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Natural Magic #2
All That Has Flown Beyond
Kaiyo’s bloodline has been part of the Garrow pack for generations. He has been destined to be shaman, to anchor the werewolves to the land, and lend aid with the force of his Ousía. When Kaiyo is fourteen, however, an attacking group kills all of the adults in the pack, leaving young Ahmik, only fifteen, as leader.
Their worries don’t end there.
Smelling blood in the water, enemies hunt the decimated pack from all sides. Kaiyo grows increasingly reckless in his desperation to defend his pack, to finally grow into his shaman powers, and to protect Ahmik: the boy he loves.
In the end, Kaiyo loses his pack anyway.
Packless, landless, Kaiyo drifts. For ten years, he fights to remake himself into the shaman, and the man, he was meant to become. One phone call from his old pack, though, and he is forced to return.
Something is killing children and Kaiyo is the only one strong enough to stop it.
Kaiyo never thought his journey would take him back to his old land, his old pack, and to Ahmik. Forced to face his past, and the wounded love that still aches for Ahmik, Kaiyo will be tested like never before.
Content Warning: This story contains themes of depression and associated thoughts and behaviours. However, as always, it focuses on recovery and strength.
This book takes place in the Natural Magic world but can be read as a standalone.
Their worries don’t end there.
Smelling blood in the water, enemies hunt the decimated pack from all sides. Kaiyo grows increasingly reckless in his desperation to defend his pack, to finally grow into his shaman powers, and to protect Ahmik: the boy he loves.
In the end, Kaiyo loses his pack anyway.
Packless, landless, Kaiyo drifts. For ten years, he fights to remake himself into the shaman, and the man, he was meant to become. One phone call from his old pack, though, and he is forced to return.
Something is killing children and Kaiyo is the only one strong enough to stop it.
Kaiyo never thought his journey would take him back to his old land, his old pack, and to Ahmik. Forced to face his past, and the wounded love that still aches for Ahmik, Kaiyo will be tested like never before.
Content Warning: This story contains themes of depression and associated thoughts and behaviours. However, as always, it focuses on recovery and strength.
This book takes place in the Natural Magic world but can be read as a standalone.
308 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2018
86 people are currently reading
514 people want to read
About the author
Marina Vivancos
28 books909 followersWhen Marina was a child she couldn’t sleep. Night after dissolving night she just couldn’t sleep. Nothing much worked – until she started making up stories in her head. Suddenly, the transition into unconsciousness was a smooth dive into calm waters.
Marina is currently in a period of sleepless upheaval, and she hopes writing down the stories in her head will cast the same spell it did years ago.
You can find her being malhumorada on Twitter.
Marina is currently in a period of sleepless upheaval, and she hopes writing down the stories in her head will cast the same spell it did years ago.
You can find her being malhumorada on Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
December 16, 2018
⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱*It Was More ‘Meh’ Than Anything Else*⋰⋱⋰⋱⋰⋱
*BE AWARE, CAN CONTAIN SPOILERS* The book centers around the meant to be the Shaman (human) of the Garrow pack, Kaiyo Amanati (28). Kaiyo get's thrown out of the pack at the age of 18 after being too reckless (an irresponsible member of the pack) in the hopes that his Shaman powers would manifest. His bond with the pack served and the pack house will be warded against him. In the next 10 years, he suffers, trains and helps others. When Kaiya goes back to Ahmik's back to help save them from something that is killing the children, he ends up linked and indebted the land’s Ousía (because of what he did to save the child) and not be able to leave for four seasons (a year) without suffering the consequences. In that time he helps the pack become a pack again.
There were reasons to feel like he did. It had been ten years since he had been kicked out of the pack, nine since he had last been in Bamsdale. It had been a trying road, getting where he was. He was not especially powerful in Ousía, or intelligent, or intuitive. Everything he had, he’d gotten through hard work. He’d had to fight tooth and nail for his soul, but it still felt fragile in his hands. It felt like it could slip away the moment he was back in the place that a part of him still called home.
But he had to remember: his perception was treacherous. He wasn’t the boy he had been at eighteen, or nineteen, or twenty. He was almost twenty-nine now; the slip back to the hole he had been in all those years ago felt a mere stumble away, but it wasn’t. He knew how it felt when he was going down now. He knew when to dig his fingers into the earth and stop the descent before he reached the bottom. He knew how to crawl his way back up into open air.
He could do this, he told himself. Even if he was terrified.
Fear was an integral part of bravery, after all.
Overall, the book wasn't as good as the first one. I like the main character, Kaiyo, but I didn't really feel all that much for Ahmik and the rest of the pack. I struggled with connecting with them. As far as the story goes, it was alright, however, little happened; you just go through motions without really going in depth. Most of the depth was in Kaiyo's depression which was more in the first part, after that... things just were. There was way too much information being practically forced onto you; it felt like I was learning more about the Ousía and the magical than the story and its characters itself, which could be a bit too heavy at times and frankly boring. I wished there was a difference between the pack members and the Kephalē; like the Kephalē being really alpha, but the Kephalēs in this series is only guides and nothing more. Specially not Ahmik, he didn't fit. Hell a child had more command than him -.- I need my men more alpha in books.
All that had been left was Ahmik, Kaiyo, and Thea. Ahmik had been ritualized by a neighbouring shaman into position of Kephalē. Kaiyo had only been able to watch.
Perhaps it was ironic that the attacking pack received nothing but death for their attempt. Even if most of the Garrows had perished, they had not gone down quietly. Garrow allies had taken care of the rest and had helped protect the remaining three members from any further attacks. In the end, it had been a senseless slaughtering of life. Kaiyo was left with the straggling remains of his pack and his mother, Adeline, who was not part of the pack. She had a passive Ousía and had divorced Kaiyo’s dad shortly after Kaiyo’s birth.
The help from the neighbouring packs had slowly faded with time. The three teenagers had trudged through grief to keep the pack alive. Every day seemed to bring new trouble, and every day Kaiyo’s guilt got a little heavier. He should have manifested by now. He should be helping his pack.
His Ousía wouldn’t listen, but he’d make his body act.
Age timeline:
★ Part One ★ (10 years)
☆ 1% to 42%
Kaiyo is 18 to 26 (?) years old.
★ Part Two ★ (4 seasons)
☆ 42% (summer), 61% (autumn), 70% (winter), 88% (spring)
Kaiyo is 28 to 29 (?) years old.
“I’m glad…I’m glad you left and were able to do so much,” Ahmik said.
Kaiyo stopped dead in his tracks. He stared blindly ahead, the anger squeezing his throat taking over his senses. He turned sharply to look at Ahmik, who had also stopped suddenly in surprise. At the look in Kaiyo’s eyes, Ahmik’s own widened.
“You think what I have is because of you? How fucking…how fucking dare you even insinuate that what I have is because I—well, left is a bit of a misnomer, isn’t it? Kicked out would be better.” Kaiyo pointed a finger at Ahmik’s face, getting close enough to almost touch him. “Everything I have now is despite you. Despite what you did to me. So don’t for a fucking second pat yourself on the back for a job well done. You…you have no idea what I’ve been through.”
Other Characters:
→ Ahmik Garrow (a year older than Kaiyo), the leader (Kephalē) of the Garrow pack.
