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Kamp Kromwell
Can dirt be evil? Not conceptual evil that's either moral or natural. But dank, almost ethereal malevolence comprised of sand, silt, and clay. A profound evil, like the evil that lurks in the sleepy town of Jasper Mill, Tennessee.
Some claim evil came to the Mill in the summer of '94 with the death of little David Abrams at the Kromwell summer camp. But that just shook the hive. Others say old John Tate-the madman who plagued the town in the '60s-planted the evil in the dirt himself, punched it right into the earth with his two big, bloody fists.
But Jasper Mill is evil. It's always been there. Always. Right there in the dirt.
Joey Carpenter doesn't know it, but the dirt is coming for him. At just fifteen, he's learned what the hands of depraved men can do. It had been an innocent conversation with another gay person, another "unicorn." Something to make him feel less alone in the world. But when he awoke in the ICU, he realized it had been much darker.
Joey will escape his bigoted father. He'll flee from the courtroom trial that threatens to publicize his secrets. He'll run all the way to the Tennessee mountains, to Kamp Kromwell, where the dirt waits for him.
Some claim evil came to the Mill in the summer of '94 with the death of little David Abrams at the Kromwell summer camp. But that just shook the hive. Others say old John Tate-the madman who plagued the town in the '60s-planted the evil in the dirt himself, punched it right into the earth with his two big, bloody fists.
But Jasper Mill is evil. It's always been there. Always. Right there in the dirt.
Joey Carpenter doesn't know it, but the dirt is coming for him. At just fifteen, he's learned what the hands of depraved men can do. It had been an innocent conversation with another gay person, another "unicorn." Something to make him feel less alone in the world. But when he awoke in the ICU, he realized it had been much darker.
Joey will escape his bigoted father. He'll flee from the courtroom trial that threatens to publicize his secrets. He'll run all the way to the Tennessee mountains, to Kamp Kromwell, where the dirt waits for him.
242 pages, Hardcover
Published October 28, 2025
About the author
A.J. Grea
7 books29 followersA.J. GREA is an author and screenwriter living in East Tennessee with his husband of twenty years, three snarky cats, and a meddlesome squirrel who will not stay away from the windows. A lover of 80s horror, he began writing short stories at the age of nine.
One of his first stories, "The Monster Who Ate My Brother," resulted in a parent-teacher conference, during which his mother had to assure the concerned faculty that his siblings were fine.
When not spinning hair-raising yarns, A.J. spends time as most middle-aged comic book fans do--playing video games and collecting childhood toys that remind him of when his only responsibility was being home before streetlights began to glow.
PROJECTS:
HAUNTING THELMA THIMBLEWHISTLE: THE CHRONICLES OF DEAD ANNA (67,000 words) – young adult horror (ISBN: 9781968152031): A young girl with clairvoyant abilities must work with the ghosts who haunt her mysterious house to prevent the Boogey Man’s return.
“A detailed gothic world beyond the realm of mortals.” – Kirkus Reviews
“The pages come to life…like a Harry Potter book especially for girls, a must read, but maybe not alone at night, unless you are really brave like Thelma.” - GoodReads
THE FORGOTTEN FEDERATION (100,000 words) – science fiction (ISBN: 9781968152024): A gifted geneticist battling a tyrannical world government struggles to locate and edify a new generation of guardians he produced using the genetic material of fallen superheroes once known as the Federation.
“Within the superhero genre, so often dominated by darkly serious tales, THE FORGOTTEN FEDERATION is a breath of fresh air.” – Indie Reader
“Exuberant and entertaining, slyly avoiding camp with plausible, albeit superpower-infused, characters.” – Kirkus Reviews
VICKIE VAN HELSING (73,000 words) – young adult horror (ISBN: 9780615487892): A teenager must come to terms with her monstrous heritage and master her abilities to save herself and her friends from the King of Vampires.
“Vickie is smart and tenacious…” – Publishers Weekly
“…this is NOT a shiny, shimmery vampire novel. Oh no. The vampires are REAL SCARY vampires.” – Amazon
“This is not a sweet, sparkly romantic vampire…it's the old school Drac from back in the day, and he hasn't aged well!” - GoodReads
VICKIE VAN HELSING: THE BIG FURRY SEQUEL (82,000 words) – young adult horror (ISBN: 9781968152017): A gifted young woman must unravel a "hairy" mystery in order to stop a pack of ferocious frat werewolves from overrunning her college campus.
