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We Were Wolves
'A truly original and affecting piece of work. Unsettling but beautiful, sparse but packed with heart, it’s a real invasion of the senses' Phil Earle
'Yearning regret punctuated by glimpses of real companionship and pure dread. What a joy to see Jason’s pictures matched by such an unsentimental but tender story' Geraldine McCaughrean
Boy lives in a caravan on his own in the woods. His dad, John, is in prison and promises to get out soon. All the boy needs to do is survive alone for a little while longer.
But dark forces are circling - like the dangerous man in the Range Rover, who is looking for his stolen money. And then there are the ancient forces that have lain asleep in the woods for an age...
'Yearning regret punctuated by glimpses of real companionship and pure dread. What a joy to see Jason’s pictures matched by such an unsentimental but tender story' Geraldine McCaughrean
Boy lives in a caravan on his own in the woods. His dad, John, is in prison and promises to get out soon. All the boy needs to do is survive alone for a little while longer.
But dark forces are circling - like the dangerous man in the Range Rover, who is looking for his stolen money. And then there are the ancient forces that have lain asleep in the woods for an age...
216 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2021
7 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Jason Cockcroft
59 books12 followersJason Cockcroft is the illustrator of many acclaimed picture books, including Room for a Little One: A Christmas Tale by Martin Waddell, Billywise by Judith Nicholls, and Jason and the Golden Fleece by James Riordan. He lives in Whitby, England, with his wife, Lisa, and their two cats. COUNTER CLOCKWISE is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
July 20, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
We Were Wolves tells the story of a nameless teenage boy who lives with his father in a caravan in the woods. His father John has been released from the army and has PTSD from his time serving in war zones. He has the skills that criminals are looking for and with needing to put food on the table and dreams of moving his family to Scotland it is these criminals he gets involved with.
A few days before a ‘big’ job, John is sent to prison, leaving his son to fend for himself. He gives his lawyer some money for his son and a rucksack, telling his son not to look inside and to keep it safe. However, the boy is curious, and inside is a gun. He is also informed of a large box filled with money hidden under the caravan.
Whilst alone boy takes in a stray dog called Mol and meets a teenage girl, Sophie, who is staying at a nearby farm. He also encounters the bad man and strange dark ancient forces that are in the woods.
This YA book deals with a lot of issues in the world today including PTSD, poverty, criminals, bullying, divorce, neglect, etc. It is told from the boy’s POV and it is filled with metaphors and similes to show you what he is feeling or to analyse the situation. Even the title is a metaphor, as wolves stick together just like the boy and his dad. It also has a fantasy element to it.
It is a very dark story at times and quite poetic too. The first half of the book is mainly explaining the situation that boy is in and the life he lives, such as why he chose to live in a caravan without a toilet, heating, etc in the woods with his father and why his mother let her son go.
It is the second half of the book where the tension, excitement, and adventure grew. There are also haunting illustrations throughout that give the story a creepy feel.
For those who love this style of writing, think Patrick Ness, this book will be a hit. I can see it confusing some people too as you have to read between the lines a lot to fully understand it.
We Were Wolves tells the story of a nameless teenage boy who lives with his father in a caravan in the woods. His father John has been released from the army and has PTSD from his time serving in war zones. He has the skills that criminals are looking for and with needing to put food on the table and dreams of moving his family to Scotland it is these criminals he gets involved with.
A few days before a ‘big’ job, John is sent to prison, leaving his son to fend for himself. He gives his lawyer some money for his son and a rucksack, telling his son not to look inside and to keep it safe. However, the boy is curious, and inside is a gun. He is also informed of a large box filled with money hidden under the caravan.
Whilst alone boy takes in a stray dog called Mol and meets a teenage girl, Sophie, who is staying at a nearby farm. He also encounters the bad man and strange dark ancient forces that are in the woods.
This YA book deals with a lot of issues in the world today including PTSD, poverty, criminals, bullying, divorce, neglect, etc. It is told from the boy’s POV and it is filled with metaphors and similes to show you what he is feeling or to analyse the situation. Even the title is a metaphor, as wolves stick together just like the boy and his dad. It also has a fantasy element to it.
It is a very dark story at times and quite poetic too. The first half of the book is mainly explaining the situation that boy is in and the life he lives, such as why he chose to live in a caravan without a toilet, heating, etc in the woods with his father and why his mother let her son go.
It is the second half of the book where the tension, excitement, and adventure grew. There are also haunting illustrations throughout that give the story a creepy feel.
For those who love this style of writing, think Patrick Ness, this book will be a hit. I can see it confusing some people too as you have to read between the lines a lot to fully understand it.
May 7, 2021
I received a gifted advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via Kaleidoscopic book tours and the publisher.
Trigger warnings: Guns, PTSD, homelessness.
We were wolves is a stunningly illustrated book about a complex relationship between a boy and his father.
The boy in the story is nameless throughout the book but his father John (who the boy refers to as John), has PTSD from being in the army. The boys father and mother have separated and he has chosen to live with John in a campervan in the woods.
Then danger rears its ugly head and causes a series of events that leave the boy with trauma of his own.
This book is very well written in a literary sense. The boy has a very complex relationship and bond with his father John and through this tenderly but traumatic story we learn of many different layers and traits of each character.
I loved how ancient legends were woven into the story and loved Mol - the dog that turns up from nowhere and secures a home and love from the boy.
