Reviews with content warning for Rape - Once There Were Wolves

Reviews tagging 'Rape'

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

454 reviews

faithraider's review

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

4.5

Dark, emotional novel about two sisters and the wolves they watch over. Whole I did not enjoy it as much as her other novel (Migrations) it was really good. There is a beautiful, intense scene near the end that I will always carry with me. I didn’t love the ending, but still overall a satisfying read.

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swelly's review

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

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jblum4's review against another edition

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4.5

Ok first off, the audiobook was *chef's kiss* To be able to do both Australian and Scottish accents without coming off cheesy? Incredible. Loved her voice anyway, but the accents were the cherry on top.

Ok, so the book. I devoured this book. Loved the writing, the story-telling, the focus on relationships (both human and in nature). Ugh, super good. Took off half a star because I can't get past a part of the ending where a character doesn't really face consequences for some pretty terrible actions. Will let this one simmer a bit, may raise the rating anyway if I can't stop thinking about this book (which feels not unlikely)

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amybartoli29's review

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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katwalke7's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Overall, I enjoyed this novel. It was interesting to learn about the main character's efforts to reintroduce wolves in the Scottish highlands. The disappearance of one of the locals who was against the wolves was a great plot device and created a lot of tension in the book. But some parts of the story were confusing. I found it difficult to tell the past from the present in this book since the main character's inner dialogue seemed to flip back and forth so frequently and without warning.

For me, the reveal that the twin sister killed Stuart and attacked Duncan due to the trauma inflicted by her ex-husband was flawed. I often felt that Aggy wasn't even real or maybe her character just lacked depth, so I couldn't fully grasp the idea that she would be able to afflict violence like that onto someone, especially in her state of depression. Idk maybe I'm overthinking it.

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sarahhtotiss's review

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4.0

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paigemushaw's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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bewhitedragon's review

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dark mysterious sad

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

3.5

Once There Were Wolves is a fascinating look into both the world of wolves and how we humans aren't that far off from becoming monsters ourselves. The rewilding science and the wolves interested me more than I thought it would, and sometimes was the main thing driving me to continue because Inti as a character was infuriating at times. Later, you find out why she is the way she is, but there were still moments where I wanted to strangle her for her sheer ignorance and stupidity.

But overall, it was still a great story. It speaks of how we are damaging our natural environment and how impirtant it is for predators like wolves to exist for the land to recover, but also how brutal and savage humankind can be themselves.

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dannisnot's review

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adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

I love the way Charlotte writes the world/environment building and the information about the re-introducing wolves into the environment.

If I had an idea of the triggers and content warning I may not have picked it up though.

Rape is used as a building/climax point for the book, and the situation revolving around is is especially heinous. I could have done without that part of the book, but that is a personal qualm.

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bookhoardernic's review

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challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

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