NEW! COMING OCTOBER 2025 – KAMP KROMWELL (85,000 words) – horror (ISBN: 9781968152062): A teenage boy must escape the vengeful entity unleashed upon his summer camp while accepting his sexuality and the horrific memories of the deviant who tried to silence him.
CONNECT:
- WEB: www.ajgrea.com
- FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/authorajgrea/
- INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/a.j.grea/
- THREADS: https://www.threads.com/@a.j.grea
One of his first stories, "The Monster Who Ate My Brother," resulted in a parent-teacher conference, during which his mother had to assure the concerned faculty that his siblings were fine.
When not spinning hair-raising yarns, A.J. spends time as most middle-aged comic book fans do--playing video games and collecting childhood toys that remind him of when his only responsibility was being home before streetlights began to glow.
PROJECTS:
HAUNTING THELMA THIMBLEWHISTLE: THE CHRONICLES OF DEAD ANNA (67,000 words) – young adult horror (ISBN: 9781968152031): A young girl with clairvoyant abilities must work with the ghosts who haunt her mysterious house to prevent the Boogey Man’s return.
“A detailed gothic world beyond the realm of mortals.” – Kirkus Reviews
“The pages come to life…like a Harry Potter book especially for girls, a must read, but maybe not alone at night, unless you are really brave like Thelma.” - GoodReads
THE FORGOTTEN FEDERATION (100,000 words) – science fiction (ISBN: 9781968152024): A gifted geneticist battling a tyrannical world government struggles to locate and edify a new generation of guardians he produced using the genetic material of fallen superheroes once known as the Federation.
“Within the superhero genre, so often dominated by darkly serious tales, THE FORGOTTEN FEDERATION is a breath of fresh air.” – Indie Reader
“Exuberant and entertaining, slyly avoiding camp with plausible, albeit superpower-infused, characters.” – Kirkus Reviews
VICKIE VAN HELSING (73,000 words) – young adult horror (ISBN: 9780615487892): A teenager must come to terms with her monstrous heritage and master her abilities to save herself and her friends from the King of Vampires.
“Vickie is smart and tenacious…” – Publishers Weekly
“…this is NOT a shiny, shimmery vampire novel. Oh no. The vampires are REAL SCARY vampires.” – Amazon
“This is not a sweet, sparkly romantic vampire…it's the old school Drac from back in the day, and he hasn't aged well!” - GoodReads
VICKIE VAN HELSING: THE BIG FURRY SEQUEL (82,000 words) – young adult horror (ISBN: 9781968152017): A gifted young woman must unravel a "hairy" mystery in order to stop a pack of ferocious frat werewolves from overrunning her college campus.
NEW! COMING OCTOBER 2025 – KAMP KROMWELL (85,000 words) – horror (ISBN: 9781968152062): A teenage boy must escape the vengeful entity unleashed upon his summer camp while accepting his sexuality and the horrific memories of the deviant who tried to silence him.
CONNECT:
- WEB: www.ajgrea.com
- FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/authorajgrea/
- INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/a.j.grea/
- THREADS: https://www.threads.com/@a.j.grea
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 31, 2026
This book has alot of things that I love. it's dark/disturbing, yet also having a feeling of found family, a gay MMC coming into his own and his sexuality. While also having the backdrop of a campy horror movie - think Friday the 13th/sleep away camp, etc. if any of these are you vibe then it's worth checking it out.
January 14, 2026
“But I’m a unicorn.”
That line alone tells you everything and nothing at the same time—and that’s exactly the point.
Lamp Kromwell is horror with teeth. Not just the jump-scare, hide-behind-your-hands kind, but the slow, uncomfortable, sit-with-it kind that mirrors real life. A.J. Grea uses horror as a lens to explore what it means to grow up different in America—different in ways that make you a target, a curiosity, or something people want to “fix.”
The story blends surreal elements with painfully grounded reality. Being a “unicorn” isn’t magical here—it’s isolating. It’s being misunderstood, othered, and forced to navigate a world that wasn’t built with you in mind. The horror doesn’t come only from the monsters on the page, but from the systems, expectations, and cruelty that feel all too familiar.
What makes this novel hit hard is its honesty. It doesn’t soften the edges or offer easy comfort. Instead, it leans into the fear, the confusion, and the quiet rage of growing up knowing you don’t belong—but refusing to disappear anyway.
Lamp Kromwell is unsettling, emotional, and deeply human. If you like your horror layered with social commentary and raw truth, this one will linger with you long after the last page.
That line alone tells you everything and nothing at the same time—and that’s exactly the point.
