Scan barcode
spacebee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
_p0ssum_'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
3.25
I expected a few things from this book, some were achieved some were not but its still an alright book.
ghostreadin's review against another edition
dark
funny
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
heyitsmeg777's review against another edition
NOTE: Thanks to Tbrandbeyond tours for the opportunity to participate in this book tour!
I have been really grateful for the chance to participate in these tours and spread the word about these new and upcoming books! Today's tour is really a moving tale that brought awareness to the harsh reality of the gay conversion camps, of becoming proud of your sexuality, and in finding people to accept you for who you are.
So, here we go.
Short Summary: A newly out gay teen gets sent to a conversion therapy boot camp where the true fight to survive begins.
Long Summary:Connor Major’s summer break is turning into a nightmare.
His SAT scores bombed, the old man he delivers meals to died, and when he came out to his religious zealot mother, she had him kidnapped and shipped off to a secluded island. His final destination: Nightlight Ministries, a conversion therapy camp that will be his new home until he “changes.”
But Connor’s troubles are only beginning. At Nightlight, everyone has something to hide from the campers to the “converted” staff and cagey camp director, and it quickly becomes clear that no one is safe. Connor plans to escape and bring the other kidnapped teens with him. But first, he’s exposing the camp’s horrible truths for what they are—and taking this place down.
I was absolutely hooked since the beginning--it's the sort of book best read in the evening to late night vibes with the twists, the turns and the heartwrenching reality we still live in today with homophobia and conversion therapy camps (which I thought no longer existed) and especially now in our times with politicians who want to decide what we do with our lives, with our bodies, and with who we choose to love, this book is one worth reading. Connor's story was all sorts of relatable from music tastes (Hey Carly Rae Jepsen and Ariana Grande
I have been really grateful for the chance to participate in these tours and spread the word about these new and upcoming books! Today's tour is really a moving tale that brought awareness to the harsh reality of the gay conversion camps, of becoming proud of your sexuality, and in finding people to accept you for who you are.
So, here we go.
Short Summary: A newly out gay teen gets sent to a conversion therapy boot camp where the true fight to survive begins.
Long Summary:Connor Major’s summer break is turning into a nightmare.
His SAT scores bombed, the old man he delivers meals to died, and when he came out to his religious zealot mother, she had him kidnapped and shipped off to a secluded island. His final destination: Nightlight Ministries, a conversion therapy camp that will be his new home until he “changes.”
But Connor’s troubles are only beginning. At Nightlight, everyone has something to hide from the campers to the “converted” staff and cagey camp director, and it quickly becomes clear that no one is safe. Connor plans to escape and bring the other kidnapped teens with him. But first, he’s exposing the camp’s horrible truths for what they are—and taking this place down.
I was absolutely hooked since the beginning--it's the sort of book best read in the evening to late night vibes with the twists, the turns and the heartwrenching reality we still live in today with homophobia and conversion therapy camps (which I thought no longer existed) and especially now in our times with politicians who want to decide what we do with our lives, with our bodies, and with who we choose to love, this book is one worth reading. Connor's story was all sorts of relatable from music tastes (Hey Carly Rae Jepsen and Ariana Grande
bookspinesandroses's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
5.0
the_gare_bear's review against another edition
3.0
Frightening. The current climate of the world makes this even scarier, because there is truth to the story that cannot be denied. While some of it may seem a little over the top in terms of how some of the violence plays out, it's not inconceivable for this situation to happen.
This reminds me of those great thriller movies/books from the 90's (Kiss the Girls, Don't Say a Word, Double Jeopardy, The Game, and so on). While it doesn't have as strong of a detective sort of vibe, I think that with a bit more build up and back story it would have really just hit it out of the park. Great story. Worth reading for sure.
This reminds me of those great thriller movies/books from the 90's (Kiss the Girls, Don't Say a Word, Double Jeopardy, The Game, and so on). While it doesn't have as strong of a detective sort of vibe, I think that with a bit more build up and back story it would have really just hit it out of the park. Great story. Worth reading for sure.
jsncnrd's review
5.0
I've now read all of Adam Sass's books, and it is just so evidently clear that he is one of the most talented YA authors in the game right now. His writing style is clever & filled with wit, but it's also emotionally engaging & affecting.
With Surrender Your Sons, we get a story that is absolutely horrifying -- one that shakes you to your core. When I say I could not put this book down, I mean it. I sat in the same spot for 4 hours as I finished it. Some of the turns were alluded to early on, but there were plenty of twists and plot points that I had absolutely no idea were coming.
Connor is the heart of our story, and he was a wonderful protagonist. He was resourceful, resilient, and so likable. Adam has the ability to create incredibly & realistic characters that you can form a bond with for the duration of the book, and that is exactly what he has done here.
When all was said and done, I had laughed, I had cried, and I had reflected on where our society is both at AND where it is going. And that territory is often frightening.
Adam Sass is an auto-buy author for me at this point.
Are you seeking a thrilling, suspenseful novel that manages to celebrate queer liberation and individuality? This one's for you.
With Surrender Your Sons, we get a story that is absolutely horrifying -- one that shakes you to your core. When I say I could not put this book down, I mean it. I sat in the same spot for 4 hours as I finished it. Some of the turns were alluded to early on, but there were plenty of twists and plot points that I had absolutely no idea were coming.
Connor is the heart of our story, and he was a wonderful protagonist. He was resourceful, resilient, and so likable. Adam has the ability to create incredibly & realistic characters that you can form a bond with for the duration of the book, and that is exactly what he has done here.
When all was said and done, I had laughed, I had cried, and I had reflected on where our society is both at AND where it is going. And that territory is often frightening.
Adam Sass is an auto-buy author for me at this point.
Are you seeking a thrilling, suspenseful novel that manages to celebrate queer liberation and individuality? This one's for you.
booklifter's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
brinsay's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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