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jjbookaday's review against another edition
5.0
This book was trippy. It starts with a group of friends going on a camping trip but ending up in a very sinister valley with its own secrets. From its gripping opening to the complete come around, it’s kept my attention through and through with some small comedy relief.
adam_tries_books's review against another edition
4.0
Well this turned out to be quite the wild ride, and I mean that in a good way!
I feel the best way to enjoy this story is to go into it not knowing much about it, so I’m not going to give much away! What I will say is that novella is packed with twists and turns. Every time I thought I’d worked out what would happen, something completely different would actually happen! This is also the sort of story that I think would translate fantastically into a movie, so if you’re a horror fan get this read!
Overall a fantastic novella, which I highly recommend picking up! I can’t wait to see what Mike writes next!
I feel the best way to enjoy this story is to go into it not knowing much about it, so I’m not going to give much away! What I will say is that novella is packed with twists and turns. Every time I thought I’d worked out what would happen, something completely different would actually happen! This is also the sort of story that I think would translate fantastically into a movie, so if you’re a horror fan get this read!
Overall a fantastic novella, which I highly recommend picking up! I can’t wait to see what Mike writes next!
melissa_boyer's review against another edition
5.0
Drop what you're doing now and go read The Valley. No really, just do it. This quickly became one of my favourite books. This is the book you're going to be recommending to everyone.
The Valley is a roller-coaster ride of horror. It starts off strong from page one. You're pulled into the world Mike Salt created and it will not let you go. Not even after you read the last page. I cannot stop thinking about this book.
The Valley is a roller-coaster ride of horror. It starts off strong from page one. You're pulled into the world Mike Salt created and it will not let you go. Not even after you read the last page. I cannot stop thinking about this book.
overzealous_reader's review against another edition
5.0
✨4.5/5
“Johnny may have been the biggest nerd of the group; the big, ol’ punching bag that took blow after blow from the guys. He was an easy target, but he took it, it was never meant to be anything malicious.”
If you’re a fan of The Descent and Evil Dead (1981), this is the book for you.
The first impression gave off a horror theme similar to that of the movie The Descent. That begins with eight friends deciding to go on vacation in the Cascade Mountains and getting into a horrific situation.
As the book progresses, the characters tactically adapted to each obstacle they face. Despite their tactfulness, it still leads to their doom. There are moments when the characters make questionable decisions, but they’re understandable, especially with Jan.
The only despicable thing is the ending. That was not an ending. The amount of questions that formed at the end of this book leads one to wonder if there will be a sequel. The ending was so abrupt; I spent ten minutes reread the last three chapters.
Regardless of my beef with the ending, this story is a great read, especially if you’re a fan of horror.
Mini Rant/Spoilers
First, of, Johnny deserves better! That poor man is a precious treasure that needs to be protected at all costs. Nessa was the absolute worst and didn’t die as gruesome as I expected. Poor Jan, her death was the bittersweet one. The ending, though, has me questioning everything. Are Johnny and Laney alive? If they are, how long were they in there? What about Zack? What about Patrick? So many questions. The book is a fantastic read but good god; that ending was not expected and messed up.
Also, a big thanks to Mike Salt for allowing me to read this story in exchange for an honest review.
“Johnny may have been the biggest nerd of the group; the big, ol’ punching bag that took blow after blow from the guys. He was an easy target, but he took it, it was never meant to be anything malicious.”
If you’re a fan of The Descent and Evil Dead (1981), this is the book for you.
The first impression gave off a horror theme similar to that of the movie The Descent. That begins with eight friends deciding to go on vacation in the Cascade Mountains and getting into a horrific situation.
As the book progresses, the characters tactically adapted to each obstacle they face. Despite their tactfulness, it still leads to their doom. There are moments when the characters make questionable decisions, but they’re understandable, especially with Jan.
The only despicable thing is the ending. That was not an ending. The amount of questions that formed at the end of this book leads one to wonder if there will be a sequel. The ending was so abrupt; I spent ten minutes reread the last three chapters.
Regardless of my beef with the ending, this story is a great read, especially if you’re a fan of horror.
Mini Rant/Spoilers
First, of, Johnny deserves better! That poor man is a precious treasure that needs to be protected at all costs. Nessa was the absolute worst and didn’t die as gruesome as I expected. Poor Jan, her death was the bittersweet one. The ending, though, has me questioning everything. Are Johnny and Laney alive? If they are, how long were they in there? What about Zack? What about Patrick? So many questions. The book is a fantastic read but good god; that ending was not expected and messed up.
Also, a big thanks to Mike Salt for allowing me to read this story in exchange for an honest review.
nakiacookauthor's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, this was enjoyable. There were elements that I found intriguing and a little creepy, but the story would have benefitted from tighter editing. The grammatical errors took me out of the story a bit, but it was pretty good.
rincondejoss's review against another edition
3.0
This one was a pretty interesting plot a camp trip with the friends and one with a very curious dream that put all in the spot.
One of the things I really liked on this, it's that the plot is actually possible in any type of trip when you are almost alone and there's nothing near for help.
Now the idea of the valley was perfect and even the ambience for it was interesting and that was the good part.
Another weird thing i found about the book overall was the gramatical errors, I mean this one should have been in a process for editing, but not impossible sometimes.
The characters for any reason I couldn't feel nothing for them, it was just like okay cool and then what?
The we have Patrick was so not helping on whatever he wanted to do, worst keeper ever in history, really I as like what? the twist even offended me really.
