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ohhthehorrors's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Child death, Death, Violence, Racism, Sexism, Grief, Gun violence, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, and Racial slurs
minervacerridwen's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.5
"Lone Women" is a masterful take on the old theme of "Who is the real monster here?". I loved the writing style, which kept me rushing through the pages far past my bedtime. Those short chapters are dangerously tempting!
While the first half left me a little underwhelmed and thinking it would all play out rather predictably, it turned out to be the setup for some brilliant storytelling and interesting twists.I loved the ending, and not only because Elizabeth was actually named a dragon after all the hints! I even learned some history.
I was happy that the book club suggested this book because I must admit this would never have been on my radar otherwise, as a western horror story isn't something I would naturally gravitate towards. I'm afraid that is also the reason why I personally can't give this a higher rating: it was a lot to stomach sometimes, and not a book I think I'll easily reread myself. In some parts, it became too real for me to work as a relaxing read. I definitely think the book club discussion will be interesting, as the reader is left with a lot of food for thought.
While the first half left me a little underwhelmed and thinking it would all play out rather predictably, it turned out to be the setup for some brilliant storytelling and interesting twists.
I was happy that the book club suggested this book because I must admit this would never have been on my radar otherwise, as a western horror story isn't something I would naturally gravitate towards. I'm afraid that is also the reason why I personally can't give this a higher rating: it was a lot to stomach sometimes, and not a book I think I'll easily reread myself. In some parts, it became too real for me to work as a relaxing read. I definitely think the book club discussion will be interesting, as the reader is left with a lot of food for thought.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Transphobia, Violence, Ableism, Confinement, Racism, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Body horror, Death, Murder, Racial slurs, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal death, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Gun violence, Hate crime, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, and Homophobia
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I am a little disappointed with this book. I was really looking forward to it, but it didn't live up to my expectations. That being said, I still think it's a good read. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator does a very good job.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Classism, and Confinement
Minor: Child death, Racial slurs, and Sexual content
tigger89's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
If you don't already know the details of what this is about, do yourself a favor and don't read too many reviews. I'm going to do my best to keep it vague here, but some of the others I've seen have been careless. This is definitely one of those books that benefits from the reader not knowing what to anticipate. All you really need to know about the plot is that this book is about family, secrets, and community.
I loved the way the novel approached the themes of family, both born and found. I also loved the atmosphere and historical context of this book. I had no idea that lone women were a real thing that had happened in US history, let alone that the opportunity had been available to Black women! The novel acknowledges, but doesn't spend much time grappling with, the colonization taking place. If there's anywhere it falls short it's in that respect. The ending rings a bit hollow when you remember that it's taking place not just on stolen land but on newly stolen land, with homesteaders who took direct advantage of the theft. I feel like if the author was going to bring it up then it needed to be better resolved, rather than just left hanging with a "well it is what it is."
Horror elements, while present, are fairly light. I was never afraid while reading this. There's some bloody scenes, along the lines of Carrie in terms of content, though written far less viscerally than King's style. Check content warnings or sample chapters if you're concerned.
Does the horse die? There are many horses owned by a variety of characters, including the protagonist.Several background character horses die over the course of the story. The protagonist's horse is the only horse we get to know that dies.
I loved the way the novel approached the themes of family, both born and found. I also loved the atmosphere and historical context of this book. I had no idea that lone women were a real thing that had happened in US history, let alone that the opportunity had been available to Black women! The novel acknowledges, but doesn't spend much time grappling with, the colonization taking place. If there's anywhere it falls short it's in that respect. The ending rings a bit hollow when you remember that it's taking place not just on stolen land but on newly stolen land, with homesteaders who took direct advantage of the theft. I feel like if the author was going to bring it up then it needed to be better resolved, rather than just left hanging with a "well it is what it is."
Horror elements, while present, are fairly light. I was never afraid while reading this. There's some bloody scenes, along the lines of Carrie in terms of content, though written far less viscerally than King's style. Check content warnings or sample chapters if you're concerned.
