A review by vynna
Boys In the Valley by Philip Fracassi

dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.25

A very enthralling read about a group of child orphans trying to survive the gruesome onslaught of those under demonic possession. The brutality, the fear, and the dread was so palpable throughout and made this simultaneously difficult to read and put down. I think the author does a great job portraying the bleak lives of these characters (the conditions in the orphanage, the abuse from authority) as well as the evil that starts to transform their lives. The creepy smiles and shifting faces of those possessed was very unsettling (but great imagery) and the Lord of the Flies-esque conflict was tense. I think I would have liked to know more about the demons and why they possessed certain children over others (the characters even question it at one point), but it doesn’t really take away from my overall enjoyment. Good scary book that had me invested from start to finish!
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