The Flayed: Broken Souls

by Tully Oldin, Margie Sarsfield (Editor)

86 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 2, 2026

About the author

Tully Oldin is a writer and storyteller who brings cinema to the page.
His works blur the line between reading and watching, immersing readers in slow-burn horror, psychological drama, and surreal storytelling. Silentsomnia is where it all comes alive — a growing collection of interconnected stories and haunting mysteries.

Reviews

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

Not much trauma, but boy, is it a bloody mess! Sometimes they come back for revenge. What a wild town filled with wilder people. Fantastic sequel to the first book. Give these quick reads a shot!

Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review

[Corey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Tully Oldin and Book Sirens for the ARC

Great follow up to the first book. After the the events of the first book, we follow Lilli dealing with her feelings of what happened and more so the feelings form the people of the town. I will say, this book gets gross real fast. If you don't like grotesque scenes, maybe stay clear. I really enjoyed this novella, at just over 100 pages it is a nice quick read that will keep you entertained and is really hard to put down. It reads incredibly fast. If you like horror, and weird small town settings, give this a go.

[Rane Sterling · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the somber and evocative landscape of Broken Souls, Tully Oldin crafts a narrative that is as haunting as it is deeply human. This is not merely a story of survival, but a profound exploration of the fragile architecture of the human spirit when pushed to its absolute limits.
Oldin’s prose is a standout feature—lyrical yet visceral, it breathes life into a world that feels both otherworldly and painfully familiar. The author possesses a remarkable ability to describe the intangible: the weight of silence, the texture of grief, and the flickering light of hope that persists even in the deepest shadows.
The characters are the true heart of this novel. Far from being archetypes, they are "broken souls" in the most literal sense—fragmented by their pasts and struggling to find the pieces of themselves they thought were lost forever. Their journeys are messy and non-linear, mirroring the reality of healing. As a reader, you don't just observe their pain; you feel the resonance of their resilience.
Thematically, the book delves into the complexities of redemption and the power of connection. It asks difficult questions: Can a soul truly be mended? What does it cost to hold onto one's humanity in a world that seeks to strip it away? Oldin does not offer easy answers, which makes the eventual moments of grace feel all the more earned and beautiful.
Broken Souls is a testament to the endurance of the heart. It is a book that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned—a stirring, atmospheric, and ultimately hopeful masterpiece for anyone who has ever felt a little bit broken themselves.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit that I was wondering when the sequel would come out, and that's why I was thrilled when I saw that I wouldn't have to wait long. The first book was great, and I was very interested in how the plot would develop.

The story continues where the first one ended. After Ryan returns home with Lili after a terrible night of torturing Oliver, terrible things start happening in the town. Lili feels the pressure of the town more and more and all eyes are on her. Her life becomes unbearable as the days go by and everyone in the town blames her for letting evil into their home. And Oliver, who should be dead, somehow finds himself in every situation where the residents want to do evil to Lili. But not in the form of the man she loved, but in the form in which Ryan left him after the torture.

I have to admit that this reminds me a lot of some movies where evil takes root in the city and gradually takes over every resident until they all become a small army of evil. What is certainly a big leap forward is how bloody this sequel is. Much more than the first part. The writing style is still great and easy to read. What is still a negative point for me is that everything is written in one part, without chapters, and I'm really not a fan of that.

Big thanks to BookSirens and Tully for this advance copy and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Claressa Hallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 star rounded up

The Flayed: Broken Souls | Tully Oldin

Lili returns home to Ryan after the events of the first book. As Ryan becomes more distant, and the town becomes more hostile, gruesome murders begin to occur. Is the murderer one of their own, or something more sinister? Will Lili finally escape Providence Falls, or will she succumb to the hold that the town has over its residents?


This is a horror story at the core - bringing blood, trauma and gore. However, the topic of domestic abuse was depicted with raw and visceral emotion. The stages of grief that Lili went through while recovering from the loss of Oliver, and her brief glimpse of the life she could have had with him, was heartbreaking.

The religious theming was well played and, as the reader, made me angry and seek vengeance along with Lili. The town is stuck in a time in which religion drove politics. The double standard between men and women also helped to build tension within the story.