This beautiful book has an eerie quality to it through the illustrations and keeps you wanting to read on and discover what happens. I found it both a haunting and thought-provoking read and highly recommend it for both adults and children aged 12+.
Trigger warnings: Guns, PTSD, homelessness.
We were wolves is a stunningly illustrated book about a complex relationship between a boy and his father.
The boy in the story is nameless throughout the book but his father John (who the boy refers to as John), has PTSD from being in the army. The boys father and mother have separated and he has chosen to live with John in a campervan in the woods.
Then danger rears its ugly head and causes a series of events that leave the boy with trauma of his own.
This book is very well written in a literary sense. The boy has a very complex relationship and bond with his father John and through this tenderly but traumatic story we learn of many different layers and traits of each character.
I loved how ancient legends were woven into the story and loved Mol - the dog that turns up from nowhere and secures a home and love from the boy.
This beautiful book has an eerie quality to it through the illustrations and keeps you wanting to read on and discover what happens. I found it both a haunting and thought-provoking read and highly recommend it for both adults and children aged 12+.
May 29, 2021
We Were Wolves is jumpy, raw and gritty. It is the tale of a young boy and his father, of living in the outdoors, of survival.
The way the author writes from the boys point of view is fantastic, it is sporadic, jumpy, energetic and pulsating. It feels true to the character character adds dimension to the story.
Although it does make it slightly difficult to read as you really have to focus on what is being said, not what the boy is doing.
The story is so gritty. It draws you in and forces you to imagine what it is like to be a child growing up in the boys situation. To have to be with your dad because he needs you, not because he wants you or what is best for you. To have a mother that knows what is happening but has no power to stop it.
There are so many metaphors and philosophical elements to this book. Each one used in perfect context to make this book deep and thought provoking. Each page holds a new phrase to make the reader think and contemplate its meaning.
John is such a complex, troubled character who represents so much of what happens to soldiers when they return from duty. How the world is changed for them and there is no easy way for them to slip back into society the way they left it. It is heartbreaking.
We Were Wolves is thought provoking and emotionally laden. It contemplates issues such as parental incarceration, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, parental separation, homelessness, neglect and so much more. It is a heavy read and one that will leave you thinking.
Thank you to Walker Books Australia for sending me a review copy. All thoughts are my own.
The way the author writes from the boys point of view is fantastic, it is sporadic, jumpy, energetic and pulsating. It feels true to the character character adds dimension to the story.
Although it does make it slightly difficult to read as you really have to focus on what is being said, not what the boy is doing.
The story is so gritty. It draws you in and forces you to imagine what it is like to be a child growing up in the boys situation. To have to be with your dad because he needs you, not because he wants you or what is best for you. To have a mother that knows what is happening but has no power to stop it.
There are so many metaphors and philosophical elements to this book. Each one used in perfect context to make this book deep and thought provoking. Each page holds a new phrase to make the reader think and contemplate its meaning.
John is such a complex, troubled character who represents so much of what happens to soldiers when they return from duty. How the world is changed for them and there is no easy way for them to slip back into society the way they left it. It is heartbreaking.
We Were Wolves is thought provoking and emotionally laden. It contemplates issues such as parental incarceration, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, parental separation, homelessness, neglect and so much more. It is a heavy read and one that will leave you thinking.
Thank you to Walker Books Australia for sending me a review copy. All thoughts are my own.
November 21, 2023
“Because in the end, the one thing that made it glorious was the same thing that killed it.”
“Like the words were birds and while they were printed in the book those birds were stuck, caged. It was only when he read them that they flew.”
“Like the words were birds and while they were printed in the book those birds were stuck, caged. It was only when he read them that they flew.”
April 26, 2021
This startling, moving novel examines a complex bond between father and son woven together with observations of natural world, survival and ancient legends that waft through the woodlands. In the tales’ telling, the reader moves uneasily, as if crossing the boundaries between the waking world and the stuff of nightmares. The multitude of issues; poverty, child-homelessness, divorce, crime, isolation; spin through the book to create a tender story, but with tense realism and completely lacking in sentimentality. Dark, exquisite illustrations are infused onto the pages, bringing an eerie atmosphere that you can almost taste and enlivens all the senses. Beautiful, but unsettling; thought-provoking, yet filled with feeling; wild, dream-like, haunting and powerful. It is extraordinary. (ages 14+)
May 5, 2021
I can't wait to see the fully illustrated version of this; it's going to be amazing.
This book reminds me of a mix between A Monster Calls and October, October (both books I heartily recommend, by the way.) We follow the story of an unnamed boy who lives with his father in a caravan in the woods. The father, John, has PTSD after serving abroad in the army, and has fallen in with some bad people. The boy does his best to keep things on an even keel while absorbing everything John teaches him about living in the wild.
There's a fantasy layer to this story that didn't really click for me, and the start is tough to follow, but the meat of the story is absolutely amazing. I love the recurring idea that we could be any father and son, anywhere, any time, it's really lovely.
I'm so looking forward to selling this book (which I can do soon, hopefully!) I think people are really going to love it.
This book reminds me of a mix between A Monster Calls and October, October (both books I heartily recommend, by the way.) We follow the story of an unnamed boy who lives with his father in a caravan in the woods. The father, John, has PTSD after serving abroad in the army, and has fallen in with some bad people. The boy does his best to keep things on an even keel while absorbing everything John teaches him about living in the wild.