Lamp Kromwell is horror with teeth. Not just the jump-scare, hide-behind-your-hands kind, but the slow, uncomfortable, sit-with-it kind that mirrors real life. A.J. Grea uses horror as a lens to explore what it means to grow up different in America—different in ways that make you a target, a curiosity, or something people want to “fix.”
The story blends surreal elements with painfully grounded reality. Being a “unicorn” isn’t magical here—it’s isolating. It’s being misunderstood, othered, and forced to navigate a world that wasn’t built with you in mind. The horror doesn’t come only from the monsters on the page, but from the systems, expectations, and cruelty that feel all too familiar.
What makes this novel hit hard is its honesty. It doesn’t soften the edges or offer easy comfort. Instead, it leans into the fear, the confusion, and the quiet rage of growing up knowing you don’t belong—but refusing to disappear anyway.
Lamp Kromwell is unsettling, emotional, and deeply human. If you like your horror layered with social commentary and raw truth, this one will linger with you long after the last page.
October 31, 2025
It's 3am but I'm still reading. This book drew me in and had me not want to put down even when I needed to sleep. This story blends how human horrors can become supernatural monsters.
The main character is Joey Carpenter a teenage gay boy coming to an acceptance in his life.
16 year old Joey attends a summer camp session at Kamp Kromwell after a serious SA event that occurred the previous summer. One of the things I like about this book is how the author understood there is not a need for graphic details of the SA.
I enjoyed having the background story of John Tate and the land that becomes the supernatural creature included in the story.
I felt drawn into the development of Joey's coming of age as a gay boy. The showing of how it effected him, his family and others around him.
It is a well thought out book that did not leave me cringing in disgust that some other recent LGBTQ+ horror stories have. Kamp Kromwell is very well written and a good read.
I received this book through a GoodReads Giveaway and I am thankful to have received a nice hardback edition.
The main character is Joey Carpenter a teenage gay boy coming to an acceptance in his life.
16 year old Joey attends a summer camp session at Kamp Kromwell after a serious SA event that occurred the previous summer. One of the things I like about this book is how the author understood there is not a need for graphic details of the SA.
I enjoyed having the background story of John Tate and the land that becomes the supernatural creature included in the story.
I felt drawn into the development of Joey's coming of age as a gay boy. The showing of how it effected him, his family and others around him.
It is a well thought out book that did not leave me cringing in disgust that some other recent LGBTQ+ horror stories have. Kamp Kromwell is very well written and a good read.
I received this book through a GoodReads Giveaway and I am thankful to have received a nice hardback edition.
December 10, 2025
I wasn’t ready for how deeply this book would hit me. Joey feels like a kid I wanted to protect. The mystery around Kromwell, the shadows in the town, the strange pulse of the earth, it all came together perfectly. The pacing is tight, and the emotional parts are handled so honestly. A.J. Grea really did something special here.
There’s a softness beneath the horror of this book, and I think that’s why it hit me. Joey’s journey felt almost symbolic when I later got to know life revisited through Ashley, who helped me understand how stories of trauma and escape can heal people. The supernatural elements in Kamp Kromwell never overshadow the human struggle. Instead, they magnify it. A powerful, unsettling read.
There’s a softness beneath the horror of this book, and I think that’s why it hit me. Joey’s journey felt almost symbolic when I later got to know life revisited through Ashley, who helped me understand how stories of trauma and escape can heal people. The supernatural elements in Kamp Kromwell never overshadow the human struggle. Instead, they magnify it. A powerful, unsettling read.
October 26, 2025
The sleepy town of Jasper Mill, Tennessee, is steeped in a palpable evil—a malevolence woven into the very earth itself, fueled by decades of sinister history. For fifteen-year-old Joey Carpenter, this darkness is personal. After a horrifying attack lands him in the ICU, Joey flees his bigoted father and a looming courtroom date, seeking refuge high in the Tennessee mountains at Kamp Kromwell. But this forgotten summer camp is where the evil was awakened years ago, and the malevolent dirt is waiting, ready to claim Joey as its final victim.
Read
December 10, 2025The atmosphere alone deserves five stars. The sense of dread is constant but elegant. You feel the evil, not through jump scares, but through the quiet, patient way the dirt seems to breathe. Joey’s pain is the anchor, and it makes the horror hit harder. Beautifully crafted.
August 4, 2025
This title was selected for IngramSpark's Indie Title Discovery Spotlight 2025!
