I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young boy taken and held prisoner in a remote farmhouse connects with a powerful force in the woods to wreak havoc on his captors, not realizing the true motivations this force has for connecting with the boy in author Philip Fracassi’s “A Child Alone with Strangers”.
The Synopsis
When the young Henry Thorne is kidnapped and held prisoner in a remote farmhouse surrounded by miles of forest, he finds himself connecting with a strange force living in the woods—using that bond to wreak havoc against his captors. Unknown to the boy, however, is that this ancient being has its own reasons for wanting the interlopers gone—there is something hidden beneath the house, tucked away in the dark, damp root cellar . . . waiting for its return.
The Review
The first thing that really jumped out to me about this narrative was the author’s incredible work building tension and atmosphere. The complex emotions that were poured into these characters were amplified due to the chilling nature of the narrative and were felt more profoundly thanks to that atmosphere of terror and horror.
Yet it was the balance the author struck between iconic horror storytelling elements with more thematic plot lines introduced early on to elevate the horror. From young Henry’s trauma and loss to the same struggles his uncle has in the face of his brother’s passing and the deep-seated tone of depression and racism the author explores through these powerful characters, the themes really helped bring the spine-chilling terror of the narrative to life.
The Verdict
Haunting, entertaining, and captivating, author Philip Fracassi’s “A Child Alone with Strangers” is a must-read horror novel of 2022. The perfect read for those who enjoy classic monster-style horror and profound character development, the imagery and tone kept me enthralled as the narrative wove in and out of the life of young Henry, and the terrifying nature of the narrative from both the human and monstrous elements made this story feel one of a kind as a whole. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Philip Fracassi is an award-winning author and screenwriter living in Los Angeles.
His debut collection of short horror, BEHOLD THE VOID, won “Story Collection of the Year” award from both This Is Horror and Strange Aeons Magazine.
His new collection, BENEATH A PALE SKY, arrives June, 2021, and his debut novel, BOYS IN THE VALLEY, comes out on Halloween day, 2021.
His stories have been printed in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Best Horror of the Year, Black Static, Cemetery Dance, and Nightmare Magazine. His work has been reviewed in The New York Times, LOCUS Magazine, Rue Morgue and many others.
His screenplays include the Lifetime thriller Girl Missing and Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups, from Disney. Both are available as VOD.
Follow Philip on Facebook and Twitter (@philipfracassi), or visit his website at http://pfracassi.com.
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