Does the horse die? There are many horses owned by a variety of characters, including the protagonist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Blood, Deadnaming, Outing, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Animal death, Colonisation, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Abandonment, Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
There are multiple scenes involving vigilante justice with parallels drawn to lynch mobs.bee87's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It’s very hard to describe a book so unique. A locked box filled with a family secret and the woman burdened to carry it. I love a book with representation in a genre where there usually isn’t any. Adelaide is one of many strong women and it’s refreshing to see that come from a male writer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Child death, Murder, Transphobia, Racism, and Violence
Minor: Slavery and Lesbophobia
displacedcactus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
The first half of this book grabbed me by the throat and wouldn't let go. I had to know what was in Adelaide's trunk (I had an inkling), how long she would be able to keep her secrets, and what would happen when those secrets eventually got out. The second half was a little less compelling but no less enjoyable, as different plot elements weave their way towards a dramatic conclusion.
Adelaide is a complicated main character. I found her loveable, as I relate to characters with a certain amount of resentment towards their family, and I admired her independence. Other people may find her a little less likeable, but I hope readers will generally enjoy her complexity.
Although this is primarily Adelaide's story, there's a few other characters who take turns in the POV seat (the story shifts from third-person limited towards a more omniscient third-person narrator in a way that feels reminiscent of storytelling). I really enjoyed a peak at the lives of the different sort of people who might have homesteaded in Montana in the early 20th century; what brought them to such an isolated place, and what they were willing to do to create a life of their own.
This book straddles the line between dark historic fantasy and horror. If you're not usually a horror reader but are intrigued by the premise or setting of this book, take a look at the content warnings. I didn't find it especially scary, personally. I'd say it's more on the level of a Gothic in terms of being mysterious and atmospheric, but there is some violence and gore.
Adelaide is a complicated main character. I found her loveable, as I relate to characters with a certain amount of resentment towards their family, and I admired her independence. Other people may find her a little less likeable, but I hope readers will generally enjoy her complexity.
Although this is primarily Adelaide's story, there's a few other characters who take turns in the POV seat (the story shifts from third-person limited towards a more omniscient third-person narrator in a way that feels reminiscent of storytelling). I really enjoyed a peak at the lives of the different sort of people who might have homesteaded in Montana in the early 20th century; what brought them to such an isolated place, and what they were willing to do to create a life of their own.
This book straddles the line between dark historic fantasy and horror. If you're not usually a horror reader but are intrigued by the premise or setting of this book, take a look at the content warnings. I didn't find it especially scary, personally. I'd say it's more on the level of a Gothic in terms of being mysterious and atmospheric, but there is some violence and gore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Child death
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Animal death, Deadnaming, Kidnapping, and Transphobia
rachelle_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book surprised me. I don’t read a lot of horror and was prepared for gratuitous violence. This book wasn’t that. The depth with which the author treated each character, including the demon, was compelling. No one was flat. The setting of rural Montana in winter was depicted so well, too. This is the strangest, most compelling “found family” book I’ve read in a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Violence, Murder, and Blood
fran_buesa's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racial slurs and Sexual content
allapaz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
You know how in some books, the beginning is kind of slow, but then as things get revealed the pace picks up and you can't help but get sucked in? This was like the opposite of that.
I think it was just me. Reading the other reviews and discussions of this book, maybe this just isn't my genre. I do think this was overhyped and the reviews calling this 'Jordan Peele-esque' are misleading. you have to be into a bit of the absurd to get into this, and something I learned about myself is I am definitely not. There were about 5 different stories going at the same time here, and not in a good way. I had a real tough time with this one, honestly I read it so fast because I wanted to be able to move on from it.
I think it was just me. Reading the other reviews and discussions of this book, maybe this just isn't my genre. I do think this was overhyped and the reviews calling this 'Jordan Peele-esque' are misleading. you have to be into a bit of the absurd to get into this, and something I learned about myself is I am definitely not. There were about 5 different stories going at the same time here, and not in a good way. I had a real tough time with this one, honestly I read it so fast because I wanted to be able to move on from it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexism, Transphobia, Xenophobia, and Racism
edensbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Gun violence, Death of parent, Racism, Racial slurs, Violence, Misogyny, and Death
Moderate: Child death, Outing, and Animal death
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