Boys in the Valley is easily one of my favorite books I've read this year. I'm very surprised by how much I enjoyed this one!

The story unfolds at the turn of the 20th century and takes place at a school for orphaned boys. We're introduced to a handful of boy and different POVs, which I thought would be hard to follow, but the author does a great job of keeping his characters distinct from one another. After getting to know the boys a bit and seeing some of their backstories the action picks up pretty quickly with the arrival of a sheriff, his deputies and a "sick" man. Once the action starts it really doesn't let up - I read the majority of this in one sitting.

Possession stories aren't ones that usually scare me, but I was truly unsettled at moments while reading this. I think in large part that's because the characters were all so young, but there were some very disturbing and gory images throughout. The isolated setting with the threat of an impending snowstorm really added to the grim vibes of the story. I just felt helpless reading it and couldn't see how anyone would make it out of this situation. The ending was mildly heartbreaking, but it really was the perfect one.

Thank you to Tor Nightfire & NetGalley for a review copy. It's safe to say I'm a Fracassi fan now.

Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi is a book about people. It’s a book about the good and the bad of us, but also the good and bad in us. It’a book about the concept of good and evil and how there are no clear boundaries. Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s a horror novel. I straight horror novel filled with blood, guts, and gore a plenty. But, it is also a book that goes beyond the simple context of a villain versus the protagonist.

In this book, we are taken into the middle of the countryside where a lonely orphanage sits miles away from civilization. It’s the early 1900s. Carts and buggies drawn by horses are still the main way of travel and transportation, so those miles to civilization are even longer, making the orphanage feel even more remote. The setting of this novel immediately gives off eerie vibes and provides a situation where anything could happen. Does murder or death happen if no one is around to witness it?

At this orphanage run by priests, we are introduced to our main character, Peter. Like the other boys at the orphanage, Peter has found his way there through tragedy. Unlike the other boys, however, Peter has an inner struggle. He must decide if wants to live a life of servitude and become a priest or live a life of the flesh. Peter is a well-developed and endearing character. He, along with one other boy, has lived in the orphanage the longest, making them the two oldest boys. This, inturn, pushes them into a parental role with the other children. Peter is especially driven to protect the other boys given his thoughts on priesthood. You can’t help but to root for Peter during the entire novel, from his introduction to the very end.

Much the same can be said of many of the other characters. In fact, not one character in this book is not interesting or well-developed. The other eldest boy, David, struggles with his own inner turmoil. He has survival instincts, but finds himself caring for the boys. He struggles back and forth between helping them and saving himself throughout the entire novel. Just like Peter, it’s really hard not to root for David to make the right decisions.

Then, there are Father Francis, Brother Johnson, Bartholomew, Father Poole, and countless others. The cast of characters in this book is large, but not overwhelming. Each character has their time to shine for better or worse in the book. Some characters make surprising decisions while others do exactly what’s expected of them. It was a nice mix of actions and attitudes. It made it so the reader never really knows what which character will do next.

The pacing of this novel was perfectly blended. It slowed down in places it needed to in order to further character development but sped up in places where the action took place. There was honestly never a dull moment. In fact, the opening of the book sets the bar for how the rest of the novel develops. From the opening chapter, the reader is thrown into the thick of the plot and the grip of the story never lets up.

Wow, blown away! I didn’t expect to love this as much as I did. The writing was phenomenal and I felt so emotionally invested. The ending is heartbreaking.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for this ARC! This was my first read by Fracassi and I really enjoyed this coming of age horror story. Boys In The Valley starts off with a bang and doesn’t let up until the end. The short chapters made reading this book in less than 24 hours a breeze.

I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future!

After seeing Stephen King talk about how much he loved this book on Twitter, and then looking at the incredible early reviews on Goodreads, as a horror reader, I knew I couldn't let this one pass me by!

Typically, I am not a fan of coming-of-age tales. I find that authors often really dumb down their young characters in an attempt to make them seem truly childlike, completely dismissing that children and young people have just as rich inner lives and worlds as adults. Fracassi really leaned into creating these fully formed characters who, regardless of their age, brought so much richness to their perspectives.

