I listened to this on audio and although I enjoyed the narrator I would have preferred to reread physically. I enjoyed the historical aspect, integrated with the macabre. It did give me vibes of American Horror story. I will come back and edit this when I reread. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read.
4 star

I loved Dan Chaon’s last book, Sleepwalk. It was one of the most revelatory books I read in 2022, and like One of Us, it treated the threshold between thriller and horror like it was a slack line, something incredibly flexible and lackadaisical one could easily slip back and forth between without care. That casual cruelty is something I was looking forward to in this book and I’m so glad I got it, along with Chaon’s impeccable storytelling skills.

What I didn’t get–and what I truly needed to make this book work–was a more fully drawn out portrait of who Eleanor is as a person, what her relationship with Bolt was like growing up, more interactions between them during the story, and just more of a sense of their overall characters and dynamic in general. Throughout reading this book, all I kept thinking was that there was a huge chunk missing from this almost Wednesday and Pugsley-ish relationship between Bolt and Eleanor and the longer the book went on, the more it was corrupting my understanding of the story and the characters. In the end, it completely corrupted it. 3⭐️



I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. All reviews three stars and under will not appear in my main social media. Thank you.

Thank you, NetGalley and Dan Chaon, for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you publishers for your hard work!

Even though it took me forever to finish this book, i really enjoyed it. Any books dealing with Carnivals are down my alley. I think what took me so long to read this was how it was written. I just had to read it slowly to make sure I understood what was going on throughout the entire book. Once I was in the groove, things moved pretty quickly. I had a hard time putting this book down. There are so many different characters, and they are all unique in their own ways. There is murder, death, child death, and some intense scenes in this book. Definitely not suitable for younger readers. I definitely felt a connection to Bolt the entire book... not so much his sister, but even so, that doesn't mean I didn't agree with her at times.

The characters range from crazy to downright creepy. Of course, there are lovable ones and others you want them to suffer unimaginable pain! The descriptions in this book are so vivid i canteen this book playing out like a movie in my mind and that's always a good thing.

Not just the descriptions were spot on just the history and how everything was in this book. The research done for this book was fantastic. If im to put any negativity in here, I guess it would have to be how the book ended in general. I won't spoil it, but it just wasn't how I thought it should have ended.

Wildly creative and fun new novel from Dan Chaon. The way he takes the old "freak show" tropes and turns them on their head made this book an exciting read with a few unexpected twists and more depth than usual. Recommended!

Circus/freak show books are always interesting. On one hand, there's Geek Love, a masterpiece. On the other, there's...One of Us.

Pulling from American Horror Story Freak Show, Geek Love, and Malignant, we follow twins, abandoned by their mother, runaways from their 'uncle' Charlie, and now 'children' of the owner of a circus. This explores who the twins are to each other as well as to the circus. Eleanor is mean and sullen. Bolt will do anything to fit it.

I feel like for under 300 pages, this took me much longer than to I would have guessed. It's a bizarre book, a weird story, an odd plot.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

One of Us by Dan Chaon tells the story of a set of twins who get adopted by a circus after their mother dies. While one twin fits in and finds family, the other becomes increasingly isolated and unwilling to give in to her role in the circus. However, the pair must come together to overcome a shared threat - their uncle who is desperate to get them back.

This book was interesting and challenging and unique. I thought the characters were interesting in all their flaws, from the twins to all of the circus performers, even their terrible uncle Charlie. The thing that I had the hardest time with this was that I listened to the audiobook and the narrator voice for Charlie was so grating that I almost turned it off. If his sections had been any longer I might not have been able to stand it.

That big flaw aside, the pacing of this book was good and the characters were all so deeply thought through. There were sections of this book that I enjoyed deeply and I'm glad that I gave this one a chance. This is a fan for anyone who enjoyed films like Freaks or books like Geek Love.

The audiobook was also great, save for that one character voice.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio, Henry Holt & Company and NetGalley.

Orphaned twins Bolt and Eleanor Lambert are on the run from their “Uncle” Charlie, a violent con man and murderer. Their flight ends in Iowa, where the twins are claimed by Mr. Jengling, of the Jengling Emporium of Wonders.

