Victor LaValle is a fantastic writer. I love his simple, yet beautiful writing style. This is a solid story, but I full admit that I much prefer the Changling and The Devil in Silver.

This is a very slow burning character story, which relies heavily on the reader's attachment to the characters. I did not feel the strongest connection to the characters which hinder some of my love for this one.

That being said, even a weaker experience with a LaValle book is a good one. I would recommend this one to readers who enjoy a slower burning, atmospheric narrative.

Victor Lavalle’s novel, The Changeling was one of my favorite reads of recent years and this was one of my most anticipated books of the year.

All I can say is, wow! This is a book you need to go into blind for the full enjoyment of it so I don’t want to say too much. I really loved the experience of reading this novel. LaValle manages to combine historical fiction, horror, western and mystery in this revisionist tale of the American West and it is sheer brilliance. His spare writing style mimics the barrenness of the open plains, and while it might be off putting for some readers, once I adjusted to it, I thought it suited the novel perfectly. And finally, the twist- every great mystery needs one and the riddle of what is in the trunk will keep you turning pages rapidly in anticipation of the big reveal and it does not disappoint! Lavalle is an incredibly innovative horror author who brings something different to the genre and I can’t wait to see what he will do next. Thank you to @netgalley for an advanced arc of this book.

Big fan of having gone into this one entirely blind, beyond the Victor LaValle name. I hate to say more; even the Goodreads synopsis provides more detail than I would have liked. Suffice to say, it does a really good job of providing various points of view on a historical fiction story that could represent the "Lone Women" of the title, while also including a very particular Victor LaValle spin on what could have been a conventional (if well-done) historical narrative.

3.5 ⭐️ When I read the premise for this book, I wasn’t sure where it was going to go with the horror aspect. While I didn’t think it was scary, there were a few moments of heart pounding suspense at what exactly Adelaide’s “burden” was. I surprisingly enjoyed this novel more than I thought I would.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book.

Adelaide Henry literally sat her former life on fire before getting on a boat, then a train, with her big, locked trunk to her new homestead in Montana. The house on her purchased plot of land isn't in the best shape, but it's hers, there are no neighbours too close by, and she can live in some small measure of peace.

Along the way, she meets a mother and her four blind boys; they're decidedly unfriendly, but Adelaide isn't in Montana to make friends.

Until a new neighbour, Grace and her son Sam, move in, and are determined to get to know Adelaide better. Adelaide is used to being looked at as odd and standoffish, from her time in California, when something monstrous kept her family apart from all the others in their town. Sam draws Adelaide out, and gradually, the three become good friends, while also getting to know others in the more settled town.

Danger and tragedy soon strike, and also show Adelaide who really are her friends; that most of them seem to be various other "lone women" in Montana trying to forge their own way in a harsh countryside, without men, illustrates how much more complex the past is than one is generally led to believe.

Victor Lavalle's work is compelling, placing complicated characters in difficult, and even horrifying circumstances, and "Lone Women" certainly does that. Additionally, Lavalle paints the harsh landscape well and shows how tough people had to be to make it there, but also shows how critical creating a supportive community is to the survival of the characters. Then, there is the monstrous aspect to the story--it's genuinely scary, but also evokes pathos, achieving a nice balance of chills and poignancy.

This atmospheric, well told story impressed me greatly, and I loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Random House Publishing Group - Random House for this ARC in exchange for my review.

This book was so hyped up, I was very excited to get my hands on a copy. and then if fell really flat for me. It wasn't a bad story, the writing was good, but it felt like such a snoozefest every time I picked it up! I had to DNF life is too short.

"Lone Women" by Victor LaValle was an intriguing amalgam of old fashioned frontier novel and horror story, which--although I did not find it wholly successful--made for compelling reading. I really enjoyed the Montana setting and the details about being a homesteader in such an inhospitable natural environment. LaValle's descriptions of the wind were so vivid; he really drove home how challenging this lifestyle would be (and how difficult it would be to restart in this environment as a single woman on her own). Examinations of womanhood, race and belonging, in fact, were among the strong points of "Lone Women." I also thought that the Busy Bees were compelling human villains, and I appreciated that the real danger ultimately came from humans and not from the horror element.

