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Camp Damascus
A searing and earnest horror debut about the demons the queer community faces in America, the price of keeping secrets, and finding the courage to burn it all down.
They’ll scare you straight to hell.
Welcome to Neverton, Montana: home to a God-fearing community with a heart of gold.
Nestled high up in the mountains is Camp Damascus, the self-proclaimed “most effective” gay conversion camp in the country. Here, a life free from sin awaits. But the secret behind that success is anything but holy.
They’ll scare you straight to hell.
Welcome to Neverton, Montana: home to a God-fearing community with a heart of gold.
Nestled high up in the mountains is Camp Damascus, the self-proclaimed “most effective” gay conversion camp in the country. Here, a life free from sin awaits. But the secret behind that success is anything but holy.
246 pages, Hardcover
First published July 18, 2023
About the author
Chuck Tingle
462 books2,658 followersChuck Tingle is a mysterious force of energy behind sunglasses and a pink mask. He is also an anonymous author of romance, horror, and fantasy. Chuck was born in Home of Truth, Utah, and now splits time between Billings, Montana and Los Angeles, California. Chuck writes to prove love is real, because love is the most important tool we have when resisting the endless cosmic void. Not everything people say about Chuck is true, but the important parts are.
Management and general inquiry: infotingleverse@gmail.com
Literary agent: DongWon at dongwonsong.com
Management and general inquiry: infotingleverse@gmail.com
Literary agent: DongWon at dongwonsong.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,853 reviews
June 18, 2023
AND THIS IS HOW YOU RING IN PRIDE, BUCKAROOS!!!
hooray to nightfire for mainstreaming sir tingle for the poor uninitiated masses and hooray to tingle for spreading his wings and hooray to meeeee for stopping by what used to be my playground!
hooray to nightfire for mainstreaming sir tingle for the poor uninitiated masses and hooray to tingle for spreading his wings and hooray to meeeee for stopping by what used to be my playground!
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July 26, 2023CAMP DAMASCUS by Chuck Tingle
Release Date: July 18th, 2023
General Genre: Horror
Subgenre/Themes: Coming-of-Age, Cults, Human Monsters, Psychological, Small Town Horror, Religious Stuff,
Writing Style: Character-Driven, Brisk Pace,
What You Need to Know: It will be interesting to see how readers with different religious backgrounds engage with this book. I was raised agnostic by parents who leaned, atheist. In marriage, I started attending an evangelical church with my husband and eventually identified as a Christian even though I still held to my liberal views on everything and felt like an outcast in some Christian circles for my "radical beliefs". In 2020 while churches were closed, I realized I never wanted to go back. I started "deconstructing" my faith and now I no longer identify as a Christian but I'm still on a faith-based journey to personalize where I stand. This book is extremely important as an in-depth, fictionalized (but realistic) intimate look at the dangers of heterosexual-white-American-evangelical-monotheistic purity culture and their dogmatic beliefs.
My Reading Experience: Triggered. Very, very triggered. In a good way though. It was validating and soul-edifying to read this book knowing that the author behind it all, Dr. Chuck Tingle, the life-giving energy behind 'LOVE IS REAL', knew about the secret bullshit going on behind evangelical closed doors and was exposing it.
I got too close to the kind of evangelical religiosity depicted in this fictional book about a radically successful gay conversion camp. To the average reader untouched by evangelicalism (although, nobody is really untouched since their political activism affects us all) seems too exaggerated to be true except the horror of this book is that it's not. It's not that far removed from the truth and that's what makes this book so important. But it might be hard for some to read.
I was already standing in line for a book like this, the story of a young woman who lives with her parents in a small town. They attend a church that feels like a charismatic, mega-church where the pastor is a bit of a cult of personality and his followers are like his cheerleaders. It made me think of Mars Hill and Mark Driscoll. These very charming and emotionally manipulative religious leaders able to whip their followers into a frenzy. Has anyone seen the documentary Jesus Camp?
That film is a companion piece to this book.
So the MC of Camp Damascus, this young woman, is happily committed to the same ultra-religious lifestyle as her parents. Very purity culture driven, moralistic, fueled by behavior modification and keeping those sins and any sinful thoughts in check. Even caffeine is frowned upon because it's an unnatural stimulant and capable of altering one's state of being.
Tingle does an excellent job of setting up the dominoes so that once a conflict is introduced and that first domino is tapped, the rest of them start a chain reaction until we're speeding toward the climax/resolution.
I don't want to get too far into spoiler territory, but there are some exciting reader-discovery moments where the force behind the success of the gay conversion camp is revealed and I applaud Tingle for flipping the script on a classic (and favorite!) horror trope. Very clever. I loved it.
I think the temptation here for some horror readers will be to compare this book to the viral success of his "Tinglers", his erotic fiction but I believe this book is Tingle's attempt to build a bridge into the mainstream horror market so the message will reach a broader audience. It's my hope that Camp Damascus will land in the right readers' hands.
Final Recommendation: Camp Damascus does read on the YA spectrum of horror but it's written to appeal to all ages. I enjoyed it. I think it's important and I hope that it will inspire more books like it to rise up and draw attention to the horrors of heterosexual-white-American-evangelical-monotheistic purity culture and their dogmatic beliefs. Especially concerning the LBGTQIA+ community.
Comps: Jesus Camp (documentary), Pray Away (documentary), They/Them (Blumhouse horror movie w/Kevin Bacon), Surrender Your Sons by Adam Sass
Release Date: July 18th, 2023
General Genre: Horror
Subgenre/Themes: Coming-of-Age, Cults, Human Monsters, Psychological, Small Town Horror, Religious Stuff,
Writing Style: Character-Driven, Brisk Pace,
What You Need to Know: It will be interesting to see how readers with different religious backgrounds engage with this book. I was raised agnostic by parents who leaned, atheist. In marriage, I started attending an evangelical church with my husband and eventually identified as a Christian even though I still held to my liberal views on everything and felt like an outcast in some Christian circles for my "radical beliefs". In 2020 while churches were closed, I realized I never wanted to go back. I started "deconstructing" my faith and now I no longer identify as a Christian but I'm still on a faith-based journey to personalize where I stand. This book is extremely important as an in-depth, fictionalized (but realistic) intimate look at the dangers of heterosexual-white-American-evangelical-monotheistic purity culture and their dogmatic beliefs.
My Reading Experience: Triggered. Very, very triggered. In a good way though. It was validating and soul-edifying to read this book knowing that the author behind it all, Dr. Chuck Tingle, the life-giving energy behind 'LOVE IS REAL', knew about the secret bullshit going on behind evangelical closed doors and was exposing it.
I got too close to the kind of evangelical religiosity depicted in this fictional book about a radically successful gay conversion camp. To the average reader untouched by evangelicalism (although, nobody is really untouched since their political activism affects us all) seems too exaggerated to be true except the horror of this book is that it's not. It's not that far removed from the truth and that's what makes this book so important. But it might be hard for some to read.
I was already standing in line for a book like this, the story of a young woman who lives with her parents in a small town. They attend a church that feels like a charismatic, mega-church where the pastor is a bit of a cult of personality and his followers are like his cheerleaders. It made me think of Mars Hill and Mark Driscoll. These very charming and emotionally manipulative religious leaders able to whip their followers into a frenzy. Has anyone seen the documentary Jesus Camp?
That film is a companion piece to this book.
So the MC of Camp Damascus, this young woman, is happily committed to the same ultra-religious lifestyle as her parents. Very purity culture driven, moralistic, fueled by behavior modification and keeping those sins and any sinful thoughts in check. Even caffeine is frowned upon because it's an unnatural stimulant and capable of altering one's state of being.
Tingle does an excellent job of setting up the dominoes so that once a conflict is introduced and that first domino is tapped, the rest of them start a chain reaction until we're speeding toward the climax/resolution.
I don't want to get too far into spoiler territory, but there are some exciting reader-discovery moments where the force behind the success of the gay conversion camp is revealed and I applaud Tingle for flipping the script on a classic (and favorite!) horror trope. Very clever. I loved it.
I think the temptation here for some horror readers will be to compare this book to the viral success of his "Tinglers", his erotic fiction but I believe this book is Tingle's attempt to build a bridge into the mainstream horror market so the message will reach a broader audience. It's my hope that Camp Damascus will land in the right readers' hands.