I really enjoyed this book, it creeped me out, and I was often updating my husband throughout my read through of the crazy things that were happening (much to his dismay). I cannot wait for more people to read this once it's released into the world tomorrow.

Cheers!

Occultism. Demons. A remote orphanage The threat of a winter storm. About thirty boys of various ages under 16. These are the main elements that make up Phillip Fracassi's engaging new book, Boys in the Valley.

Near Chester, PA there is an all boy orphanage, St. Vincent's, run by three priests with support from lawbreakers working out their terms of punishment through service. As we meet them, the boys are going through their regular day-to-day life, eating minimal meals, completing choirs around the building, and working the last harvest before the expected snow. It is not a comfortable life, and while not always cruel, it is a harsh place with little care for the emotional lives and troubles of the children. As there are among children, there are groups, friends and loners that sometimes squabble, but are kept in line by severe discipline such as beatings, whippings or in extreme cases time in "the hole."

The book is divided into four parts that demonstrate a well paced ratcheting of tensions with a truly chaotic pay off. The regular experience of the Orphanage is disrupted when the local sheriff arrives seeking medical assistance for a terribly wounded man captured while they were investigating the disappearance of a 3 year old. This diabolic figure enters, covered with occult symbols, but what does he bring with him?

Events are described from multiple perspectives, but the most common are: Peter one of the eldest boys who is in training to become a priest; Andrew one of the younger priests who tries to lessen the draconian rule of the head priest Poole; and Brother Johnson the Orphanage heavy a former convict working towards his redemption in the afterlife. While this allows for a well rounded view of events as they occur, it takes away a sense of mystery, we always have a good idea of what has happened and who knows about it.

It is a work about the strength of faith in the face of challenge. It also is centered on coming of age and choosing your path. The catholic faith plays an important part in the narrative, particularly as it takes place in an orphanage controlled by priests. Peter is close to ageing out of the orphanage and is trying to decide on pursuing love or becoming a priest, he knows he cannot do both. What does one do in the face of demons?

I found the narrative to be compelling and captured my attention fully, wanting to know how it would all end. The book follows a standard horror formula. It starts with a teaser of an opening, sets the stage, raises tensions, there is a key chaotic events, character seek survival, a showdown and resolution. Fracassi writes this very well, and when one is immersed it flows well with many short chapters.

However, the book blurb and read alikes don't match up. Their isn't much of a sickness that spreads, I was expecting more body horror, less evil spirits. As to the Lord of the Flies comparison, the boys still have adult or adult like figures throughout the book. They're not creating their own society, more so it is the tale of a rebellion within an authoritarian institution.

If you like horror, you'll probably like this, especially if you enjoy or are compelled by stories of demon possession. Its a well crafted story, but I'm not sure of its staying power as after the key scene of chaos, some things occur just to be shocking. At least it strays from "humans are the real monsters."

Philip Fracassi brings a tale of disturbing and macabre terror set in turn-of-the-century Pennsylvania. A rural region isolated from any population hub, St. Vincent’s is a boys’ orphanage and the home of Peter Barlow. An orphan approaching adulthood, Peter maintains a strong bond with other boys around him…until the day an ancient evil infects the boys of the valley and leads to chaos and devastation.

Fracassi’s writing is excellent. The prose is well constructed and he delves deep into his characters to present them as sympathetic and intriguing. He keeps the plot moving along and the book maintains a steady pace once the action ramps up. As a horror writer, Fracassi is almost beyond compare. Boys in the Valley is terrifying when Peter witnesses the children around him begin to behave strangely and eventually murderously. The twisted allure of innocent children turned to evil and becoming nigh-unstoppable killing machines in an avenue with no escape is pulled off terrifically.

Fracassi ties the horror in well with themes of manhood and growth. Though Peter has built a home in the orphanage, Fracassi does not shy away from the harshness and the lack of nurturing care that allows the evil to grow.

If the book has a flaw, it would be it sometimes feels like its plot and concept don’t have much time to breathe. The ‘evil,’ as represented through lead boy Bartholomew, is given little chance to be a character in and of itself, which can be problematic when so much focuses on Bartholomew’s grim proclamations and ultimatums. The promise of insidious menace is fulfilled, but more suspense might have served the book well.

