Always on the lookout for a good horror book, and this author doesn't disappoint. While not my favourite of his, still solid.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review!

A fantastically written/crafted story, compelling, dark, and entertaining. It paces well, keeps you invested in the characters, and does a good amount of freaking you out. It's one of the best I've read in a while, and I'm looking forward to getting more Fracassi in the future.

Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi
"Things are getting strange."
Overall (out of 5)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Prose ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pacing(1=slow 5=fast)⭐⭐⭐💫
Character Development ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Scary ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Gore⭐⭐⭐💫
Atmosphere ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Library or Buy-worthy: I've preordered a signed copy.
Theme: Sacrifice (literal and figurative)

Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi is a contender for best book of the year. This book is disturbing on so many levels. Let me start by saying trigger warning for violent child death. It's not splatterpunk and definitely not gore just for gores sake but this book evokes intense emotion in the reader. It's the wicked, sinister atmosphere that got me most. The writing and character work are exceptional. Initially the coming of age content and setting reminded me a lot of 'This Tender Land' by William Kent Krueger, one of my favorite books. As the story progesses tho it started taking on an Exorcist/Devil's Backbone vibe that I really enjoyed. I became so shockingly invested in the main characters well-being. All I can say now without giving too much away is, impressive work. Fracassi was able to shape a possession book without making it proselytic and I'm here for it. He's quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me. I cannot recommend this enough.

This might be the scariest book I've every read.....which is why I love it so much.

A remote orphanage becomes the site of demonic possession. That, combined with the harshness of being an orphan at the turn of the century all combined to make this one of the most compelling books of the year.

Thanks to NetGally and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

BOYS IN THE VALLEY is dark, religious horror that feels old school in its execution, and my eyes were glued to its pages from word one.

In a valley sits a Christian orphanage, full of thin boys and teens that have nowhere else to go. One winter’s night a stranger is brought in from the surrounding wilderness for emergency medical care and things are never the same again. What happened at this isolated orphanage? Will the boys survive it? You’ll have to read this to find out!

Setting aside the first thoughts that come to mind when thinking about Christians, especially Catholics, when it comes to young boys, this orphanage was a perfect setting for a horror story. One of the things I liked best about this one is that there aren’t any long expositions about what happened or how it came to be: it just IS. For me, that’s where a lot of stories fall apart. The characters here don’t know what’s going on and neither does the reader: you’re both in the same boat. I think that gives the tale more immediacy and it certainly jacks up the suspense factor.

A few of the characters wormed their way into my heart, which made it all so much worse as the narrative raced towards the denouement. I admit that I did tear up at the end, but hey, it’s spring and there’s a lot of pollen in the air. ;)

I believe this is my first Phil Fracassi novel, even though I already own a few of them. I’ll have to bump them up in my TBR and soon, because honestly, this tale blew me away.

My highest recommendation!

* Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this eARC, in exchange for my honest feedback. This is it!*

Billed as Lord of the Flies meets The Exorcist, there couldn’t be a more fitting description. Set in the early 20th century in an orphanage in the Pennsylvania countryside, it’s a coming of age story that pits man against self, man against man, and man against an ancient evil. This was an excellent read! I highly recommend taking the time to check this one out.
5⭐️

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.

Coming of age, demonic possession, religious horror? Ok yeah. I was 100% in it from the start. This was just dark and bleak all the way through. Some nice bits of graphic violence and gore that had me cringing (that's a positive for me lol). Fracassi painted a brilliant fucking picture of St. Vincent's Orphanage; like I could see it, could sense the cold and depression. I was hooked the entire time, I can't wait to read more from this author!

Once again, thank you to the brilliant team at Tor Nightfire for the opportunity to get my little paws on these incredible ARCs. Y'all bring so much joy to my life :)

The story is set at a remote Catholic boys orphanage in the early 1900s and is the coming-of-age tale of Peter who is deciding between becoming a priest or a family man. One night a man is brought to the orphanage caught performing a satanic ritual and now is possessed. An exorcism is performed and the demon gets loose in the orphanage. Over the next few days some of the boys start acting differently.

I thought this was OK. Somehow I was just expecting more. The horror just didn't do anything for me. As a Catholic I liked that the priests weren't the bad guy and the faith was portrayed realistically. Maybe I'm jaded or not that into possession horror as I found the horror scenes tame. I didn't not like this. I was engaged and read steadily in a couple of sittings. I've heard good things about the author and will give him another try.

