cocoonofbooks 's review for:

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

3.0

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This was a dark, compelling read that unfortunately got bogged down in too many unnecessary tropes. I loved the premise of reintroducing wolves to Scotland to encourage forest growth, and giving the main character mirror touch synesthesia was an interesting addition to the story. The mystery and its subsequent twists and turns kept me engaged, and the author deftly challenges the reader's inclination to sort characters into "good" or "bad." That said, I felt like I was asked to suspend my disbelief far too many times

(that Inti and Duncan would repeatedly have sex without protection; that Duncan would change his mind about being a father; that Inti would give birth in a forest and be protected by wolves; that Duncan would miraculously survive having his throat cut; that Inti and Aggie could switch places as adults and Aggie's husband wouldn't notice; that Aggie would suddenly be able to start speaking again; and so on)

. The nature writing and the complicated ethics woven into the story would make me inclined to recommend this if it hadn't turned into a soap opera in the process. (The audiobook narrator was excellent, though — so many accents!)