Fracassi also makes no secret of his disdain for the brutal and corrupt structure of the Catholic Church, which makes the adherence to Christian cosmology by the end somewhat puzzling. Still, these are minor flaws of what is really an exemplary piece of horror fiction. Boys in the Valley is Fracassi shining with a concept and execution that hits like a knife through the guts.

Ahoy there me mateys!  This begins in 1898 in rural Pennsylvania and gives the gripping tale of how Peter loses his parents.  Then it jumps to 1905 where Peter is living at St. Vincent’s Orphanage.  The orphanage is in a secluded valley and is run by harsh priests.  Punishments and starvation conditions abound.  Life is no real joy but Peter is almost grown and trying to determine whether he should stay to be a priest or leave.  He has hope, despite the circumstances, and cares immensely for the other boys.

The plot begins as straight historical fiction showcasing orphanage life, the coming winter, and the various relationships of the boys.  Then one night the local law enforcement bring a sick man for treatment.  Soon after, the boys start acting out of character and violence begins to take hold.  What exactly is going on and will anyone make it out alive?

The book is told from multiple points of view even though Peter is the overall focus.  Father Andrew is the friendliest priest who cares for the kids but won't stand up to the mean head priest, Father Poole.  Johnson is a man serving a life work sentence at the orphanage in exchange for being kept out of prison.  He is nasty and complicated and has a rather horrible perspective.  David is another orphan whose complicated relationship with Peter is part of the undercurrent of how the events unfold.

The supernatural elements of this book were creepy, violent, and often gross.  That said, the book was engrossing and I read it in one sitting.  The blend of historical fiction and horror was extremely well done.  I found Peter to be an excellent character to cheer for even if there wasn't much happiness in the book.  The ending surprised me a bit in how much of a downer it was even if it felt truthful to the book's nature.  The treatment of the orphans was extremely hard to read about and the adults did not end up being sympathetic.  I recommend this book to those who like their horror and can handle harsh themes.  Arrr!

This was a great story. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters, and the setting (both location and time) was excellent. The story moved very quickly with short chapters, making you want to move on the next to see what happens. I highly recommend you read this book, and continue reading everything Philip Fracassi writes.

Boys in the Valley is a coming-of-age horror novel set in 1905 at St. Vincent’s orphanage. Fracassi writes a moving, yet horrifying tale with economy and written in an interesting multiple-POV narrative style that, for the most part, never gets bogged down or confusing. Several of the characters go through character arcs here and there is a lot of great character work being done here while also moving the plot along. Fracassi builds dread well and he writes some beautiful prose. I cannot include any quotes or passages in my review, however let me say there are some great passages and some good punchy one-liners that get you emotionally. This was my first time reading a book by Fracassi and it won’t be my last. I highly recommend reading Boys in the Valley. Thanks to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for the electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When this book opened and said it was in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, I said to myself "perfect place for a horror story tbh", and then when there's talk about Chester, I knew Satan had to be involved. (I am... mostly kidding?) Anyway, it's a brutal winter in 1905, and something is amiss at St. Vincent's orphanage. I mean, something more amiss than a bunch of boys and priests living in isolation (too soon? 🤷🏻‍♀️).

Peter is a great main character, because the reader absolutely feels sympathy for him from the start. He seems very relatable, with a good head on his shoulders, especially considering the trauma he has endured. And he is quite protective over the younger kids, which of course makes him even more likable. The priests also seem to like him, only partly because they want him to become a priest himself. My point is, dude has a lot of influence here. Which is good when the shit hits the fan.

Anyway, after some evil literally shows up at their doorstep one night, kids begin to... lose it. Seemingly decent kids (and some less decent too) start to do some very out of character things, including hurting each other. And that is where things start to get extra messy. And Peter has to make some very tough decisions if he wants to get himself and everyone else out of there alive.

It gets pretty gory at parts, but the story is still quite compelling. There are a lot of names to keep track of, but if you don't it's okay too. I will say, I didn't love how the story wrapped up, but I assume that plenty of people will see the wisdom in it, so there's that. Overall, the story definitely kept me on the edge of my seat, and I liked the characters enough to care about what happened to them and feel compelled by their story.

