MarilynW's Reviews > Once There Were Wolves

Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy, narrated by Saskia Maarleveld

Inti Flynn is the leader of a team of biologists reintroducing wolves to the Highlands of Scotland. The hope is that by bringing these predators back to the area that nature can achieve the balance it needs for the land to heal itself and grow in the way that it needs to grow for centuries to come. Inty brings her broken sister, Aggie, hoping she can heal her, too.

I was so angry with Inti, despite all the good she is attempting to do, because I could feel the stress and frustration she was bringing with her, to the lives of people whose livelihoods she was threatening. Inti could have used some diplomatic skills but she suffers her own traumas from the past and she is as mistrustful of humans as her wolves. Regardless of laws or rules, she does what she wants, releases the wolves behind the backs of those she is supposed to notify, takes the law in her own hands to punish those she wants to punish, tramples on life for her own reasons, without thinking or caring that she is hurting humans and animals. I know my thoughts towards her are harsh but I could feel the damage she was doing, in the name of her goals, fine and honorable goals that will be more attainable with a softer approach to the people and way of life that she is threatening.

The writing is beautiful and we are in the head of Inty. We can see that even she is of two minds, torn in so many ways, not always knowing what is best but also knowing that some of what she does hurts both people and animals. Inty is hurt, angry, confused, and she feels powerless to change the past and to fix the future. I am so impressed with how the author brings about Inty's awareness that she went about things in manner that was not helpful and that she knows she needs to find a better way. The very people that she demonized as being in her way of making the earth a better place, once she stops to really get to know them, are people that are willing to work with her, if she would only talk to them. I loved this aspect of the book, that it addressed the very things that were bothering me about Inty.

The audio version of the book is lovely. I was able to switch between the audio version and the digital version which was helpful to me during the most violent passages of this story. This is not a peaceful book, violence plays a key part in the story, and it was hard for me to see/hear those parts of the book.

Publication: August 3rd

Thank you to Flatiron Books, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for this ARC.