There's a fantasy layer to this story that didn't really click for me, and the start is tough to follow, but the meat of the story is absolutely amazing. I love the recurring idea that we could be any father and son, anywhere, any time, it's really lovely.
I'm so looking forward to selling this book (which I can do soon, hopefully!) I think people are really going to love it.
June 22, 2021
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Thank you Walker Books for this book in exchange for an honest review
We all need a little dark tale in our life, and this is it. We Were Wolves can basically be compared to A Monster Calls, when you read it, you feel it deep in your soul.
We Were Wolves is based around a young boy who lives in the woods with his father, a man suffering the effects of PTSD after Afghanistan war and struggling with everyday life at home with his family. The young boy is besotted with his father and continues to chose the love of family as he constantly forgives his father for his misdeeds and law breaking antics.
This broken home is filled with love and while love and support doesn’t repair people, it can bring them up when they need it. Though, lets have a fair warning about this book, it is filled with grief, heart ache, loss and despair. And obviously with all this darkness, I loved it!!!
Bookstagram
Website
Thank you Walker Books for this book in exchange for an honest review
We all need a little dark tale in our life, and this is it. We Were Wolves can basically be compared to A Monster Calls, when you read it, you feel it deep in your soul.
We Were Wolves is based around a young boy who lives in the woods with his father, a man suffering the effects of PTSD after Afghanistan war and struggling with everyday life at home with his family. The young boy is besotted with his father and continues to chose the love of family as he constantly forgives his father for his misdeeds and law breaking antics.
This broken home is filled with love and while love and support doesn’t repair people, it can bring them up when they need it. Though, lets have a fair warning about this book, it is filled with grief, heart ache, loss and despair. And obviously with all this darkness, I loved it!!!
July 25, 2025
I loved the atmospheric drawings. Also, I enjoyed the distinctly English flavour of the story.
The premise was interesting enough. It is told by a nameless boy (14-15 years old is my guess), who feels he has to take care of his father, a veteran soldier with PTSD, rather than live with his mother, and he stopped going to school. Somewhere in West Yorkshire, they are roughing it in a rusty old camper van in the woods. His father is unemployable, and in cahoots with some bad people. There is plenty of foreshadowing, so it is clear from the onset that tragedy is about to ensue.
The language was competent.
The prehistoric theme held a lot of promise, but remained a metaphor.
The downward spiral of the plot made this a predictably frustrating read.
Surprisingly dark and gritty for a young adult novel, its denouement still felt rather underwhelming for more experienced readers.
The premise was interesting enough. It is told by a nameless boy (14-15 years old is my guess), who feels he has to take care of his father, a veteran soldier with PTSD, rather than live with his mother, and he stopped going to school. Somewhere in West Yorkshire, they are roughing it in a rusty old camper van in the woods. His father is unemployable, and in cahoots with some bad people. There is plenty of foreshadowing, so it is clear from the onset that tragedy is about to ensue.
The language was competent.
The prehistoric theme held a lot of promise, but remained a metaphor.
The downward spiral of the plot made this a predictably frustrating read.
Surprisingly dark and gritty for a young adult novel, its denouement still felt rather underwhelming for more experienced readers.
Read
March 31, 2021A fantastic and deeply affecting book about familial bonds and PTSD, accompanied by stark and atmospheric illustrations.
May 1, 2021
An easy to read, original story telling, book with down to earth characters. The story has a somber, intentionally grey atmosphere throughout, which works perfectly to feel what the main character is going through in this period of their life. Generally great book, but the ending is rushed and the elements about wolves and ancient animals hinted through the book do not amount to much in the plot, it’s is only implied they may or not may have been the cause of final events. This may or may not have been intentional by the author, to layout some metaphor about inner monsters potentially, but unfortunately either way the ending results in being a slight anticlimactic with a lost opportunity to make this a truly 5 star read. But I did find it easy and enjoyable to read, it just won’t make for a memorable plot as I move on to other books
May 14, 2021
If you like hauntingly beautiful pieces of work then please check this out! The illustrations alone are so atmospheric and dark, but they perfectly capture the story that is being told here.
What we have is basically a story about PTSD, and how it not only affects the person suffering from it but also those around them. It is a hard read, and the story is full of symbolism and metaphors but that is what’s great about it! I love wondering what everything stands for, and I love the eerie feeling throughout. It’s almost as though the story is making the reader feel just as out of place as John does when he’s home from war. It is replicating his emotions so we can feel like him.
Extremely smart premise, and very well done I think, so definitely one to check out.
What we have is basically a story about PTSD, and how it not only affects the person suffering from it but also those around them. It is a hard read, and the story is full of symbolism and metaphors but that is what’s great about it! I love wondering what everything stands for, and I love the eerie feeling throughout. It’s almost as though the story is making the reader feel just as out of place as John does when he’s home from war. It is replicating his emotions so we can feel like him.
Extremely smart premise, and very well done I think, so definitely one to check out.
March 22, 2021
Despite feeling slightly confused at the beginning of the book, I really really enjoyed it. I thought it was a very thought provoking book and the writing style of the author was really interesting. I also loved all of the characters especially Mol 🥺. I would recommend this book for someone who is looking for an easier read as it isn’t as thorough in detail as say a fantasy or scifi book. TW : war ptsd + guns.
I was kindly provided with an arc of this book via NetGalley.
I was kindly provided with an arc of this book via NetGalley.
