4.6 (1,092 ratings)

In This Iron Ground (Natural Magic)

Name: In This Iron Ground (Natural Magic)
Rating: 4.6 (1092 reviews)
Author: Marina Vivancos
ISBN: B07GNS5MZ4

by Marina Vivancos

shifters

About this book

Damien has spent his life believing he is fundamentally broken. Bouncing through a traumatic foster care system that left him convinced of his own worthlessness, he finds himself stumbling into a clandestine world of magic and wolf-shifters. He is currently sleeping with his best friend, the powerful Hakan Salgado, but the ghost of his past keeps him at arm’s length. Damien is terrified that if he asks for more than a temporary arrangement, he will be cast out, proving his worst fears about himself true.

This hauntingly beautiful paranormal romance masterfully explores the intersection of deep-seated trauma and the healing power of belonging. As part of the Natural Magic series, this story centers on the intense pack dynamics of the Salgado family, offering a raw and unflinching look at the long road to recovery. It is a quintessential hurt/comfort narrative that pulls no punches regarding the protagonist's history while never losing sight of the hope that comes with finding a place where you finally fit.

Readers who crave a story defined by found-family and vulnerable emotional intimacy will find themselves completely spellbound. While the journey is heart-wrenching, the promise of a hard-won, soul-deep HEA makes every moment of Damien’s growth worth the emotional investment.

Publication Date: May 25, 2026
ASIN: B07GNS5MZ4

Reader Reviews

A fantastic story of recovery from abuse (oh, and it has werewolves)

October 2, 2018

This is one of those books that’s something of a rough read, but in the end is so, so worth it. Young Damien is a pawn of the foster care system. He bounces from home to home, then the bad situation is made worse when he is placed with a foster carers (not parents, never parents) who don’t know how to deal with a rambunctious 13-year-old, and resort to abusive behavior to keep him from upsetting their lives too much. This is so painful to read, as we see Damien taught that this is all he is...

Incredibly Well Written, Amazing Book!

December 7, 2021

I have never read a book quite like this. I also never leave book reviews, but Im compelled to for this one. This author must have some kind of magic, the way they write the pov of the MC from ages 13-19, the progression of thoughts, of ACCURATE trauma, of how adults, friends, therapists, and doctors; how they all treat you at those ages.. this story sucked me in from the beginning, and didn’t let me go. I loved the world she built and how she captured werewolves and pack, I honestly really...

A beautiful and heartbreaking story!

April 1, 2024

Rating: 5 Steam: 2 PoV: single, 3rd person Genre: paranormal romance, MM Main tropes: hurt / comfort, shifters, found family I didn't pick this one up expecting to have my heart shattered, but oh my... Damien went through so much in this story and my heart completely broke for him. It was so difficult to read about the abuse Damien suffered while in foster care, and I was so relieved when he found his place in the Salgado pack. There were still struggles, but I loved seeing him with Mia and her...

Oustanding, Must Read

June 17, 2025

This book. THIS BOOK. I have rarely ever felt this many emotions when reading a book. A story. This was such a journey and such a pleasure to read. I felt like I was Damien. I was the earth. I felt his emotions even if I have never experienced such emotion before. This has to be the best story of found family I have ever read. Damien and Mia and Cameron and HAKAN .. KoKo, Olive. I was watching Damien heal over the years .. watching him learn that the path of healing is not easy and it’s painful...

A beautifully written, powerfully emotional story

August 23, 2024

The writing in this book is absolutely beautiful. The author has such a magical way with words. This book will rip you apart, rearrange you and put you back together. All the stars. The below contains spoilers, because I feel like trigger warnings are necessary. If you don't want spoilers, don't read any further. The story starts when Damien is a child, and he is physically and emotionally abused by his foster parents. This is on-page. There needs to be a trigger warning, not just for the...