While I didn’t love this as much as ONCE THERE WERE WOLVES, it was a very interesting book with lots of genre bending elements. Again, the authors commentary of the environment and conservation were my favorite.

The characters were so unique and original, while still being realistic. The tension between Franny and the fisherman was beautifully written — as she actually gets to know these characters, her once firm convictions become less black and white. I think the author captured the complexities and nuances of humanity. No one is all good or all evil; we are all just trying to get through it and find some beauty along the way.

Franny’s life is full of trauma and most of the book immerses the reader in her depression. Yet the story ends with hope, which I believe is what the authors wants us to take away. The world can be cruel and we need to be help accountable for the harm we have caused it, but we must not lose hope for if we do we won’t work towards making it better.

The non-linear timeline of the novel was interesting and made it feel more mysterious. However, the revelation was a bit anticlimactic.

Overall, the story made you feel the darkness but it was a thought-provoking and tender read.

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onceandfuturereads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

I can definitely see the appeal of this book, it just wasn’t for me. Melodrama is not my favorite.

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oceanxbluess's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad

5.0

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janelleaimi's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

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genny's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I read the ebook immediately after finishing the audiobook because I suspected I would appreciate it more the second time around, and I was correct. This is a perfect little gem, so much emotion packed into a short novel! I kept getting choked up at the simplest, quietest moments. While climate change is a big part of the story, it isn't really the focus as it serves more as a parallel to Franny's personal journey...I've seen reviews that were disappointed because of that, so take that into account when deciding whether to read this. I personally loved all of it: her nomadic nature warring with her desire to grow roots, her relationship with her husband who always saw right to the heart of her, and their hopes for a dying world.

I'm so happy that it ended on a hopeful note! This could easily have gone the other way, but oh my god did I desperately need that scene of Franny & Ennis celebrating the sight of the animals.

McConaghy works magic with her words. I'm so thankful I took a chance on this. I look forward to reading Once There Were Wolves, but I need breathing space first. 😅

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clara_mai's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad

3.0

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