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naomiysl's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
A deeply emotionally true book at the same time as being an adventure that isn't really about the emotions. Plus a twist at the end that both makes perfect sense and I super didn't see coming. Such a compelling read. Hand to any animal lover, fantasy reader, or maybe just anyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Confinement and Drug use
solaris's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
There's a lot of focus placed early on on the veterinary work. That fades a bit as the plot takes over around the second act. The veterinary work is described in detail, so keep that in mind if you're squeamish.
The book says very interesting things about grief. After the death of her mother when she was seven, Marjan's father wished for a djinn to take her grief away. Later, when Marjan's father is killed before the start of the book, she still can't grieve. Instead of leaving her happy, or even normal, Marjan ends up very angry. She can't process the feelings of loss, so they come out as anger towards everyone - especially her deceased father and people connected to him. Only when she can start grieving again properly can she move on from that anger. It was wonderfully done and very poignant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Medical content
alwaysshure's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death
meganpbell's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
When Marjan’s father is mysteriously murdered, she discovers he was a veterinarian to the kinds of mythic creatures in the stories he once told her…and she inherited his power to care for beasts like griffons and gnomes herself.
Once There Was is an emotionally rich, beautifully told story, full of adventure, mystery, and magical realism, with great Iranian-American representation, about the paradox of living—wonder and responsibility, grief and connection—that I’d love for readers of all ages to enjoy and engage with, however I do think younger readers (this is rated ages 10+) will struggle to maintain interest over the 400 medium-paced pages and more mature plot lines, and I worry that, despite how utterly realistically and compassionately she’s written, more privileged readers will find Marjan “unlikeable” because of her grief and anger.
This book is special, ambitious, and one-of-a-kind and I’m hopeful it will enchant and challenge readers in a major way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Classism