The horror element, in fact, was in my opinion the least successful piece of "Lone Women." I was intrigued at the beginning and even through to the turning point at the halfway mark of the novel, but I never felt like LaValle was able to really deliver a payoff with the horror side of the novel. Of course this may just be down to my personal preference as someone who is not a big horror novel fan, and LaValle compensated for any letdown I might have felt at the end of the novel by delivering such a compelling first half.

Thank you to NetGalley and to One World Publishers for providing me with an ARC of this title in return for my honest review.

“On Tuesday, Adelaide Henry had been a farmer. By Wednesday, she became a fugitive.”

I can't say much about this book without spoiling it but if the line above intrigues you, pick this up! I went through all the emotions while reading this truly unique story.

Thanks to random House and NetGalley for the copy to review.

What the heck did I just read?! Super twisty and unexpected. Would definitely recommend to horror and thriller readers alike.

I loved the historical fiction and magical realism aspect of this book, but it left me wanting more in regards to the horror. LaValle does a great job of creating the scene and atmosphere so it is easy to get drawn into the story.

Adelaide Henry, and her enormous steamer trunk, has made her way to Montana from California1914, and ends up in Montana, as a homesteader. She left behind her dead parents and her old life behind. She is looking for a new start. She is one of the "lone women" who benefit from the government's offer to free land for those who can cultivate it. Adelaide isn't alone. She has brought the trunk with her. A trunk which must always remain locked in order to keep herself and everyone she meets safe. Everything wraps up together nicely in the end which I did like too. The descriptions were lush, vivid and set the mood of this book. There are tons of family secrets and instances of the strength of women’s bond together. LaValle is not content to have just one plot here, to have one threat overtake the others. Instead they all jostle for position and the book shifts from being one thing to another as Adelaide's circumstances change. This blended historical fiction and horror seamlessly together.

Thank You to NetGalley, the Author, and Random House Publishing Group

This one still got me like WTF did I just read🤔😬😳

I went into this book totally blind, I thought it was going to be just the normal historical fiction type story. This one definitely had a twist 🤣 I kept reading it though all I clearly know is that the ending for these ladies was a good one 🤣 I don't even know what to rate this book.

I think I kept going cause it was a buddy read and our discussions was crazy & fun. Thanks ladies

Amazon Synopsis:
Adelaide Henry carries an enormous steamer trunk with her wherever she goes. It’s locked at all times. Because when the trunk opens, people around Adelaide start to disappear.

The year is 1915, and Adelaide is in trouble. Her secret sin killed her parents, forcing her to flee California in a hellfire rush and make her way to Montana as a homesteader. Dragging the trunk with her at every stop, she will become one of the “lone women” taking advantage of the government’s offer of free land for those who can tame it—except that Adelaide isn’t alone. And the secret she’s tried so desperately to lock away might be the only thing that will help her survive the harsh territory.

Good book, very different I loved the forgotten history and the diverse characters. I only wanted more of Elizabeth's story, how did she come to be abd why, what was she was she a goddess was she a monster what was she? How did she continue to survive in the new town?

This book was crazy! I didn’t know much about the author before I read it so I wasn’t expecting it to turn into a horror novel! It was very well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I gave it three stars because I didn’t like the ending, it felt a little unrealistic and turned something scary into something corny. I would love this to turn into a movie!

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this copy!

Lone Women is an intriguing historical novel about a woman who becomes a homesteader in rural northern Montana after her parents are brutally murdered. The story immediately grabbed me as it's unclear what has happened and caused Adelaide to flee from her California home. Adelaide lived in a black community of farmers before fleeing to Montana, where land is offered at a discount to those willing to commit and able to successfully farm the land after several years. The story builds slowly and we're not sure who to trust in Montana. Though I was fascinated by the story, I found it a little hard to connect with the characters. I did enjoy how we see an array of familial and friendship bonds. I listened to the audiobook, which is phenomenally narrated by Joniece Abott-Pratt.

