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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Wow, I really enjoyed this one. Can’t say much without giving it away, but it was a fun, quick and intense read.
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
[audiobook]. Very interesting story! Enjoyed it, almost wanted more
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Spooky and shocking in some parts. I love reading about the Wild West and frankly I want more women to be centered in those stories.
A strange, interesting & exciting read. Nothing like I’ve ever read before. Highly recommend for someone who loves both history and horror.
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“Here’s an interesting moment in any friendship. That time when one person has revealed something essential about themselves and the other must decide if they can accept it.”
If you’re a fan of historical fiction with a supernatural twist, this one might just pique your interest. Set in the early 1900s, the story follows Adelaide Henry, a Black woman fleeing her troubled past in California for the remote, harsh landscapes of Montana. All she takes with her is a mysterious steamer trunk that she never lets out of her sight—and for good reason. What’s inside is more than a mere possession; it’s a dark secret that Adelaide must confront as she tries to build a new life on the frontier.
Victor LaValle blends historical fiction and magical realism in a way that brings the Wild West to life while adding an eerie, otherworldly layer. The story explores themes of survival, community, and the burdens we carry, both literal and metaphorical. It’s an intriguing premise, but I have to admit—I’m not the biggest fan of mixing historical fiction with magical realism. While I appreciated the historical backdrop, the supernatural elements gave the story an odd, almost disjointed feel. I suspect that’s what kept me at a bit of a distance, though I can see how other readers might find it compelling.
One thing I truly appreciated, though, was the book’s symbolism. The “demon” in the story was such a powerful metaphor for the baggage we all carry—whether it’s guilt, grief, or fear—and how confronting it can lead to freedom or destruction, depending on how we approach it. I also loved that the cast of primary characters was almost entirely women, which felt refreshing for a frontier tale. The book touches on issues like gender roles, race, and independence in ways that feel subtle yet impactful.
A fun tidbit about the author: Victor LaValle is known for his ability to mix horror, fantasy, and social commentary seamlessly, and his novel The Changeling earned him widespread acclaim. LaValle’s knack for crafting stories that feel both timeless and unique shines through in Lone Women, even if the magical realism wasn’t entirely my cup of tea.
If you enjoy stories that challenge genre conventions and tackle weighty themes with a touch of the supernatural, Lone Women might be worth a read. For me, while it didn’t quite hit all the right notes, I still came away appreciating its creativity and the thought-provoking way it explored what it means to be burdened—and ultimately, unburdened.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief
Moderate: Gore, Death of parent
Minor: Lesbophobia
Genre bending historical horror. I liked the main character and I liked the time era along with the western setting. The second half of the book was a little disconnected with several storylines. Overall, a solid read with twists you didn’t expect but it left me wanting a bit more.
Feast on this genre-bending tale of survival and acceptance in early 1900s homesteading Montana. Lavalle has an easy to read writing style that packs a lot of character nuance into each scene.