Adelaide Henry has a secret--a dark family secret she keeps locked in a large steamer trunk. If it gets out, people will die. Like her parents. Which is why she had to leave California. She heads to Big Sandy, Montana not only because it is far away and no one knows her there, but because in 1915, Montana is one of the only places that will give land to a single woman to homestead. Even to a black woman like Adelaide.
My thoughts:
I don't know why, but I thought this book was going to be a darker, supernatural horror story. It's not. There is a supernatural element in it, but it's more about Adelaide and other lone women like her trying to make a life for themselves in the American West than anything else. And I was underwhelmed by what emerged from the locked steamer trunk. But maybe that's because Lavalle wasn't going for eerie and atmospheric with his writing; his prose is strong, but more straightforward. He does an excellent job of capturing the time period and depicting the setting and the lives of Adelaide and the other women. And the story is interesting. I was just hoping for suspenseful and chilling. So I didn't end up loving this one, but I would still recommend it.
Happy Reading!
I was thinking that it might be a suspenseful read after reading the blurb. Thanks for sharing your thoughts so that we'd know what to expect should we want to read it. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, there's still suspense, but in a different way. I did like the main character for the most part. And the setting was well done.
DeleteIt's tough when you have certain expectations (even when they're not accurate) and not be disappointed. I'm glad you still enjoyed it even if it wasn't what you thought it would be.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely my own expectations that made this one a bit disappointing. But then the cover and the blurb led me to believe there would be more supernatural horror in this one, and that's kind of on the publisher.
DeleteHi Lark, I have heard about this book and novels about a woman alone in the 19th century west trying to be a homesteader is very fascinating to me. But if the advertising for Lone Women emphasizes a mysterious steamer truck and then doesn't deliver when it's opened, that's a let down. But the rest of the story sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteI love a good homesteading story, too. They're some of my favorite books. But I was underwhelmed by what Adelaide was keeping locked up and hidden in her trunk. Others might not be though. Reading is such an individual sport. ;D
DeleteI would have expected similar with that blurb. Plus it sounds like it could have been so scary ha ha
ReplyDeleteAnd I really wanted a scary book, but I didn't think the secret in the trunk and the explanation of it and what followed was all that terrifying.
DeleteSorry it wasn't quite what you expected! I hope your next read is fabulous!!
ReplyDelete:D Thank you!
DeleteIt's always a bit of a disappointment when books turn out to be not what we had expected. Still, this one sounds like it was a worthwhile read.
ReplyDeleteI'd still recommend it! I just wanted more supernatural horror than what I got.
DeleteAh, sorry you felt let down! I actually loved it... but I picked it up without much in the way of expectation, so everything about it was a good surprise for me.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good book...just not the one I was hoping to read. I think that's why I ended up feeling a bit disappointed in the end.
DeleteHaha, forgive me for being glad its not horror b/c it sounds great and I'm a chicken about horror.
ReplyDeleteYeah...there's some suspension and tension in this one, but it's not at all scary. I wouldn't classify it as horror at all.
DeleteThat's a shame the blurb was so misleading. It does sound like a worthwhile read though.
ReplyDeleteIt's good. I like the way Lavalle writes. And I liked his characters.
DeleteYeah, the hook is definitely whatever is inside that trunk. But (probably because I don't read much in the horror genre anymore) it didn't occur to me that this might be some kind of supernatural novel...I guess because it's 1915 Montana, too. But even taking your disappointment into consideration, it doesn't sound like this one is all that entertaining or compelling. I'll probably give it a pass despite that nicely done cover.
ReplyDeleteYou'd probably roll your eyes at what's in the trunk. ;D And I did like the supernatural element in this one, I just wanted there to be more of it. I wanted this whole novel to be darker and scarier. And it just wasn't.
DeleteI can understand why you'd be disappointed when you didn't get what you thought diving in. Hope you love your next read, Lark!
ReplyDeleteI was really in the mood for something dark and creepy and full of supernatural suspense. And this book isn't that. It was still good though.
DeleteIt's a bummer that this was a bit of a letdown. The blurb sounds so promising and had me super curious about what was in the trunk.
ReplyDeleteIt is a really good premise, isn't it? And what's inside the trunk is definitely supernatural and strange. Just not super scary.
DeleteThis one has been hyped all over Booktube for months but like you I kind of thought it had a supernatural bent.
ReplyDeleteAnd there is a little bit...just not as much as I hoped for. The story's more grounded in reality and I wanted a lot more supernatural suspense.
DeleteSorry to read this one didn't have the suspense you were hoping for.
ReplyDeleteIt was a bit of a letdown.
DeleteSorry it wasn't quite what you expected. I hope your next read is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. ;D
DeleteSorry it wasn't exactly what you wanted but I hope your next read is a good one for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary. :D
DeleteI felt the same way about this one. It got SO much hype that I was expecting something really phenomenal and it just kind of fell flat for me. Homesteading novels are my jam, though, and I'd definitely be interested in reading more about people of color who took on that challenge in addition to facing racism and prejudice.
ReplyDeleteI love books about homesteading, too! And I thought that aspect of this novel was interesting. But the secret in the trunk was odd, not explained well, and underwhelming.
DeleteThis one ended up being not what I expected either, but I think it worked for me since I'd never read anything by the author and I don't read much in the genre. I didn't have a lot to compare it to. Great review!
ReplyDeleteIt was a well-written novel. I wouldn't mind trying some of Lavalle's other books.
DeleteI had this one on my summer list but I hear people aren't loving it as much as they want to. darn. I likely will still get to it. hmm
ReplyDeleteIt's still a good book, and one you might really like. I was just in the mood for something darker and more suspenseful.
DeleteI have been very curious about this one. I am kind of on the fence about whether or not I will be picking it up.
ReplyDeleteJust go in knowing there is a supernatural element but it takes a backseat to the historical aspect of the novel.
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