Reviews

There are three aspects of this book I wanna talk about. First, it's the criticism against religion, how it's used a tool of oppression against queer people, how the scripture is bent to fit whatever ideology people want to promote. It didn't go very deep, but it was good. I liked it.

The second part is the religious trauma the author was clearly working through while writing this book. The MC goes in this journey from religious fanatic, to questioning her beliefs, finding her own strength, and rejecting harmful ideas. I think this was the best part of the novel.

The third part is the supernatural aspects. Honestly they felt kinda lame. It's one of those cases where the real horror is real life. Meanwhile the demons weren't very interesting.

Overall it was just okay.

tjnixx's review against another edition

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4.0

This is my first time reading a Chuck Tingle book and I have to say I am a fan! I absolutely love his beautifully visual writing which has left some amazing and horrific images living rent free in my head for the rest of time. I can't wait to delve into more of the Tingleverse 🖤

ebook_em's review against another edition

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dark reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

nightmarebees's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.25

this was a lot different than what i expected, but i really enjoyed the ride. very creepy in fundamentalist christian ways and very gross in bugs-coming-out-of-your-mouth ways.

i love rose and i was not expecting the mc to be openly autistic, so that was a nice surprise. i wish we got more time with willow in the present, but i am always a sucker for lovers who have been made to forget each other but inevitably find their way back to each other.

we don’t actually spend that much time at the titular camp itself, but the slow burn and mystery of the first half was so well executed. it honestly felt a bit too fast in the second half just because the pacing changed so abruptly, but the reveals and explanations for how they do their brainwashing and torture were thoroughly satisfying.

Content Warnings

bookishfaye's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

This was wholeheartedly like a queer/conversion therapy/Christian evangelical “Get Out” meets “Don’t Worry Darling” meets “Black Mirror.”

Such a brilliant concept from Tingle & went places I didn’t expect this to go at all. In the beginning I thought it was going to be an archetype of ridiculous camp, almost like “but I’m a cheerleader,” but quite quickly I realized it was much more serious and horrifying.

I do think sometimes the pacing was off & I found myself skimming through portions of the second half, but the concept was just so brilliant and powerful I can forgive some of the pacing issues.

bookishbisexual's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

A fun horror novel for those who love Buffy and But I’m a Cheerleader. I fully expected for the plot to go in a different direction but I’m glad I was wrong! Loved it.

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