The circus isn’t a stereotypical circus. Mr. Jengling has made it his mission to collect/employ/adopt those rejected by society, usually because of physical deformities. As far as Mr. Jengling is concerned, The Jengling Emporium of Wonders is one large, though odd, happy family.

Bolt is excited. A family is one of his strongest wishes. Eleanor, on the other hand, withdraws into books, and resists any attempt at friendship. Their opposing wants becomes a wedge and begins to drive them apart. Then Uncle Charlie finds them, and the horror really begins.

One of Us weaves together horror, history, and supernatural elements. Chapters focus on Bolt and Eleanor, Uncle Charlie, and the various performers of the Emporium, which got a little distracting at times, but not enough to pull me out of the story. All the performers in the Emporium are outcasts, and the Emporium has given them a place where they belong, and where what is considered ‘normal’ has no place. The novel gives a different perspective on who’s in and who’s out, who belongs and who doesn’t and who has the power to make those decisions. I’m still thinking about the ending.

4/5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Company for an e-copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

interesting and effective horror with some extremely intense parts throughout, and some very creepy vibes with every single character. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

Prepare yourself for an exhilarating WILD journey into the imagination of the renowned storyteller, Dan Chaon, as he unveils his fifth novel, ONE OF US. Following the critically acclaimed works "Sleepwalk" and "Ill Will" (two favorites), this darkly comedic narrative takes readers on a thrilling adventure with twin siblings whose lives intertwine with an eclectic band of misfits when they join a traveling circus to escape a crazy serial killer uncle.

Set against a backdrop of whimsical chaos, this tale is not only filled with spectacular performances and vibrant characters but also weaves in profound life lessons that resonate deeply.

Chaon's storytelling is deftly inspired by literary and cinematic masterpieces, drawing from the haunting 1932 film "Freaks" directed by Tod Browning, and the unsettling allure of Thomas Tryo's novel "The Other," a pivotal read that captivated the author at the tender age of 13. With a rich tapestry of extensive references illuminated in the Author's Note, ONE OF US promises to be a riveting exploration of identity, belonging, and the beauty found in our differences.

About...

Set against the backdrop of the somber Midwestern United States in 1915, the story follows Bolt and Eleanor, thirteen-year-old orphans whose lives have taken a harrowing turn under the sinister guardianship of “Uncle C,” known to others as Charlie. A con man with a chilling blend of charm and malice, Charlie is not only a psychopath but also a serial killer, casting a dark shadow over the twins’ existence.

In the weeks leading up to their mother’s tragic passing in 1914, she had foreseen her untimely fate, a chilling prophecy that left the twins to navigate a world filled with danger and deceit.

In a desperate bid for freedom, Bolt and Eleanor finally manage to escape Charlie's clutches with the unexpected help of a mysterious figure known as Mr. Jengling. This enigmatic man runs a circus that roams from town to town, the Jengling Traveling Emporium of Wonders, a kaleidoscope of both spectacle and sorrow.

The circus is a gathering of society’s misfits and marvels—intellectually and physically unique individuals—whose extraordinary talents are showcased as they traverse the landscapes of small towns, captivating audiences while revealing their own poignant stories.

As the narrative unfolds, readers are introduced to the vibrant personalities within this unconventional family: the strongwoman with her formidable presence, the dog-faced boy whose condition evokes both fascination and sympathy, and, most unsettlingly, Rosalie—a woman cursed with a second head protruding from the side of her neck, gifted with the morbid ability to predict the time and manner of a person’s death. Each performer’s background is intricately woven into the tapestry of the circus, highlighting their unique abilities and the struggles they've overcome.

In their newfound home, the twins discover a sense of belonging, family, and acceptance that had long eluded them. They uncover their own extraordinary talents, possessing the rare abilities of telepathy and telekinesis, which further set them apart and strengthen their bond with their fellow performers.

Yet, lurking in the shadows is Uncle Charlie, relentless in his pursuit of the twins and leaving a trail of bloodshed in his wake. Who would ever suspect that these two cherished infants would bravely flee from the so-called protection of their guardian? And who could have imagined that the only flicker of altruism in Uncle Charlie's dark heart would ignite such a bitter, furious chase? The tension mounts as Bolt and Eleanor’s fight for freedom intertwines with their struggle to forge a family in a world fraught with both wonder and horror.

My Thoughts...

As an ardent admirer of the author’s work, I am endlessly captivated by his signature eccentric characters, each more vivid and intriguing than the last. His dark humor weaves through every page, adding an unsettling depth to the bizarre settings he masterfully creates. The larger-than-life personas leap off the page, while his innovative storylines keep readers on their toes.

There’s always a sprinkle of heart intertwined with the thrillers, which makes his writing uniquely compelling—guaranteeing that avid fans keep coming back for more.

In this latest tale, the author guides us through the chaotic allure of a traveling carnival, where every curtain hides a dark and twisted secret, leading to unexpected revelations and intense surprises.

Upon their arrival in this peculiar and vibrant family, the twins uncover a sense of safety, purpose, and a spark of wonder amid the chaos, yet paradoxically, they find themselves drifting further apart as their journeys unfold.

At the core of the narrative are the twins, and the meaning of family, from the Orphan Train, the Jengling Carnival, and even Charlie, each searching for family, longing, and embarking on divergent paths that reflect their evolving identities.

Told through multiple perspectives, the narrative captivates readers with the adventures and complexities of this eccentric, darkly enchanting ensemble. The experience is fully immersive—a heady blend of dark entertainment and deeply disturbing elements, paired with exuberant liveliness that keeps one enthralled.

Dan Chaon adeptly leads us into the captivating world of the twins and their intriguing circus—a tale that challenges us to ponder the true meaning of belonging in a world filled with whimsical chaos and hidden depths.

Recs...

For fans of the author and those who enjoy their books with some freaky, weird, strange vibes with a side of horror, mystery, suspense, eccentric — and a thoughtful 'thriller with heart' that emphasizes the deep personal and emotional connections of its characters.

Readers who savor tales infused with eerie peculiarities, ONE OF US is a treasure trove. Picture a story laced with unsettling atmospheres, where mysteries unfold amidst a cast of intriguing misfits. The thoughtful narrative offers not only chills but also profound insights that resonate deeply. If you’re drawn to captivating narratives that intertwine the strange and haunting with meaningful life lessons, this is a journey you won’t want to miss.

Special thanks to Henry Holt & Company and NetGalley for providing an advanced review copy for my honest thoughts. I can't wait to see what Chaon comes up with next.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub date: Sept 23, 2025
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Twisty and cleverly titled, but ultimately not for me. I would absolutely recommend this book (a tale of two siblings, one serial killer, one circus, and one orphan train) to anyone who loved Geek Love (which I didn't). I know this book will find its audience, but the head-jumping into side characters whose stories I ultimately didn't need to know kept me from fully immersing in the atmospheric spookiness.

It is 1915 and twins Bolt and Eleanor are on the run from an uncle that might just kill them both. They run into Mr. Jengling, the founder of the the Emporium of Wonders - a circus of oddities that travels across the often treacherous America. Despite the strangeness of many of those with the Emporium (there's the three-legged woman; a clown with no nose; the woman who can foretell anyone's death) Bolt and Eleanor find these people to be a family.

There's more than just the oddness of the collective - there's a darkness that hovers around the Emporium that strikes Eleanor as uncomfortable. Her brother, however, grows closer and closer to the group. This, itself, is uncomfortable for the girl - the pair have been as close as any pair of twins could possibly be. But now as they come of age they appear to be going their separate ways.

But when the uncle (who may or not actually be an uncle after all) is back on their trail and wanting them back to do his bidding, both Bolt and Eleanor will rely on the closeness of their new family, and their special abilities, to help protect them.

This is a beautifully written tale that captures a dark and foreboding mood which complements the oddness of the people who inhabit it.