Final Recommendation: Camp Damascus does read on the YA spectrum of horror but it's written to appeal to all ages. I enjoyed it. I think it's important and I hope that it will inspire more books like it to rise up and draw attention to the horrors of heterosexual-white-American-evangelical-monotheistic purity culture and their dogmatic beliefs. Especially concerning the LBGTQIA+ community.
Comps: Jesus Camp (documentary), Pray Away (documentary), They/Them (Blumhouse horror movie w/Kevin Bacon), Surrender Your Sons by Adam Sass
June 21, 2023
Reading Vlog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_6mz...
Camp Damascus might be among the best satire of American Evangelical Christianity that I've read, with some really deep cuts into the nuts and bolts of that culture. Highly recommend to fellow deconstructing and ex-evangelicals if you can deal with horror. The way this book has a chokehold on me...video to come.
This horror novel is about a gay conversion camp run a culty Christian sect. They have a 100% effectiveness rate, but why is that? Rose is a young woman who is devoutly Christian (and as we come to find out autistic, which adds a layer to all of this that will resonate for neurospicy folks), but she's noticing weird feelings about a female friend, has never had interest in a boyfriend, and then starts seeing a creepy woman who might be a demon. And vomiting up live insects. No big deal. But things get stranger and she starts to see the cracks in the faith she has always based her life around. And what's the deal with Camp Damascus run by her church?
Objectively this may not be a perfect book. It's got some pacing issues starting around the middle and is perhaps slightly too long. And arguably Rose comes to realize what's up far faster than is realistic. None of that detracted from my reading experience though and I think this novel is incredibly successful at its aim, and offers a surprising amount of nuance as well. I cannot recommend this enough. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
Camp Damascus might be among the best satire of American Evangelical Christianity that I've read, with some really deep cuts into the nuts and bolts of that culture. Highly recommend to fellow deconstructing and ex-evangelicals if you can deal with horror. The way this book has a chokehold on me...video to come.
This horror novel is about a gay conversion camp run a culty Christian sect. They have a 100% effectiveness rate, but why is that? Rose is a young woman who is devoutly Christian (and as we come to find out autistic, which adds a layer to all of this that will resonate for neurospicy folks), but she's noticing weird feelings about a female friend, has never had interest in a boyfriend, and then starts seeing a creepy woman who might be a demon. And vomiting up live insects. No big deal. But things get stranger and she starts to see the cracks in the faith she has always based her life around. And what's the deal with Camp Damascus run by her church?
Objectively this may not be a perfect book. It's got some pacing issues starting around the middle and is perhaps slightly too long. And arguably Rose comes to realize what's up far faster than is realistic. None of that detracted from my reading experience though and I think this novel is incredibly successful at its aim, and offers a surprising amount of nuance as well. I cannot recommend this enough. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
May 19, 2023
Dr. Chuck Tingle pounds us buckaroos in the butt with religious trauma & homophobia... and I'm here for it!
I will say some of the metaphor is pretty on the nose in a way I'd expect more from YA than adult horror, but still, it was heart felt and effective. This is gross, poignant, and sadly, relevant for our current moment. And as someone who grew up in a fundie, I can tell you that the portrayal of that way of thinking is pretty spot on. All in all, exciting to see an author branch out successfully from their roots
I will say some of the metaphor is pretty on the nose in a way I'd expect more from YA than adult horror, but still, it was heart felt and effective. This is gross, poignant, and sadly, relevant for our current moment. And as someone who grew up in a fundie, I can tell you that the portrayal of that way of thinking is pretty spot on. All in all, exciting to see an author branch out successfully from their roots
Read
September 20, 2023the guy who writes gay meme books also writes actual horror? slaay
June 6, 2023
I love love loved the concept, imagery, and overall plot of this short novel, but unfortunately I wasn't a fan of the execution. Honestly, it read like a first draft. There was a major issue with telling rather than showing, and every plot point was so clearly signposted that I never felt any sense of tension, only impatience. There were also some plot points that were pretty much glossed over. It's shame because I think it's a great story, it's just unable to shine in this form.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC via Netgalley.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an ARC via Netgalley.
July 26, 2023
3.5 Stars
Video Review: https://youtu.be/KevK8OjtjgQ
This is an enjoyable horror story that addresses the prosecution of the queer community within evangelical circles. I loved horror that addresses religious topics but I didn't connect quite as deeply as I expected. Yet it was still a solid read that will likely hit deeper for those affected by these topics.
Despite the author's name, this is a very PG rated novel. I would have been totally fine if it could have been more erotic, but that might be just me.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Video Review: https://youtu.be/KevK8OjtjgQ
This is an enjoyable horror story that addresses the prosecution of the queer community within evangelical circles. I loved horror that addresses religious topics but I didn't connect quite as deeply as I expected. Yet it was still a solid read that will likely hit deeper for those affected by these topics.
Despite the author's name, this is a very PG rated novel. I would have been totally fine if it could have been more erotic, but that might be just me.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
July 17, 2023
Does the temptation of unnatural lust have a hold on you or someone you love? Has someone in your life found themselves in the unholy grip of same-sex attraction?
Welcome to Camp Damascus, a one-of-a-kind reparative therapy program for homosexual youth that features a simple yet firm approach that will guarantee a life free from sin and help young Christians lead healthy, normal heterosexual lives. Indeed, this is one conversion therapy group that takes "Pray the Gay Away" and adds an OR ELSE to their treatment program.
Chuck Tingle, an author known for such classics as Bigfoot Pirates Haunt My Balls, Slammed In The Butt By My Handsome Laundry Detergent Pod, and Sentient Menorah Candle Bisexual Hanukkah Orgy, has gone mainstream here for this tale of horrific religious extremism that is fittingly a horror novel. And, it's a pretty creepy, page-turning read. Before you start fanning your book-burning flames to Fahrenheit 451, know that this is NOT anti-Christian, just anti-extremism. And, there's no butt-slamming; in fact, there's no sex at all.
So there.
If you're looking for a fun scary read that also puts a few nutjobs in their place (H-E-double hockey sticks), plan a visit to Tingle's Camp, and learn that love is love.
Welcome to Camp Damascus, a one-of-a-kind reparative therapy program for homosexual youth that features a simple yet firm approach that will guarantee a life free from sin and help young Christians lead healthy, normal heterosexual lives. Indeed, this is one conversion therapy group that takes "Pray the Gay Away" and adds an OR ELSE to their treatment program.
Chuck Tingle, an author known for such classics as Bigfoot Pirates Haunt My Balls, Slammed In The Butt By My Handsome Laundry Detergent Pod, and Sentient Menorah Candle Bisexual Hanukkah Orgy, has gone mainstream here for this tale of horrific religious extremism that is fittingly a horror novel. And, it's a pretty creepy, page-turning read. Before you start fanning your book-burning flames to Fahrenheit 451, know that this is NOT anti-Christian, just anti-extremism. And, there's no butt-slamming; in fact, there's no sex at all.
So there.
If you're looking for a fun scary read that also puts a few nutjobs in their place (H-E-double hockey sticks), plan a visit to Tingle's Camp, and learn that love is love.
Read
October 7, 2023DNF @ 70%
I typically won't DNF books this far in because by this point, I'm very much a victim of the sunk cost mindset and will go, "well, I've read this much, I might as well finish!" buuuut I'm so bored I can't do anymore. I was so excited for this book but it's been an absolute slog, even with the audiobook. I'll withhold the star rating but I am going to add it to my read shelf since I read ~200pg of it. 🤷♀️
I also feel like I should mention that, despite the fact that I'm a queer person who was raised in a strict religious household and I usually find queer horror with religious themes very cathartic, this one was too heavy-handed on the day-to-day aspects of religion (constant scripture quoting, depictions of sermons, etc.) for me to enjoy that element. I know a lot of fellow "religious trauma" gays who have loved this book, though, so YMMV!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
✨ Representation: queer MC & multiple queer side characters
✨ Content warnings for:
———
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I typically won't DNF books this far in because by this point, I'm very much a victim of the sunk cost mindset and will go, "well, I've read this much, I might as well finish!" buuuut I'm so bored I can't do anymore. I was so excited for this book but it's been an absolute slog, even with the audiobook. I'll withhold the star rating but I am going to add it to my read shelf since I read ~200pg of it. 🤷♀️
I also feel like I should mention that, despite the fact that I'm a queer person who was raised in a strict religious household and I usually find queer horror with religious themes very cathartic, this one was too heavy-handed on the day-to-day aspects of religion (constant scripture quoting, depictions of sermons, etc.) for me to enjoy that element. I know a lot of fellow "religious trauma" gays who have loved this book, though, so YMMV!
Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! All thoughts are honest and my own.
✨ Representation: queer MC & multiple queer side characters
✨ Content warnings for:
———
twitter | booktok | bookstagram | blog
January 12, 2024
This is my first Chuck Tingle read. If you've seen some of his titles, you'll know that his work really isn't my thing. But this one, this one is firmly in the horror camp, and I had a lot of fun with it.
This defied my expectations and turned out to be a pretty good psychological horror read, with some demons and religion in there as well.
In this case the religion is more of a "cult" than anything else and that's all I'm going to say about the plot.
Overall, this was pretty well written and I hope that Tingle writes more books in this genre. If he does, I will read them.
*Thanks to my local library for the free audio download. Libraries RULE!*
This defied my expectations and turned out to be a pretty good psychological horror read, with some demons and religion in there as well.
In this case the religion is more of a "cult" than anything else and that's all I'm going to say about the plot.
Overall, this was pretty well written and I hope that Tingle writes more books in this genre. If he does, I will read them.
*Thanks to my local library for the free audio download. Libraries RULE!*
February 2, 2024
Warning: this book is YA, not horror.
I don't read much YA because my limited experience with the genre was pretty bad. The conclusions scream from the blurb. The characters are very artificial, more than young adults in real life are. I have a suspicion that these books are really read more by parents, but that's another talk.
Camp Damascus is exactly that. The thing you can read on the blurb, you can also read as the conclusion of so many reviewers here. It is a book about the horrors of conversion therapy. That's it.
I got fooled by its categorization as "horror" and by the fact that it is pretty mysterious at the start, but the internal demons are just real demons. That's the horror. That's also the big metaphor.For a short moment, I considered these places as dystopian societies, but by the end, I realized it was unintentional.
I don't read much YA because my limited experience with the genre was pretty bad. The conclusions scream from the blurb. The characters are very artificial, more than young adults in real life are. I have a suspicion that these books are really read more by parents, but that's another talk.
Camp Damascus is exactly that. The thing you can read on the blurb, you can also read as the conclusion of so many reviewers here. It is a book about the horrors of conversion therapy. That's it.
I got fooled by its categorization as "horror" and by the fact that it is pretty mysterious at the start, but the internal demons are just real demons. That's the horror. That's also the big metaphor.For a short moment, I considered these places as dystopian societies, but by the end, I realized it was unintentional.
Read
August 15, 2023Camp Damascus is, straight up, one of the best modern horror books you’ll ever read. A true masterpiece of horror fiction.
Author Chuck Tingle is infamous across the internet for writing hilarious, absurdly-named self-published queer erotica about sex with monsters, dinosaurs, and even abstract concepts like time and money.
Given that information, it’s quite remarkable how Chuck Tingle has managed to write one of the best horror books of this century so far.
Camp Damascus is set in a relatively insular Montana community, in which people belong to a sect of Evangelical Christians known as the Kingdom of the Pine.
This community’s pride and joy is the titular Camp Damascus, the world’s most successful gay conversion camp.
My full thoughts: https://booksandbao.com/modern-horror...
Author Chuck Tingle is infamous across the internet for writing hilarious, absurdly-named self-published queer erotica about sex with monsters, dinosaurs, and even abstract concepts like time and money.
Given that information, it’s quite remarkable how Chuck Tingle has managed to write one of the best horror books of this century so far.
Camp Damascus is set in a relatively insular Montana community, in which people belong to a sect of Evangelical Christians known as the Kingdom of the Pine.
This community’s pride and joy is the titular Camp Damascus, the world’s most successful gay conversion camp.
My full thoughts: https://booksandbao.com/modern-horror...
September 21, 2023
Have you ever wished that But I'm A Cheerleader was a horror? This book is what you're looking for. I've never read any of Chuck's previous erotica books, but I was curious to see how he would do switching to a horror story that's somewhere around the YA genre, and he nails it, this is a wonderfully twisty story that deals with religious trauma in a nuanced, thoughtful way.
I figured a lot of this book would be set at Camp Damascus, but it's actually about Rose, who starts to question what's happening in her world after she starts vomiting up flies and a demon only see can see snaps a classmate's head right round, which... fair.
This did feel a little slower paced after the middle of the book, but really picked up at the end, with Rose discovering the secrets that had been held from her. I loved that while this showed the dark side of Christian cults and conversion therapy, it also showed the ways even the people who had been hurt by the cult could still find comfort in that religion, in their own way.
I figured a lot of this book would be set at Camp Damascus, but it's actually about Rose, who starts to question what's happening in her world after she starts vomiting up flies and a demon only see can see snaps a classmate's head right round, which... fair.
This did feel a little slower paced after the middle of the book, but really picked up at the end, with Rose discovering the secrets that had been held from her. I loved that while this showed the dark side of Christian cults and conversion therapy, it also showed the ways even the people who had been hurt by the cult could still find comfort in that religion, in their own way.
July 18, 2023
I had a somewhat good time with this one, but unfortunately I think this one was a case of my expectations being too high. Tingle is known for his silly parody type stories so i expected this to be something more along the lines of a Grady Hendrix book, but it’s a lot more serious and ended up reading more like a YA horror for me (the first body horror scene early in the book is a bit gnarly but nothing after really matches it).
I was excited for the conversion camp setting, but we don’t even get there until 100 pages in and then barely spend any time there.
I liken this one to Mister Magic , another religious-themed horror coming out around the same time - books that in theory should’ve been tailor made for me as someone who grew up in a strongly religious household, but sadly neither quite hit the mark for me. I think this one is more suited for a YA audience.
I was excited for the conversion camp setting, but we don’t even get there until 100 pages in and then barely spend any time there.
I liken this one to Mister Magic , another religious-themed horror coming out around the same time - books that in theory should’ve been tailor made for me as someone who grew up in a strongly religious household, but sadly neither quite hit the mark for me. I think this one is more suited for a YA audience.
September 27, 2023
The main character, the body horror and the ending of this book was perfection. The only thing I would’ve enjoyed more of, because I’m greedy, was a bit more time getting to know Willow better. Definitely recommended to horror fans.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
March 15, 2024
Chuck Tingle is mostly known for his erotic fiction - once you've written Space Raptor Butt Invasion, you kind of become the Space Raptor Butt Invasion guy. I read a Tingler about a year ago, expecting it to be...well, a joke. But I walked away from it pleasantly surprised at how genuinely well-written, romantic, and earnest it was. And Chuck Tingle has applied the same skill to Camp Damascus, a tradpub horror about Christian evangelicals and conversion camps.
Our main character, Rose, starts the book as highly religious - if a bit sheltered - and undergoes a reevaluation of her life as stranger and stranger things start to happen to and around her. She's a fantastic main character; her voice lends a kind of texture to the novel that's difficult to describe. She's intelligent and straightforward, and her autism helps her to see through the brainwashing the cult employs. I loved her asides and sense of humor as well, and I don't think this book would work nearly as well with a different protagonist.
Tingle describes this as an "adult horror through a YA perspective," and yeah, that's perfect. While the book as a whole leans more into suspense than true horror, every now and then we get these moments that remind us of what this book could be. I think fans of House of Hollow will find a lot to enjoy here with the sense of unease and rot permeating throughout the book, though the ending left me wanting just a little bit more as it churns into more straightforward action sequences with less emphasis on the supernatural element.
I can't wait to see where Tingle takes us next. What a way to prove love is real.
Please note that I work for Macmillan, and views are my own. I was not involved in the production of this book.
Our main character, Rose, starts the book as highly religious - if a bit sheltered - and undergoes a reevaluation of her life as stranger and stranger things start to happen to and around her. She's a fantastic main character; her voice lends a kind of texture to the novel that's difficult to describe. She's intelligent and straightforward, and her autism helps her to see through the brainwashing the cult employs. I loved her asides and sense of humor as well, and I don't think this book would work nearly as well with a different protagonist.
Tingle describes this as an "adult horror through a YA perspective," and yeah, that's perfect. While the book as a whole leans more into suspense than true horror, every now and then we get these moments that remind us of what this book could be. I think fans of House of Hollow will find a lot to enjoy here with the sense of unease and rot permeating throughout the book, though the ending left me wanting just a little bit more as it churns into more straightforward action sequences with less emphasis on the supernatural element.
