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Tropes : Orphanage, Coming of Age, Slasher, Paranormal, Religious-Tones, Possession

Triggers : Murder, Fear, Claustrophobia, Buried Alive, Domestic / Child Abuse, Suicide, Gruesome

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My Recommendation: Skip reading the synopsis.. GO IN BLIND!!

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Synopsis:

“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.

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.“

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Quick Review:

If you love slashers, welcome to the orphanage!

I was super surprised with this one. I wasn’t too sure what to expect, and it definitely wasn’t this.. in a mixed-feelings kind of way.

The first chapter gets us with a domestic home, setting the scene for the darker plot of the book. We are quickly swept into a cultish vibe with a group of young boys trying to make it day by day.

Then the cruelty begins.. and the possessions.

It’s like if the movies Smile and the Nun had a baby and left it in an orphanage, you’d be left with this book!

This is definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you love slashers, possession, religious tones outside of a church, an adult version of a coming-of-age tale, and exorcisms, grab your copy now!

Would I Recommend?: Yes, for select readers (see triggers)

How I Read It: Audiobook

**I recommend skipping the audiobook. All I could picture when the narrator spoke the kids’ POVs was the squirrel from Over the Hedge.. if you know, you know..**

Final Rating:

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More Book Information:

Published: July 11, 2023

Publisher: Tor Nightfire

Genre: Adult Horror

Pages: 335

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Happy Reading, Kat