Camp Damascus
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
Camp Damascus is widely praised as a poignant and terrifying exploration of religious trauma, conversion therapy, and queer identity. Readers frequently highlight its effective blend of psychological horror and supernatural elements, though opinions are split on its shift toward action-oriented tropes in the latter half.
Pros
- Powerful representation of queer and autistic protagonists.
- Highly cathartic for readers with backgrounds in conservative evangelicalism.
- Strong, atmospheric first half focusing on religious gaslighting and psychological tension.
- Unique 'demon thought police' concept and creative take on possession.
Cons
- The second half is criticized by some for feeling too much like a Young Adult (YA) action novel.
- The ending is described by several readers as feeling 'too convenient' or rushed.
- The narrator's specific voice and 'quippy' dialogue can be polarizing.
Caveats
- There is a notable tonal shift from psychological/cosmic horror to generic action that may disappoint those seeking a consistent atmosphere.
- While the book is horror, some readers feel it 'rides the line' between mature horror and YA fiction.
Best for
- Fans of queer horror and 'ex-vangelical' narratives.
- Readers looking for strong neurodivergent representation in fiction.
- Those who enjoy psychological horror mixed with occult or eldritch themes.
Avoid if
- You strongly dislike Young Adult (YA) tropes or 'quippy' character dialogue.
- You prefer horror that maintains a slow, psychological burn through to the end.
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 122-month half-life. The evidence comes from 26 mentions primarily in horror-focused communities over the last 13 to 20 months (median age of 405 days).
Sentiment
21 positive (81%) · 5 mixed (19%) · 0 negative (0%)
Trust + time weighted score: +80% · raw score 81%
What redditors said (10 of 26)
I haven’t read Bury Your Gays, but I’ve read Camp Damascus, and I don’t think you would like it. To keep it as spoiler-free as possible, the best part of Camp Damascus is the beginning, which involves a lot of religious gaslighting and repression. ... Unfortunately, it soon devolves into generic action, quippy dialogue, and paper-thin characters.
If Tingle ever writes a book that's all like that (I haven't read Camp Damascus, is that what I'm looking for?) I will love it, I am confident.
The flashback scenes are, again, truly impressive. If Tingle ever writes a book that's all like that (I haven't read Camp Damascus, is that what I'm looking for?) I will love it, I am confident.
As a queer ex-vangelical who had friends die in Wilderness camps, this book was both terrifying and oddly cathartic.
I fucking LOVED Camp Damascus. It was such a cool take on demon possession. Tingle's pivot into horror has been fantastic
Felt the exact same way about it. I don't like YA but I had already heard that it rides the line between YA and mature horror, so I went in with an open mind. Loved the concept of demon thought police, and the storyline of a queer autistic kid prevailing over everything stacked against her. But yeah, I was a little disappointed in that ending.
As someone who grew up conservative evangelical and is…not that anymore, I LOVED Camp Damascus
It got a bit too YA for me in the second half, and the ending felt a little too convenient, but the first half was so strong.
Except that OUGH and OOH and WOW Not to be the 100th person to say this but I cannot believe the Pounded in the Butt guy wrote this, Going in I was expecting a horror about going to Conversion Camp ad instead I was treated to a story about what happens when you 'survive' one. The literal and metaphorical demons, the queerness, the pstd, the autism, the all of it. Rose Darling is up there in the top protags of horror for me now. 10/10
I can recommend *Camp Damascus* (psychological, cosmic/eldritch, occult, queer horror)
Compare
Camp Damascus vs Dark MatterCamp Damascus vs MiseryCamp Damascus vs Books of Blood
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