I can't wait to see where Tingle takes us next. What a way to prove love is real.
Please note that I work for Macmillan, and views are my own. I was not involved in the production of this book.
Shelved as 'wishlist'
July 11, 2023Chuck Tingle wrote a horror novel? Like, a serious horror novel? Published by Tor?
I'M CURIOUS
I'M CURIOUS
August 5, 2023
YEP IT IS EXCELLENT
June 25, 2024
I found this generally entertaining and liked the commentary on the evils of conversion therapy and the bigoted views of the Christian church, but the character development was a bit sparse, and the pacing, in general, felt rushed, especially in terms of Rose's journey with her faith. It felt like we skipped at least four stages of grief and reckoning as she reevaluated her worldview - a worldview she has held staunchly for all 20 years of her life, having been indoctrinated into the cult-like evangelical Christianity of her community. As someone who lost my faith around the same age (but came from a much more loving/relaxed branch of Christianity), it seemingly took me a lot longer to come to terms with that loss than it did Rose, and I found her rapid 180 a bit jarring.
While this is technically adult horror, this book has a very YA feel - except for the pockets of rather extreme body horror/gore - largely due to our protagonist feeling closer to 15 or 16 than 20, though, taking into account her sheltered upbringing and I suppose this can be explained. Still, the fact remains that our main character feels squarely in her teens in terms of maturity and development and that colours her thought process and interactions throughout the novel.
From what I can tell by reading reviews, it seems autistic readers have generally found Rose to be a good autism representation, which is fantastic! I could relate to some of her habits and tendencies as a fellow neurodivergent (of the ADHD variety), but occasionally found her thoughts/dialogue awkwardly written, from the excessively formal speech to vacillating between using her parents' first names and calling them mom/dad with no rhyme or reason. Generally, I liked her, though, and enjoyed her journey throughout the novel (even if it felt rather rushed). She is also a lesbian, and I found her sapphic romance with Willow quite tender and sweet.
I have a few more spoilery questions, so I'll share them here:
Overall, this had an interesting concept with engaging themes, but the execution was lacking for me, which is becoming a throughline as I read more of Chuck Tingle's work. I always come away wishing I'd been able to connect to his characters more deeply, have more of the nuances explained or revealed, and generally have the story delivered at a slightly slower pace to allow it to develop/settle properly.
Representation: MC is autistic and a lesbian, WLW relationship on the page (PG), gay secondary character
Trigger/Content Warnings: conversion therapy, homophobia, insects, religious indoctrination, religious bigotry, body horror, torture, blood, gore, murder, confinement, gaslighting
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Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
While this is technically adult horror, this book has a very YA feel - except for the pockets of rather extreme body horror/gore - largely due to our protagonist feeling closer to 15 or 16 than 20, though, taking into account her sheltered upbringing and I suppose this can be explained. Still, the fact remains that our main character feels squarely in her teens in terms of maturity and development and that colours her thought process and interactions throughout the novel.
From what I can tell by reading reviews, it seems autistic readers have generally found Rose to be a good autism representation, which is fantastic! I could relate to some of her habits and tendencies as a fellow neurodivergent (of the ADHD variety), but occasionally found her thoughts/dialogue awkwardly written, from the excessively formal speech to vacillating between using her parents' first names and calling them mom/dad with no rhyme or reason. Generally, I liked her, though, and enjoyed her journey throughout the novel (even if it felt rather rushed). She is also a lesbian, and I found her sapphic romance with Willow quite tender and sweet.
I have a few more spoilery questions, so I'll share them here:
Overall, this had an interesting concept with engaging themes, but the execution was lacking for me, which is becoming a throughline as I read more of Chuck Tingle's work. I always come away wishing I'd been able to connect to his characters more deeply, have more of the nuances explained or revealed, and generally have the story delivered at a slightly slower pace to allow it to develop/settle properly.
Representation: MC is autistic and a lesbian, WLW relationship on the page (PG), gay secondary character
Trigger/Content Warnings: conversion therapy, homophobia, insects, religious indoctrination, religious bigotry, body horror, torture, blood, gore, murder, confinement, gaslighting
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PBB Book Club
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
August 18, 2023
My Selling Pitch:
Do you want an easy-read YA thriller about gay teens escaping their church’s memory-wiping conversion therapy camp?
Pre-reading:
This is literally my most anticipated release of the year, and if it sucks, I’m gonna be pissed.
Thick of it:
I’m going in basically blind. All I know is that it’s supposed to be gay religious horror and the author used to write bonkers gay porn. I am so goddamn excited.
Catecholamines
Fuck religion lmao
gaslight gatekeep girlboss
Dude, how would she get dressed without a door?
I don’t know why, but ex-gay is very funny to me.
This book’s got jokes. Like it’s not trying to be funny, but it’s so deadpan that it is.
I think she’s already at the pray the gay away camp? Because she already shenaniganed the brunette? (yup.)
Gelid
This book is slow.
I’m a little bored.
I’m a lot bored.
Is this YA? Because it reads like YA, and if it is, I may have grossly miscalculated my potential enjoyment of this book.
Paranormal as explanation is not for me.
IM BORED. Nothing is a twist here. The pacing plods.
You literally can.
Christian screamo
That was not super metal.
Post-reading:
I thought this book was going to be something so different from what it was, and I'm trying so hard not to hate it on that alone because that's not fair and that's on me.
But then I’m like evaluating this as a YA thriller/horror, and it still has all the same flaws.
The pacing is bad. The book drags. There is no horror. Bugs come out of mouths. People die in this book. Creatures get burned alive. Nothing is scary. There’s no tension. There are no twists. The plot is incredibly obvious.
The characters don’t have any depth. They’re all pretty one note. The religious commentary is nothing new. It basically amounts to being gay is not a sin and gay people can do mental gymnastics to coexist with the church.
I wanted religious satire horror, and I did not get that. I got an afterschool special. I guess if you want that, it’s fine, but I’ve read way better. And I never want that.
I’m gonna go read his porn because that seems way more entertaining.
Who should read this:
Gay religious teens
Do I want to reread this:
No
Similar books:
* This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham-virtue signaling ya horror
* Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin-gender commentary horror
* Tell Me I’m Worthless by Alison Rumfitt-gender commentary horror
* Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth-campy femme horror
Unhinged Summary:
Girlypop is cliff diving at her Christian summer camp when she sees the demon version of Jackie from State Farm across the way. She’s like does anyone else see that? And her friends are like the only thing we see is our love for Jesus Christ. She’s like huh, weird, but whatevs. Better get home before curfew! And her nice guy™ bestie Isaiah is like I’ll drive you! I have no ulterior motive to being your friend. So he drives her home, and he’s like should we…kiss a little? And she’s like whoa there, bucko. Jesus would never. And he’s like what the fuck? So I just drove you home and offered you friendship and emotional comfort when you were suffering for nothing? Fuck, men ARE the victims! Time to punch a wall. And the audience is like he needs therapy. And the author is like lol, not in this book.
So her fam is like omg, how was your date with Isaiah? Are you gonna give him your rose? And she’s like def not. And her family is like we’re not mad. We’re just disappointed. You’re twenty. That’s like peak fertility. You owe Jesus babies. Isaiah’s an excellent specimen. Also, he was nice to you, so now you owe him. And Girlypop tries to picture woohooing with this choir boy, and she’s like wow, I didn’t know vaginas could dry up that fast. And then she remembers swimming with her mermaid hottie bikini-clad friend. And she’s like wap-I mean burp. And her parents are like is that a fly? And she’s like I’m not even an old woman! But like milfs-I mean barf. And she just vomits up a shit ton of bugs. And her mom is like not again. I’ll grab the raid. And the audience is like did she say again? And girlypop is like should I go to a CVS minute clinic? And her dad is like nah, you probably just swallowed something at the lake. Shoulda been swallowing something else. And she’s like Isaiah’s kids? And her dad just shrugs and is like god works in mysterious ways.
So she goes to get ready for bed, and she’s like what the fuck, where’s my door? And her dad is like gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss. Sweetie, you never had a door! And for some reason, she’s not like where the fuck did I get dressed then? You know modesty and shit. But her dad’s like you can go to Home Depot and look lost tomorrow and I’m sure some man will help you install a new door. And the audience is like maybe she should try some therapy? And the author was like heard!