→ Thea (same age as Kaiyo), a werewolf pack member.
→ Mehdi Saba, the shaman from their neighbouring pack.
→ Adeline, Kaiyo's mother, who was not part of the pack. She had a passive Ousía and had divorced Kaiyo’s dad, Hisashi shortly after Kaiyo’s birth. She's a nurse.
→ Emil, was a recent member of the pack, having visited from a distant, Chilean branch of Ahmik’s paternal side of the family tree. Thea had been born into the pack despite having no blood ties to the Garrows, her African-American parents having been accepted onto Garrow land before she was born. Both Thea and Emil had fallen for each other quickly.
→ Claudia Naranjo, Kaiyo's psychologist’s name. She knew about Ousía and all related phenomena.
→ Akiko Saeki, a shaman, her ancestors having moved to America from a Japanese village near where the Amanatis, Kaiyo’s paternal side of the family, were originally from. Akiko was part of the pack nearest to the city Kaiyo was living in. Kaiyo becomes her apprentice at the age of 20, and studied the ways of Ousía for almost six years.
→ Hanaki, the Kanbara pack’s Kephalē. Mori, her second and eldest son, Tomoko, her daughter and Junpei (11), her youngest.
→ Amaya, she joined the Garrow pack a few years ago, used to be a meanderer.
→ Lars, a meanderer, no surname. Of Danish descent and Kaiyo believes he's been abused before and escaped. He eventually joins the Garrow pack.
→ Steve (15), of the Norwood pack. He's aYuxa who could shift into a lichanura trivirgata, a rosy-coloured boa, three feet long and with a circumference as large as a golf ball. Steven’s receptive Ousía had manifested when he was just two. --> not a spoiler but contains information.
→ Clara, of the Royle pack. She was a necromancer, meaning her Ousía was conductive but could not be trained as a witch due to its unusually strong anchor limiting its reach. --> not a spoiler but contains information.
→ Josephine, the clear leader of a witch coven. Riley and Finn, witches of the coven.
“Isla. I understand your frustration, but let me tell you a secret. Some things in life are difficult. I know you’ve probably heard that before, but what that really means is that when you encounter something that’s difficult, this is not a reflection on you. Of your capacity or worth. It is a natural quality of life. Some hills are steep. Some rivers are filled with rapid water. Some deserts are so long and arid it’s like they’re never going to stop.
“Some people may be better at crossing rivers, others at climbing hills, but there is not one person on this earth talented at everything. You cannot control, in the moment, if the new landscape you encounter is difficult for you. If you never encountered difficult terrain, then you have either left your humanity behind, or you are not challenging yourself in life.
“So. We’ve encountered a piece of difficult terrain. Good. That’s not a reflection of you but of the fact that we are being adventurous. That we are discovering new land. Should we explore it or turn around?” Kaiyo asked. Isla didn’t uncurl from her position, kicking her feet through the air.
“Explore it,” she muttered. Kaiyo smiled.
Quick basic facts:
Genre: - (Adult) Paranormal
Series: - Series (Can Be Read As A Standalone), Book Two.
Love triangle? -
Cheating? -
HEA? -
Favorite character? - Kaiyo Amanati.
Would I read more by this author/or of series? - Yes.
Would I recommend this book/series? - Yes, the first one definitely.
Will I read this again in the future? - No.
Rating - 3/2.5 stars.
December 29, 2020
4.5 stars round up. Another winner from MV! It starts off with a bit of a near death situation and just doesn't let up on the feels from the first chapter. The editing is very well done and the story has a lyrical narration like her other books that seems slightly blurry but intensely focused and personal at the same time. This again, is not the kind of book a reader can comfortably skim. There is just too much in the writing that is necessary to feel this book. Skimming it is cheating yourself.
Like her other books this book is long on diversity and heavy on the mental health aspect of a balanced life and like the other books it's deftly done and informative without feeling too ham-fisted, judgy or preachy, just slightly dry. If these are the kinds of therapists she's known (or is) to model their behavior, she's lucky.
I'm not a second chance kind of girl. I usually dislike this type of romance because frankly, usually one of the MC's really doesn't deserve a second chance no matter how much the other MC loves them. This book walks that tightrope by using age and unfathomable stress and responsibility to allow me to let the second chance come naturally and get behind it even if I really only did it for Kaiyo.
What does the book miss? Well, there was no reason we couldn't have visited with Damian and Hakan from the first book. With all the travels Kaiyo does solving problems, and since this book is part of that world, it was expected and didn't happen leaving me feeling a bit let down. And what happened to his mentor? She seems to have just dropped out of his life. It was a little jarring and it felt like it cheapened their relationship. These things weren't critical but they were noticed.
I can't avoid feeling all the emotions these books intend and that's great writing. So looking forward to the next one.
This was a generous ARC from the author but you know me, if the book had sucked I would have said so. ;)
Like her other books this book is long on diversity and heavy on the mental health aspect of a balanced life and like the other books it's deftly done and informative without feeling too ham-fisted, judgy or preachy, just slightly dry. If these are the kinds of therapists she's known (or is) to model their behavior, she's lucky.
I'm not a second chance kind of girl. I usually dislike this type of romance because frankly, usually one of the MC's really doesn't deserve a second chance no matter how much the other MC loves them. This book walks that tightrope by using age and unfathomable stress and responsibility to allow me to let the second chance come naturally and get behind it even if I really only did it for Kaiyo.
What does the book miss? Well, there was no reason we couldn't have visited with Damian and Hakan from the first book. With all the travels Kaiyo does solving problems, and since this book is part of that world, it was expected and didn't happen leaving me feeling a bit let down. And what happened to his mentor? She seems to have just dropped out of his life. It was a little jarring and it felt like it cheapened their relationship. These things weren't critical but they were noticed.
I can't avoid feeling all the emotions these books intend and that's great writing. So looking forward to the next one.
This was a generous ARC from the author but you know me, if the book had sucked I would have said so. ;)
December 4, 2018
Just like the first book in this series, All That Has Flown Beyond is a complicated and complex narrative which covers a multitude of subjects all wrapped within a paranormal romance.
I'm never sure what I'm going to be reading in the next chapter with this author and here we get taken along a journey of mythology, customs and traditions ranging across Europe and into South America and across the Far East to Japan.
It's wonderfully lyrical and descriptive, the otherworldly feeling comes pouring out as the story progresses through the shamanic route Kaiyo takes after he's forced out of the pack he's always been part of even though he's not a wolf shifter.
There's also incredible pain in this book, head the trigger warnings carefully, Marina doesn't skimp on any of the details as she demonstrates how the black dog of depression controls lives, how it pulls its web over even the strongest of souls.
But there is also much love in this book, even though the romance itself takes some time to return, second chances need to have the necessary pay back to make them believable and to get the reader rooting for reconciliation.
All in all I'm again wowed by the writing talent while being exhausted by the subject matter!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
I'm never sure what I'm going to be reading in the next chapter with this author and here we get taken along a journey of mythology, customs and traditions ranging across Europe and into South America and across the Far East to Japan.
It's wonderfully lyrical and descriptive, the otherworldly feeling comes pouring out as the story progresses through the shamanic route Kaiyo takes after he's forced out of the pack he's always been part of even though he's not a wolf shifter.
