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A review by jextown
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
3.0
Conflicted. I really liked the writing of this book, the way the story was told and unfolded. I liked that there were interesting and kind of dreamlike sequences, but I also struggled with the trauma, the brutality of that flashback with her sister was too much, I really had to steady myself, disconnect my emotions best I could. I really enjoyed the twins’ father and mother, just thought they were unique characters. It was a little messy all around but I enjoyed that part too. I found everything with the wolves interesting and as controversial as it may be I did like the conclusion to the murder mystery. I didn’t much care for the romantic relationship in the book at all, thought that dude kinda sucked tbh. But I can also appreciate that he was a flawed person, not all bad definitely not all good. I appreciated the bond of sisters but upon reflection I don’t really like the way Aggie was handled, even if I did enjoy the intrigue of wondering what was going on with her throughout the book. Like I said, conflicted. I liked it and didn’t and would be careful of who I recommend this to.
Graphic: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Suicide, and Dementia
This book includes an intense flashback to a horrific and brutal sexual assault which results in one of the primary characters being a mute, shell of a person unable to care for herself for much of this book.