In many ways this is a coming of age story, but it's definitely much more than that as their growth includes accepting differences (to an extreme) in others, and how someone who might appear 'normal' can be so much more dangerous than those who appear frightening.

A circus is almost always a great way to capture a sense of wonder without a lot of heavy world-building, but this is so much more than your 'typical' circus (if a circus is ever typical).

Our twin central characters are perhaps the least well drawn of all our characters here. Eleanor does have the most growth, I think - Bolt is more immersive, but doesn't seem to waver and then change too much. Still, I found Eleanor less interesting than most of the others here. Really I wanted to know more about everybody else. Everybody, including Uncle Charlie.

I really enjoyed the heaviness of the mood and the atmosphere as I read this. The characters were generally strong and interesting, but there was just a little something missing that's hard to pinpoint to prevent me from going higher than four stars on this one.

Looking for a good book? One of Us by Dan Chaon is a dark, forebody YA coming of age story with plenty of oddities and danger to keep a YA audience interested.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

I am a HUGE fan of creepy books set at carnivals and amusement parks, so as soon as I saw the cover, I knew I had to pick this one up.

Despite reading a number of these kinds of books, I have never read a book like this one! Set in 1915 at a traveling freak show, this book is part gritty crime, part circus, part paranormal, and part exploration of topics like the meaning of family and the true nature of people.

I would have liked a little less Uncle Charlie and a little more time at the circus, and I would have liked to see Eleanor grow as a character more. But I enjoyed it overall!

Dan Chaon knows how to make genuinely terrifying tales, and fans of his work will be in for a real treat! That being said, I had a hard time personally getting into this one, though that's probably more a reflection of my own tastes than this tight, smart novel. As much a scary book as it is a sharp observation of carnival culture, loneliness, and found family, this is a work of mythic historical fiction with a blazing payoff that may be divisive for some.

The circus is a perfect setting for Dan Chaon's next book - thrilling, creepy, and dark. Thank you to the publisher for a review copy!

Inner and outer lives don’t always agree. Sometimes the disparities can seem quite jarring. In his latest novel, Chaon explores identity schisms in a pair of orphaned twins (Bolt and Eleanor), a host of bizarre actors in a traveling circus, and a homicidal “uncle.” By capitalizing on the twins’ ability to communicate telepathically, Chaon expands on the theme of identity by following Bolt’s efforts to belong and Eleanor’s transformation from a reclusive introvert, who just wants to be left alone with her books, into a management expert.

The setting is a tawdry carnival freak show that’s traveling small towns in the Midwest during 1915. Chaon vividly evokes the nostalgia of this time and place while creating a strange eerie atmosphere. He achieves this by populating the carnival with a host of freaks. As he did with the twins, the enigmatic ringmaster/owner is obsessed with collecting entertaining and often deformed specimens. Most are dead and kept in jars, but others are alive and work to entertain the “gillies.” The surprising thing about these “freaks”, however, is just how welcoming and caring they turn out to be. This gives the narrative an unexpected familial mood. Incidentally, the owner’s name is Jengling. Chaon probably intends this to conjure images of the famous Ringling Brothers circuses.

Most of the plot involves acclimatizing the twins to the everyday life of the carnival. Their differing personalities make for some—very little—tension. Yet, the real tension comes from the pursuit of the circus by a homicidal maniac the twins refer to as “Uncle Charlie.” He is intent on recovering what he sees as his property. Following the mysterious “suicide” of their father, he showed up at their orphanage in Oberlin, Ohio masquerading as a caring uncle. Of course, he was not what he seemed as the twins soon discovered.

The plot has an erratic pace, primarily because of its lack of linearity, shifting points of view and many macabre elements. In spite of a thrilling climax, the ending involves drastic time and story shifts that seem excessively nuanced. Moreover, it leaves far too many details unresolved. If you can stand ambiguity and experimentation in your reading, you may enjoy ONE OF US. It is a complex psychological thriller, grounded in well-researched historical detail along with Chaon’s trademark haunting supernatural mood.

