A review by oliviaclaire
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book is beautiful, it's also horrific. There is violence, death, grit and gore, yet at the same time there are some of the most beautiful descriptions of nature and a powerful sense of enduring hope in the face of some pretty heavy odds. 

So I find myself torn, the premise is intriguing, our protagonist has a very interesting trait that is well portrayed, the cast is divided and divisive. But as with a lot of books I have read lately, our journey takes darker and darker turns before crashing into a slightly desperate attempt for a 'gotcha' ending which tips us into tropey and melodramatic thriller territory. 

In summary this book is moving, atmospheric and powerful but builds to a wildly melodramatic conclusion that pushes us somewhat into the realm of disbelief and sours the beauty of the writing. 

I also feel like maybe there was character death included which I would class as unecessary and mildy gratuitous
Fingal didn't need to die, we'd had the rabbit, sheep, cattle and two of three wolf deaths by this point. It didn't serve much of a purpose and I have a personal gripe with killing dogs in film and literature when it doesn't actively serve to drive the story or a character to a pivotal plot point. End of rant.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings