Lone Women

Western, horror, monster story, fairy tale, a mixture of all of these becoming its own genre. At the beginning of the book, we see Adelaide Henry riding away from her past as it goes up in flames, and we're a bit horrified. As we get to know Adelaide a little better and learn more about her past, the story becomes more complex. I love female protagonists who are not immediately sympathetic, and she is a great example of this.

We follow Adelaide to her new life in Montana, where a collection of odd characters join her circle of acquaintances. She had planned to live a solitary and isolated life, but she soon realizes she won't survive the winter on her own. While her connections to other people complicate her life, they are literally lifesavers, both physically and emotionally.

There is suspense and creepiness, as well as descriptions of overt and implied violence. I'm not a fan of horror, but I make an exception for Victor LaValle because I trust his style, which is unique.