Thank you to the publishers for providing this book. All thoughts are my own.

Lone Woman had me hooked from the first chapter. I’m a big fan of the author’s book The Changeling, so I knew right from the start that Lone Woman was going to be good, too.

In the vast expanse of the American West, where blue skies meet empty land, lies a haunting secret that unfolds within the pages of "Lone Women" by Victor LaValle. Known for his award-winning novel, "The Changeling," LaValle once again captivates readers with a mesmerizing vision of early-twentieth-century America that will leave you breathless.

At the center of this tale is Adelaide Henry, a woman burdened by a locked steamer trunk that holds a chilling secret. With each opening of the trunk, people around her mysteriously vanish. Fleeing California and the devastating consequences of her secret sin, Adelaide finds herself in Montana as a homesteader, dragging the trunk with her as she seeks refuge in the promise of free land. But Adelaide soon discovers that she is not alone, and her carefully guarded secret may be the key to surviving the unforgiving territory.

LaValle's mastery of magical suspense is on full display in "Lone Women." The prose shimmers, casting a spell that transports readers to a brutal landscape where horror and sisterhood intertwine. The cast of characters, a group of adventurers grappling with their own demons, is unforgettable. Their flaws and imperfections make them relatable, forging a connection that draws you deeper into their struggles.

Although historical fiction may not typically be my genre of choice, "Lone Women" seamlessly weaves together elements of horror, thriller, women's fiction, historical fiction, and fantasy. The result is a powerful tale of feminism and survival set in early twentieth-century Montana.

Adelaide Henry is a woman like no other—unconventional, unique, and trapped by her circumstances. At the age of 31, she decides to take control of her own destiny, forever changed by the tragedy that claimed her parents' lives. Dragging her trunk, carrying her special delivery—a secret that has become her curse—Adelaide embarks on a journey that intertwines with the lives of a suspicious woman and her four blind sons.

The desperate struggle to conceal her secret, not only for her own sake but for the townspeople as well, drives the tension of the narrative. Yet, what if Adelaide is not the only one cursed in this town? What if the town itself is already corrupted by hypocrisy, inequality, and greed? As she fights to survive, she discovers she may not be the only lone woman in this battle against monsters disguised in human fur.

"Lone Women" is an exceptional read that exceeded all expectations. The plot unfolds with expert precision, delivering unexpected twists and escalating tension that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. LaValle's portrayal of the troubled and disturbing characters is masterful, leaving an indelible impression on readers.

I am genuinely shaken by the impact of this book. Awarding it only five stars feels inadequate. "Lone Women" is a masterpiece that demands urgent attention. I wholeheartedly and emphatically recommend it to anyone seeking a thought-provoking and enthralling reading experience.

I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/One World for providing me with the opportunity to read this phenomenal digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. "Lone Women" has left an indelible mark on my literary journey, and I am certain it will do the same for you.

I really enjoyed Lone Women! It was a great blend of Historical world building but with a fantastic fantasy meshed horror read. There was several moments of just seer intrigued followed by those under the breath 'what the heck' then back to 'DO NOT OPEN THE TRUNK' screaming. Adelaide was a great character start to finish.

I was also not entirely prepared for the ending - I know what I wanted to happen, and without giving away any kind of spoilers, there was some major foreshadowing that I was picking up on but I was not fully prepared for the ending. It was a perfect circle, the womanhood, sacrifice, the growth was just amazing.

What is in the trunk? Even after finding out, this was a compelling read. Horror isn't my usual pick. This novel was a surprise in a lot of ways.

4/5 stars - I wasn't quite sure what I was getting into, but I ended up devouring this book. From the homesteading women in Montana and their various plights and interactions and journeys, to The Trunk and the Thing that Happened just before Adelaide began her trek from California to Montana, it all kept me intrigued. All the characters were deeply hewn and all had some flawed aspect, but I really liked them all, from Grace and her curtness, Sam and his blurts, Bernie and Fiona, and Adelaide. Even Elizabeth's short pov chapters were fascinating.