March 6, 2021
This is a story about a boy and a father who lived in the woods 🪵 because they were constantly running away from a wicked man.
At the beginning of the book it was a bit confusing cause the author focused more on the metaphors and descriptive words. I could not understand what was going on in the plot.
Later did i know it ended of sadly. Was not expecting that but just wished the author could have made the plot a bit compact than focusing on his writing. Other than that it was a good read !
"You pay for the things you do. You get nothing for nothing"
Pg227
Thank you @definitelybooks
At the beginning of the book it was a bit confusing cause the author focused more on the metaphors and descriptive words. I could not understand what was going on in the plot.
Later did i know it ended of sadly. Was not expecting that but just wished the author could have made the plot a bit compact than focusing on his writing. Other than that it was a good read !
"You pay for the things you do. You get nothing for nothing"
Pg227
Thank you @definitelybooks
August 19, 2022
A beautiful read, this is a powerful and emotive tale, it’s so engaging and addictive I really couldn’t put it down , well written, great characters, poignant and thought provoking read
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
May 2, 2021
We Were Wolves is about Boy who lives in the woods, In a Caravan, John, his Father is in prison but will be out soon. All Boy needs to do is survive a little longer alone, but with the bad man coming after them and a rucksack that he's not meant to look inside survival is not an easy concept. Dark forces are circling and Boy has never felt more alone.
Wow! This was such an intense and powerful read! I truly believe that Young Adult books can teach us so much and We Were Wolves is no exception.
A powerful and often heartbreaking read covering the effects Ptsd has on familial bonds.
I love the way Jason Cockcroft uses Metaphors to describe the emotion and stark reality of what these characters face, it made for a compelling read and engaged me as a reader, Accompanied with the detailed illustrations I read this book from page to page in one sitting. My only issue with the book overall was the character of Boy's Mother. As a parent myself I found I questioned why she would leave her child in so much danger and distance herself from him so much. I mean why not go and get him? I did feel frustrated at times with her but then her story although hinted at was never really told so I'm sure she had her own difficulties.
For a relatively short book this really does pack a punch! Right from the start there is such an intensity to the plot that is almost palpable and it doesn't disappoint.
Overall I found this a really beautiful, emotive read with the sensitive issues handled with compassion. I felt so much empathy towards Boy and feel his character will stay with me. The descriptions of nature and life in the woods is so realistic and another part of this book I felt was written very well. I really liked the originality of We Were Wolves and will defintely be recommending it! I really hope it gets the recognition it deserves!
Wow! This was such an intense and powerful read! I truly believe that Young Adult books can teach us so much and We Were Wolves is no exception.
A powerful and often heartbreaking read covering the effects Ptsd has on familial bonds.
I love the way Jason Cockcroft uses Metaphors to describe the emotion and stark reality of what these characters face, it made for a compelling read and engaged me as a reader, Accompanied with the detailed illustrations I read this book from page to page in one sitting. My only issue with the book overall was the character of Boy's Mother. As a parent myself I found I questioned why she would leave her child in so much danger and distance herself from him so much. I mean why not go and get him? I did feel frustrated at times with her but then her story although hinted at was never really told so I'm sure she had her own difficulties.
For a relatively short book this really does pack a punch! Right from the start there is such an intensity to the plot that is almost palpable and it doesn't disappoint.
Overall I found this a really beautiful, emotive read with the sensitive issues handled with compassion. I felt so much empathy towards Boy and feel his character will stay with me. The descriptions of nature and life in the woods is so realistic and another part of this book I felt was written very well. I really liked the originality of We Were Wolves and will defintely be recommending it! I really hope it gets the recognition it deserves!
June 14, 2022
We Were Wolves is about a teenage boy living in the woods with his father, John. He is ex military and suffers from PTSD, leaving his wife and going to live in a caravan.
I thought the writing was fabulous and included alot of metaphors which I really enjoyed as I am a fan of poetry. It felt quite poetic and meaningful. There were little touches the author used such as capitalising some words and using nature as a big theme in the book that I particularly liked.
The main plot which gripped me was John's ultimate "job". Although I had an idea about what might happen, I felt as if I wanted to keep reading for the boys sake, as you really do end up sympathising and wishing well for him. He has to go through alot and I thought his character developement was good. I won't give anything away but it's quite obvious from the start that nothing really does go to plan.
Overall I thought it was a great book. I'd recommend it if you want something a bit different with a hint of poetry. It tackled some pressing themes, yet it still didn't feel too heavy. I also liked the use of illustrations, almost allowing us to see a bit into the teenage boys mind.
CW: PTSD, guns, homelessness, death and loss
I thought the writing was fabulous and included alot of metaphors which I really enjoyed as I am a fan of poetry. It felt quite poetic and meaningful. There were little touches the author used such as capitalising some words and using nature as a big theme in the book that I particularly liked.
The main plot which gripped me was John's ultimate "job". Although I had an idea about what might happen, I felt as if I wanted to keep reading for the boys sake, as you really do end up sympathising and wishing well for him. He has to go through alot and I thought his character developement was good. I won't give anything away but it's quite obvious from the start that nothing really does go to plan.
Overall I thought it was a great book. I'd recommend it if you want something a bit different with a hint of poetry. It tackled some pressing themes, yet it still didn't feel too heavy. I also liked the use of illustrations, almost allowing us to see a bit into the teenage boys mind.
