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A review by byashleylamar
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
5.0
"I had always known there was something different about me, but that was the day I first recognized it to be dangerous."
*List of triggering content warnings below, just as an FYI to future readers*
I'm not sure where to begin with a review of this book other than to say it was incredible, absolutely incredible. I loved every single thing about it and it's a book I already know I'll return to again and again because it's so multi-faceted and so deeply layered that it'll take a few reads to process the depths of it.
Every part of the book has a counterpart (Duncan/Stuart, Inti / Aggie, Wolves / Farmers, Mom / Dad, etc) which keeps the story in this continual cycle of challenging tension with success and progress. Though, despite all the forward movement of the plot it doesn't feel rushed at all.
It's beautifully written with layers upon layers of themes and symbolism that beg to be analyzed and processed. I feel a bit at a loss for words on this one other than to say I loved it. Truly, loved it.
A few of my favorite quotes:
I wonder if she knows her fury will kill her, if maybe she’s fine with that, maybe she would charge toward oblivion rather than return to whatever she fled.
It is easy to tell myself that what passes between them is only biology, nature, but then who said love does not exist in the nature of all things?
There are languages without words and violence is one of them.
“And when you open your heart to rewilding a landscape, the truth is, you’re opening your heart to rewilding yourself.”
Trigger Warnings
Animal Cruelty
Animal Death
Domestic Abuse / Violence
Emotional Abuse
Physical Abuse
Sexual Assault / Violence
Stalking
*List of triggering content warnings below, just as an FYI to future readers*
I'm not sure where to begin with a review of this book other than to say it was incredible, absolutely incredible. I loved every single thing about it and it's a book I already know I'll return to again and again because it's so multi-faceted and so deeply layered that it'll take a few reads to process the depths of it.
Every part of the book has a counterpart (Duncan/Stuart, Inti / Aggie, Wolves / Farmers, Mom / Dad, etc) which keeps the story in this continual cycle of challenging tension with success and progress. Though, despite all the forward movement of the plot it doesn't feel rushed at all.
It's beautifully written with layers upon layers of themes and symbolism that beg to be analyzed and processed. I feel a bit at a loss for words on this one other than to say I loved it. Truly, loved it.
A few of my favorite quotes:
I wonder if she knows her fury will kill her, if maybe she’s fine with that, maybe she would charge toward oblivion rather than return to whatever she fled.
It is easy to tell myself that what passes between them is only biology, nature, but then who said love does not exist in the nature of all things?
There are languages without words and violence is one of them.
“And when you open your heart to rewilding a landscape, the truth is, you’re opening your heart to rewilding yourself.”
Trigger Warnings
Animal Cruelty
Animal Death
Domestic Abuse / Violence
Emotional Abuse
Physical Abuse
Sexual Assault / Violence
Stalking