Once There Were Wolves | By Charlotte McConaghy
Book review | Mystery Thriller
My thoughts
Narrative and Plot
There is something whimsical about the writing that makes you feel like you are experiencing something magical while staying grounded in nature. Once There Were Wolves brings out the atmospheric Scottish Highlands vibe, breaking the cliches of country living and acknowledging the ruggedness that come with it.
We follow Inti, who is in charge of reintroducing wolves into the Scottish Highlands. Throughout the story, we get glimpses of what shaped her into the person she is today. The plot mostly centers around the events that take place after her arrival in Scotland. This is a slow-burn, character-driven story that lingers not just in its way of storytelling but also in your psyche.
Characters and Conflicts
Inti and her struggle to repopulate the wolves form the external conflict. However, there are several layers to the story. The fight within herself to keep her undeniable rage in check and the question of whether she is truly a reliable narrator keeps you hooked. Her interactions with the townsfolk slowly peel off those layers and reveal a raw and honest version of both sides.
The conflict is certainly the strong point of the story. At its core, it is a primal man vs wild conflict. But to what extent? Who exactly is the monster here? That is the question the book asks. To say anything more would spoil the story.
It is definitely a haunting experience reading it and realizing that our very existence as humans can itself be a disturbance in nature is something that we must reconcile with. There are also elements of mystery, and the ending is twisted in a way that conveys the core message of the book. Thankfully, it doesn’t fall into the easy “them vs us” narrative that climate fiction can sometimes slip into. Instead, it creates room for discussion and ultimately ends on a hopeful note.
Conclusion
If the book hadn’t been as hyped as it was, this might have been a five-star read for me. Because I went in with high expectations, I rated it a 4.5/5. That essentially means it lived up to those expectations. It just didn’t exceed them.
Overall, I enjoyed the experience. This isn’t the kind of book I would re-read, but I would absolutely recommend it to others because it offers a unique and thought-provoking reading experience.
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