Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Once There Were Wolves

have had this book for three years but never read it because I was convinced it wouldn’t be as perfectly spectacular as Migrations. Reading the majority of this book had me second guessing that, but then that twist came and ruined absolutely everything for me.
The world building, the characters, the setting, <i> the wolves </i> and the slow build up of tension in the town, between Inti and the farmers or some other characters, the emotional reveal I knew was waiting for me later in the book about Inti and her sister. We were gearing up for a promising five star if not solid four star title. But the reveal, after so much was lost, it wasn’t the type of emotional devastation I was expecting. I wasn’t devastated, I was furious. This completely ruined the story for me, everything just suddenly fell apart and felt like it didn’t matter at all. I was mad at everyone, mad that I was enjoying this story as equally as Franny’s, and that it all came crashing down in a sort of unforgivable way.

⚠️ Spoilers:
The dog dies. No, you know what, he was murdered.
There is a pretty graphic scene with one of the wolves, think GoT-like. And others of them who are killed, or die.
Aside from it being released a few years before OTWW, this had to have been inspiration for My Sister, the Serial Killer.

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itsmore's review

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3.0

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perseusj4ckson's review

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dark emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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orang3_w0rld21's review

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Don't know how to feel in the end. This book took me on a rollercoaster and I don't know if I appreciate it or not. I did heavily enjoy the sections of the Scottish Highlands. I love reading about the lands and the environment of it. McConaghy did a great job of illustrating the scene in the forest. Where I checked out was the backstory. I tend to skip or skim Inti's childhood–some I didn't because it impacts character(s). I was emotionally invested in the wolves; that was the section I liked a lot. I felt bad for them and also happiness. They are moved to a foreign land, and are killed off because people don't know how nature works. The writing was really beautiful at times and also kinda prosey and annoying.

There are some serious content warnings with the book: domestic violence and abuse. So avoid or read with caution.

Content Warnings