I’d heard of Chuck Tingle, but Camp Damascus was the first novel I’ve read by him, and wow, it was a disgusting yet empowering journey. While rife with abuse, homophobia, and supernatural elements to make your stomach churn, this was a powerful reclamation of queer power and agency in the face of corrupt institutions.

Conversion camps are a tricky topic for me, and supernatural elements aside, that is what Camp Damascus deals with. This novel is earnest and straightforward in its messaging, and while that may not work for some, it worked for me. Protagonist Rose is both lesbian and autistic, and though she suffers (it is a horror novel), there’s more than despair to be found in Camp Damascus’ pages. Mind the content warnings, especially around religious trauma and homophobia if those are topics you’re sensitive to.

The on-point satire, disgusting imagery, and earnest emotions were worth sticking with. Overall, I enjoyed Camp Damascus a great deal and will be on the lookout for Tingle’s next foray into horror, Bury Your Gays.

Thank you to Tor Nightfire and NetGalley for an advance review copy. All opinions are my own.