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shinypurplepants's review against another edition
4.0
Otherwise, this Tingle title is a visceral romp from abuse to self actualization. As a queer person raised in a religious household I felt seen. It is a cathartic and horrifying feeling. 8/10 highly recommended!
Graphic: Biphobia, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
rin_varga's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
It actually made it spookier for me to go in knowing that the premise was heavily religiously influenced—it gave the story that "cult" feel, especially because the intelligent Rose can tell right away that she's probably being gaslit by the adults who know more than they're telling her.
When things started getting into the characters' personal reasons for having/not having faith, how their faith has influenced not only their sexuality but how they lie to themselves as a person, and how not everything needs to be in black and white, I really appreciated how respectful their little found family could be for one another even when their perspectives didn't always see eye to eye.
This was a book I'd hoped would give me a scare or two, and it did not disappoint: the fear of the unknown and the lurking suspicion of something supernatural waiting just at the corners of a dark hallway summoned by the wandering thoughts in the back of your mind gave me more than a few jump-scares and spine-tingles! The atmosphere of a conservative Minnesota town in the heat of summer creates a particular mood all its own, and I was easily swept up in the madness of everything as Rose navigates a bizarre reality of unnatural flies, overeager friends and family wanting to "help" her overcome a temptation she doesn't even understand, and the tangle of supposed memories
The only wish I have for this book was one you might have too if you went in thinking we'd get to see most of the book taking place within the actual brain-washing camp part of Camp Damascus. That expectation led me to crave a little more of Rose's past relationship with Willow, not just through vague flashbacks: how they met, the little moments they shared, how they ultimately fell in love, etc. Many of these memories that were touched on seemed like they'd be super cute and endearing to read about in real time, and I love reading about relationships that form despite the odds stacked against them...but sadly, these events were only foggily glanced over.
Camp Damascus might not be a book for everyone, especially if you're a queer reader and topics of homophobia, organized religion, and family rejection are painful sore spots you'd rather not dig into. However, as I mentioned, I think many queer readers will appreciate the moral exploration that Rose eventually allows herself to consider, the kindness of found family still struggling with their own sexuality vs. religious beliefs, and the room for possibility that lies within morally gray areas. Everyone's journey is their own, and Camp Damascus has never made the power of choice, faith, and fact seem so amazing.
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Dementia, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Lesbophobia, Cultural appropriation, and Gaslighting
r3allybadusername's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Car accident, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, and Gaslighting
fkshg8465's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Gay people have been around since the beginning of time, because more of us are scientifically gayer than “polite” society wants to admit (sexuality is a range spanning heterosexuality to homosexuality with lots of shades in between). So the idea of conversion camps fascinates me. Why are we trying to homogenize the world? What is the deep fear or desire motivating it? Thus, I had to read this book, and it wasn’t exactly what I expected, but that’s partially because I forgot to read the small print saying it was also a horror book. However, I suppose it is a horrible experience for those forced to undergo it. And I imagine a lot of what’s in the book might be true enough (the cost and the brainwashing).
Mostly, I’m glad there’s a book for questioning young people to read that lets them know there’s nothing wrong with them and that they have the power to resist.
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
brioches22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Biphobia, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
emizulu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Biphobia, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Car accident, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Gaslighting, and Dysphoria
princess_marie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child death, Blood, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Car accident and Abandonment
pacifickat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
"Something is wrong in Neverton, and that something isn't me." -Rose
"Don't worry, Rose. I've got you. I've always got you." -Dad
"Let there be Rose." -Rose
Content Warnings:
Religious abuse,
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Car accident, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Alcohol
Religious abuse,jordannnnnn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Animal death, Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Car accident, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
theangrystackrat's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Violence