CW: PTSD, guns, homelessness, death and loss
February 1, 2023
After reading Running With Horses first by accident, I went back and read this one.
It follows a young boy who lives with his ex-army Dad in a caravan in the woods. His Dad is involved with some bad people and this book follows their adventures preparing for The Job.
Cockcroft uses vivid word pictures along with page illustrations to help you really feel what they’re feeling and get inside the young boys mind.
I loved the character of Sophie and her obsession with the stars and her kind acts towards the young boy.
Definitely not my usual picks of books but I did enjoy them.
It follows a young boy who lives with his ex-army Dad in a caravan in the woods. His Dad is involved with some bad people and this book follows their adventures preparing for The Job.
Cockcroft uses vivid word pictures along with page illustrations to help you really feel what they’re feeling and get inside the young boys mind.
I loved the character of Sophie and her obsession with the stars and her kind acts towards the young boy.
Definitely not my usual picks of books but I did enjoy them.
October 3, 2021
Just WOW! Dark poetic beauty is what you will find between the pages of this illustrated fiction novel as an unnamed boy struggles to make sense of the world around him and his father who suffers from PTSD following his tour as a soldier in the Middle East. Authentic and gritty.
June 6, 2022
Probably a 3.5. The illustrations were good, but the story lacked the emotional depth it could've had. There was too much telling and not enough showing for me.
September 26, 2022
Not my kind of book
Sadly
Sadly
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May 25, 2021RTC
We Were Wolves has been on my radar for a while so when I was allowed to review it as part of the tour I jumped at the chance.
While it did take me a while to get into the book as it was a little confusing to work out what was going on, I got the hang of it. As they say, the ball was rolling. The actions do get going and I think that Jason Cockcroft does make you invested in the story especially with Boy and Mol. What can I say I am always up for a dog character.
The story also takes us into a unique setting, which is part of the inspiration behind the Instagram post. The outside setting is one that I don't really see in YA and it was interesting to see a character who lives by non-traditional means.
I enjoyed the way the actions picked up in the halfway mark and this definitely made me more engaged with the story. At the core is a story of toxic relationships, especially with a father and son. Jason Cockcroft definitely made me emphasise Boy throughout the story which is a talent to his writing.
Obviously, a review of this book would not be complete without mentioning those illustrations. They are so beautiful and I loved them. They definitely gave me A Monster Calls vibes but I think this is just the black and white.
I do, however, think if you liked one then the other may just be your cup of tea. I do recommend the book and I can't wait to see what Jason Cockcroft does in the future.
The Verdict:
Highly imaginative and entertaining, We Were Wolves is a great read which bridges the gap between middle grade and YA reads.
We Were Wolves has been on my radar for a while so when I was allowed to review it as part of the tour I jumped at the chance.
While it did take me a while to get into the book as it was a little confusing to work out what was going on, I got the hang of it. As they say, the ball was rolling. The actions do get going and I think that Jason Cockcroft does make you invested in the story especially with Boy and Mol. What can I say I am always up for a dog character.
The story also takes us into a unique setting, which is part of the inspiration behind the Instagram post. The outside setting is one that I don't really see in YA and it was interesting to see a character who lives by non-traditional means.
I enjoyed the way the actions picked up in the halfway mark and this definitely made me more engaged with the story. At the core is a story of toxic relationships, especially with a father and son. Jason Cockcroft definitely made me emphasise Boy throughout the story which is a talent to his writing.
Obviously, a review of this book would not be complete without mentioning those illustrations. They are so beautiful and I loved them. They definitely gave me A Monster Calls vibes but I think this is just the black and white.
I do, however, think if you liked one then the other may just be your cup of tea. I do recommend the book and I can't wait to see what Jason Cockcroft does in the future.
The Verdict:
Highly imaginative and entertaining, We Were Wolves is a great read which bridges the gap between middle grade and YA reads.
March 22, 2021
Review can also be found at Snow White Hates Apples.
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
We Were Wolves is about a boy who tries his best to keep his father afloat, shouldering a burden he shouldn’t he even shouldering in the first place, and how people can be like wolves—or, perhaps in this case, the more apt description would be predators. It’s a young Young Adult novel which means that it’s sweeter and more innocent than your typical older YA book, but there are some moments of violence which may feel amplified due to how young the narrative voice sounds.
Other than that, this book is filled with gorgeous imagery, metaphors and symbolism. However, it wasn’t done as seamlessly as I hoped for, especially in the beginning where the author is laying down the foundations of the story. There was so much going on—too many big ideas and opinions—that I couldn’t even remember what the point of the story was. Sure, it helped with character building, but I felt that the story suffered because of it. It also didn’t help that it wasn’t told in a linear narrative. It was a challenge for me to stay immersed the story and the amount of time (more than a month) it took me to get through the first part is a testimony of that.
Fortunately, the pacing picks up in part two of the book and the story becomes more linear. I could properly immerse myself into the story and found myself feeling for the boy. He tried so hard for his father and did his best with what he had. It saddened me that someone so young has to bear such burden, but when I had a proper sit down to think, I realized that there are some of us who may have done the same before as children. Perhaps not to the same degree, but there’s a reason why people say that kids pick up more than they let on.
Anyway, I find it clever that the boy’s name was never mentioned. It made it seem like he could be just any boy and any boy could just be him. The fantastical elements are also done brilliantly. They can be either the boy’s coping mechanism, actual metaphors and symbolism, or simply just fantastical elements, and I couldn’t help but wish the illustrations in the ARC I got were bigger so those elements could be amplified (thank goodness the published version will be fully illustrated!).