So Girlypop shows up to church-sponsored therapy, and her therapist is like what’s up bestie? And she’s like I’ve been seeing some randos in red polos. And he’s like are you sure you weren’t just having a nightmare about Target? It’s like weirdly common. And she’s like nah me and Target are tight. And he’s like speaking of tight, stop thinking about tight young things. You’re like probably having anxiety-induced hallucinations from your impure thoughts. And she’s like copy that. Hide the smut from Jesus.
Girlypop goes to Isaiah’s birthday party, and her mom is like make sure your nails are done! You never know when you might have to take a picture of a new piece of jewelry. At the party, the kids play truth or dare. They’re like hey girlypop, are you a virgin? And she’s like huh, I don’t know. Does lesbian sex count? And they’re like what do you know about scissoring? And she’s like nothing. Probably. I’m like totes straight. Anyways who turned off Veggie Tales? Y’all have some Hannibal Lector shit playing. And they’re like omg not in our good Christian suburbs! But whatevs. Let’s continue the game. Hey gay Ariel, truth or dare? And she’s like dare! And they’re like seven minutes in heaven your crush. And girlypop is like oh shit, that’s a lot of minutes to kiss And State Farm Jackie shows up and is like those thoughts don’t sound very straight. Don’t make me take you to horny jail! You know what, I’ll give you a second chance. I’m feeling generous. Let me just remove the temptation. So she phases through the wall and snaps Ariel’s neck. And Girlypop is like alrighty, I’ll be sending you my therapy bills.
So her therapist is like your friendo died? That’s such a bummer. Here try these sugar pills to fix your menty b. The placebo effect is like all the rage for treatments right now.
Then she goes to the park to destress, and she’s like wow, that girl looks really familiar. I wonder where I know her from? Oh shit, she’s my lesbian fantasy personal pornstar! I should go talk to her, and see if we know each other beyond our nipple shades. And the random girly is like that’s my purse. I don’t know you!
This time demon Jake from State Farm shows up and is like no homo! And girlypop is like hey homophobe, eat my bumper. And she runs him over with her car. Except oopsies, she forgot that demons can phase through matter, so she goes right through the dude and crashes her car into a tree. Lightning McQueen catches on fire, and she tricks the demon into the car. And she’s like well, the child safety locks are on, so he’s tapped! And the audience is like girl. And the author is like no no, it makes sense. Demons are afraid of fire! It kills them. And the audience is like the whole car. The whole car is on fire. Like the windows and the floor and like there’s no way for him to phase out of the car? And the author is like yup, right, absolutely!
Girlypop gets hospitalized for her crash injuries. She sees some gay porn on the hospital tv, and Jackie shows up, and girlypop is like this can’t be a coincidence anymore. Am I…gay? And the audience is like fucking duh.
She decides to break into her therapist’s office because that motherfucker isn’t real. And she will not be staying on this plane… of existence. She steals his medical files and finally catches up to the audience and figures out this book’s plot. Every gay person in the town has had their memory wiped and has been assigned a not-hot demon stalker to haunt them anytime they get horny. Girlypop finds out that her parents sent her to conversion camp, and now that she’s regaining her memories they’re trying to send her back, so she runs away from home. She meets another lgbtq+ fugitive named Saul, and he has a book he stole from the church called Monetizing Demonic Possession for Dummies. Hell has in fact frozen over. That’s why the demons don’t like fire. So our gaybie babies decide that they’re gonna free all the brainwashed campers.
But first church. Saul’s like the church literally tortured me, but Jesus is still a hottie so imma go to church and just hope no one notices. And the audience is like are you delulu? And the author is like shut up, I’m trying to show that queer people and the church can coexist. And Sam’s like agree to disagree, bestie. Girlypop and Saul make a flamethrower to kill the demons and roast Jackie like a marshmallow. Then she emails her lesbian pornstar like hey hot stuff, I killed all the demons so it’s safe to scissor. Let’s meet at the library and you can join our Scooby gang. And girly pop is like OK time for happily ever after, and her girlfriend’s like we definitely have to save all the other kids first. And both girlypop and the audience are like you literally do not. And the author is like no no, they do. So they want to break into the camp to disable the demon possession technology machine. (Just go with it.) But oh no, they don’t know what room the machine is in. Obviously, the only solution is to take drugs to access their subconscious memories. This works.
They show up and oh my god, the church is growing demon worms in the basement. And the audience is like finally some horror! And the author is like by the way, the church is using the worms to wipe everyone’s memory because when the worms impregnate people with eggs, it wipes their memories. And the audience is like there’s the porn writer. The Christian therapist shows up, and he’s like a lol I’m the villain. Quelle surprise. And the audience is like fucking duh. So the Scooby gang releases the worms, and they basically impregnate the therapist to death. And the audience is like there’s a lot to unpack there. And the author is like moving on!
So the kids have solved the memory-wiping problem, but all the campers still have their state farm demons bonded to them. And the audience is like back, you smut writers, back. Luckily the big book of the dead had a spell for demon exorcisms, and Girlypop just memorized it, so she does the spell and the demons go after the real sinners, the camp counselors, because this book is a full-on afterschool special, and being gay isn’t a sin. So they burn the camp down. The demons are just loose in the world, but the lesbians get to make out, so happily ever after? The end.
Do you want an easy-read YA thriller about gay teens escaping their church’s memory-wiping conversion therapy camp?
Pre-reading:
This is literally my most anticipated release of the year, and if it sucks, I’m gonna be pissed.
Thick of it:
I’m going in basically blind. All I know is that it’s supposed to be gay religious horror and the author used to write bonkers gay porn. I am so goddamn excited.
Catecholamines
Fuck religion lmao
gaslight gatekeep girlboss
Dude, how would she get dressed without a door?
I don’t know why, but ex-gay is very funny to me.
This book’s got jokes. Like it’s not trying to be funny, but it’s so deadpan that it is.
I think she’s already at the pray the gay away camp? Because she already shenaniganed the brunette? (yup.)
Gelid
This book is slow.
I’m a little bored.
I’m a lot bored.
Is this YA? Because it reads like YA, and if it is, I may have grossly miscalculated my potential enjoyment of this book.
Paranormal as explanation is not for me.
IM BORED. Nothing is a twist here. The pacing plods.
You literally can.
Christian screamo
That was not super metal.
Post-reading:
I thought this book was going to be something so different from what it was, and I'm trying so hard not to hate it on that alone because that's not fair and that's on me.
But then I’m like evaluating this as a YA thriller/horror, and it still has all the same flaws.
The pacing is bad. The book drags. There is no horror. Bugs come out of mouths. People die in this book. Creatures get burned alive. Nothing is scary. There’s no tension. There are no twists. The plot is incredibly obvious.
The characters don’t have any depth. They’re all pretty one note. The religious commentary is nothing new. It basically amounts to being gay is not a sin and gay people can do mental gymnastics to coexist with the church.
I wanted religious satire horror, and I did not get that. I got an afterschool special. I guess if you want that, it’s fine, but I’ve read way better. And I never want that.
I’m gonna go read his porn because that seems way more entertaining.
Who should read this:
Gay religious teens
Do I want to reread this:
No
Similar books:
* This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham-virtue signaling ya horror
* Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin-gender commentary horror
* Tell Me I’m Worthless by Alison Rumfitt-gender commentary horror
* Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth-campy femme horror
Unhinged Summary:
Girlypop is cliff diving at her Christian summer camp when she sees the demon version of Jackie from State Farm across the way. She’s like does anyone else see that? And her friends are like the only thing we see is our love for Jesus Christ. She’s like huh, weird, but whatevs. Better get home before curfew! And her nice guy™ bestie Isaiah is like I’ll drive you! I have no ulterior motive to being your friend. So he drives her home, and he’s like should we…kiss a little? And she’s like whoa there, bucko. Jesus would never. And he’s like what the fuck? So I just drove you home and offered you friendship and emotional comfort when you were suffering for nothing? Fuck, men ARE the victims! Time to punch a wall. And the audience is like he needs therapy. And the author is like lol, not in this book.