I loved the way in which vengeance presented itself and enjoyed watching that plot play out.

This is not a fairytale but I do feel as though it did have a HEA, just not in the traditional sense.

I highly recommend this series and look forward to reading more in the Silentsomnia universe.

Thank you Tully Oldin and BookSirens for this ARC.

[Kristen N · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the ending of the first book, I honestly didn’t know how the author could top it. But this story didn’t try to recreate the same kind of love it just completely transformed it.

Where the first book felt like an escape, this one felt like a descent into hell. The love that once felt like a secret we should hide to keep it safe was twisted into something darker, deeper, and far more complicated. It was hauntingly beautiful, but in a way that hurt.

This wasn’t a comforting continuation. It was brutal. Every consequence the town ever made came back leaving the entire town and myself emotionally wrecked.

By the end, it almost makes you question whether love was ever meant to survive in a world like this or if it is supposed to move into another reality. Transforming into something monsters cant even conquer and that’s what makes it unforgettable.

[Sara-Jane Keenan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set after the events in book 1 - Beating Hearts, Lili is trying to keep her head down and survive each day as it comes. The town hate her, her husband has her on a tight leash and someone or something is watching them.

This was a chilling, gruesome read that I loved. There’s lots of tension and suspense building throughout.

You really feel for Lili, she’s stuck in a small town with an abusive husband and no one will help her. She wants to grieve for Oliver but she has to hide any emotion and pretend everything is ok.

The towns people are all awful and you wonder what on earth is going on there. Is the town under some kind of curse? I need to know more.

Overall, I rate this 4⭐️. It’s a short dark read then you can read in under 2 hours. Perfect for psychological horror fans.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of your seat read. This one was wild. The bloody mess. The intrigue. Just when I didn’t think things could get better than the first book, I was wrong. This was one hell if a rollercoaster ride is darkness and twists and turns that you don’t see coming. The depth, the detail, the description…absolutely phenomenal. I loved the way this pulled me in and kept me in my seat the entire time. There was no way I was putting this down. Just freaking amazing.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked! I've read "The Flayed: Beating Hearts" before, which was a thrill, but this sequel had a slightly spookier vibe to it. This was a tad more unrealistic than the first considering, well..., everyone's condition and the circumstances, but it was cool.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have become a fan of this writer. And this story is another great writing.
Lili is being ostracized by her community and her husband is demanding. But something haunts her and she questions herself. But is it all in her head?
Strong characters and a unique storyline.

[Darkangel Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the ending of Oliver and Lili's story. There is a lot of chaos and mutilation in the end. This showed me the depravity of people and how some souls rise above the hate to be with their other half. This is a sad but honest story.

[Rogue Kayl · Rating 4 out of 5]

What in the rapture…..

What a book, i read this straight after book 1 and it did not go how i thought it was going to go.

Wow, i could not read it fast enough.

I dont even know how to comprehend this book.

Yes i enjoyed it but i'm not even sure what i have read lol.

It went from a horror revenge type story to a biblical nightmare, then ended with some warped happy ever after but not a happy ever after.

Definitely worth the read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heidi Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series. It was a 2 book story that were easy and quick reads. The author can really suck you in with descriptive atmosphere story telling. The ending was phenomenal.

[Makayla Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve rated this book based on the CAWPILE method. This book averaged 5 stars.

CHARACTERS-?/10

Again the characters are very well done as was with the last one. Easy to tell which characters are which and to recognize the returning characters.

ATMOSPHERE/SETTING- 10/10

Same town but even creepier (if that’s possible) the creepy pupils still get me creeped out.

WRITING STYLE- 10/10

Love this style that Tully has. It’s got some flowery writing without pulling you from what’s happening. It flows really nicely like a train of thought or spoken poetry.

PLOT- 9/10

Again perfect plot for short story/ episodic format. It was very much slow burn horror and the ending? I mean what’s next after that? I don’t need sleep I need answers.

