Thoughts: Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi

Source: NetGalley – Thank you to the publisher!
TL;DR: A tense and action packed horror novel I loved, highly recommend.

Plot: Survive, a simple plot but one that Philip Fracassi packs a lot into with character choices and questions about futures that keep you reading.
Characters: There were a lot of characters and while some didn’t get nearly enough page time, the ones that did were fascinating.
Setting: The setting in this was captured so well. I felt the cold and felt the loneliness that these boys experienced.
Horror: Most of the horror in this was in the tension, though there are moments of explosive action and gore with blood that may unsettle some readers.

Thoughts:

 It’s not often I can pinpoint the ‘vibes’ of a book as sharply as I can with this one. It felt like The Exorcist, meets Midsommar with orphanage in the snow type of feelings instead of commune in the spring and it work really, really well. The tension and build in this was masterful and the constant question of ‘who is going to survive’ really kept me reading.
This follows the story of a small orphanage set away from nearly all of civilization, and how everything goes to hell after a wounded man is brought in and the evil he brings with him spreads to the boys within. Another great comparison could also be Lord of the Flies in that we end up with groups of boys pitted against others but the tension and darkness of this novel really lend more to a modern horror. Our points of view change, hopping from boy to boy to priest, and in narrative style as we explore the horror that is unfolding and how it’s spreading.
Do not go in expecting a happy ending, the death toll is high in this and it’s gruesome as well. Philip Fracassi does not shy away from the bloody side of horror. There is though an interesting and well thought out discussion of choice within these pages though. Something I would reread the book to really look at and analyze. What choices define us and what type of choices should we let define us, and allow ourselves to believe in.
Overall this is a strong and classic feeling horror novel. This will be one that I’ll refer to as using great classic tropes to explore interesting themes. I really recommend it, but not for the light of heart. 

[TWs:
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Murder, Religious bigotry, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Vomit, and Grief
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders]