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Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi

 

Title: Boys in the Valley

Author: Philip Fracassi

Genre: Religious Horror/ Coming of Age

Published: July 11, 2023 by TOR Nightfire 

I received a copy for review through NetGalley.


It is not easy growing up in a turn of the century group home for boys run by priests like the orphans in this religious horror story. Peter is a 16 year old orphan trying to choose between becoming a priest and being with the girl he loves. The toughest things the boys have to deal with are punishments from overzealous staff and small food rations until one night the sheriff rolls in with someone he believes to be possessed. That is when all hell breaks loose.

This was a super scary thrill ride of a novel. The characters were all developed so well. There are characters to love and some to hate, but none are one sided. Well, except the demon who is all evil. The boys have had to deal with so much in their lives and I did not want anything to happen to them. If you cannot handle reading harm coming to children I would steer clear, but if you love a novel with high stakes than this story is for you. Fracassi loads so much heart into this coming of age story and does not shy away from the violence and scares that keep the story moving.

I highly recommend this novel to those that love a good religious horror novel.  

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars


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