So her fam is like omg, how was your date with Isaiah? Are you gonna give him your rose? And she’s like def not. And her family is like we’re not mad. We’re just disappointed. You’re twenty. That’s like peak fertility. You owe Jesus babies. Isaiah’s an excellent specimen. Also, he was nice to you, so now you owe him. And Girlypop tries to picture woohooing with this choir boy, and she’s like wow, I didn’t know vaginas could dry up that fast. And then she remembers swimming with her mermaid hottie bikini-clad friend. And she’s like wap-I mean burp. And her parents are like is that a fly? And she’s like I’m not even an old woman! But like milfs-I mean barf. And she just vomits up a shit ton of bugs. And her mom is like not again. I’ll grab the raid. And the audience is like did she say again? And girlypop is like should I go to a CVS minute clinic? And her dad is like nah, you probably just swallowed something at the lake. Shoulda been swallowing something else. And she’s like Isaiah’s kids? And her dad just shrugs and is like god works in mysterious ways.
So she goes to get ready for bed, and she’s like what the fuck, where’s my door? And her dad is like gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss. Sweetie, you never had a door! And for some reason, she’s not like where the fuck did I get dressed then? You know modesty and shit. But her dad’s like you can go to Home Depot and look lost tomorrow and I’m sure some man will help you install a new door. And the audience is like maybe she should try some therapy? And the author was like heard!
So Girlypop shows up to church-sponsored therapy, and her therapist is like what’s up bestie? And she’s like I’ve been seeing some randos in red polos. And he’s like are you sure you weren’t just having a nightmare about Target? It’s like weirdly common. And she’s like nah me and Target are tight. And he’s like speaking of tight, stop thinking about tight young things. You’re like probably having anxiety-induced hallucinations from your impure thoughts. And she’s like copy that. Hide the smut from Jesus.
Girlypop goes to Isaiah’s birthday party, and her mom is like make sure your nails are done! You never know when you might have to take a picture of a new piece of jewelry. At the party, the kids play truth or dare. They’re like hey girlypop, are you a virgin? And she’s like huh, I don’t know. Does lesbian sex count? And they’re like what do you know about scissoring? And she’s like nothing. Probably. I’m like totes straight. Anyways who turned off Veggie Tales? Y’all have some Hannibal Lector shit playing. And they’re like omg not in our good Christian suburbs! But whatevs. Let’s continue the game. Hey gay Ariel, truth or dare? And she’s like dare! And they’re like seven minutes in heaven your crush. And girlypop is like oh shit, that’s a lot of minutes to kiss And State Farm Jackie shows up and is like those thoughts don’t sound very straight. Don’t make me take you to horny jail! You know what, I’ll give you a second chance. I’m feeling generous. Let me just remove the temptation. So she phases through the wall and snaps Ariel’s neck. And Girlypop is like alrighty, I’ll be sending you my therapy bills.
So her therapist is like your friendo died? That’s such a bummer. Here try these sugar pills to fix your menty b. The placebo effect is like all the rage for treatments right now.
Then she goes to the park to destress, and she’s like wow, that girl looks really familiar. I wonder where I know her from? Oh shit, she’s my lesbian fantasy personal pornstar! I should go talk to her, and see if we know each other beyond our nipple shades. And the random girly is like that’s my purse. I don’t know you!
This time demon Jake from State Farm shows up and is like no homo! And girlypop is like hey homophobe, eat my bumper. And she runs him over with her car. Except oopsies, she forgot that demons can phase through matter, so she goes right through the dude and crashes her car into a tree. Lightning McQueen catches on fire, and she tricks the demon into the car. And she’s like well, the child safety locks are on, so he’s tapped! And the audience is like girl. And the author is like no no, it makes sense. Demons are afraid of fire! It kills them. And the audience is like the whole car. The whole car is on fire. Like the windows and the floor and like there’s no way for him to phase out of the car? And the author is like yup, right, absolutely!
Girlypop gets hospitalized for her crash injuries. She sees some gay porn on the hospital tv, and Jackie shows up, and girlypop is like this can’t be a coincidence anymore. Am I…gay? And the audience is like fucking duh.
She decides to break into her therapist’s office because that motherfucker isn’t real. And she will not be staying on this plane… of existence. She steals his medical files and finally catches up to the audience and figures out this book’s plot. Every gay person in the town has had their memory wiped and has been assigned a not-hot demon stalker to haunt them anytime they get horny. Girlypop finds out that her parents sent her to conversion camp, and now that she’s regaining her memories they’re trying to send her back, so she runs away from home. She meets another lgbtq+ fugitive named Saul, and he has a book he stole from the church called Monetizing Demonic Possession for Dummies. Hell has in fact frozen over. That’s why the demons don’t like fire. So our gaybie babies decide that they’re gonna free all the brainwashed campers.
But first church. Saul’s like the church literally tortured me, but Jesus is still a hottie so imma go to church and just hope no one notices. And the audience is like are you delulu? And the author is like shut up, I’m trying to show that queer people and the church can coexist. And Sam’s like agree to disagree, bestie. Girlypop and Saul make a flamethrower to kill the demons and roast Jackie like a marshmallow. Then she emails her lesbian pornstar like hey hot stuff, I killed all the demons so it’s safe to scissor. Let’s meet at the library and you can join our Scooby gang. And girly pop is like OK time for happily ever after, and her girlfriend’s like we definitely have to save all the other kids first. And both girlypop and the audience are like you literally do not. And the author is like no no, they do. So they want to break into the camp to disable the demon possession technology machine. (Just go with it.) But oh no, they don’t know what room the machine is in. Obviously, the only solution is to take drugs to access their subconscious memories. This works.
They show up and oh my god, the church is growing demon worms in the basement. And the audience is like finally some horror! And the author is like by the way, the church is using the worms to wipe everyone’s memory because when the worms impregnate people with eggs, it wipes their memories. And the audience is like there’s the porn writer. The Christian therapist shows up, and he’s like a lol I’m the villain. Quelle surprise. And the audience is like fucking duh. So the Scooby gang releases the worms, and they basically impregnate the therapist to death. And the audience is like there’s a lot to unpack there. And the author is like moving on!
So the kids have solved the memory-wiping problem, but all the campers still have their state farm demons bonded to them. And the audience is like back, you smut writers, back. Luckily the big book of the dead had a spell for demon exorcisms, and Girlypop just memorized it, so she does the spell and the demons go after the real sinners, the camp counselors, because this book is a full-on afterschool special, and being gay isn’t a sin. So they burn the camp down. The demons are just loose in the world, but the lesbians get to make out, so happily ever after? The end.
November 12, 2023
Like all Tingle's work, this book proves love is real.
This is the first traditionally published book from the author of Pounded In The Butt By My Podcast "Night Vale Presents Pounded In The Butt By My Podcast With Chuck Tingle". Tor Publishing Group's horror imprint Nightfire finally recognized the popularity and value of distributing work from the writer of My Macaroni And Cheese Is A Lesbian Also She Is My Lawyer to the masses. I sincerely hope that the broad reading public was already aware of the luminary voice that brought us Open Wide For The Handsome Sabertooth Dentist Who Is Also A Ghost, but for those who have not yet had the pleasure of reading the likes of Bigfoot Pirates Haunt My Balls, this is a great boon.
This isn't Tingle's first full-length novel (Trans Wizard Harriet Porber and the Bad Boy Parasaurolophus) nor his first horror novel (Straight), both written to great critical acclaim, but Camp Damascus represents a new level of exposure and success that, despite its appeal, Pounded In The Butt By My Handsome Sentient Library Card Who Seems Otherworldly But In Reality Is Just A Natural Part Of The Priceless Resources Our Library System Provides was simply unable to achieve.
Good news: it's pretty good. Not outstanding, but worth reading. There is some occasional awkward phrasing, particularly alternate descriptors that sound like *shocker* something from a Chuck Tingle story. I would have liked some resolution on that teenager who was charged with murder when really a demon did it, but we seem to have forgotten about him. Some readers may take umbrage that the story doesn't exactly match expectations set by the blurb; we don't actually experience going to Camp Damascus and see characters going through the gay cure on the page. The story starts at a different point. But it tells its story very well, stays focused, and has a satisfying resolution.
I struggle with horror books that intentionally and expressly spin real-world sociopolitical elements. Here, we're talking about extreme evangelical Christian sects and, of course, 'pray away the gay' conversion camps. Like with Wanderers and The City We Became, I find the approach says, "Hey, this thing about the real world (racism, the banality of chain stores, right-wing paramilitary groups, anti-gay religious expression), imagine it's part of this scary concept," but it doesn't actually say anything about the source thing other than, "This thing is bad," which is not news. Saying "this thing is bad and also it's Cthulhu" doesn't do it for me. So as clever as the horror elements in Camp Damascus were applied, I don't think it said anything new or clever about gay conversion therapy or anti-gay religious sentiment. That's okay; it doesn't have to make a new statement or any statement at all. It's fine to just entertain, and it does that very well here. It may very well be therapeutic for readers who have directly suffered from the things in question. I have not, so it's easy for me to complain that the book didn't do enough for me personally. I still liked it.
