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shaunelly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
I truly did enjoy this book, and I know I will eventually change my rating to be higher.
It was just so deeply and profoundly sad—I cried, sobbed actually, throughout the entire book. Maybe it’s the fault of my own for believing it would be more of a mystery/thriller than a book about conservation of nature, climate crisis, and the human experience that connects us all.
It was beautifully written but contains graphic depictions of interpersonal abuse and violence, animal death, amongst other uneasily digested images.
Would not suggest for sensitive audiences.
It was just so deeply and profoundly sad—I cried, sobbed actually, throughout the entire book. Maybe it’s the fault of my own for believing it would be more of a mystery/thriller than a book about conservation of nature, climate crisis, and the human experience that connects us all.
It was beautifully written but contains graphic depictions of interpersonal abuse and violence, animal death, amongst other uneasily digested images.
Would not suggest for sensitive audiences.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Mental illness, Rape, Dementia, Grief, and Murder
racetotrace's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wanted to like this book, I did until the second half. I liked the plot lines, but the story turned unbelievable and I was so frustrated with Inti by the end. The whole climax to the story was crazy: while very pregnant and in the winter she 1) drags Duncan's into her car and to a hospital 2) rides a horse into a mountain and magically finds the wolf she thinks attacked people 3)kills it and drags the wolf onto the horse 4)goes into labor 5)loses the horse 6) gives birth in the snow without her water breaking 7) keeps trying to walk home while steadily bleeding 8)falls asleep out there without somehow dying 9)a wolf pack cuddles her to keep her warm during the night. Like what?!?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Blood, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
twin1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
Lots of time hops and some unexpected twists.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
sadgirlsidney's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Rape
Minor: Gun violence and Murder
suzablam's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
Loved getting lost in this story, towards the end it was a little over the top but also devastating. Not a perfect read for me but it’s been a while since I got so sucked into a book :) If you’re triggered by domestic violence maybe pick a different read, it’s as much at the core of the story as the wolves are.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Rape
downtown_kb's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
" My father used to say the world turned wrong when we started separating ourselves from the wild, when we stopped being one with the rest of nature, and sat apart. He said we might survive this mistake if we found a way to rewild ourselves. But I don’t know how to do that when our existence frightens the creatures we must reconnect with."
Inti is in Scotland with her team to reintroduce several wolves into the wild, hoping to "rewild" Scotland and save the forests that are dying. The locals are against her and Inti knows that the wolves must not only survive the wild but also the farmers who do not welcome the idea of predators.
This book captivated me. Not only is the writing very atmospheric and poetic but the story had a surprisingly gritty darkness to it. Things unfold slowly but build to a perfect fever pitch towards the end. It makes the reader face the question of how violence changes us and how far we are willing to go for the things we love.
This is a story about Inti, a story about her sister, a story about the wolves, and a story about nature and the planet we are set on destroying and a story that looks at the darkness of humans. And there is also a romance. (Not the focus, but not a side note either).
"This is how the world dies, he said, with laziness."
I just fell in love with how McConaghy slowly showed us who Inti was and didn't hold back from the darker side of this story. I did not see if coming at all. And honestly, these characters are flawed and messy and they make mistakes but they also learn to find a lifeline and pull themselves out of the darkness of their past. I fell in love with Inti. If you like a gritty murder mystery and if you like nature you should really give this a read. TW: domestic violence.
This is, and I imagine it will remain, one of my favorite reads this year.
"We all have that choice, and most of us make it. There is cruelty to survive, to fight against, but there is gentleness more than anything, our roots deep and entangled. That is what we hold inside, what we take with us, the way we look after each other. "
Inti is in Scotland with her team to reintroduce several wolves into the wild, hoping to "rewild" Scotland and save the forests that are dying. The locals are against her and Inti knows that the wolves must not only survive the wild but also the farmers who do not welcome the idea of predators.
This book captivated me. Not only is the writing very atmospheric and poetic but the story had a surprisingly gritty darkness to it. Things unfold slowly but build to a perfect fever pitch towards the end. It makes the reader face the question of how violence changes us and how far we are willing to go for the things we love.
This is a story about Inti, a story about her sister, a story about the wolves, and a story about nature and the planet we are set on destroying and a story that looks at the darkness of humans. And there is also a romance. (Not the focus, but not a side note either).
"This is how the world dies, he said, with laziness."
I just fell in love with how McConaghy slowly showed us who Inti was and didn't hold back from the darker side of this story. I did not see if coming at all. And honestly, these characters are flawed and messy and they make mistakes but they also learn to find a lifeline and pull themselves out of the darkness of their past. I fell in love with Inti. If you like a gritty murder mystery and if you like nature you should really give this a read. TW: domestic violence.
This is, and I imagine it will remain, one of my favorite reads this year.
"We all have that choice, and most of us make it. There is cruelty to survive, to fight against, but there is gentleness more than anything, our roots deep and entangled. That is what we hold inside, what we take with us, the way we look after each other. "
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gore, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Animal death, Rape, and Sexual content
Minor: Murder
klmstep's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy
salamanda3644's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
mainereading's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
I am in awe. This book was incredible, and it had a powerful message. It explores the relationship between humans and animals. But also the connection between humans and nature. It was a beautiful story but also very difficult to read at times. I feel like anyone who reads this would take something away from it. Also, I couldn’t help but think of the song Colors of the Wind by Judy Kuhn while reading this, which made it much more memorable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Infertility, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
bushsbeans's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, and Pregnancy