There's also incredible pain in this book, head the trigger warnings carefully, Marina doesn't skimp on any of the details as she demonstrates how the black dog of depression controls lives, how it pulls its web over even the strongest of souls.
But there is also much love in this book, even though the romance itself takes some time to return, second chances need to have the necessary pay back to make them believable and to get the reader rooting for reconciliation.
All in all I'm again wowed by the writing talent while being exhausted by the subject matter!
#ARC kindly received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.
December 5, 2018
I get that the author wanted to take you along on Kaiyo's healing process, but the book went from fiction to theory in alot of places. It felt like reading a psychology book at times. That really ruined the story form me. If Kaiyo went through hell and we had to read about forever, what about Ahmiks? Ahmiks and Kaiyo barely even have conversations, they only reminisce over the past and ignore the present and the future, not for once making it believable that their practically soul mates. There's not a big connection between the two main characters except their past. I wanted to read about there future, their present, how they overcame what happened, but that's not what this story is about. This story is about Kaiyo, his therapy and a whole bunch of unresolved narrative. Kaiyo came forth as a rather selfish disingenuous character. The fact that he's not very likable along with reading a book about therapy instead of fiction made this a very long book to work through.
July 10, 2025
Note to self, don’t revisit this one. I don’t feel like going into details so I’m just going to link this review to remind myself of why.
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
August 28, 2022
Let me start with the fact that I was over the moon in love with In This Iron Ground, the first in this series.
I really enjoyed the first 79% overall. I found the fluctuation between Kaiyo's ever deepening depression with snippets of the past interesting (but also sort of annoying, if I'm honest). I thought the representation of Kaiyo breaking apart after the pack bond is ripped out of him was so well done. His thought process of everything being too exhausting to do. His complete lack of awareness over his own state. His mother showing up and helping him one step at a time.
I like that he went to therapy but therapy was pretty preachy. Therapy is supposed to be about helping the client find their own answers, not monologuing at them constantly. I felt the author's heart was in the right place but it came off as a PSA for depression.
I was sort of used to the time jumping style Marina has from the first book. That didn't bother me. I loved the Kanbara pack! But I hate how they ultimately became used as a standard to show that only home could be home.
Sorry, everything that happened as soon as Kaiyo got tied back to the Garrow land was....no. I loved Isla. Even Edu was decent. I really liked Amara and Lars. But Ahmik and Then and Emil? Yeah they can fuck right the hell off.
I had a lot of hope that the author would do the right thing by Kaiyo. He had almost been destroyed by these people. He had fought for his life. He had become this amazing, gentle, harmonious soul. He had learned his worth. He had learned balance. He even gets angry at Ahmik at one point and explicitly tells him that he is not who he is because Ahmik kicked him out but despite that choice.
But he DOESN'T know his worth in the face of his childhood lover and ex best friends. Because while both Thea and Ahmik apologize, Kaiyo just brushes their actions off as being in the past. I get not wanting to open a wound, but how is this balance? They tore everything you had left from you only 3 years after you'd lost everything else. Ahmik and Thea and Emil never learn how devastating their choice was for him. While he mentions that he almost died they don't understand how horrifyingly slow that near death. They in no way are ever truly held accountable for what they've done to him as two people who supposedly loved him, were pack.
When the Kanbara kids visit from Japan I hoped this would be a turning point in the book. I hoped Kaiyo would see that Ahmik was a longing for something ripped from him, that it was a lack of closure, a habit. I was hoping he'd realize that while he had missed the land and was currently tied to it, it hasn't really his. Not anymore.
And let's not even get into how Ahmik and Thea are the exact same people they were a decade ago. Maybe worse. Hot headed, temperamental, controlling. They don't change for the better. They don't figure out their shit. They don't learn how to run and protect their pack better. Until Kaiyo makes them.
So what, Kaiyo is the mother taken for granted and I'm supposed to be okay with it because he still has feelings for the boy he'd been in love with his entire childhood? The man who callously turned him away without an explanation or seeming second thought?
And by the way, ripping the pack bond out of him, tearing the land away from him and locking him out of the land? Doing that to "protect" him because you were worried about the human being injured? That's not a good enough reason to do that to someone! And that's also why it pisses me off that they never learn the endless despair Kaiyo had to overcome to be who he is now. He has to live with that depression and anxiety for the rest of his life because he was an injure-able human trying to protect his pack however he could. Fuck that.
Kaiyo deserved better. He should have been with Mori. Ahmik is so far from deserving that beautiful human that it's not even funny.
I should have stopped reading at 79%, the moment Kaiyo and Ahmik kissed again. But that whole "I am who I am despite you" scene gave me false hope that Kaiyo knew his worth.
I really enjoyed the first 79% overall. I found the fluctuation between Kaiyo's ever deepening depression with snippets of the past interesting (but also sort of annoying, if I'm honest). I thought the representation of Kaiyo breaking apart after the pack bond is ripped out of him was so well done. His thought process of everything being too exhausting to do. His complete lack of awareness over his own state. His mother showing up and helping him one step at a time.
I like that he went to therapy but therapy was pretty preachy. Therapy is supposed to be about helping the client find their own answers, not monologuing at them constantly. I felt the author's heart was in the right place but it came off as a PSA for depression.
I was sort of used to the time jumping style Marina has from the first book. That didn't bother me. I loved the Kanbara pack! But I hate how they ultimately became used as a standard to show that only home could be home.
Sorry, everything that happened as soon as Kaiyo got tied back to the Garrow land was....no. I loved Isla. Even Edu was decent. I really liked Amara and Lars. But Ahmik and Then and Emil? Yeah they can fuck right the hell off.
I had a lot of hope that the author would do the right thing by Kaiyo. He had almost been destroyed by these people. He had fought for his life. He had become this amazing, gentle, harmonious soul. He had learned his worth. He had learned balance. He even gets angry at Ahmik at one point and explicitly tells him that he is not who he is because Ahmik kicked him out but despite that choice.
But he DOESN'T know his worth in the face of his childhood lover and ex best friends. Because while both Thea and Ahmik apologize, Kaiyo just brushes their actions off as being in the past. I get not wanting to open a wound, but how is this balance? They tore everything you had left from you only 3 years after you'd lost everything else. Ahmik and Thea and Emil never learn how devastating their choice was for him. While he mentions that he almost died they don't understand how horrifyingly slow that near death. They in no way are ever truly held accountable for what they've done to him as two people who supposedly loved him, were pack.
When the Kanbara kids visit from Japan I hoped this would be a turning point in the book. I hoped Kaiyo would see that Ahmik was a longing for something ripped from him, that it was a lack of closure, a habit. I was hoping he'd realize that while he had missed the land and was currently tied to it, it hasn't really his. Not anymore.
And let's not even get into how Ahmik and Thea are the exact same people they were a decade ago. Maybe worse. Hot headed, temperamental, controlling. They don't change for the better. They don't figure out their shit. They don't learn how to run and protect their pack better. Until Kaiyo makes them.
So what, Kaiyo is the mother taken for granted and I'm supposed to be okay with it because he still has feelings for the boy he'd been in love with his entire childhood? The man who callously turned him away without an explanation or seeming second thought?