God I love when a book that is so not my cup of tea on paper just blows me out of the water! Boys in the Valley follows a group of orphan boys of mixed ages living in a secluded Catholic orphanage who are divided by a powerful evil and must fight to survive as it spreads it’s way amongst the group. This book has incredible atmosphere, brutal violence/imagery and characters that you really root for. Fracassi also balances a fairly large cast of kids really well, but our protagonist is Peter- a teen boy orphaned at a young age and being raised to become a priest. Struggling between the priesthood he was raised to want and a girl he fell for when he was young, he is in the middle of his own existential battle when a mysterious man carved with occult symbols shows up to the orphanage and unleashes an evil that bits the boys against each other. This book, despite taking place in the turn of the century, late 1800s, but it felt so modern. I was so into the plot, and the horror was genuinely so scary. It’s described as The Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies, and that just really hits the nail on the head. Kids capable of incredible violence is always going to creep me all the way out. Huge recommend!!

Oh my goodness this book was horrifyingly terrific, my first by this author and it was awesome. This is a story about an orphanage, run by the Catholic Church, that becomes the site of demonic possession. This isn't your typical good vs. evil story as the demons possess many children, and even though it has Lord of the Flies and The Exorcist vibes, Fracassi makes it uniquely his own. This was an emotional story as I couldn't decide if the lives the children were living at the orphanage was the true horror story or if it was being possessed by demons...Are the adults, mostly priests, the true demons?

This is weird to say about a horror story but it is very character driven as we learn about the harsh reality of an orphan life in the early twentieth century. I was captivated by the large cast of characters, their backstories and their current situation. I couldn't help but feel for them and cheer them on as they fight for their lives against the massive, hidden evil. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading this. It is a very fast-paced, easy read and I loved the ending. I will definitely be reading more of this author's work. If you like historical fiction with a horror twist and a little gore thrown in this is a book for you!

Fracassi has been on fire lately. Another incredible novel. This one reminded me of Josh Malerman’s “Inspection” mixed with Nick Cutter’s “The Troop,” blended in a big bowl of religion. The characters were compelling; the plot kept me hooked; and the horror really hit all the spots. Efficient feels like the right word. Or maybe economical. There’s no wasted words in this one. Each one punches you either in the head or heart, and most of them will frighten you.

Boys In The Valley feels like The Exorcism meets Lord Of The Flies. This book was a roller coaster of emotions. One minute I was sad, then scared, then repulsed, and then crying.

I really enjoyed the character development throughout this book. It has a lot of povs but all of them are unique in their own way. Peter was my favorite pov to follow. We are thrown into his story from the very beginning. I felt attached to him after that. I also loved how this author did gore. The scenes of death and horror were absolutely fantastic. The end of this book broke my heart and had me in tears.

My one complaint is a personal preference but I’m not a huge fan of a ton of religion in my horror. And this book is full of it from the very beginning to the very end. It lightens up a bit in the middle but ends pretty heavy in it. So just know that going in and if that isn’t your thing I probably wouldn’t suggest you pick this one up.

Overall I had a really good time reading this one. I would highly recommend you read this book in the winter. The setting is perfect for a snowy night. If you loved The Exorcism or Lord Of The Flies you will definitely love Boys In The Valley.
4/5 Stars

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for an arc copy in exchange for my honest review.

"The Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies, by way of Midnight Mass, in Boys in the Valley, a brilliant coming-of-age tale from award-winning author Philip Fracassi.

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."

Because you're going through Yellowjackets withdrawal and this can help.

If you felt like what The Exorcist really needed was more scenes of brutal child murder, this is the book for you. An injured man is brought to the remote orphanage run by the Church, only to die and spread his demon possession to a child, who then goes on a murder spree. The priests in charge of the orphanage routinely starve and torture the children, including by burying them alive in freezing weather, but the true evil, the book insists, is the black spirits. Sure, the adults think beating a child for sharing food with another is totally cool, but look at the demon that knows things! The violence is explicit and gruesome, the Christianity is oppressive and ever-present, there is exactly one female character whose role is to hold the hero as he dies, and the "good" priest forces priesthood on an unwilling child to save his own ass. Not a book I would willingly reread, nor recommend to anyone who is not deep into Catholic mythology.

