I was elated when I finished book one in the 'Oestend' series by Marie Sexton because I knew there was a book two and I could barely contain my excitement until I got to read it. I loved the first book so much and I realized it would be practically impossible for me not to enjoy this second book. Even though this story revolves around a character that I didn't care for so much in book one, I had a feeling that this time I would understand and care for Dante. I already adored Simon and Frances so it only meant that I needed to learn to relate to Dante.

Dante is in sad shape after being evicted from his home, the BarChi ranch, by the man he loves at the end of the first book. He, Simon, and Frances have gone to make a home at the old Austin Ranch which now belongs to Dante. The ranch is a sad place still reeking of all the death that happened there. Cami is introduced as a woman from town brought to do the housework and clean and she's got a passel of secrets of her own. Simon and Frances' friendship has grown stronger to the point where they can share their innermost secrets with each other. It was sweet and sad when Simon shared about his long ago wife and how she died, opening himself up in a very vulnerable manner which led to Frances telling him he loved him, knowing full well that Simon will never love him the same way.

Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews

Interesting and enjoyable. The last group sex scene seemed to come out of nowhere, but was still hot. Kind of wish Simon could have actually fallen for Frances, but maybe this was more realistic and I was happy they were together anyway. Would have liked Simon more jealous over Frances with others, but suppose since he doesn’t feel that way romantically, it fits. Read on Overdrive

While I didn't like this story as much as I did the first it was still very enjoyable. I love the world created here and the dark elements that make it unique. This story spins more on the relationships developing though than on the strange otherworldliness of life on these prairies. The strange events keep happening, but there less integral to what's going on between the characters.

This is really an interesting two part love story. You have Dante struggling with the pain of knowing the man he thinks he loves is in love with another and having banished himself to another ranch to try to rebuild. His pain unendurable coupled by the death of his brother at the hands of the wraiths. But with the entrance of Cami in his life all of the bitter anger and self hatred he felt begins to melt away and he becomes a redeemable character, not the man I loathed in the first book. Having, as always, generally ignored the blurb and side not genres I didn't realize where this story was headed at first. The reveal here is really well done and I was pleasantly surprised by it. I really enjoyed Cami's character in this and really felt for her and all she's gone through in her life. I liked her and Dante as a couple, together they were balanced and brought out the best in each other.

The other part of this love story is of course Francis and Simon...here I have a few more problems. While I did get that Simon does care about Francis the idea that he wasn't fully in love with him, not even really gay for you just horny is what always stood out for me. I didn't like that even in the end, as satisfied with the bounds of their relationship as both men were, I still felt like Francis was selling himself short. I feel like he's taking whatever leavings Simon's willing to give him and I didn't like it. Don't like it for Simon either as I want him to have everything he wants too even if he's baring that for himself. This felt like convenience and a friendship twisted not a true loving bond that is what I want for all the characters I really love. And don't get me wrong I loved both Simon and Francis. I just wanted a different realization for Simon than this story gives him.

The solution to the problem of the wraiths and all the craziness going on around Oestend was always where I saw things going even if it took them all a long time to figure things out. Still it was handled beautifully

Spoiler

(even if the 6 male orgy was a little much)

and I liked the way they discovered why the BarChi was exempt from the crazy. I loved Deacon's freak out. ;)

All in all this was a well told story and while some elements were not my favorite choices for the characters they still served the story. I enjoyed my reading of this and wish the series continued even as the outstanding scary has been dealt with.

4.5 stars

This book was great in so many ways. The characters, the history, the world built by Marie Sexton was so unique and amazing.

My feeling is that Marie Sexton has such respect and love for her characters that one can't help but feel the same. Cami's struggle to be accepted for herself and Dante and Olsa providing the type of environment that she could be herself was touching. Cami's love and acceptance of Dante with all his emotional baggage was great.

The fact that Dante fought so hard for Cami to be seen and accepted for who she was, was beyond cool.... Dante is one fierce mother f__ker; and exactly the kind of protection that Cami and all the other ladies need in their life.

I really wanted Simon to fall for Frances, but was able to accept that Simon's love for Frances wasn't going to be what Frances (and I) wanted. It wasn't less, but it was different. That they were "partners" seemed to be enough for them, although I would have wanted more for them; especially Frances.

My one little niggle was the scene on the mesa. The final part of the ritual seemed unnecessary to me. The healing and forgiveness part I was all aboard with, but I think I would have enjoyed it a bit more without the sex. I get the whole sex is powerful bit, but for me it was like the person that leaves the house with that one extra bit of whatever that ruins the outfit.

Marie Sexton remains one of my favorite authors and continues to show how truly talented she is in creating such wonderful characters.

4 Stars

I started [b:Saviours of Oestend|57603011|Saviours of Oestend (Oestend, #2)|Marie Sexton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1617329021l/57603011._SX50_.jpg|19316453] immediately after reading [b:Song of Oestend|57373201|Song of Oestend (Oestend #1)|Marie Sexton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1615430094l/57373201._SX50_.jpg|16418515] because I enjoyed it so much. I also love a good redemption story, and Dante was quite the world class asshole in book 1, so I was looking forward to seeing things from his perspective. It was also a welcome surprise to get a Francis side story as well. I loved him from the first book and was excited that he would get more page time as well. The whole story really didn't play out like I expected at all, and I found that wonderful. The characters and couples were refreshingly unusual and unique. It was definitely nothing like what I am used to, but I quite enjoyed the narrative all the same. The entire Oestend adventure was fascinating and delightful to experience.

Wow, this wasn't what I expected. Firstly , I didn't think I could like Dante but I did. Hard to say much without spoiling the story, but really loved the way relationships were viewed here. Great work by the author.

3 stars and half

This like never happens, but I liked this one a lot more than the first one. I still thought it was a little long, but I loved Cami, and I'm so glad Dante didn't freak out or take too long to get over his shock when he found out her secret. I also like that Cami was referred to as she/her/female through the whole book by pretty much everyone except for a couple of disagreements or discussions. I find it confusing when transgender characters are referred to differently by different people as it makes it hard to keep up or know who they are talking about.

I do wish Simon and Frances's relationship was alittle different, but I can't say I'm surprised after reading The Letter Z. Not everyone in Marie Sexton's books get the HEA I think they should, but it apparently works for them, so I can't be too upset about it.

From my RR comments:
Wow, what a strange (but glorious) book, so full of surprises. I assume some of those surprises are covered in the first book, which I did not read, but I think I liked them being surprises. Cami is an absolutely lovely character, the weird edge to the story really worked for me, and the ritual orgy put it over the top. Probably not a read for everybody, but I quite enjoyed it.

****Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance®****

4.5 Stars -

Saviours of Oestend was a richly nuanced tale that made me really think about subjects such as gender and sexuality in a way I never really had before. Both Dante and Cami, and Simon and Frances faced barriers in their relationships that are not the norm for m/m romance. I really enjoyed my time with these flawed but good characters.

It is hard to explain much of what the book made me feel without giving away spoilers. Suffice it to say it did make me feel for these people and their circumstances greatly. The setting was rich and eerie. The paranormal aspect was well done and compelling. The sex was at turns sweet and hot, but never felt gratuitous.

I recommend reading book one fairly close to book two to get the most out of the story. We see a lot of Aren and Deacon and revisit Dante’s unrequited relationship with Deacon. Plus a lot of the wraith background that is essential is covered in book one.

Saviours of Oestend was an exceptional book.