And by the way, ripping the pack bond out of him, tearing the land away from him and locking him out of the land? Doing that to "protect" him because you were worried about the human being injured? That's not a good enough reason to do that to someone! And that's also why it pisses me off that they never learn the endless despair Kaiyo had to overcome to be who he is now. He has to live with that depression and anxiety for the rest of his life because he was an injure-able human trying to protect his pack however he could. Fuck that.
Kaiyo deserved better. He should have been with Mori. Ahmik is so far from deserving that beautiful human that it's not even funny.
I should have stopped reading at 79%, the moment Kaiyo and Ahmik kissed again. But that whole "I am who I am despite you" scene gave me false hope that Kaiyo knew his worth.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 17, 2022
Ah - while the writing is dreamy and beautiful just like In This Iron Ground, it had little of the heart or character. I liked Kaiyo, and while his depression rang uncomfortably true for me, the time skip drifting prevented me from really connecting. Almost nothing can be said about Ahmik and the pack.... being as bland as can be while still irritating.
Given that we start the book wounded and angry with Ahmik, who seemed cowardly and avoidant in addition to making hurtful choices, I found it hard to imagine how Vivancos would flip things - I was looking forward to being won over and hoped it wouldn't be an unrealistic character change. While that didn't happen, neither did anything else. Since Ahmik was so bland, the sex scenes were also weird for me - like Kaiyo sleeping with a sad memory. Disappointing after the desperate intensity of Damian and Hakan
Given that we start the book wounded and angry with Ahmik, who seemed cowardly and avoidant in addition to making hurtful choices, I found it hard to imagine how Vivancos would flip things - I was looking forward to being won over and hoped it wouldn't be an unrealistic character change. While that didn't happen, neither did anything else. Since Ahmik was so bland, the sex scenes were also weird for me - like Kaiyo sleeping with a sad memory. Disappointing after the desperate intensity of Damian and Hakan
January 2, 2024
This was definitely not as good and as heartbreaking as book one but not necessarily painless either.
The way the pack broke Kaiyo’s trust and what he had to go through in the aftermath of being rejected by the people that were supposed to love him most was in no way easy. It was so very, very emotional.
The journey of forgiveness that took place after Kaiyo came back to help out the pack was beautiful.
I am just not quite sure that the plot was totally fitting, generally speaking. I think I feel this way because for me personally, the necessary payback for the wrongdoings weren’t completely — well — complete. I needed more grovelling from the pack and especially from Ahmik.
But forgiveness was given (and deserved but I still wanted more grovelling) and the HEA felt satisfying so I’m happy.
The way the pack broke Kaiyo’s trust and what he had to go through in the aftermath of being rejected by the people that were supposed to love him most was in no way easy. It was so very, very emotional.
The journey of forgiveness that took place after Kaiyo came back to help out the pack was beautiful.
I am just not quite sure that the plot was totally fitting, generally speaking. I think I feel this way because for me personally, the necessary payback for the wrongdoings weren’t completely — well — complete. I needed more grovelling from the pack and especially from Ahmik.
But forgiveness was given (and deserved but I still wanted more grovelling) and the HEA felt satisfying so I’m happy.
October 4, 2025
This was Kayio’s journey. It’s full of pain, despair, and then hope. Hard work. Coming into his self. Growing.
It’s beautiful. It made me cry so many times.
But the romance? It’s sweet and hot and powerful, but I just couldn’t forgive Ahmik.
3.5 stars rounded up for Kayio
It’s beautiful. It made me cry so many times.
But the romance? It’s sweet and hot and powerful, but I just couldn’t forgive Ahmik.
3.5 stars rounded up for Kayio
July 23, 2021
Every time I read a Marina Vivancos book, I know I will be sucked into the world, and not be able to put it down. I only put this down, because of work an other obligations, but if I could I would have sat and read this book from start to finish with little breaks. I was immediately drawn to Kaiyo and knew he would be with me for a long time to come. I just did not know how much I would feel, well I knew, because Marina, but I just could not fathom the depth. Then you have Ahmik, who honestly loves so deeply, but knows he must be the strong one, and just does not understand you are able to love and bend and still be strong.
So, you have Kaiyo who is a lone human in the pack of three after the rest of the pack was killed off. It is devastating and hurtful, but Kaiyo believes if he can just manifest his Ouisa, then he will finally become the shaman the pack desperately needs and deserves. He is reckless in his pursuits and in the end loses out on his pack and family. He drifts for the next few years and becomes extremely depressed. Then he finally manifests and start to build a life he can be proud of. He thinks of his old pack constantly and does get down often, but is able to pull himself out of it. Then he is brought back to his old pack and home to help them. In doing so, he is then tied to the land for a year. There is heartbreak, but there is just so much growth and loving. I just adored this book and the hard fought HEA that was there at the end. I cannot wait to read all of Marina's books.
So, you have Kaiyo who is a lone human in the pack of three after the rest of the pack was killed off. It is devastating and hurtful, but Kaiyo believes if he can just manifest his Ouisa, then he will finally become the shaman the pack desperately needs and deserves. He is reckless in his pursuits and in the end loses out on his pack and family. He drifts for the next few years and becomes extremely depressed. Then he finally manifests and start to build a life he can be proud of. He thinks of his old pack constantly and does get down often, but is able to pull himself out of it. Then he is brought back to his old pack and home to help them. In doing so, he is then tied to the land for a year. There is heartbreak, but there is just so much growth and loving. I just adored this book and the hard fought HEA that was there at the end. I cannot wait to read all of Marina's books.
December 3, 2018
I will be doggone, she got me again. Tears from page one all the way through off and on. And I have to tell you, I know this is a fictional book, but there are some hella messages going on in this story, that actually had me stopping and thinking about my own life and my struggle with deep depression. There's some killer words by a 'therapist’ in this book that can be helped to healing and I was amazed. This whole book was just amazing. Informational. But still a story. The thing you have to take away more than anything though, each day is a choice to take a step or don't. I hope we all choose to do.
When you have ties with someone, bonds, deep-seated bonds, when those are severed, it's like taking half of your soul. And it's worse when half of your soul is already gone from the loss of your family. But death has caused Kaiyo, Ahmik and Tera to lose all the rest of the pack. Slaughtered by another. And now they are forced in roles they are so not ready for. Ahmik is in charge. He's the head. Kaiyo is supposed to be his Shaman, but he hasn't come into his 'powers’ yet. But grief and loss have taken it's toll on these three and Kaiyo has become wreckless. He puts himself in harm's way often and the pack has to let him go. And they do. They use a ritual and wards and cut him completely off and out of their lives. The betrayal is deep. One is his lover, the other his best friend. And Kaiyo is gone. He can't fill the hole that is inside him. To be completely cut off. And he spirals to the point of death.
It's a slide I've been down and it's hard. So I empathize with Kaiyo. I am destroyed for him. Gutted by what he feels. It's a void. A loneliness so deep it shatters you. Thankfully he had his mom. Who fought for him when he couldn't fight for himself. Who pushed him to therapy, made him eat, made him try. Between the therapist and his mom, he starts taking baby steps. He gets his powers and is taken under the wing of Akiko. Who drives him nuts but teaches him what he needs to know to go on his own. He such in knowledge like a tornado and becomes known to packs for his help and advice. But in spite of all that, he still has darks days. But he persists. And keeps going. Until the past comes to his present.