Fracassi has done it again with Boys in The Valley, and is quickly becoming one of my favorite horror authors. It’s darkly adventurous, and the writing is excellent. I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire as well as the author for this ARC. It’s much appreciated.
#NetGalley #TorNightfire #PhilipFracassi #BoysintheValley

This is the second novel that I’ve read by Mr. Fracassi and I wish I had found him sooner. He is a powerhouse. He is a truly gifted writer on the level with Stephen King. This book was a pleasure to read and I’m deeply thankful that I got to experience it.
Why is it that orphanages and schools that are housed in churches are always horrible places. This is certainly the case and St. Vincent’s Orphanages for Boys. Peter Barlow is sent to live here after the tragic deaths of his parents. Peter and the other residents of the orphanage are worked hard, abused, and barely fed. How could it get worse? Well, it can.
This may be a story the reader has heard before but never as well as this. We’ve all seen The Exorcist. We’ve all read Lord of the Flies by William Golding. So what makes this story different? The simple fact that it’s written by Philip Fracassi. His voice and his words are woven throughout this story bringing Peter and the other boys to life as surely as Linda Blair did with her performance as Regan MacNeil. This coming of age/possession story is atmospheric and dark, even for religious horror. The pacing and use of imagery give this book a sense of urgency that is rare in a book. I especially loved Peter’s internal struggle regarding his faith. Even the benign parts of the story added some suspense.
This book is relentless from start to finish. It’s graphic and descriptive. It’s harrowing as well as heart-breaking. I truly felt for these characters, even some of the bad ones. I truly cannot wait to read more from this author.

Boys In The Valley is top notch historical, coming-of-age horror following a group of boys at St Vincent's Orphanage in rural Pennsylvania as they fight to survive unimaginable terrors brought to their doorstep by a party of local men seeking help for a seriously wounded man.

The story maintains a fine balance between graphic brutality and emotionally engaging storytelling. We the readers feel the hopelessness, despair, and terror right alongside the young boys. The author slowly leads us toward the ending I felt was likely inevitable, while also engaging my emotions to such a degree I desperately hoped somehow all would end well.

I consider Philip Fracassi one of the standouts among current horror authors, and this is another dark, haunting addition to his collection of unforgettable works.

Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group for providing me a copy to read and review.

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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]

<b>Disclosure notice: I was provided a copy of <i>Boys in the Valley</i> by Nighfire and Netgalley for review. Any opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own and have not been influenced in any way by either the publisher or its publicity team.</b>

Stories of possession really have not done much to innovate after the success of William Peter Blatty's <i>The Exorcist</i> in 1971. It seems like every new possession story is working from the same set of presumptions, the same rules and visuals, as if breaking from the success of that now 50-year-old tradition would mean some kind of financial or intellectual disaster.

But the possession trope in horror fiction is in desperate need of a tune-up, and that is exactly what <i>Boys in the Valley</i> has to offer. This is not a pea soup and profanity sort of possession tale; what Fracassi does is put sincere limits on concepts of divine power and exposes Catholicism for its many cruelties even in the same breath it explores ideas of demoniac violence and the multi-faceted existence of evil. Yes, there are demons in this story, but there are people just as capable of real cruelty who don't need a demon to excuse their bad behavior.

Central to the story is Peter, an orphan who would be priest, and we're given the story through his perspective as well as a third-person narrative that explores the actions of the rest of the book's cast. The split narrative is only occasionally disorienting, but works quite well to open up the book's central metaphors regarding division, the use and abuse of power, and issues pertaining to faith and secularity, which feature prominently in most stories about possession. I was genuinely surprised by some of the ways Fracassi undercuts common presumptions in possession fiction regarding the omnipotence of divinity or evil. In a sense, the "spiritual" fight in this book is every bit as visceral and destructive as physical conflict, with neither side showing clear advantage or weakness. It plays to the strengths of the human drama at the book's core: what is cruelty, and in its opposition, what is grace?

The book deals well with metaphorical concepts of division, too. What is a demon, after all, but a divisive idea, a radical notion so transgressive that it cannot help but divide people into separate camps with radically different methodology? Comparing Fracassi's book to <i>Lord of the Flies</i> isn't just marketing blather, it's a central component to the book's overarching question.

<i>Boys in the Valley</i> is without a doubt the best possession story I've read since <i>A Good and Happy Child</i> by Justin Evans in 2007. It deals in similar tropes, but pulls those tropes into the 21st century, offering up a book that feels genuine, fresh, and emotionally mature. It does not hide its horror under a bushel, but allows it to breathe, to take root and do literal and symbolic work. This book is a stroke of genuine excellence, as heartbreaking as it is compelling.

OMG. This book was incredible. This author has become a must buy for me at I've liked everything he's written so far. The ending killed me and the character of Peter was so well drawn out. I highly recommend!