All in all, this book is a solid read. I think that it would’ve been better had it been more concise, but that’s just my opinion.
Thank you so much Pansing for sending me the ARC of this in exchange for an honest review! We Were Wolves by Jason Cockcroft will be available at all good bookstores.
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
We Were Wolves is about a boy who tries his best to keep his father afloat, shouldering a burden he shouldn’t he even shouldering in the first place, and how people can be like wolves—or, perhaps in this case, the more apt description would be predators. It’s a young Young Adult novel which means that it’s sweeter and more innocent than your typical older YA book, but there are some moments of violence which may feel amplified due to how young the narrative voice sounds.
Other than that, this book is filled with gorgeous imagery, metaphors and symbolism. However, it wasn’t done as seamlessly as I hoped for, especially in the beginning where the author is laying down the foundations of the story. There was so much going on—too many big ideas and opinions—that I couldn’t even remember what the point of the story was. Sure, it helped with character building, but I felt that the story suffered because of it. It also didn’t help that it wasn’t told in a linear narrative. It was a challenge for me to stay immersed the story and the amount of time (more than a month) it took me to get through the first part is a testimony of that.
Fortunately, the pacing picks up in part two of the book and the story becomes more linear. I could properly immerse myself into the story and found myself feeling for the boy. He tried so hard for his father and did his best with what he had. It saddened me that someone so young has to bear such burden, but when I had a proper sit down to think, I realized that there are some of us who may have done the same before as children. Perhaps not to the same degree, but there’s a reason why people say that kids pick up more than they let on.
Anyway, I find it clever that the boy’s name was never mentioned. It made it seem like he could be just any boy and any boy could just be him. The fantastical elements are also done brilliantly. They can be either the boy’s coping mechanism, actual metaphors and symbolism, or simply just fantastical elements, and I couldn’t help but wish the illustrations in the ARC I got were bigger so those elements could be amplified (thank goodness the published version will be fully illustrated!).
All in all, this book is a solid read. I think that it would’ve been better had it been more concise, but that’s just my opinion.
Thank you so much Pansing for sending me the ARC of this in exchange for an honest review! We Were Wolves by Jason Cockcroft will be available at all good bookstores.
March 6, 2021
We Were Wolves is a story about a boy's estrange relationship with his dad who lives in a caravan in the woods. This is their story of running away from the past, a wicked man and the sacrifices they have to make in order to make their ideals come true. This story is vague, slow paced and interesting.
I don't know why but it just feels like this book is written for middle graders. So, in my mind I kept thinking that the main character is a few youngers than he actually is. I think his immature and mysterious behaviour might have played a part as well. Honestly, this doesn't change anything but merely how I perceive it.
As I said before, this story is very vague and filled with metaphors and comparisons that there isn't much happening after all in the entirety of the book. If you stay close enough attention, you might have already got the entire plot from the first few chapters. Everything that happened took its sweet time and it was really slow that I wish it could have been packed in with so much more.
I really like the writing style and it is pretty well written. This story focuses more on the writing than the overall story and sometimes that's just how certain books are meant to be. It's full of mystery and indistinctness so you'll just have to follow along the boy's story, Mol and John as they navigate their complicated life and away from whatever is troubling them.
I don't know why but it just feels like this book is written for middle graders. So, in my mind I kept thinking that the main character is a few youngers than he actually is. I think his immature and mysterious behaviour might have played a part as well. Honestly, this doesn't change anything but merely how I perceive it.
As I said before, this story is very vague and filled with metaphors and comparisons that there isn't much happening after all in the entirety of the book. If you stay close enough attention, you might have already got the entire plot from the first few chapters. Everything that happened took its sweet time and it was really slow that I wish it could have been packed in with so much more.
I really like the writing style and it is pretty well written. This story focuses more on the writing than the overall story and sometimes that's just how certain books are meant to be. It's full of mystery and indistinctness so you'll just have to follow along the boy's story, Mol and John as they navigate their complicated life and away from whatever is troubling them.
May 7, 2021
Loved how it shed light into what it's like to have PTSD and the impact it has on the people around.
My heart goes out to the MC (i still don't know his name). He blamed himself so, so much and it was so heartbreaking.
Knocked off two stars because the reading experience was fRusTraTing. You're watching everything playing out and you want so badly to help but you can't.
Still enjoyed it because I don't think PTSD is talked about often. Props to the author for tackling a very heavy topic. Beautifully written!
My heart goes out to the MC (i still don't know his name). He blamed himself so, so much and it was so heartbreaking.
Knocked off two stars because the reading experience was fRusTraTing. You're watching everything playing out and you want so badly to help but you can't.
Still enjoyed it because I don't think PTSD is talked about often. Props to the author for tackling a very heavy topic. Beautifully written!
December 16, 2021
We Were Wolves is a tender, terrible tale about what you would do for the ones you love, an ode to companionship and an (re)awakening of the realisation that the fight between our inner wolves is never truly over until you decide which one to feed.
Beautifully rendered both in text and transformative drawings, We Were Wolves will linger in reader’s minds long after the beasts subside.
For my full review and account on illustrated fiction for young adult audiences visit, DIM'S re VIEWS: http://dimswritestuff.blogspot.com/
Beautifully rendered both in text and transformative drawings, We Were Wolves will linger in reader’s minds long after the beasts subside.