Help is needed in his old town. Children are dying. His old best friend is about to lose her baby to a dark force. His anxiety and dark thoughts push in on him at seeing everyone, but he does what he has to do. Which is save the child and take away the bad. But in his effort to save the baby, he needs more than he has to give and uses the land to help power him. But there's a price. He now has to stay a year and it seems it's time for everyone to face their own demons.
Having to be a leader at a young age is hard as hell. It sucks. You make bad decisions. Think with emotions instead of a level head. And cause things to happen that strain things for life. But when opportunity presents itself, you have to make the best of it and make it right. Ahmik and Keiyo had a lot of bad blood. They all did. But little by little they tried to make things right. But it's never easy. They fight, they argue, they get flat out stubborn and pissed. But a true leader has to know when it's time to let go and get help that's needed. And it was time to let go.
There's a lot of information in this book. A lot of explaining. Don't let that deter you. You will see how it's used. I love the characters. We have to genderfluids/non-binary and that was amazing to see. And amazing to see the support that was there. As it should be. The writing was so well done. It was a journey weaved through pain and heartache and utter despair, but brought through with hope, love, and a new lease on life. I recommend this wholeheartedly.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
When you have ties with someone, bonds, deep-seated bonds, when those are severed, it's like taking half of your soul. And it's worse when half of your soul is already gone from the loss of your family. But death has caused Kaiyo, Ahmik and Tera to lose all the rest of the pack. Slaughtered by another. And now they are forced in roles they are so not ready for. Ahmik is in charge. He's the head. Kaiyo is supposed to be his Shaman, but he hasn't come into his 'powers’ yet. But grief and loss have taken it's toll on these three and Kaiyo has become wreckless. He puts himself in harm's way often and the pack has to let him go. And they do. They use a ritual and wards and cut him completely off and out of their lives. The betrayal is deep. One is his lover, the other his best friend. And Kaiyo is gone. He can't fill the hole that is inside him. To be completely cut off. And he spirals to the point of death.
It's a slide I've been down and it's hard. So I empathize with Kaiyo. I am destroyed for him. Gutted by what he feels. It's a void. A loneliness so deep it shatters you. Thankfully he had his mom. Who fought for him when he couldn't fight for himself. Who pushed him to therapy, made him eat, made him try. Between the therapist and his mom, he starts taking baby steps. He gets his powers and is taken under the wing of Akiko. Who drives him nuts but teaches him what he needs to know to go on his own. He such in knowledge like a tornado and becomes known to packs for his help and advice. But in spite of all that, he still has darks days. But he persists. And keeps going. Until the past comes to his present.
Help is needed in his old town. Children are dying. His old best friend is about to lose her baby to a dark force. His anxiety and dark thoughts push in on him at seeing everyone, but he does what he has to do. Which is save the child and take away the bad. But in his effort to save the baby, he needs more than he has to give and uses the land to help power him. But there's a price. He now has to stay a year and it seems it's time for everyone to face their own demons.
Having to be a leader at a young age is hard as hell. It sucks. You make bad decisions. Think with emotions instead of a level head. And cause things to happen that strain things for life. But when opportunity presents itself, you have to make the best of it and make it right. Ahmik and Keiyo had a lot of bad blood. They all did. But little by little they tried to make things right. But it's never easy. They fight, they argue, they get flat out stubborn and pissed. But a true leader has to know when it's time to let go and get help that's needed. And it was time to let go.
There's a lot of information in this book. A lot of explaining. Don't let that deter you. You will see how it's used. I love the characters. We have to genderfluids/non-binary and that was amazing to see. And amazing to see the support that was there. As it should be. The writing was so well done. It was a journey weaved through pain and heartache and utter despair, but brought through with hope, love, and a new lease on life. I recommend this wholeheartedly.
http://lovebytesreviews.com
June 5, 2021
3.75 stars
September 16, 2021
It took me some time to go for this. The first book was a heartbreaking, tearjerking, voice soring, nose running (you get my drift?!) experience. I wasn't sure I was ready for another roller coaster ride but I knew I had to go for this book.
This book can be read as a standalone and set in the same universe as the first book. Apart from that, I don't recall any other similarities. Kaiyo was a half Japanese shaman and the story is based in the US. He did travel around the world as well as Japan. He was brought up with werewolves and a traumatising event killed most of the pack and Kaiyo's father. Their bond was strong and Kaiyo was determined that it was his duty to give his all to protect his pack. Then he was disowned, banished and exiled from those he loved and trusted. The sense of betrayal thrownJKaiyo into the depth of depression. Kaiyo's fight with depression and his journey to forgiveness and acceptance of Ahmik's decision and love after his exile was beautifully written in the book. Just like the first, I feel strongly engaged with the MC. This is not only a book about second chance romance, but also a book about forgiveness and self acceptance.
This book can be read as a standalone and set in the same universe as the first book. Apart from that, I don't recall any other similarities. Kaiyo was a half Japanese shaman and the story is based in the US. He did travel around the world as well as Japan. He was brought up with werewolves and a traumatising event killed most of the pack and Kaiyo's father. Their bond was strong and Kaiyo was determined that it was his duty to give his all to protect his pack. Then he was disowned, banished and exiled from those he loved and trusted. The sense of betrayal thrownJKaiyo into the depth of depression. Kaiyo's fight with depression and his journey to forgiveness and acceptance of Ahmik's decision and love after his exile was beautifully written in the book. Just like the first, I feel strongly engaged with the MC. This is not only a book about second chance romance, but also a book about forgiveness and self acceptance.
June 10, 2022
This had a very different feel than the first Natural Magic book. They’re both standalone and have completely different characters, but for some reason I was really thrown off by that different vibe.
Whereas the first book focused on a deep emotional connection to the main character and those around him (I literally laughed, cried, smiled and felt with the MC), this second book was very factual and left me feeling disconnected from all the characters.
The absolute spot on descriptions of Kaiyo’s depression and anxiety were amazing, but so flat because of the delivery. The therapy sessions were too much. I felt like I dived into a self help book instead of a fictional mm paranormal book. It kind of ruined that authenticity of mental breakdowns, that could have been so well done. Then after therapy starts it just goes right into Kaiyo finding his way as a Shaman. The writing plummeted into something so overly detailed and textualized I wanted to pull my hair out.
I’ll be quite honest and say it read like: Kaiyo is planting a flower + 50 billion details we didn’t need. Kaiyo is planting a tree + details. Kaiyo is traveling to a pack + details. Kaiyo is traveling to another pack + details. Kaiyo thinks this person should do this + details.
I don’t even want to get started on the Ahmik thing (but I will😅). Kaiyo and Ahmik knew each other from diapers, and were in love as they became teenagers. Then Ahmik just kicks Kaiyo out of the pack without a second glance, no explanation other than this is best???!!!??? We don’t have time to even understand where Ahmik is coming from because there’s time jumping and then we don’t hear from Ahmik for half of the book. Once we finally do run into Ahmik again he’s just this angry, bitter leader and the only explanation is that he’s full of fear at losing people??
There’s no groveling (just lots of detailed pack bonding), but we just forgive him for mistreating Kaiyo, and all is well again? Sigh. We didn’t even get the explanation as to why Kaiyo was kicked out of the pack in the first place, at least what I thought would be more. I know darn well there had to be a good one because no way Ahmik (who was in love with Kaiyo) would just kick him out and never speak to him again - took him out of the pack, as his lover, as his friend, as family, as everything. Yet the only reasoning was because it was best. Nothing less, nothing more.
