A review by itputsthebookupontheshelf
Boys In the Valley by Philip Fracassi

4.5

If you're a fan of coming of age horror, this book is definitely for you.

"𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒙𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒊𝒔𝒕 meets 𝑳𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒔 by way of 𝑴𝒊𝒅𝒏𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒔" nailed the description of this book! This book was all kinds of scary when it comes to kids in seclusion.

So, as a person who dabbles in horror but doesn't really read a lot of super dark, gory type of horror, this was pretty crazy. I tiptoe that edge 🤣 but this book threw me right in. I have a 10yo son, too, so I think it hit me harder than most books.

You first meet the boys and get to know how their daily life works in this religious orphanage. You see who the leaders are, the younger kids who look up to them, the troubled ones, and how they are taught to walk the way of the Lord.

One night, a group of men shows up, and all hell breaks loose. Quite literally! From that moment, the boys are plunged into darkness, and their souls tainted by this ancient evil. It's every boy for himself unless he conforms to his new reality. It's a bloodbath.

It was interesting reading about each boys struggles with good and evil, their love for one another, and loss of their friends and the life they knew. 

Great storytelling and writing. I was sucked in and in utter shock at some scenes. There were a few parts that dragged a little, but all in all, it was a solid read.

Thank to Tor Nightfire for a gifted copy.