INTRIGUE- 10/10

*See above notes* again, what is sleep? Author is lucky he pumps these books out pretty quick or I’d be knocking on doors demanding drafts. (Jk, for legal reasons)

LOGIC/RELATIONSHIPS- 9/10

It all makes sense and is very logical. Between the abuse and the mounting craziness and the people that won’t even acknowledge it… it’s accurate, sadly.

ENJOYMENT- 9/10

I enjoyed this a lot. Not only is it a quick read, it’s perfect to break you out of a reading slump because it shakes your brain back awake. Always so many questions at the end. Bravo! (Again) and I would definitely recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kayla Wiklanski · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Let him who is without sin among you cast the first stone" -John 8:7

Providence Falls is a town that never changed at the turn of the 19th century. Their beliefs and views nitpicked from their bible. Finding it easy to turn a blind eye to the cruel and disgusting nature Lili is treated.

After The Flayed: Beating Hearts Lili is now the outcast. Every little move she makes is under complete scrutinizing eyes. As seconds pass the stranglehold on her becomes tighter. Especially now that a dark presence has taken form.

Tully uses very detailed descriptions throughout the novella. Bringing the words to life visually and heightens your senses. You can almost taste the coppery iron of blood and smell the decay lingering in the air.

For me this was a tragic yet beautiful romance horror. I was rooting for Lili throughtout the story. Hoping and wishing for her life to become more. I loved the gory filled scenes, there are plenty. It's fast paced and easy to consume within one sitting.

Thank you for the ARC. This is my honest review.

[Manda · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review! I really feel like this wrapped everything up in a nice, satisfying way. It felt complete without being rushed, which I always appreciate in a finale.

I loved seeing how much the characters grew throughout this one. There’s a lot of development, especially in the relationships, and it made everything hit harder emotionally. I also really liked the underlying dynamic of protection woven into the story—it added a layer that made certain moments feel more meaningful.

This is definitely a dark read, so I would 100% check trigger warnings going in. There were a few parts that genuinely shocked me, but that’s also kind of what I enjoy about this series—it doesn’t hold back.

Overall, I was hooked the whole time and thought it was a strong, satisfying conclusion.

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to start by saying that I'm a very avid reader, and I read all kinds of genres of books. I can honestly say that this was the most unique book that I've ever read. I've never read anything like it before. The first book pulled me in, took me on an emotional roller coaster, and broke my heart. And then this one left me in a little bit of confusion and sadness. I so wanted much better for Oliver and Lili, but you don't always get what you wish for.


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This second Silentsomnia “The Flayed” novella proved to be somewhat less engaging for me than the first. While the overarching concept still feels promising, I don’t feel particularly invested in the relationships that comprise the “beating hearts” at the centre of the story.
The author’s writing includes some great scene-setting and descriptive language, but the plot and characters still lack the depth I would prefer to see.

This is an unpaid and honest review, willingly provided in kind for access to an ebook review copy of this title.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️

Kept me hooked from the beginning with the suspense. Would’ve liked to have seen a little more development with Oliver and everything that was happening to the town but could definitely feel the fear extreme emotion coming through Lili’s experience. A good and quick read

Thank you to Booksirens and Tully Oldin for the ARC

[Victoria Allmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC. This was a great story of revenge. It went places I didn’t expect and kept me intrigued the whole time!! Love the two stories both as a whole!!

[Dylan Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The horror in this sequel lingers in the background, like even the stale air is alive with something watching. It gave me the same unsettling feeling as Hereditary—catching the mom hidden in the corner—eee!!! The tension creeps slowly, keeping that unsettling pace before unraveling into a raw, haunting, and bittersweet nightmare.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Layne S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I would like to thank Tully Oldin and Book Sirens for the ARC. Wow, I thought the first one in this series was pretty good. But Tully turned this one up about five notches. I know I am weird, but I like some grief in some of the stories I read. I don't know why. This one was full of dread and death and misery compared to the first one. In the horror books I have read I have never seen a writer be so descriptive in his writing then Mr. Oldin. He literally makes you feel like you are in the scene with main characters. I felt grief, misery and horror in that last scene of the book. It was crazy that's all I am going to say. I like the fact that his novellas are short, but they pack a punch. Definitely an author to look out for.