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leahjanespeare's review against another edition
5.0
This book destroyed me in the best possible way.
I did not expect the layers of emotional maturity or the complex path through grief that our heroine, Marjan, experiences. My dark little heart was delighted at the story's focus on the grayness of morality and how confusing the concept of 'right' can be for someone at her age. How is nature - magical or mundane - meant to be controlled? Who is more qualified to insert their power over these beautiful and terrifying and dangerous creatures, and what is the correct justice for when undetermined rules are broken? Does intent matter when the results are bloodshed? I am obsessed with the stories that Marjan's father tells her in her memories. They are timeless and ancient, and yet essential for her new status of 'orphan'. I will be thinking about this book for a long while; what a gift.
I am still not sure if this book belongs in young adult or middle grade sections - but honestly anyone from about age 10+ would find it worthwhile, even adults.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Grief, and Death of parent
gabriellepaulin212's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing and Death of parent
mnstucki's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Upon finishing this, I'm surprised that I hadn't heard anything about it until it was named an Odyssey Honor and Morris finalist at the 2024 Youth Media Awards. The awards are well-deserved! The audiobook is really well done and the story is compelling, with a teen doing the best she can to navigate difficult (and ultimately fantastical) circumstances.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death of parent, and Murder
waterwolves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
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
ellarroz's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
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
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