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A review by enchantressreads
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Camp Damascus was a book I was very excited for. I requested it as soon as I saw it was available. I’m so glad I did, because I loved it.
The concept of this story is so interesting to me. Chuck Tingle is known for his creative titles, and he definitely put that into this story as well. It was a serious story, but Chuck’s personality still shown through. It was one of the more unique stories I’ve read in a long time.
Camp Damascus is a famous gay conversion camp in Neverton, run by the local church, Kingdom of the Pine. It’s unique because it boasts a 100% success rate. Rose Darling is the poster child for Kingdom of the Pine: she’s pious, she respects her parents, and she loves her church. When weird things start happening to Rose, her curiosity gets the better of her and she starts researching, and what she finds is terrifying.
The conversion camp boasts a 100% success rate because they use alternative means to convert queer kids. It’s no surprise that Christian fascists are complete hypocrites.
This story is full of surprises, and I will leave those for you to find out for yourself. It’s a cathartic story for those with religious trauma, but be aware it also may be triggering.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the chance to read this advanced review copy.
CW: vomit, religious bigotry, gore, torture, death, fire, car accident, homophobia, medical content, abandonment, blood
The concept of this story is so interesting to me. Chuck Tingle is known for his creative titles, and he definitely put that into this story as well. It was a serious story, but Chuck’s personality still shown through. It was one of the more unique stories I’ve read in a long time.
Camp Damascus is a famous gay conversion camp in Neverton, run by the local church, Kingdom of the Pine. It’s unique because it boasts a 100% success rate. Rose Darling is the poster child for Kingdom of the Pine: she’s pious, she respects her parents, and she loves her church. When weird things start happening to Rose, her curiosity gets the better of her and she starts researching, and what she finds is terrifying.
The conversion camp boasts a 100% success rate because they use alternative means to convert queer kids. It’s no surprise that Christian fascists are complete hypocrites.
This story is full of surprises, and I will leave those for you to find out for yourself. It’s a cathartic story for those with religious trauma, but be aware it also may be triggering.
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the chance to read this advanced review copy.
CW: vomit, religious bigotry, gore, torture, death, fire, car accident, homophobia, medical content, abandonment, blood
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Religious bigotry, Blood, Gore, and Homophobia
Moderate: Car accident, Vomit, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Torture, Confinement, and Gaslighting
Minor: Medical content