Scan barcode
quitegood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
And I do not regret doing so one bit. This blindingly paced horror yarn about love, loss, and faith. If you want horror that makes you feel a whole gammet of emotions, this is for you!
Graphic: Gore, Homophobia, Torture, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Lgbtqa+, horror, dark,elstarkey'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Car accident, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Drug use
calamity_114'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Homophobia, Violence, and Blood
kshertz'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
4.0
Minor: Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
thisbookisbananas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
Graphic: Body horror, Homophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cursing, Vomit, and Car accident
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
readingwithgoose's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Homophobia, Violence, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
megj23's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Murder
meagan123's review
3.5
Graphic: Death, Gore, Homophobia, Blood, Religious bigotry, Car accident, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Drug use and Gun violence
Minor: Gaslighting