The Culling

Theo Marsh is fifteen years old. Four days ago, he was at home.

Now he is at the bottom of a valley with walls too high to climb, a sky full of watchers, and no idea why he was taken or what any of this is for.

There are thirteen other boys. There are no explanations. And on the very first night, one of them is already gone.

What follows is the Culling — and the only rule anyone is given is this: pay attention.

As the games begin and the valley reveals itself piece by piece, Theo starts to notice things the others don't. Patterns in the chaos. Choices hidden inside traps. A compass that has been pointing somewhere since day one.

Someone was here before them. Someone who understood exactly what this place was — and left a message behind for whoever came next.

But the valley is patient. And it takes everything.

The Culling is a gripping debut about survival, trust, and what it means to think clearly when everything is designed to make you panic.

Some valleys have no exit. Some do. The difference is whether you're paying attention.