I was going to do 3 stars, but the ending really irritated me. 20 pages left in the book and Kaiyo gets kidnapped!? It was so left field, and once again stole away from the story being good. I just…2 stars.
I’m really glad I started with this author’s other books first because I know they have better ones out there. This one just wasn’t for me. At all.
Whereas the first book focused on a deep emotional connection to the main character and those around him (I literally laughed, cried, smiled and felt with the MC), this second book was very factual and left me feeling disconnected from all the characters.
The absolute spot on descriptions of Kaiyo’s depression and anxiety were amazing, but so flat because of the delivery. The therapy sessions were too much. I felt like I dived into a self help book instead of a fictional mm paranormal book. It kind of ruined that authenticity of mental breakdowns, that could have been so well done. Then after therapy starts it just goes right into Kaiyo finding his way as a Shaman. The writing plummeted into something so overly detailed and textualized I wanted to pull my hair out.
I’ll be quite honest and say it read like: Kaiyo is planting a flower + 50 billion details we didn’t need. Kaiyo is planting a tree + details. Kaiyo is traveling to a pack + details. Kaiyo is traveling to another pack + details. Kaiyo thinks this person should do this + details.
I don’t even want to get started on the Ahmik thing (but I will😅). Kaiyo and Ahmik knew each other from diapers, and were in love as they became teenagers. Then Ahmik just kicks Kaiyo out of the pack without a second glance, no explanation other than this is best???!!!??? We don’t have time to even understand where Ahmik is coming from because there’s time jumping and then we don’t hear from Ahmik for half of the book. Once we finally do run into Ahmik again he’s just this angry, bitter leader and the only explanation is that he’s full of fear at losing people??
There’s no groveling (just lots of detailed pack bonding), but we just forgive him for mistreating Kaiyo, and all is well again? Sigh. We didn’t even get the explanation as to why Kaiyo was kicked out of the pack in the first place, at least what I thought would be more. I know darn well there had to be a good one because no way Ahmik (who was in love with Kaiyo) would just kick him out and never speak to him again - took him out of the pack, as his lover, as his friend, as family, as everything. Yet the only reasoning was because it was best. Nothing less, nothing more.
I was going to do 3 stars, but the ending really irritated me. 20 pages left in the book and Kaiyo gets kidnapped!? It was so left field, and once again stole away from the story being good. I just…2 stars.
I’m really glad I started with this author’s other books first because I know they have better ones out there. This one just wasn’t for me. At all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2024
A well written book about the mysteries of this world, about depression and about finding yourself ❤️
May 18, 2024
Sometimes it feels a little random even to me when I will feel compelled to write a review of a book. But I think I use my reviews as a way to sort out my feelings when a book has made me feel exceptionally strong emotions, good or bad. And, in particular, I think I need to write a review to sort out those emotions when I don't believe the author intended to create them.
For example, I did not write a review of the previous book in this series, "In This Iron Ground." This book focused on a lot of childhood abuse and the lasting impacts that has on a person's psyche. It was a very difficult read because it covered a lot of very difficult topics, especially for someone who had a less than ideal childhood. But that was all intended by the author. The author attempted to write an emotionally fraught story and it worked to produce strong emotions as intended. I don't feel the need to write a review of that book to figure out why it worked as it did.
However, this book made me feel angry in a way I do not think that was intended by the author. I was angry at how the main character, Kaiyo, was treated by his "friends" at the beginning, and I think that part was intended (though perhaps not to the extent I felt it). I felt the betrayal of Kaiyo to my bones. The consequences of the betrayal were hard to read and again I think this was all intended to some extent. The details on what led up to the betrayal were pretty light, but it did seem that the "friends" had decided that the course of action they chose would be in Kaiyo's best interest. But I became increasingly incensed as I read and at some point I had decided that I didn't care what the details were. Nothing Kaiyo could have done would justify the cruelty of the betrayal in my eyes.
As a reader who loves a good enemies-to-lovers story (and a good grovel), at this point was super excited to see how this damage could possibly be repaired in a believable way. But that is not what I got. Instead what I got was the chance to watch my anger toward the "friends" extend to anger at Kaiyo for his callous disregard for his own worth. He deserved far more than the pittance that he was offered, and I am offended and heart-broken on his behalf. *Spoilers with details follow*
For example, I did not write a review of the previous book in this series, "In This Iron Ground." This book focused on a lot of childhood abuse and the lasting impacts that has on a person's psyche. It was a very difficult read because it covered a lot of very difficult topics, especially for someone who had a less than ideal childhood. But that was all intended by the author. The author attempted to write an emotionally fraught story and it worked to produce strong emotions as intended. I don't feel the need to write a review of that book to figure out why it worked as it did.
However, this book made me feel angry in a way I do not think that was intended by the author. I was angry at how the main character, Kaiyo, was treated by his "friends" at the beginning, and I think that part was intended (though perhaps not to the extent I felt it). I felt the betrayal of Kaiyo to my bones. The consequences of the betrayal were hard to read and again I think this was all intended to some extent. The details on what led up to the betrayal were pretty light, but it did seem that the "friends" had decided that the course of action they chose would be in Kaiyo's best interest. But I became increasingly incensed as I read and at some point I had decided that I didn't care what the details were. Nothing Kaiyo could have done would justify the cruelty of the betrayal in my eyes.
As a reader who loves a good enemies-to-lovers story (and a good grovel), at this point was super excited to see how this damage could possibly be repaired in a believable way. But that is not what I got. Instead what I got was the chance to watch my anger toward the "friends" extend to anger at Kaiyo for his callous disregard for his own worth. He deserved far more than the pittance that he was offered, and I am offended and heart-broken on his behalf. *Spoilers with details follow*
March 1, 2022
I didn't really know the plot of this book before I started it, knowing only that I love the author and that this series glass to do with shifters.
The first 20 or 30% I sobbed through. I don't consider the portrayal of serious depression to be a trigger, but it makes my tears fall like crazy.
When I realized this was going going to be a second chance romance I was seriously annoyed. The pack seriously betrayed Kaiyo in the worst possible way. Yes the characters grew and changed in the intervening years, but the reasoning behind the betrayal was a bit sketchy and lacking. For the pack to make such a decision we as readers should have been given more backstory and history as to why. And they were forgiven far too easily.
The first 20 or 30% I sobbed through. I don't consider the portrayal of serious depression to be a trigger, but it makes my tears fall like crazy.
When I realized this was going going to be a second chance romance I was seriously annoyed. The pack seriously betrayed Kaiyo in the worst possible way. Yes the characters grew and changed in the intervening years, but the reasoning behind the betrayal was a bit sketchy and lacking. For the pack to make such a decision we as readers should have been given more backstory and history as to why. And they were forgiven far too easily.
March 11, 2025
Honestly, I’m a bit disappointed. The book was good, but after the great reading experience I had with the first one, I somehow expected more. The beginning dragged, and while I understand the importance of therapy, it could have been toned down a bit. There was also too much focus on the Ousía stuff and Kaiyo’s education, instead of the characters, in my opinion. As for Ahmik… I don’t know, he just didn’t seem to have much personality, and I found him kind of bland at times. Their connection also felt more like lust than anything real. All in all, this was okay, though.