Bottom Line: It was wonderfully creepy, and a great example of why you should just steer clear of SEPA (heh moderately joking again).

Wow. Just wow. This is a damn good book.

It grabbed me from the first chapter, and after some efficient character development and world building, it was nonstop tension and horror through to the very last page.

This was one of the most intense (and best!!) coming of age books I’ve ever read. Truly. The intensity was palpable in a way I don’t often feel with books. It played like a movie in my head with brilliant descriptions that absolutely terrified me, but I still couldn’t turn the pages fast enough.

This story had me in such a chokehold that the ending actually snuck up on me — I was stunned when I turned the page and saw “acknowledgments”. I wanted more even though it was an impeccable ending.

If this book is any indication of the types of stories Mr. Fracassi writes then, clearly, I’ve been missing out.

Huge thank you to Tor Nightfire for gifting me with another banger! I’ll be adding a physical copy to my shelf on pub day!

Boys in the Valley immerses the reader in the harsh, prison-like environs of St. Vincent’s Orphanage, deep in the hills of rural Pennsylvania, 1905. Here Peter Barlow and 31 other boys spend monotonous days working the fields and participating in church services under the watchful gaze of a handful of Catholic priests. Any perceived infraction or impiety is met with withheld meals, corporal punishment, or a trip to the dreaded “hole”: a subterranean cell dug into the grounds outside the dormitory. The boys’ already grueling situation goes from bad to worse with the midnight arrival of the local sheriff and his deputies with a grievously wounded suspect in tow. The injured man is combative and raving, with the sheriff evasive about the circumstances of his arrest. Former military medic Father Poole attempts to provide treatment, but what begins as first aid soon devolves into a harrowing exorcism that the wounded man does not survive. After the man’s death and interment in the orphanage grounds Peter notices an unsettling change come over a number of his fellows, beginning with one just returning from an overnight stay in the hole. Formerly cheerful boys have become inexplicably malicious and conspiratorial. They huddle together, darkly plotting and recruiting others, while the priests refuse to acknowledge that anything unusual is occurring. Violence seems imminent, and as the oldest boy with a strong sense of responsibility it’s up to Peter to protect his comrades. Assuming, that is, he can distinguish friend from demonic foe.

Like Fracassi’s previous novel, Gothic, Boys in the Valley involves devil-worship and demonic possession. The publisher’s pithy tagline describes Boys in the Valley as “The Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies, by way of Midnight Mass.” Similarities to The Exorcism are obvious, and both the absence of effective adult supervision and the pervasive child-on-child brutality certainly bring to mind Lord of the Flies. But despite being—at its heart—a religious horror novel, I would also recommend it to fans of John Carpenter’s The Thing (1982). Isolated and snow-bound, the orphanage may as well be as remote as an Antarctic research station, and its immediately clear that no outside help is forthcoming. Unlike many horror stories, where a singular devil flits from one host to the next in serial fashion, possession is treated here almost like an infection. Some demonic hosts are more insidiously subtle than others, engendering a heavy atmosphere of paranoia as alliances shift and former friends become lethal enemies.

Despite the claustrophobic setting of Boys in the Valley, Fracassi effectively manages a large cast of characters. The various boys are all named and given evocative quirks. The lion’s share of characterization is given to the oldest two boys, the noble aspiring priest Peter and his cynical counterpart David, but through brief passages and conversations Fracassi manages to communicate each boy’s essential nature with surprising economy of words. With the end goal, of course, of making the reader really feel the blow whenever a particular boy meets a savage end at the hands of his fellows.

The pacing is another highlight of Boys in the Valley. Many authors would be tempted to prolong the first third of the novel, after the first boys start to change. Those authors would drip-feed the reader a series of unsettling events over several more chapters before the first murder takes place. Fracassi’s demons are impatient and ready to get to the carnage, however, with the whole sequence of events escalating very quickly. I appreciated the apparent confidence Fracassi had in the strength of his basic premise and his scene-setting ability. Rather than dragging things out unnecessarily, all hell breaks loose within the orphanage soon after Peter uncovers the demonic threat.

Previously published in 2001 as a 500 copy limited edition by Earthling Publications, Boys in the Valley is now being released by Tor Nightfire. Hopefully this mass market edition from a major publisher will introduce Fracassi to a wider audience of readers. After reading both Gothic and Boys in the Valley I am firmly convinced that Philip Fracassi is a name worthy of being included alongside other contemporary horror greats like Paul Tremblay, Nick Cutter, and Stephen Graham Jones. Boys in the Valley is a tense page-turner, absolutely gripping.

Thank you NetGalley and TOR for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
I felt like overall this was a decent horror novel with lots of action packed scenes, body horror, and disturbing imagery.
I do feel that perhaps this is a case of “it’s not you, it’s me,” in that I may just not love possession stories? I wish that aspect of the story had more backstory. A little more history on the front end of the story would have been helpful, in terms of the possession.
If you’re a fan of historical possession horror then you will be entertained. For me, it was just okay.

What do you get when you take an isolated all-boys orphanage in a church in a valley in 1905, a snowstorm, scared kids, one good guy priest, an ex-con, and make it into something like The Exorcist?

This. This book is what you get.

Add in Fracassi's balls-to-the-wall writing that has you rooting for even the gross adult to make it out of this mess alive, and you have a proper page-turner novel. It starts up a bit slow, setting the scene and making you care about at least the handful of important characters, and then once you're a third in it takes off at breakneck speeds, to a nail-biting climax, and then it just ends.

Similar to Gothic, which I read and absolutely loved earlier this year, there's gross gore, there's helplessness and tough emotional trauma, not quite the same level of body horror but a good amount of possession and the struggle of what makes you a good or a bad person. Here, it's all rolled up into a coming-of-age story that cuts no corners, and forces kids to grow up during a 48-hour or so decent into chaos.

You bet I'm going to get my little claws on a paper copy as soon as it drops, and once our store gets it, I'll be telling everyone to get it for their favorite horror nerd this coming winter because. Wowee.


Original final thoughts: wtf? i love this? did i find a new favorite author? more at ten.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

I had the privilege of receiving an advance copy of Boys in the Valley through NetGalley, and let me tell you, this YA horror novel by Philip Fracassi took me on a thrilling and chilling ride. With a unique blend of suspense, supernatural elements, and complex characters, it's a book that will keep readers engaged from start to finish.

Set in the eerie confines of Saint Vincent's orphanage, Boys in the Valley introduces us to Peter, a young protagonist grappling with the aftermath of a tragic incident that claimed his parents' lives. As he embarks on his journey to becoming a priest under the guidance of Father Andrew, unexpected events unfold. When a group of enigmatic men arrives at the orphanage, accompanied by one who is gravely injured, a malevolent force is inadvertently unleashed. What follows is a descent into chaos as this evil entity infects some of the other boys, leaving Peter and his newfound companions fighting for survival.

One of the strengths of Boys in the Valley lies in its skillful exploration of possession horror. Fracassi deftly crafts a narrative that balances suspenseful moments with an atmosphere of dread, leaving readers on the edge of their seats. The vivid descriptions of harrowing events throughout the story serve to heighten the tension, compelling me to turn each page with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. The author's ability to create a sense of unease is truly commendable.

Furthermore, the depth and complexity of the characters in this tale are a standout feature. Peter's journey from the depths of grief to a position of resilience and courage is a captivating arc that resonates strongly. However, it is the development of Brother Johnson's character that truly adds a layer of richness to the narrative. Fracassi skillfully weaves their growth into the story, and their presence becomes both a source of intrigue and a catalyst for the evolving events within the orphanage.

At times, I found myself encountering chapters that felt longer than necessary, causing the story's pace to falter. Conversely, there were instances when crucial scenes seemed rushed, leaving me longing for more depth and exploration. This uneven flow disrupted the overall narrative rhythm, and I wished for a more consistent pacing throughout.

Additionally, I noticed some repetition and overlap in certain scenes, presented from different viewpoints. While multiple perspectives can enhance a story, in this case, I felt that the additional viewpoints didn't contribute significantly to the overall plot or character development. It led to moments where the story felt momentarily stagnant, diluting the impact of the tale.