The story takes place over the summer of 1915 across South Dakota. It follows 13 year old twins, Eleanor and Bolt. Eleanor is a nihilist who just wants to be alone with her books. (same, girl) Bolt is a fairly normal teen boy who just wants to live life and protect his sister. Also, they both have burgeoning psychic abilities.

They’re on the run from their Uncle, who is a serial killer, and they get adopted by a traveling circus filled with lovable, unique characters. Chaos ensues. I don’t want to say more and spoil anything.

I really loved this story. It’s historical fiction with a healthy dose of thriller and horror touches. But it has so much heart, the scope is much broader than those definitions. It has a sweet found family aspect to it along with a coming of age story. Plus there are twists and turns that will make you gasp, for real. I got completely immersed in this traveling circus world, it’s really the total package.

Terror and wonder collide in Dan Chaon's "One of Us," a haunting tale that crawled under my skin and refused to leave.

Set in 1915 America, thirteen-year-old twins Bolt and Eleanor share a telepathic bond that becomes their lifeline when they flee from their murderous "uncle" Charlie after their mother's death. Their escape leads them to Mr. Jengling's Emporium of Wonders, where extraordinary performers welcome them into their fold.

I felt the same creeping dread reading this as I did with Bradbury's sinister carnivals. Each page heightened my tension as Charlie's pursuit intensified. His murderous nature and mysterious motivations created a villain I genuinely feared.

What captivated me most was watching the twins' supernatural connection strain as they developed differently. Bolt embraces their circus family while Eleanor remains cautious, creating a painful rift between siblings who once couldn't imagine separation.

The Emporium functions beautifully as a sanctuary for outcasts. Three-legged Minnie, seven-foot-tall Dr. Chui, and death-foretelling Rosalie form a community built on acceptance in a world that fears differences.

The exploration of meta-human abilities adds fascinating depth to an already rich narrative. I appreciated how Chaon balanced unrelenting darkness with unexpected moments of hope, creating an emotional journey I couldn't abandon.

For horror fans seeking something beyond typical genre fare, "One of Us" delivers both supernatural chills and emotional resonance that will haunt you long after the final page.

Special thanks to Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for my advance copy. As always, the thoughts shared here are completely my own.

Billed as historical fiction and horror, I’m surprise by the horror label. Yes there several sections that were simply overdone blood and guts but nothing that rose to my idea of horror. The author managed to give nearly all of his characters enough of a backstory to flesh out the 1915 time period in a traveling circus of people who, because of physical abnormalities, weren’t accepted into regular society. Despite this, I never felt bonded with the characters or their situations. As the novel drew closer to the ending, it felt a bit disconnected to where the story was originally heading. Nonetheless, I am glad I read it for the historical information it contained.

Thanks to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for the ARC to read and review.

This book was unlike anything else I have read before! The story perfectly mixes psychological thriller, horror and fantasy in a most thrilling way. Every time I thought that I knew where the story was going I was suddenly sent spinning down a new path I hadn’t even realized was there; right to the very last page. The cast of characters was so unique and yet each one was given a heart and a soul which came alive on the page. This would make for a wonderful movie!

If you enjoy historical fiction with some horror vibes sprinkled into it, this book is for you! Not only is it unique, but it is also engaging, very descriptive, and provides an unexpected ending! There has always been a stereotype that twins have a connection that transcends that of normal siblings, and that connection was truly highlighted in this book.

Although not complete opposites of each other, Eleanor’s and Bolt’s personalities are different enough that they provide a unique experience when reading through each of their perspectives. We can see how differently they navigate life as Eleanor is more reserved, pessimistic, and suspicious of others, while Bolt is much more social, open, and optimistic.

Aside from the twins, the characters that made up the carnival were important to the book, and I found them incredibly deep and endearing! The main antagonist is very good at being a villain; he presents many characteristics of a psychopath while claiming to have deep feelings for the twins and their father. Finally, I appreciated how Dan Cheon incorporated issues like eugenics and the unfair treatment of people with disabilities into the narrative, which is set in the early 1900s, a time when carnivals that focused on displaying people’s differences were so prevalent.