For my full review and account on illustrated fiction for young adult audiences visit, DIM'S re VIEWS: http://dimswritestuff.blogspot.com/
September 17, 2021
Shivering with tension, darkness and the unknown. It’s a beautiful and beautifully illustrated story about family, love, loss, PTSD and the natural world. Would recommend to a thoughtfully serious reader aged 12+
July 24, 2022
A poignant and well written story, thought provoking and interesting.
The characters are well developed and I liked how the author dealt with themes like PTSD.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
The characters are well developed and I liked how the author dealt with themes like PTSD.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
January 29, 2024
A poignant and well-written story that knows what it wants to do and executes it perfectly. The phenomenal art is just the cherry on top
9,10, 11
9,10, 11
September 10, 2022
This is an interesting and dark story which turned out very different from what I first thought. A boy and his father live in a caravan near the woods. The boy’s father teaches him how to look after himself, which mushrooms to pick, how to grow food, etc., and the boy seems happy. But one day when his father ends up in prison the boy has to look after himself. His father promises he won’t be long, but as time goes by the boy has to be careful, to not only look after himself, but to look out for dangerous people who might come to the caravan, and dangerous forces beneath the ground.
The teenage boy, whose name we never learn, narrates the story and from the start we learn about how he came to be living in a caravan with his dad rather than with his mother in a house. The story is interesting and the narration is good. The story is quite dark and sad in parts as we learn how the boy’s father is an ex-soldier who has come back from war in the desert and how it’s clearly affected him in a big way (PTSD). The boy’s father struggles to live a normal life after the war and he ends up moving into the woods, with the boy, his son, going with him for reasons you find out as you read the story. Despite the difficulties though the boy is happy living with his father and things seem to be alright until his father ends up in prison and the boy has to look after himself.
The story is quite dark in what happens, especially later on when his dad does come out of prison. The story is marked as being a fantasy, but it feels more like a dark contemporary tale with a slight fantasy element rather than fantasy. There are lots of dark and sadder moments, especially when we find out who the boys father is working with and what lengths he seems to be prepared to go to, against the law, in order to fulfil a Job. We know from the start of the book that something bad will happen to his father, the boy is narrating his story as if looking back at what has happened, but it’s still a very interesting read despite the foreshadowing and I found myself more and more gripped by it the more I read on.
Apart from the boy’s father we meet some other characters too. I especially like the dog that the boy meets and adopts and Sophie who is an important part of the story too. I like how Sophie helps to ground the boy and what she does later on in the story. The moments with Sophie are interesting and feel so different to moments with the boy’s father. The build up to the ending is exciting, you feel like you know what will happen, but in fact you really don’t. Inevitably something happens with the boy’s father but there are other things that happen that I really wasn’t expecting and it made for very interesting and gripping reading especially during that last action scene.
Although this story is very much a contemporary tale, it also has some fantasy elements. The boy sees and feels creatures, animals and beasts that he believes are out there, and it’s interesting how these things appear later in the story and meld with the actual tale of what happens well. I do think it’s a bit difficult to label this as a fantasy though and would rather call it contemporary ya but with an element of something odd.
The illustrations are amazing. There are pictures throughout the book on some of the pages, either on a double page, one page, or around some text. Each illustration is in black, white and grey and I love how they add to the atmosphere of the tale! Some images make you feel the creepy atmosphere of the places, or the eeriness of some creatures that are there. Other images show the wilderness or people and I do like each of the illustrations as it really added to the story, making it feel more dark and emotional.
Overall this is an interesting book which turned out quite different from what I first thought it would be. It’s certainly a more gritty tale and one which is a satisfying read, albeit darker and sadder than you might have wanted it to be. But I like the positive ending for the boy, and the fact that despite everything he’s been through he is narrating his story. The story is dark, there are some deaths mentioned and some dark things happening. There is also a use of the s swear word and some deaths. However it’s an interesting book and I’m now eager to read the author’s next work Running with Horses, which is a sequel to this tale!
-Thanks to Andersen Press for a free copy for review.
The teenage boy, whose name we never learn, narrates the story and from the start we learn about how he came to be living in a caravan with his dad rather than with his mother in a house. The story is interesting and the narration is good. The story is quite dark and sad in parts as we learn how the boy’s father is an ex-soldier who has come back from war in the desert and how it’s clearly affected him in a big way (PTSD). The boy’s father struggles to live a normal life after the war and he ends up moving into the woods, with the boy, his son, going with him for reasons you find out as you read the story. Despite the difficulties though the boy is happy living with his father and things seem to be alright until his father ends up in prison and the boy has to look after himself.
The story is quite dark in what happens, especially later on when his dad does come out of prison. The story is marked as being a fantasy, but it feels more like a dark contemporary tale with a slight fantasy element rather than fantasy. There are lots of dark and sadder moments, especially when we find out who the boys father is working with and what lengths he seems to be prepared to go to, against the law, in order to fulfil a Job. We know from the start of the book that something bad will happen to his father, the boy is narrating his story as if looking back at what has happened, but it’s still a very interesting read despite the foreshadowing and I found myself more and more gripped by it the more I read on.
