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A review by happyreadings
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This book caught me by surprise. I got this book because I loved the premise of the re-introduction of wolves back into Scotland and reading it I loved the information surrounding the wolves. When people started dying and getting hurt, I was terrified for the wolves I felt for them and honestly, I cared more about the wolves than the people.
This book followed Inti and her twin sister, Aggie, as they moved to Scotland so Inti can re-locate wolves back into Scotland. Of course she is fought with this from the townspeople. When someone in town goes missing, fingers start pointing towards the wolves. However, who really are the real monsters in this story?
Inti has a neurologic disorder where she feels what others feel, physically. And I think this brought something really unique to this story telling, especially with her in relation to the wolves. There are so many feelings running through this novel both emotionally and physically. It almost feels like the reader has the same condition as Inti and I thought that was really immersive. Also, the bond between the two sisters was so strong, they're loyalty towards each other is remarkable.
This story is dark, emotional, violent, beautiful, and heartwrenching. I loved the aspect of the wolves. Usually, I can't stand reading books (or watching movies) that involve animals because they always die but this novel I was okay with which was surprising.
The only critique I can think of was the beginning felt a little rushed, I felt like character introductions didn't happen with some characters I was left very confused but I understand this was definitely a show-not-tell kind of novel which I grew more comfortable with. But I just wish the author took more time in the beginning to introduce characters a little bit more.
Overall, this was such an incredible novel that now I need to read more by this author. I know the author has another book called Migrations and it is in relation to birds so I probably will be checking that book out sometime soon.
There are a lot of content warnings with this novel including domestic violence, death, murder, child abuse, animal death, pregnancy
This book followed Inti and her twin sister, Aggie, as they moved to Scotland so Inti can re-locate wolves back into Scotland. Of course she is fought with this from the townspeople. When someone in town goes missing, fingers start pointing towards the wolves. However, who really are the real monsters in this story?
Inti has a neurologic disorder where she feels what others feel, physically. And I think this brought something really unique to this story telling, especially with her in relation to the wolves. There are so many feelings running through this novel both emotionally and physically. It almost feels like the reader has the same condition as Inti and I thought that was really immersive. Also, the bond between the two sisters was so strong, they're loyalty towards each other is remarkable.
This story is dark, emotional, violent, beautiful, and heartwrenching. I loved the aspect of the wolves. Usually, I can't stand reading books (or watching movies) that involve animals because they always die but this novel I was okay with which was surprising.
The only critique I can think of was the beginning felt a little rushed, I felt like character introductions didn't happen with some characters I was left very confused but I understand this was definitely a show-not-tell kind of novel which I grew more comfortable with. But I just wish the author took more time in the beginning to introduce characters a little bit more.
Overall, this was such an incredible novel that now I need to read more by this author. I know the author has another book called Migrations and it is in relation to birds so I probably will be checking that book out sometime soon.
There are a lot of content warnings with this novel including domestic violence, death, murder, child abuse, animal death, pregnancy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Medical trauma, and Death of parent