just entered my brain and wrote this just to hurt my feelings and rip my heart out and then cradle me in a soft, magical cloud of cotton wool. Pick one Marina!!! (I’m just kidding please never change)
As the author notes, there’s on-page depictions of abuse, grooming and trauma so please go into this prepared. It’s hard to explain what made this so exquisite for me but it’s really up there with Rat Park & I will now go stare at a wall indefinitely <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Gaslighting
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