July 9, 2021
Like I said… I’m a sucker for stories where the MC fight for years hahaha.
I think I liked this one better than the previous book, even tho Kaiyo felt a little preachy at times.
I loved the dynamics and the story, I loved Kaiyo’s journey. The only thing I would change is Ahmik’s apology. He should grovel more! Hahahaha
I think I liked this one better than the previous book, even tho Kaiyo felt a little preachy at times.
I loved the dynamics and the story, I loved Kaiyo’s journey. The only thing I would change is Ahmik’s apology. He should grovel more! Hahahaha
March 13, 2022
I could not put this book down! It's a rollercoaster of a story and heartache on both sides of the story. MCs overcoming mental health challenges are my jam!
December 3, 2018
All That Has Flown Beyond is the second book in the Natural Magic series, and it is a series I am thoroughly enjoying.
In this story, we meet Kaiyo and Ahmik. They are both young boys and the reader learns about their horrific loss, and what it like for them now. The story is very sad for a while, and you really get the feel for what is going on. The depression that Kaiyo suffers from is so well-written, it's scary! You can't help but empathise with him, and end up cheering him on as he makes small miracles every day. Seriously, this part was so incredibly written. Either the author has suffered this herself, or she knows someone who has, who can describe it in perfect detail.
Although this is book two in the series, you can actually read it as a standalone, as there are none of the same characters in it from the first one. I found this to be a bit of a shame, as I would have liked to have connected with Damian and Hakan again, if only to see how they are going. I thought when Kaiyo went travelling, this would happen, but I was wrong.
This is a second-chance romance, but primarily told from Kaiyo's perspective. This meant I felt a slight disconnect with Ahmik, and even though I got his reasons for why he did what he did, it didn't really give me much insight to him.
On the whole though, this was an amazing book. It is sitting firmly on my favourites shelf, even though it's not 5-stars. Excellently written, with no grammar or editing errors to disrupt my reading flow. I have no hesitation in recommending this book. An absolute stunner.
* I received a copy of this book with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
In this story, we meet Kaiyo and Ahmik. They are both young boys and the reader learns about their horrific loss, and what it like for them now. The story is very sad for a while, and you really get the feel for what is going on. The depression that Kaiyo suffers from is so well-written, it's scary! You can't help but empathise with him, and end up cheering him on as he makes small miracles every day. Seriously, this part was so incredibly written. Either the author has suffered this herself, or she knows someone who has, who can describe it in perfect detail.
Although this is book two in the series, you can actually read it as a standalone, as there are none of the same characters in it from the first one. I found this to be a bit of a shame, as I would have liked to have connected with Damian and Hakan again, if only to see how they are going. I thought when Kaiyo went travelling, this would happen, but I was wrong.
This is a second-chance romance, but primarily told from Kaiyo's perspective. This meant I felt a slight disconnect with Ahmik, and even though I got his reasons for why he did what he did, it didn't really give me much insight to him.
On the whole though, this was an amazing book. It is sitting firmly on my favourites shelf, even though it's not 5-stars. Excellently written, with no grammar or editing errors to disrupt my reading flow. I have no hesitation in recommending this book. An absolute stunner.
* I received a copy of this book with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
April 20, 2021
All That Has Flown Beyond
By Marina Vivancos
I really did enjoy this book and especially all of the characters, but it had several things working against it.
I hadn't even made it through the first chapter when I began wondering if I should finish it. It swung back and forth between moments in time without clear indications it's changed beforehand. There were unfamiliar terms used in regards to what people's positions were in the pack among other unfamiliar words. Unfortunately those words weren't explained so I'm guessing at the meanings but know I'm still coming up wrong on some of them and though the language spoken is in English it comes off odd because of the unfamiliar words. Just a suggestion... if a new edition ever comes out a glossary would be a huge help for readers to understand right off the bat what these terms mean.
Once I hit chapter two it was so much better. I still didn't clearly understand all the words in reference to the pack, shamans, etc, but the book was much more fluid at that point.
My biggest dislike about the book is that the world building has serious information overload. To the point I was totally confused in the beginning and never did get over a lot of that confusion, but instead put it at the back of my mind and tried to enjoy it anyway. Which in the long run took away from the whole experience of the book.
I do understand that a large part of the book was meant to explain everything Kayio went through after he was forced out, but again that too was way to much information overload and I felt IMHO a lot of it wasn't necessary to be so in depth.
The book is written only in Kayio's POV. Due to the depression Kayio goes through I would say the angst level is at least medium. If you're someone who deals with depression personally on a daily basis I would say the angst level is high because it does hit home.
Triggers:
By Marina Vivancos
I really did enjoy this book and especially all of the characters, but it had several things working against it.
I hadn't even made it through the first chapter when I began wondering if I should finish it. It swung back and forth between moments in time without clear indications it's changed beforehand. There were unfamiliar terms used in regards to what people's positions were in the pack among other unfamiliar words. Unfortunately those words weren't explained so I'm guessing at the meanings but know I'm still coming up wrong on some of them and though the language spoken is in English it comes off odd because of the unfamiliar words. Just a suggestion... if a new edition ever comes out a glossary would be a huge help for readers to understand right off the bat what these terms mean.
Once I hit chapter two it was so much better. I still didn't clearly understand all the words in reference to the pack, shamans, etc, but the book was much more fluid at that point.
My biggest dislike about the book is that the world building has serious information overload. To the point I was totally confused in the beginning and never did get over a lot of that confusion, but instead put it at the back of my mind and tried to enjoy it anyway. Which in the long run took away from the whole experience of the book.
I do understand that a large part of the book was meant to explain everything Kayio went through after he was forced out, but again that too was way to much information overload and I felt IMHO a lot of it wasn't necessary to be so in depth.
The book is written only in Kayio's POV. Due to the depression Kayio goes through I would say the angst level is at least medium. If you're someone who deals with depression personally on a daily basis I would say the angst level is high because it does hit home.
Triggers:
December 6, 2018
Сама по себе история хорошая, пожалуй, для меня был перебор по психоанализу и философии. Рекомендую не читать в усталом виде, придётся напрягать мозги)
May 29, 2024
Rating: 4
Steam: 2
PoV: single, 3rd person
Genre: paranormal romance, MM
Main tropes: mental health, forced proximity, shifters
All That Has Flown Beyond didn’t quite pack the same punch as the first book in the series, but it was still a stunning and complex story, full of magic and emotions!
I have to admit that I was confused at the start of the story, as there was very little information about what was going on and the consequences Kaiyo had to face. It got clearer along the way, but I initially felt as if I was missing something as things happened quickly, and I didn’t get to know the pack before Kaiyo got kicked out of it.
Losing his pack and what he thought was his future had some major impacts on Kaiyo’s mental health, and it got pretty dark for a while. Marina Vivancos’ wrote his heartbreak and depressive spiral really well, the emotions and struggles so vivid and realistic that my heart hurt while reading. I completely felt his loss and hopelessness, and I was in tears more than once. Luckily, Kaiyo had a support system and with help he got better and managed to sort of move on from the pack and his past.
