rach_reads_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Rape, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Death, Sexual assault, and Grief
crazytourists_books's review against another edition
4.0
Like the first time around, did I care about these things? Not really. The nareation cast a spell on me and had me sighing and gasping more than once...
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Sexual violence, Death, Gore, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Animal death, Blood, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Grief, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, and Mental illness
mdwsn27's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual assault, Infidelity, Murder, Animal death, Grief, Animal cruelty, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Gore, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Gaslighting, Rape, Stalking, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Abandonment
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Abortion, and Confinement
jportfolio's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault
crushedlavender's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse
siriface's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Pregnancy
elkcariboubiologist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Oy. This beautifully written, incredibly dark book pulled me in and wouldn't let me go despite how anxious reading it made me feel. Those books that can weave nature/science into a story are definitely some of my favorite. But not many writers can do it well, particularly if they aren't biologists or naturalists themselves (and even if they are!). Given that, I was amazed to find that McConaghy is neither. Is all the science correct? No. But from the very first pages, it was easy to see that McConaghy had done her research. Not only on the ecology of wolves, but on how they make people feel. In my experience, wolves are one of the most polarizing critters that exists (probably THE most polarizing). You either love wolves or hate them, nothing in between... She captured this well for the most part (except it is not likely that some of the characters could be convinced to change their mind).
The moment was unbearable, sitting there with her fur between my fingers. I had been watching her for months, learning her, caring for her. I began to wonder if what we were doing was right. If our involvement in their lives was too much. We were trying to save them but we killed them sometimes, too. We stomped through the world and crumpled things where we walked, too human, not creature enough.
As a wildlife research biologist, at times I didn't know if I was ready to feel some of the emotions this story brought up in me. I can't tell you how many times over the past 25 years that some version of the highlighted quote above has gone through my head. I know of very few biologists who question their role in that way (though they should!)...
No such thing as trust in the wilderness. … It’s only people need that word.
My main criticism: the ending was over the top. How McConaghy chose to tie everything up, honestly didn't really feel true to the rest of the story. Without spoilers, I can't say more than that.
Edited to add: I've read some of the other reviews and need to add that I have never experienced trauma like the characters of this story so I couldn't judge how well the author treated this incredibly sensitive topic. Listening to those voices, this book could be harmful or triggering to abuse victims or to their friends and family. As others have noted, the book should definitely come with trigger warnings.
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and Blood
thornthistle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Domestic abuse
chldshsambino's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Misogyny, Murder, Animal death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault
saralittlecloud's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Domestic abuse, Vomit, and Sexual violence