Apart from the boy’s father we meet some other characters too. I especially like the dog that the boy meets and adopts and Sophie who is an important part of the story too. I like how Sophie helps to ground the boy and what she does later on in the story. The moments with Sophie are interesting and feel so different to moments with the boy’s father. The build up to the ending is exciting, you feel like you know what will happen, but in fact you really don’t. Inevitably something happens with the boy’s father but there are other things that happen that I really wasn’t expecting and it made for very interesting and gripping reading especially during that last action scene.
Although this story is very much a contemporary tale, it also has some fantasy elements. The boy sees and feels creatures, animals and beasts that he believes are out there, and it’s interesting how these things appear later in the story and meld with the actual tale of what happens well. I do think it’s a bit difficult to label this as a fantasy though and would rather call it contemporary ya but with an element of something odd.
The illustrations are amazing. There are pictures throughout the book on some of the pages, either on a double page, one page, or around some text. Each illustration is in black, white and grey and I love how they add to the atmosphere of the tale! Some images make you feel the creepy atmosphere of the places, or the eeriness of some creatures that are there. Other images show the wilderness or people and I do like each of the illustrations as it really added to the story, making it feel more dark and emotional.
Overall this is an interesting book which turned out quite different from what I first thought it would be. It’s certainly a more gritty tale and one which is a satisfying read, albeit darker and sadder than you might have wanted it to be. But I like the positive ending for the boy, and the fact that despite everything he’s been through he is narrating his story. The story is dark, there are some deaths mentioned and some dark things happening. There is also a use of the s swear word and some deaths. However it’s an interesting book and I’m now eager to read the author’s next work Running with Horses, which is a sequel to this tale!
-Thanks to Andersen Press for a free copy for review.
March 24, 2022
"Wolves. Those yellow eyes in the dark, watchful and rich as butter, and their coats thick down to their bones, frost-covered. Two or more of them, and in my dreams they never hurt me, but I could smell the dirt on them, the centuries falling off their shoulders like so much rust. Ancient.
Sometimes I'd dream I was running with them, the wolves, and I was one of them, because that's what John said we were once. He said there were bears and there were wolves, and the difference was bears hunted alone and wolves stayed together, and we were wolves, and that's what made us strong."
I first spotted this book in my local bookshop. Instantly, the cover drew me towards it (I have a love of wolves). Flicking through its pages, I found that it also included lovely black and white illustrations, so after this I was pretty much sold on it.
We Were wolves is a pretty fierce tale. It is the story of an unnamed boy and his father, John. John is ex-military, and bears the internal scars of his time away. Suffering from PTSD, he shies away from a conventional life. Struggling to find his place in civilian life, our unnamed child ends up living with his dad, out in a battered old caravan. The boy wants for things to be better, and sees the struggles that his father has to suffer. But then John is sent to prison, leaving the child to live on his own for a time, until he can come back, come back and make things better.
Do not let the fact that We Were Wolves is illustrated lull you into thinking that this will be a lovely, easy read. This book covers many dark issues. One, which naturally runs throughout the tale, is the effect of mental health within a family. Cockcroft has done a fantastic job at creating the character of John; troubled, tortured, loved by his son, a man who has courage but feels that the society that he fought to protect cannot accept him. As someone whose partner is also ex-military, there was a lot within John that I could truly recognise and empathise with.
As the opposite to the various different traumas within this tale, Cockcroft uses the natural world to bring some light. His writing is stunning, at times, and with the boy living out in nature, he has a connection to it which is perfectly described and explored.
This is a tale which has stayed with me since I have finished it. Every character has their place in this tale, they each have something to bring to it, even Mol the dog. It is a tale which made me ache for both the unnamed boy, and for John. You will care about these characters, and as much as I didn't want the inevitable tragedy, I felt as though I had to keep on going to hear what the boy had to say.
Sometimes I'd dream I was running with them, the wolves, and I was one of them, because that's what John said we were once. He said there were bears and there were wolves, and the difference was bears hunted alone and wolves stayed together, and we were wolves, and that's what made us strong."
I first spotted this book in my local bookshop. Instantly, the cover drew me towards it (I have a love of wolves). Flicking through its pages, I found that it also included lovely black and white illustrations, so after this I was pretty much sold on it.
We Were wolves is a pretty fierce tale. It is the story of an unnamed boy and his father, John. John is ex-military, and bears the internal scars of his time away. Suffering from PTSD, he shies away from a conventional life. Struggling to find his place in civilian life, our unnamed child ends up living with his dad, out in a battered old caravan. The boy wants for things to be better, and sees the struggles that his father has to suffer. But then John is sent to prison, leaving the child to live on his own for a time, until he can come back, come back and make things better.
Do not let the fact that We Were Wolves is illustrated lull you into thinking that this will be a lovely, easy read. This book covers many dark issues. One, which naturally runs throughout the tale, is the effect of mental health within a family. Cockcroft has done a fantastic job at creating the character of John; troubled, tortured, loved by his son, a man who has courage but feels that the society that he fought to protect cannot accept him. As someone whose partner is also ex-military, there was a lot within John that I could truly recognise and empathise with.
As the opposite to the various different traumas within this tale, Cockcroft uses the natural world to bring some light. His writing is stunning, at times, and with the boy living out in nature, he has a connection to it which is perfectly described and explored.
This is a tale which has stayed with me since I have finished it. Every character has their place in this tale, they each have something to bring to it, even Mol the dog. It is a tale which made me ache for both the unnamed boy, and for John. You will care about these characters, and as much as I didn't want the inevitable tragedy, I felt as though I had to keep on going to hear what the boy had to say.
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