Novel inspired by the award-winning screenplay
The Novel
Butterfly is a haunting and powerful story about injustice, betrayal, and the silent suffering of the falsely accused. Inspired by real-life events, this novel exposes a painful reality, where perception outweighs truth, and one accusation can destroy a life.
Eighteen-year-old Davis Day was destined for greatness. A soccer prodigy with a bright future, he had the world at his feet... until he is accused of an unforgivable crime.
Overnight, everything changes. His name is tarnished, his dreams are ripped away, and the people he trusted turn their backs on him. Davis is pressured into a plea deal he never should have taken.
As the weight of shame and isolation grows unbearable, he finds himself trapped in a never-ending nightmare with no way out.
Butterfly is dedicated to those who have been wrongly accused and left unheard. It is a chilling reminder that sometimes, the truth isn't enough... and the cost of dishonesty can be a life.
Once a lie takes flight, there's no telling how far it will go.
Content Advisory: This novel contains emotionally intense scenes, including depictions of sexual trauma, social ostracism, and self-harm. These elements are portrayed with sensitivity and purpose, but may be distressing for some readers.
Praise for Butterfly
Literary Review
Butterfly - A Literary Review by Ellis Rowe
Ellis Rowe is a contributing editor for Riverfold Literary Review and a regular essayist on youth, identity, and power in modern fiction. His work has appeared in The Adrift Quarterly, Margin Notes, and the Northern Prose Archive. He lives in Vermont with his rescue dog, several old typewriters, and a lifelong belief that literature can hurt, and should.
In Butterfly, Orion Monroe delivers a haunting, masterfully constructed coming-of-age novel that refuses to stop. At once lyrical and ruthless, this is not a story about innocence lost. It is a story about innocence denied and torn from a boy before he ever had the chance to decide what kind of person he might become.
Told across the adolescent and young adult years of Davis Day, a soccer prodigy falsely accused, socially crucified, and emotionally stripped. Butterfly is a raw and uncompromising portrait of a boy trapped in the merciless tug-of-war between identity and expectation, vulnerability and performance, survival and surrender.
Monroe's prose is searing, and cinematic. Scenes unfold in immersive experience. Each and every setting comes alive with texture and memory. The locker rooms, the trails, the beach, the barn... all become battlegrounds for Davis's psyche; spaces where morality, masculinity, and self-worth are contested with devastating clarity.
Davis himself is not written as a tragic angel. He's an asshat. He's defiant, self-absorbed, even cruel. Still, Monroe never lets the reader forget that Davis is also a boy. One whose body grows faster than his ability to protect it. One whose sharp edges are a kind of armor. One who, despite his posturing, desperately wants to be understood or left alone, if understanding means giving in.
The novel's emotional center of gravity lands in its final chapters, where grief becomes action and friendship becomes elegy. Monroe captures Davis's final moments with a restraint that elevates the horror.
There is no gore. There is no spectacle. There is only the wind, the trees, and a shadow that remains. When Davis leaps, the reader doesn't fall — they plummet. And when he lands, it is not with violence but with stillness. With finality. With terrifying grace.
Butterfly is a novel about injustice, yes. But more than that, it's about how we fail boys by demanding strength before they've learned how to feel safe. It's about the rot beneath adolescent bravado. It's about the cruelty of being told to grow up before you're ready, and the silent, aching beauty of refusing to.
Devastating, precise, and unforgettable, Butterfly doesn't just leave a mark. It scars (the kind you trace with your fingers long after the story is over).
About the Author
Orion Monroe is a filmmaker, writer, and advocate for social change, committed to storytelling that sheds light on critical societal issues. With a strong academic foundation, he holds advanced degrees in Economics, Accounting, and Social Science; a combination that provides him with a deep and analytical understanding of human behavior, financial systems, and the broader societal structures that influence social outcomes. His ability to merge these disciplines allows him to explore the complexities of systemic inequality, mental health, and social justice in his work.
For most of his career, Orion has worked in forensic mental health services, where he has witnessed firsthand the struggles faced by individuals navigating the intersections of psychology, law, and rehabilitation. His experience in this field has given him profound insight into human resilience, institutional challenges, and the need for reform in mental health and criminal justice systems. This exposure has shaped his storytelling, inspiring him to craft narratives that challenge prevailing perspectives, foster empathy, and advocate for meaningful change.
As a filmmaker, Orion has written and directed two short drama films that tackle pressing social concerns, using cinematic storytelling as a means to elevate awareness and provoke dialogue. His films are recognized for their emotional depth, realism, and dedication to amplifying voices that are often overlooked. Through his work, he strives to bridge the gap between entertainment and social consciousness, ensuring that audiences not only engage with powerful narratives but also reflect on the broader implications of these stories.
Beyond his filmmaking endeavors,
Orion is deeply passionate about men’s advocacy and broader social change. He is committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by men in modern society, including mental health struggles, societal expectations, and the often-overlooked need for support and guidance. He believes in fostering open conversations around masculinity, emotional well-being, and the evolving roles of men in today’s world. His work seeks to challenge stereotypes and promote a more inclusive and supportive dialogue about men’s issues, emphasizing the importance of mental health resources, emotional expression, and community-building.
In addition to his film projects, Orion continues to explore new ways to merge his academic expertise, professional experience, and creative storytelling to drive impact. Whether through film, literature, or advocacy, his mission remains the same: to create thought-provoking narratives that resonate with audiences, challenge societal norms, and inspire meaningful conversations about justice, equity, and human connection.