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A review by kirkland433
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Well... I don't know what I was expecting with this book, but it wasn't this. Overall I was very drawn into the story. I was compelled to know what the consequences were for introducing the wolves back into the wild and the non relationships she was forming with the locals. McConaghy made me feel for the wolves, which isn't hard for her to do because I'm like Inti. I would support the wolves no matter what because they monsters are humans, not animals. That was what I liked about this book.
Now everything I didn't... and I'll start with just how the book is written. I did not enjoy the writing style. I feel like it was disjointed at times, enough so that I got confused when Inti was referencing something present day and when she was talking about something in the past. It was hard to differentiate between the two. I also didn't like how we didn't really get to know anyone. She told us enough to just learn each character at face value, but I don't know why I was supposed to care beyond that. There was nothing in me that actually believed or cared that these people liked/hated each other. Like revelations of love? Definitely did not understand.
Combine those two things that I didn't enjoy.. and we come to the 2 different stories being told to us. The trauma that Inti and Aggie have gone through and how it applies to their lives and them the wolves and how the locals react to them. They just didn't flow together for me. Which could just be the feminist/nature lover in me. I wanted to be mad about one thing instead of mad at all things. Basically humans ruin everything good, which I whole heartedly agree.
So, as much as I want to say I hated this book.. I didn't. It was rough and showed the dark sides of humans, while also attempting to show us that there is some light. So 3 stars to you book, if I could of get over the writing style that wasn't for me it would of been higher.
Now everything I didn't... and I'll start with just how the book is written. I did not enjoy the writing style. I feel like it was disjointed at times, enough so that I got confused when Inti was referencing something present day and when she was talking about something in the past. It was hard to differentiate between the two. I also didn't like how we didn't really get to know anyone. She told us enough to just learn each character at face value, but I don't know why I was supposed to care beyond that. There was nothing in me that actually believed or cared that these people liked/hated each other. Like revelations of love? Definitely did not understand.
Combine those two things that I didn't enjoy.. and we come to the 2 different stories being told to us. The trauma that Inti and Aggie have gone through and how it applies to their lives and them the wolves and how the locals react to them. They just didn't flow together for me. Which could just be the feminist/nature lover in me. I wanted to be mad about one thing instead of mad at all things. Basically humans ruin everything good, which I whole heartedly agree.
So, as much as I want to say I hated this book.. I didn't. It was rough and showed the dark sides of humans, while also attempting to show us that there is some light. So 3 stars to you book, if I could of get over the writing style that wasn't for me it would of been higher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse, Infertility, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence