Karla's Literary Korner: Boys in the Valley by Philip Fracassi

Rating: ★★★★★

Genre: Occult Horror

Format: Paperback ARC

Pages: 352

Red: 07/08/23

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.

Review:

"All of life is a great gift," he says. "Not because of what it gives us, but because of what it allows us to give others."

Harris Valley, Pennsylvania, 1898

We are introduced to Peter as a nine year old boy. A time when he lives through a childs worst nightmare.

St. Vincent's Orpahanage, Deleware County, Pennsylvania, 1905

Peter is now 16 years old and has been living in an orphanage with many other young boys. They are being cared for and raised by the priests who run the orphanage. Their life is hard as there is lack of care and food. They must follow the order of rules or they will suffer harsh and brutal punishment.

As winter is approaching with a harsh winter storm, some unexpected visitors arrive late in the night, one of which whom is wounded and upon death. As the priests fight to save not only his life but his soul, his death was imminent and it causes an ancient evil to be unleashed. It now becomes a fight for survival and a fight for their souls.

Peter is the MC and his character is phenomenal. A young boy struggling with the decision between priesthood or following his heart for young love. He is a protector of all the other young boys and a true friend to all. The boys easily worm their way into ones heart as they struggle through their daily life and when it all starts to fall apart, it becomes so heartbreaking. The boys are very fragile and impressionable and many are affected by the evil. Will they lose their souls?

The beautiful prose is captivating, the characters engrossing, and the atmosphere foreboding and chilling. From the begining there is a sense of dread and it builds throughout with disturbing moments that unsettle the mind and shreds at the heart. The ending broke me as my tears flowed.

Darkly macabre, absolutely ingenious!

Goodreads Author Link:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/

Amazon Author Link:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Philip-Fracassi/author/

Author Website:

https://pfracassi.com/