A review by readundancies
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle

3.75

It took me a hot minute to get around the strong religious aspects of this horror novel because the doctrines and tenets that were at the forefront of what effectively was a cult masquerading under the cloak of religious freedoms were beyond infuriating in their misogyny, manipulation and general gas-lighting overtures. The implications behind each of the four major Tenets listed were enough to make me enraged because the unsaid messages were deplorable. It worked out because I ended up loving how religion was reclaimed by Rose and how she began to create her own Book of the Bible with her own teachings and perspectives.

I think the length of this story is exactly where it’s supposed to be ballpark-wise since it’s very plot driven, but it wasn’t what I think I would’ve preferred when it comes to the fast paced nature of the narrative. I prefer a slow and gradual descent into madness, to really let the fear permeate and build into something bigger, whereas this was one initial chapter of backstory and then bam! we are led down a trail of sin.

The horror didn’t always have the solid impact that I wanted it to have; for instance the mayfly vomit is never really delved into nor explained to any significant degree. Some of the horror descriptions also just flew by way too quickly for me to process.

But all in all, this was better than anticipated, and I enjoyed my time with it for the most part.