Nevertheless, despite these minor hiccups, Boys in the Valley remains a commendable read. Its unique blend of possession horror and intricate character dynamics captivated me, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages to uncover the fate of the protagonists. Philip Fracassi's ability to weave together suspense, dread, and unexpected twists is impressive, and it leaves me excited to explore more of the author's works.
I highly recommend Boys in the Valley to fans of horror, particularly those intrigued by the supernatural and possession subgenres. Philip Fracassi's masterful storytelling and intricate character development make this novel an engrossing read. With its blend of suspense, palpable dread, and unexpected twists, it is a commendable addition to any horror aficionado's bookshelf.

Overall, I believe Boys in the Valley deserves a solid four-star rating. It presents a compelling story with genuinely memorable moments, and the flaws I encountered did not overshadow its strengths. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to readers seeking an engaging and chilling tale, eager to witness the talents of Philip Fracassi unfold within the pages. I eagerly await future releases from this promising author.

Note to the Publisher: Boys in the Valley showcases Philip Fracassi's ability to craft an engaging narrative in the possession horror genre. While a few areas could benefit from refinement, the novel overall presents a captivating story that will resonate with readers. I anticipate that fans of the genre will find much to appreciate within its pages, and I eagerly anticipate the author's future endeavors.

This was a pleasant surprise! But when Stephen King recommends something: we ball.

This was a historical horror about demons infiltrating a religious-based orphanage for boys and man, did it pay off.

I felt like this book was super cinematic in nature - I could easily see it becoming an A24 type film. it was moody and atmospheric and the horror was SCARY and visceral. It was a wintry themed gem, the impending cold season a threat to the already limited amount of food to go around with too many mouths to feed.

One day, in the middle of the night, strangers arrive at the orphanage and there's something wrong with one of them, having been found with a butchered, dead girl.

With a gust of wind and a falling cross, you know something is up and after that, It's a matter of guessing if the evils you're seeing are demonic or just human - this is my favorite kind of horror. Great stuff! Looking forward to reading from this author again.

Thank you to the publishers, author and netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"When I am asked how many demons there are, I answer with the words that the demon himself spoke through a demonic: 'We are so many that, if we were visible, we would darken the sun."

For anyone who loves gothic religious horror, coming of age stories with a huge splash of demonic entities, evil children and some gore this is a book for you.

Reading this had me stressed out! By the time I got to the halfway point I decided to call it a night and get some sleep. Well....that turned into me tossing and turning with the lights on and the weather network playing on the tv in the background trying to soothe my nerves.

I look forward to reading more from this author as this was one heck a of debut.

This book, while difficult for me to get into initially, ended with a BANG.

I feel like it's not a spoiler to say this is a demonic possession story but it is also so much more than that. The characters are all very distinct and have their own voices and backgrounds. Everyone was interesting to read about. As I mentioned, the first 14% of the book was hard for me to get into it. The POV changes from first person to third person but focusing on one person. So there will be one chapter we're in Peter's first person POV and then the next chapter we're third person shadowing David with no indication. That combined with there being such a large cast of characters in the story, I got lost a lot. Once I read more and figured out which character was which, it became a lot easier to seamlessly go from the different POVs but still an odd choice of POV switches, in my opinion. That's really the only reason this is a 4 star for me instead of a 5. I thought the story was pretty fast pace and action packed, the horror elements were really fun and well done and the ending was done in a way I feel like a lot of authors are afraid to do.

I definitely recommend this book to any horror fans out there. Don't be too afraid of the historical fiction tag if you're not into that (neither am I, most of the time). This is one possession story done very, very right.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Hey, do you like possession stories? With a little touch of isolation and desperation? Boy, do I have a book for you.

After witnessing his father commit a murder/suicide in a fit of rage, Peter is sent to St Vincent’s Orphanage for boys. Life is hard with lots of hard labour and strict rules… but the boys are surviving, and Peter is contemplating joining the priesthood. When a stranger arrives acting erratically, the lives of the orphans changes drastically.

Boys in the Valley is visceral and terrifying while at the same time being extremely sad and hopeful. It’s a coming-of-age story steeped in blood and religion. It’s super fast paced and you’ll find yourself constantly muttering what the f****************.

I really enjoyed this, it did what it came to do and Philip Fracassi’s writing was so evocative and flowed so well. Looking forward to more stories from him!