This was another case of me going into a book thinking it was going to be about one thing, and then it ended up taking a completely different approach, and I loved it.

The story begins with our main character, Rose, spending time at a local swimming hole with her friends. While there, Rose notices a woman with dark, straggly hair staring at her from the trees. The woman appears to be wearing a red shirt and khakis, much like a camp counselor would wear. The woman also appears to be wearing some sort of collar, but before Rose can get a good look at her, the woman is gone.

Then, Rose begins to experience weird things like coughing up a swarm of flies, nightmares of screaming kids in some sort of chamber, and the creepy woman in the camp counselor outfit continues to pop up.

As Rose digs into what is going on, she eventually finds a tie between her visions and Camp Damascus – but Camp D amascus is for gay people, and Rose isn’t gay. Or is she? Did her parents send her to Camp Damascus, and is what she is experiencing related, or is it something else entirely?

I won’t say much more about this one because the less you know, the better. I went into this thinking I was going to read about a bunch of teens trapped at a gay conversion camp, fighting to get out, but what I got was completely different, and I loved it.

Tingle’s descriptive writing style immediately transports the reader to the small town of Neverton, Montana, a nice little God-fearing town that reminded me a lot of the small town in Idaho that I grew up in – the only difference was everyone in my hometown (with the exception of a small few) were Mormon. In Neverton, almost everyone is a member of Kingdom of the Pines – a Jesus-loving church that is also behind Camp Damascus – the self-proclaimed “most successful gay conversion camp in the country”. Tingle paints a picture of a community that appears idyllic on the surface but is hiding dark secrets behind closed doors. As we delve deeper into the story, we discover the sinister truth behind Camp Damascus, a gay conversion camp that claims to offer salvation but is steeped in malevolence.

Yeah – I know – when is a gay conversion camp ever a good idea? The answer is – it’s not, and Tingle does a great job of shedding light on the horrors of conversion therapy by adding a supernatural twist. Much like many of the far-right Christians today, the Kingdom of the Pines members feel like homosexuality is the worst kind of sin, and they need to teach people how to “love right”. What Tingle manages to do with this book is show not only how ridiculous and dangerous this way of thinking is but also show who the real monsters are in all of this.

The protagonist, Rose, is a relatable and well-developed character. Tingle skillfully captures her confusion and vulnerability as she navigates the strange occurrences happening to her. From the beginning, when she spots the mysterious woman in the woods, Rose’s journey becomes an intriguing puzzle that the reader eagerly pieces together. As her nightmares and strange encounters intensify, we are on the edge of our seats, eager to uncover the truth.

Despite the eerie atmosphere, Tingle infuses the narrative with themes of self-acceptance and the power of unconditional love, challenging the far-right “Christian” notions about sexuality and identity. Through his characters, he demonstrates the importance of embracing and accepting people for who they are.

I found it super easy to fall into this story, and I read it in a single sitting. The pacing is perfect and kept me engaged and hungry for more. The author’s attention to detail is commendable as he crafts a fully realized world within the confines of Neverton. From the picturesque landscapes to the corrupt underbelly, every aspect of the fictional town feels authentic and tangible. On top of that, the creepy vibe is there from the very first page. The presence of these creepy “beings” dressed in what appear to be camp counselor uniforms is very unsettling. It definitely gave an “It Follows” vibe.

I would highly recommend checking this one out if you’ve not already. It’s a quick read, and Tingle does a great job of keeping everything moving. It has everything you could want – characters you root for, a captivating story, horror, and a lot of heart.