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A review by lovelymisanthrope
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
I received a copy of this book as a gift.
"Once There Were Wolves" follows Inti Flynn as she arrives in Scotland. Inti is a biologist who has been tasked with introducing wolves back into the remote Highlands in an effort to bring life back into the dying landscape. Unfortunately for her, she receives nothing but pushback and critique from the townspeople.
This story was intense and heartbreaking as an animal lover. Wolves are natural predators, and because of that, people seem to fear them. When there is a member of the town found dead, everyone is quick to point the blame at the wolves rather than each other. Some moments I found difficult to read because I love animals so deeply, and I felt like the town was being unreasonably cruel towards the wolves, and other animals in general.
I did not love Inti as a character. There was something about her character that I could not connect to, and it made it difficult for me to become invested in her story.
I did really enjoy the atmosphere and setting of this story. I felt entirely immersed in the forest and I loved getting to explore more of the Highlands with the characters.
I am not completely deterred from reading Charlotte McConaghy in the future, but I am not jumping with anticipation either.
"Once There Were Wolves" follows Inti Flynn as she arrives in Scotland. Inti is a biologist who has been tasked with introducing wolves back into the remote Highlands in an effort to bring life back into the dying landscape. Unfortunately for her, she receives nothing but pushback and critique from the townspeople.
This story was intense and heartbreaking as an animal lover. Wolves are natural predators, and because of that, people seem to fear them. When there is a member of the town found dead, everyone is quick to point the blame at the wolves rather than each other. Some moments I found difficult to read because I love animals so deeply, and I felt like the town was being unreasonably cruel towards the wolves, and other animals in general.
I did not love Inti as a character. There was something about her character that I could not connect to, and it made it difficult for me to become invested in her story.
I did really enjoy the atmosphere and setting of this story. I felt entirely immersed in the forest and I loved getting to explore more of the Highlands with the characters.
I am not completely deterred from reading Charlotte McConaghy in the future, but I am not jumping with anticipation either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death of parent