I like the main character's portrayal and use as a narrator, sometimes unreliable to herself until she figures out what's going on while giving the reader enough information to understand even when she doesn't. I didn't often have an emotional response as a reader; perhaps the autistic character's narration, written by an autistic author, contributed to muting the emotions that could have been more strongly evoked in a different book, but it's an honest portrayal. I liked that the main character and the book never criticize religious belief; the character struggles with the specifics of her faith, but nothing bad is ever said about Christianity or her internalized moral code; the evil acts are evil outside of all that, not because of it. It's an eminently reasonable balance, one which won't change anyone's mind about anything, because anyone who would be offended at the book's perceived messaging isn't going to read it.
I have to say, I love how the cover includes "Hugo award finalist" because the way Tingle took that away from the Sad Puppies and made it an enduring banner of positivity and acceptance is simply beautiful.
Obligatory: Not Pounded By The Physical Manifestation Of Chuck Tingle’s Traditional Publishing Deal Because He Writes About More Than Just Pounding However If This Book Was About Pounding That Would Be Okay Too Because There’s Nothing Wrong With Sexuality In Art
This is the first traditionally published book from the author of Pounded In The Butt By My Podcast "Night Vale Presents Pounded In The Butt By My Podcast With Chuck Tingle". Tor Publishing Group's horror imprint Nightfire finally recognized the popularity and value of distributing work from the writer of My Macaroni And Cheese Is A Lesbian Also She Is My Lawyer to the masses. I sincerely hope that the broad reading public was already aware of the luminary voice that brought us Open Wide For The Handsome Sabertooth Dentist Who Is Also A Ghost, but for those who have not yet had the pleasure of reading the likes of Bigfoot Pirates Haunt My Balls, this is a great boon.
This isn't Tingle's first full-length novel (Trans Wizard Harriet Porber and the Bad Boy Parasaurolophus) nor his first horror novel (Straight), both written to great critical acclaim, but Camp Damascus represents a new level of exposure and success that, despite its appeal, Pounded In The Butt By My Handsome Sentient Library Card Who Seems Otherworldly But In Reality Is Just A Natural Part Of The Priceless Resources Our Library System Provides was simply unable to achieve.
Good news: it's pretty good. Not outstanding, but worth reading. There is some occasional awkward phrasing, particularly alternate descriptors that sound like *shocker* something from a Chuck Tingle story. I would have liked some resolution on that teenager who was charged with murder when really a demon did it, but we seem to have forgotten about him. Some readers may take umbrage that the story doesn't exactly match expectations set by the blurb; we don't actually experience going to Camp Damascus and see characters going through the gay cure on the page. The story starts at a different point. But it tells its story very well, stays focused, and has a satisfying resolution.
I struggle with horror books that intentionally and expressly spin real-world sociopolitical elements. Here, we're talking about extreme evangelical Christian sects and, of course, 'pray away the gay' conversion camps. Like with Wanderers and The City We Became, I find the approach says, "Hey, this thing about the real world (racism, the banality of chain stores, right-wing paramilitary groups, anti-gay religious expression), imagine it's part of this scary concept," but it doesn't actually say anything about the source thing other than, "This thing is bad," which is not news. Saying "this thing is bad and also it's Cthulhu" doesn't do it for me. So as clever as the horror elements in Camp Damascus were applied, I don't think it said anything new or clever about gay conversion therapy or anti-gay religious sentiment. That's okay; it doesn't have to make a new statement or any statement at all. It's fine to just entertain, and it does that very well here. It may very well be therapeutic for readers who have directly suffered from the things in question. I have not, so it's easy for me to complain that the book didn't do enough for me personally. I still liked it.
I like the main character's portrayal and use as a narrator, sometimes unreliable to herself until she figures out what's going on while giving the reader enough information to understand even when she doesn't. I didn't often have an emotional response as a reader; perhaps the autistic character's narration, written by an autistic author, contributed to muting the emotions that could have been more strongly evoked in a different book, but it's an honest portrayal. I liked that the main character and the book never criticize religious belief; the character struggles with the specifics of her faith, but nothing bad is ever said about Christianity or her internalized moral code; the evil acts are evil outside of all that, not because of it. It's an eminently reasonable balance, one which won't change anyone's mind about anything, because anyone who would be offended at the book's perceived messaging isn't going to read it.
I have to say, I love how the cover includes "Hugo award finalist" because the way Tingle took that away from the Sad Puppies and made it an enduring banner of positivity and acceptance is simply beautiful.
Obligatory: Not Pounded By The Physical Manifestation Of Chuck Tingle’s Traditional Publishing Deal Because He Writes About More Than Just Pounding However If This Book Was About Pounding That Would Be Okay Too Because There’s Nothing Wrong With Sexuality In Art
June 14, 2024
read this if you liked Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison!
it was 5 stars until the aftermath of them figuring out what's going on, which is the part I usually get bored with in horror books I've come to realize. I love the unique premise of this story and the commentary on those bigots who use religion as an excuse for their fucked up beliefs and actions.
it was 5 stars until the aftermath of them figuring out what's going on, which is the part I usually get bored with in horror books I've come to realize. I love the unique premise of this story and the commentary on those bigots who use religion as an excuse for their fucked up beliefs and actions.
July 18, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and Tor Nightfire for gifting me an early copy of this book. Below you'll find my honest review.
The internet knows Chuck Tingle as the writer of very strange, very specific erotic fiction... until now. This short novel will make everyone realize that he's not just a weirdo (which he is), but he's also much, much deeper.
This book revolves around the lengths religion will go to in order to change people it sees as "bad" even at the cost of stepping outside ethical or moral bounds or being hypocrites themselves. And as a gay man raised in the Bible Belt, I could completely identify with this situation.
My biggest gripe with this one is that, in the end, I needed just a bit more. I needed some more closure. I needed to understand how things were going to be moving forward in this world, and I didn't get that. But the rest of the book? Yeah, it was a masterful fictionalization and hyperbolic/fantastical revelation of what many of live on a daily basis because of the actions of "Christians" who "love us." (Please notice I put quotation marks for a reason.)
All in all, a powerful book that will put Chuck Tingle on the "normal" side of the literary map. But for the world's sake, I hope he continues writing both the "normal" and the "weird." The world needs more people pushing boundaries in good ways.
Highly recommended.
The internet knows Chuck Tingle as the writer of very strange, very specific erotic fiction... until now. This short novel will make everyone realize that he's not just a weirdo (which he is), but he's also much, much deeper.
This book revolves around the lengths religion will go to in order to change people it sees as "bad" even at the cost of stepping outside ethical or moral bounds or being hypocrites themselves. And as a gay man raised in the Bible Belt, I could completely identify with this situation.
My biggest gripe with this one is that, in the end, I needed just a bit more. I needed some more closure. I needed to understand how things were going to be moving forward in this world, and I didn't get that. But the rest of the book? Yeah, it was a masterful fictionalization and hyperbolic/fantastical revelation of what many of live on a daily basis because of the actions of "Christians" who "love us." (Please notice I put quotation marks for a reason.)
All in all, a powerful book that will put Chuck Tingle on the "normal" side of the literary map. But for the world's sake, I hope he continues writing both the "normal" and the "weird." The world needs more people pushing boundaries in good ways.
Highly recommended.
March 16, 2023
Camp Damascus kind of violates the promise of the book - that there's a gay conversation camp whose "success is anything but holy" (back cover copy). While the camp plays a central role, it is a background role. However, these camps do exist and are already horrifying, so I didn't mind this part that much; readers don't necessarily want to read about the traumatic experience of these camps as it happens. But the marketing does imply that's how the story will go.
I have not read any of Tingle's other works, so I can't speak as to whether this will be something a die-hard Tingler will want to read, though I'm guessing from his other titles that it is much different.
I think where this book fails for me is the writing style and storytelling method. The book is being marketed as Adult Horror, but it feels very much better suited for a YA audience. There is more "telling", especially of emotions, and the horror scenes are very dialed down, some so brief that you could blink and miss them.