Kaiyo had some fantastic character development here, and I loved to see him grow and heal, finding his path in helping others. It was also that path that led him back to his old pack ten years after being exiled, and back to the pack leader Ahmik. Their romance was slow, and I loved seeing them reconnect and get to know each other again after all those years. Getting Ahmik’s version of the past also helped to piece together events from the beginning of the book, and showed things in a bit of a different light as well.
All That Has Flown Beyond was a gorgeous and captivating read, and I love this world that Marina Vivancos has created with this series! The language was almost poetic and I loved how rich these two stories were, both with the language and how they were written, but also with the history, mythology and ties that these characters have to their ancestors and lands. They’re both magical and emotional reads that I highly recommend!
Steam: 2
PoV: single, 3rd person
Genre: paranormal romance, MM
Main tropes: mental health, forced proximity, shifters
All That Has Flown Beyond didn’t quite pack the same punch as the first book in the series, but it was still a stunning and complex story, full of magic and emotions!
I have to admit that I was confused at the start of the story, as there was very little information about what was going on and the consequences Kaiyo had to face. It got clearer along the way, but I initially felt as if I was missing something as things happened quickly, and I didn’t get to know the pack before Kaiyo got kicked out of it.
Losing his pack and what he thought was his future had some major impacts on Kaiyo’s mental health, and it got pretty dark for a while. Marina Vivancos’ wrote his heartbreak and depressive spiral really well, the emotions and struggles so vivid and realistic that my heart hurt while reading. I completely felt his loss and hopelessness, and I was in tears more than once. Luckily, Kaiyo had a support system and with help he got better and managed to sort of move on from the pack and his past.
Kaiyo had some fantastic character development here, and I loved to see him grow and heal, finding his path in helping others. It was also that path that led him back to his old pack ten years after being exiled, and back to the pack leader Ahmik. Their romance was slow, and I loved seeing them reconnect and get to know each other again after all those years. Getting Ahmik’s version of the past also helped to piece together events from the beginning of the book, and showed things in a bit of a different light as well.
All That Has Flown Beyond was a gorgeous and captivating read, and I love this world that Marina Vivancos has created with this series! The language was almost poetic and I loved how rich these two stories were, both with the language and how they were written, but also with the history, mythology and ties that these characters have to their ancestors and lands. They’re both magical and emotional reads that I highly recommend!
October 6, 2024
3.75 but I’ll round it up.
I didn’t have as much feelings as I did with the first book, but it was more than nostalgic to read Marina again. Her way with words, the way she chooses to describe pain, depression, love, life.
Shit, man. Like I am in awe. Truly. It’s weird even. I somehow don’t even want to read her other series. I just want my memory to stay here. Here with the balance of the earth, of me, of the characters, of what they have given me and what I have given them as reading them gave them life.
Yeah. That’s what these books were—and are.
I might add more to this. I once said a book that has ONE line that I identify with instantly holds my heart. (Not always but you get me) and these books were FILLED with lines that I loved and kept close to my heart.
I didn’t have as much feelings as I did with the first book, but it was more than nostalgic to read Marina again. Her way with words, the way she chooses to describe pain, depression, love, life.
Shit, man. Like I am in awe. Truly. It’s weird even. I somehow don’t even want to read her other series. I just want my memory to stay here. Here with the balance of the earth, of me, of the characters, of what they have given me and what I have given them as reading them gave them life.
Yeah. That’s what these books were—and are.
I might add more to this. I once said a book that has ONE line that I identify with instantly holds my heart. (Not always but you get me) and these books were FILLED with lines that I loved and kept close to my heart.
December 24, 2018
Like 'In this Iron Ground' this book is really more of a personal journey for the main character, Kaiyo, (although there is a hugely significant romance as well) and I just cared so much about him. Vivancos is SO adept at getting the reader to care about her characters extremely quickly. You really and truly feel for them. I also feel that her books have a really unique tone and focus that no other romances I've been reading lately do. She's a very unique author.
However, I thought this book suffered a little bit in two respects: there were too many scenes between Kaiyo and his therapist and also between Kaiyo and his mentor where the dialog felt very expositiony and almost like I was reading a cognitive behavioural therapy manual. To me these scenes felt like they needed a bit more editing to feel more natural.
And then...the romance.
Even though the romance aspect didn't really gel for me, I loved the other parts of Kaiyo's journey and I am really glad I read this. And I'm so glad that I stumbled across Marina Vivancos recently. I like her style a lot.
However, I thought this book suffered a little bit in two respects: there were too many scenes between Kaiyo and his therapist and also between Kaiyo and his mentor where the dialog felt very expositiony and almost like I was reading a cognitive behavioural therapy manual. To me these scenes felt like they needed a bit more editing to feel more natural.
And then...the romance.
Even though the romance aspect didn't really gel for me, I loved the other parts of Kaiyo's journey and I am really glad I read this. And I'm so glad that I stumbled across Marina Vivancos recently. I like her style a lot.
March 30, 2022
The beginning was amazing. The language gorgeous just like the first book. The scenes of depression were almost verbatim of what I went through it was incredible.
Except I hated everything that came after. The forgiving Ahmik was too easy. I gave 0 fucks about their relationship. The MC had more chemistry with a previous character that just. vanished into the void for no reason. I was irritated with the therapy scenes. They were on point, but I found myself pissed off because again it was just.... Too easy. And maybe I'm projecting a bit because my experiences in therapy were subpar at best.
Either way, everything felt flat after the beginning. I stopped caring and skimmed to the end to be done with it.
Except I hated everything that came after. The forgiving Ahmik was too easy. I gave 0 fucks about their relationship. The MC had more chemistry with a previous character that just. vanished into the void for no reason. I was irritated with the therapy scenes. They were on point, but I found myself pissed off because again it was just.... Too easy. And maybe I'm projecting a bit because my experiences in therapy were subpar at best.
Either way, everything felt flat after the beginning. I stopped caring and skimmed to the end to be done with it.
August 26, 2021
Emotional
This is very different book than book one.
What happens when you get rejected from the people you love the most!?! Love and trust broken.
You rebuild yourself. 10 years later and the same people who broke your trust now need your help in the worst way. This book is about forgiveness and loving again. It has a beautiful HEA.
This is very different book than book one.
What happens when you get rejected from the people you love the most!?! Love and trust broken.
You rebuild yourself. 10 years later and the same people who broke your trust now need your help in the worst way. This book is about forgiveness and loving again. It has a beautiful HEA.
March 14, 2024
Thanks for making me cry again Marina
Marina’s books always make me feel, but this one? My god. The emotion. The description of depression and the constant fight to overcome it. The description of being ripped from a land you have ties to. I felt so acutely what Kaiyo was going through even though it’s an urban fantasy. The writing is just that good.
Marina’s books always make me feel, but this one? My god. The emotion. The description of depression and the constant fight to overcome it. The description of being ripped from a land you have ties to. I felt so acutely what Kaiyo was going through even though it’s an urban fantasy. The writing is just that good.
February 3, 2019
Me encantan las portadas de los libros de Marina. Quería dejar eso en claro. El libro me ha gustado, nunca tanto como el primero pero la historia te capturaba y llegabas a sentir el dolor del protagonista.
Me encanta como escribe la autoría asique continuaré leyendo más libros de ella :)
Me encanta como escribe la autoría asique continuaré leyendo más libros de ella :)
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