Item: Boys in the Valley
Rating: 4.00
Author: quirkycat

by Philip Fracassi

'THE MOST FRIGHTENING NOVEL OF THE YEAR' Esquire

'OLD-SCHOOL HORROR' Stephen King

The Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies, by way of Midnight Mass, Boys in the Valley is a chilling folk horror set in a remote orphanage in turn of the century Pennsylvania.

St. Vincent's Orphanage for Boys. Turn of the century, in a remote valley in Pennsylvania.

Here, under the watchful eyes of several priests, thirty boys work, learn, and worship. Peter Barlow, orphaned as a child by a gruesome murder, has made a new life here. As he approaches adulthood, he has friends, a future. . . a family.

Then, late one stormy night, a group of men arrive at their door, one of whom is badly wounded, occult symbols carved into his flesh. His death releases an ancient evil that spreads like sickness, infecting St. Vincent's and the children within.

Soon, boys begin acting differently, forming groups. Taking sides. Others turn up dead. Now Peter and those dear to him must choose sides of their own, each of them knowing their lives - and perhaps their eternal souls - are at risk.

Praise for Boys in the Valley:

'The terror's exquisite. Fracassi's got his hand on the chisel going into your chest' Stephen Graham Jones, author of The Only Good Indians

'Fracassi makes terror read so damn beautifully' Victor LaValle, author of The Changeling

'An unrelenting and highly entertaining show of horrors' Thomas Olde Heuvelt, author of Hex

'A smart and deftly-written tale instilled with the kind of creeping, claustrophobic horror I enjoy' Nick Cutter, author of The Troop

'As poignant as it is chilling, with a fast-paced, unflinching ending' Alma Katsu, author of The Hunger

'The most unsettling novel I have read all year. Cold dread clings to every page' Ronald Malfi, author of Black Mouth

'Harrowing and claustrophobic' Christopher Golden, author of Road of Bones

'Fracassi. . . builds his horrific tales slowly and carefully...he's especially skilful at creating, and sustaining, suspense' The New York Times

'Gut-wrenching, heart breaking, and terrifying' Andy Davidson, author of The Boatman's Daughter

'Horror readers will be hooked' Publishers Weekly

'A riveting, and horrifying, tale of survival set against a punishing and vivid backdrop.' Victor LaValle

'Fracassi. . . brings a depth of understanding to his monsters, human and otherwise' Guardian

'Fracassi's storytelling is. . . horror with a big, broken heart' Esquire

'His range, prolific output, and fast-paced prose are all set to put him on the shelf next to names such as King, Straub, and Thomas Harris' Signal Horizon

Book Summary:

St. Vincent's Orphanage for Boys – thanks to years of literary tales, we know how foreboding or dangerous such a place can be. We know that it may not be the haven it presents itself as.

This is where Peter Barlow grew up after being orphaned at a young age. For the most part, Peter has done a decent job of making a new life for himself. Until one night, a dying man shows up on the orphanage's doorstep, releasing an ancient evil and wreaking havoc.

My Review:

I'll be honest: I wasn't sure what to expect from Boys in the Valley. When it comes to this sort of backstory, it can go in several different directions (not all of them good). That said, I was pleasantly surprised by what I found within.

Boys in the Valley is one of those books that perfectly blends multiple genres: historical fiction, thriller, horror, and even a bit of coming-of-age vibes. I adore it when a book blurs these lines, making it less predictable and much more original.

Primarily, I loved the horror elements. It's that time of year when I can't get enough of spooky reads, and Boys in the Valley sure fits the bill!

Highlights:
Coming of Age
Historical Fiction
Murder/Thriller

Trigger Warnings:
Kid/Animal Concerns

Thanks to Tor Nightfire and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Boys in the Valley

by Philip Fracassi

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on Oct 17, 2023

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