Rose being an autistic narrator was a refreshing change of pace. I think her character could have been more developed and complex - for example, she grew up completely indoctrinated in the Christian faith with strict rules about right and wrong and is able to almost flip a switch and throw all of that indoctrination away entirely.
I appreciate Tor Nightfire providing me with an advanced copy to review!
I have not read any of Tingle's other works, so I can't speak as to whether this will be something a die-hard Tingler will want to read, though I'm guessing from his other titles that it is much different.
I think where this book fails for me is the writing style and storytelling method. The book is being marketed as Adult Horror, but it feels very much better suited for a YA audience. There is more "telling", especially of emotions, and the horror scenes are very dialed down, some so brief that you could blink and miss them.
Rose being an autistic narrator was a refreshing change of pace. I think her character could have been more developed and complex - for example, she grew up completely indoctrinated in the Christian faith with strict rules about right and wrong and is able to almost flip a switch and throw all of that indoctrination away entirely.
I appreciate Tor Nightfire providing me with an advanced copy to review!
September 16, 2023
This was so…fine? For a conversion camp story I was expecting a little more psychological horror and not monster hunting. It just felt really corny and soulless. It’s cool seeing chuck tingle get out there but if you are going to do a romp, it should at least be a fun romp
August 22, 2023
I enjoyed everything about this novel.
Great writing: check
Unique storyline: check
Protagonist's evolution: check
Hateable villains: check, check
I listened to the audiobook and by the time the first chapter was over I thought, 'Nope, Nope, not for me'. But I kept with it and so glad I did. Rose, our heroine, was so much fun to spend time with.
I really hope the author writes a prequel with either the characters from this book or brand new ones. That would be a must read preorder for me.
Great writing: check
Unique storyline: check
Protagonist's evolution: check
Hateable villains: check, check
I listened to the audiobook and by the time the first chapter was over I thought, 'Nope, Nope, not for me'. But I kept with it and so glad I did. Rose, our heroine, was so much fun to spend time with.
I really hope the author writes a prequel with either the characters from this book or brand new ones. That would be a must read preorder for me.
October 25, 2023
One reason (among many) that I ultimately turned away from the Church and my faith had to do with conversion therapy. Most people hear “conversion therapy” and think of Christian camps where gays and lesbians are sent to turn them back into good little heterosexuals. Because homosexuality, every good Christian knows, is an atrocity and a sin.
I remember having the occasional conversation/debate with some of my Christian friends about this subject, and most of them, sadly, agreed with conversion therapy. I was often alone in my view that homosexuality wasn’t something that can be “cured” any more than “left-handedness” or “voting Democrat” could be cured. I was also often alone in my view that homosexuality wasn’t a sin or a “lifestyle choice” or a mental illness. It was simply a different form of love.
For some reason, that really got under their skin. Needless to say, I didn’t get invited back to a lot of bible studies or parties after that.
Christianity, I suppose, can be a wonderful thing for many people. For a brief time in my life when I apparently needed it, it really helped get me out of a dark patch. My problem is that I had too many questions, and questions are frowned upon in Christianity.
Sadly, conversion therapy is not frowned upon by Christianity. It is, apparently and frighteningly, still a thing. (https://www.hrc.org/resources/the-lie...) It also, according to virtually every medical and psychiatric expert, doesn’t work. In fact, it often permanently traumatizes and scars young gay men and women for life.
It can’t be proven, but Chuck Tingle may have grown up in an ultra-conservative Christian fundamentalist household. He’s also gay (allegedly), and he loves to write satirical fantasy-gay porn. (well-documented) With outrageous titles like “Domald Tromp Pounded In The Butt By The Handsome Russian T-Rex Who Also Peed On His Butt And Then Blackmailed Him With The Videos Of His Butt Getting Peed On”, Tingle has literally made a career on both capitalizing on and making fun of gay porn. Talk about the American Dream.
Unfortunately, I have never read those, shall I say, more risqué titles. Thankfully, Tingle has published his first mainstream horror novel, “Camp Damascus”, and it is very funny, horrifying, and wonderfully gay.
I won’t go into the plot, other than to say that there is a lot of vomiting of mayfly larvae, teenagers getting killed, demons, non-accredited psychiatrists, and gun-wielding Christian pastors involved. Oh, and it’s all about Christian gay conversion therapy.
I’ll let you guess where Tingle stands on the subject.
I remember having the occasional conversation/debate with some of my Christian friends about this subject, and most of them, sadly, agreed with conversion therapy. I was often alone in my view that homosexuality wasn’t something that can be “cured” any more than “left-handedness” or “voting Democrat” could be cured. I was also often alone in my view that homosexuality wasn’t a sin or a “lifestyle choice” or a mental illness. It was simply a different form of love.
For some reason, that really got under their skin. Needless to say, I didn’t get invited back to a lot of bible studies or parties after that.
Christianity, I suppose, can be a wonderful thing for many people. For a brief time in my life when I apparently needed it, it really helped get me out of a dark patch. My problem is that I had too many questions, and questions are frowned upon in Christianity.
Sadly, conversion therapy is not frowned upon by Christianity. It is, apparently and frighteningly, still a thing. (https://www.hrc.org/resources/the-lie...) It also, according to virtually every medical and psychiatric expert, doesn’t work. In fact, it often permanently traumatizes and scars young gay men and women for life.
It can’t be proven, but Chuck Tingle may have grown up in an ultra-conservative Christian fundamentalist household. He’s also gay (allegedly), and he loves to write satirical fantasy-gay porn. (well-documented) With outrageous titles like “Domald Tromp Pounded In The Butt By The Handsome Russian T-Rex Who Also Peed On His Butt And Then Blackmailed Him With The Videos Of His Butt Getting Peed On”, Tingle has literally made a career on both capitalizing on and making fun of gay porn. Talk about the American Dream.
Unfortunately, I have never read those, shall I say, more risqué titles. Thankfully, Tingle has published his first mainstream horror novel, “Camp Damascus”, and it is very funny, horrifying, and wonderfully gay.
I won’t go into the plot, other than to say that there is a lot of vomiting of mayfly larvae, teenagers getting killed, demons, non-accredited psychiatrists, and gun-wielding Christian pastors involved. Oh, and it’s all about Christian gay conversion therapy.
I’ll let you guess where Tingle stands on the subject.
Want to read
July 21, 2023Wait...WHAT!? HAHA okay I have to read this. Chuck Tingle wrote a horror book? The Hugo nominated elusive author with such hits like Slammed In The Butt By My Hugo Award Nomination, Billionaire Elons Mugg Takes The Handsome Planet Mars In His Butt, My Ass Is Haunted By The Gay Unicorn Colonel, My Billionaire Triceratops Craves Gay Ass, or the classic Pounded In The Butt By My Constantly Changing Thoughts On The Ongoing Mystery Of Chuck Tingle's Real Identity, that Chuck Tingle? Buying this right now. Literally stopped writing this to ring it up at the register. You've all been warned.
October 17, 2023
The way this horror hit me both in the scaries and also my feelings. Tingle knows how to both keep you on the edge of your seat and also tenderly explore queer identity, neurodivergence, and religion in ways that honor both those who have forsaken religion and those who still seek to find a connection but hoping to eradicate the hate and fear.
gosh, i'm so excited to share this book with library patrons.
re-read today in one big gulp to prepare for an interview with the author, and i just again have to agree full-heartedly with the "searing and EARNEST' description from Tor. I'm so glad I tried this book, I've always adored the author for his work before, and I'm so happy for his success.
My main take away, is that LOVE IS REAL. Be curious, not judgmental.
gosh, i'm so excited to share this book with library patrons.
re-read today in one big gulp to prepare for an interview with the author, and i just again have to agree full-heartedly with the "searing and EARNEST' description from Tor. I'm so glad I tried this book, I've always adored the author for his work before, and I'm so happy for his success.
My main take away, is that LOVE IS REAL. Be curious, not judgmental.
October 5, 2023
A journey through real life nightmares and the horror of confronting everyday demons. Suspenseful and thrilling, Camp Damascus is equal parts love letter and warning call, an ode to every person who has struggled with being themselves, and a furious call out to anyone who has been an obstacle to authenticity and joy. Seamlessly incorporating horror tropes with the reality of a hostile system of power, this novel is a genuine testament that love is real, and it fights to survive. Fun and cathartic, this is one novel that is shining with humanity, empathy, and defiance.
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