The shadow man I found interesting was good option for this but in a way it was a little confusing his motivation was really weird.
By the end i have a lot of mixed feelings, i did found the idea very interesting and then something was lacking in the story for me so much I actually needed help to finish it because I got super bored after a few chapters, it was very interesting ride.
One of the things I really liked on this, it's that the plot is actually possible in any type of trip when you are almost alone and there's nothing near for help.
Now the idea of the valley was perfect and even the ambience for it was interesting and that was the good part.
Another weird thing i found about the book overall was the gramatical errors, I mean this one should have been in a process for editing, but not impossible sometimes.
The characters for any reason I couldn't feel nothing for them, it was just like okay cool and then what?
The we have Patrick was so not helping on whatever he wanted to do, worst keeper ever in history, really I as like what? the twist even offended me really.
The shadow man I found interesting was good option for this but in a way it was a little confusing his motivation was really weird.
By the end i have a lot of mixed feelings, i did found the idea very interesting and then something was lacking in the story for me so much I actually needed help to finish it because I got super bored after a few chapters, it was very interesting ride.
spookyoctopusreads's review against another edition
4.0
What could go wrong when a group of friends meet up for a secluded mountain getaway weekend? Well....if you've seen any horror movies, you know A LOT can happen. A lot of BAD can happen...and that's exactly how this story goes down. What starts as a relaxing weekend full of catching up, having a few drinks, and hiking turns into a fight for survival when the group find a mysterious map that points them in the direction of a hidden waterfall. The valley they come upon is not as it seems. A forgotten town, people who seem to be living in a loop of their own horrors, and something sinister lurking in the fog....
This story starts with a lot of friendly banter and "getting to know" the characters. Once the group decides to go hiking and meet a mysterious man in the woods who threatens them if they don't turn back, the action picks up quite quickly. I enjoyed the bit of mystery present. While reading, I had lots of questions about the fog, the evil entity, and the secluded time loop village... but especially the abrupt ending. I think some of the mystery was intentional and enjoyable, while other parts could have been a bit more fleshed out. The setting itself was very atmospheric and spooky; it'll certainly give you some chills. Fog always freaks me out...like, it's so beautiful, but dense fog is just creepy in the way that it can hide anything within it...and the fog in this story...ummm....so spooky! The book had a lot of slasher vibes as the characters were picked off one-by-one, and we all know I am ALWAYS here for slashers! As others have said, I think this book would translate really well to the screen.
Overall, this is a pretty solid chilling horror story. It's def not one I want to read while on a secluded mountain getaway- hahaha. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy eerie, mysterious, survival horror.
**Thank you to Mike Salt for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.**
This story starts with a lot of friendly banter and "getting to know" the characters. Once the group decides to go hiking and meet a mysterious man in the woods who threatens them if they don't turn back, the action picks up quite quickly. I enjoyed the bit of mystery present. While reading, I had lots of questions about the fog, the evil entity, and the secluded time loop village... but especially the abrupt ending. I think some of the mystery was intentional and enjoyable, while other parts could have been a bit more fleshed out. The setting itself was very atmospheric and spooky; it'll certainly give you some chills. Fog always freaks me out...like, it's so beautiful, but dense fog is just creepy in the way that it can hide anything within it...and the fog in this story...ummm....so spooky! The book had a lot of slasher vibes as the characters were picked off one-by-one, and we all know I am ALWAYS here for slashers! As others have said, I think this book would translate really well to the screen.
Overall, this is a pretty solid chilling horror story. It's def not one I want to read while on a secluded mountain getaway- hahaha. I would recommend this to readers who enjoy eerie, mysterious, survival horror.
**Thank you to Mike Salt for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.**
michaelrgoodwin's review against another edition
4.0
A group of friends and their spouses gather for their annual retreat at a secluded cabin. What should have been a relaxing weekend quickly turns into a race for survival as they find themselves trapped at the bottom of a valley in a thick fog... And they're not alone.
This story delivers nearly non-stop action and thrills from beginning to end. After setting up a large cast of characters, the story jumps right in with spooks and scares right alongside horrors and humor, and doesn't let up until the very last page. The hits keep coming for this group of friends, and no matter how much I tried to guess what would happen next, I was always happily wrong.
Salt writes approachably and made all of his characters come to life with ease. With nearly a dozen of them, making them all stand out and have their own development arcs, all while chasing a plotline that is moving at a rocket's pace, is an impressive feat to say the least. The ending may be a little abrupt for some, but I personally like that in a story.
The cast, the setting, the premise and history crafted into the ghost town and its fog, all of it just works. I finally see why I've heard so many people rave about this book on Instagram.
What's more, I know that I will never look at thick, rolling fog quite the same ever again.
This story delivers nearly non-stop action and thrills from beginning to end. After setting up a large cast of characters, the story jumps right in with spooks and scares right alongside horrors and humor, and doesn't let up until the very last page. The hits keep coming for this group of friends, and no matter how much I tried to guess what would happen next, I was always happily wrong.
Salt writes approachably and made all of his characters come to life with ease. With nearly a dozen of them, making them all stand out and have their own development arcs, all while chasing a plotline that is moving at a rocket's pace, is an impressive feat to say the least. The ending may be a little abrupt for some, but I personally like that in a story.
The cast, the setting, the premise and history crafted into the ghost town and its fog, all of it just works. I finally see why I've heard so many people rave about this book on Instagram.
What's more, I know that I will never look at thick, rolling fog quite the same ever again.
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