A chilling and action-packed thriller perfect for fans of summer camp horror, supernatural suspense, and twisty tales!
A chilling and action-packed thriller perfect for fans of summer camp horror, supernatural suspense, and twisty tales!
November 27, 2025
There isn’t much more I could ask for in a horror novel. Grea builds the dread slowly in Kamp Kromwell while meticulously developing the sympathetic hero of the story. The story is an entrancing blend of emotion and terror, and I loved all of the non-traditional things Grea did with the traditional camp murders trope.
I am immensely grateful to A.J. Grea for my copy. All opinions are my own.
I am immensely grateful to A.J. Grea for my copy. All opinions are my own.
September 18, 2025
The novel follows Joey Carpenter, a teenage boy caught between the ordinary trials of growing up and the monstrous legacy of Kamp Kromwell, a summer camp haunted by tragedy, folklore, and something darker that won’t stay buried. It weaves Joey’s personal journey of survival, identity, and trauma with the eerie history of Jasper Mill and the cursed land it sits on. The story blends horror, coming-of-age, and queer self-discovery into a narrative that feels both chilling and raw, moving from gothic lore about the crooked oak tree to Joey’s painful memories of abuse and his attempts to reclaim his life.
Reading this book stirred up a whole mess of feelings in me. The writing is sharp and biting, like it wants to cut the reader open just to show what bleeds underneath. Other times it lingers in the shadows, letting dread seep in slowly. I was unsettled more than once, not just by the supernatural elements but by the human ones. The portrayal of Sam Barnes made my skin crawl, and the way the author shows Joey’s shame and survival felt almost too close for comfort. But that’s what hooked me. It’s horror that doesn’t rely only on monsters in the woods, but on the monsters we know too well.
The story moves from ghost stories to camp drama to deeply personal confessions, and yet that unevenness feels true to life. Memories don’t line up neatly, trauma doesn’t follow a straight path, and the narrative mirrors that jagged rhythm. Grea’s style veers between gritty and tender, and I loved the shifts. There were moments of humor that broke through the darkness, and they mattered because they reminded me that life is never just one thing. I also admired how unapologetic the book is about queerness. It doesn’t smooth over the rough parts or wrap them up in platitudes. It leaves the edges sharp, and that honesty made the story feel alive.
Kamp Kromwell reminded me of a strange marriage between Stephen King’s It and Boy Erased by Garrard Conley. Like King’s work, it builds its terror through folklore, small-town legends, and the slow creep of something monstrous hiding in the shadows, yet it also grounds itself in the personal anguish of a boy dealing with abuse and identity. Where Conley’s memoir is brutally honest about the shame and secrecy of growing up gay in a hostile environment, Grea filters that same raw vulnerability through a horror lens, giving the trauma both a literal and supernatural shape.
Reading this book stirred up a whole mess of feelings in me. The writing is sharp and biting, like it wants to cut the reader open just to show what bleeds underneath. Other times it lingers in the shadows, letting dread seep in slowly. I was unsettled more than once, not just by the supernatural elements but by the human ones. The portrayal of Sam Barnes made my skin crawl, and the way the author shows Joey’s shame and survival felt almost too close for comfort. But that’s what hooked me. It’s horror that doesn’t rely only on monsters in the woods, but on the monsters we know too well.
The story moves from ghost stories to camp drama to deeply personal confessions, and yet that unevenness feels true to life. Memories don’t line up neatly, trauma doesn’t follow a straight path, and the narrative mirrors that jagged rhythm. Grea’s style veers between gritty and tender, and I loved the shifts. There were moments of humor that broke through the darkness, and they mattered because they reminded me that life is never just one thing. I also admired how unapologetic the book is about queerness. It doesn’t smooth over the rough parts or wrap them up in platitudes. It leaves the edges sharp, and that honesty made the story feel alive.
Kamp Kromwell reminded me of a strange marriage between Stephen King’s It and Boy Erased by Garrard Conley. Like King’s work, it builds its terror through folklore, small-town legends, and the slow creep of something monstrous hiding in the shadows, yet it also grounds itself in the personal anguish of a boy dealing with abuse and identity. Where Conley’s memoir is brutally honest about the shame and secrecy of growing up gay in a hostile environment, Grea filters that same raw vulnerability through a horror lens, giving the trauma both a literal and supernatural shape.
July 31, 2026
Kamp Kromwell by AJ Grea was a really fun and twisted horror read with LGBT representation and an excellent choice to read during Summerween.
I will say this one starts off a little slow (but in a good way). It takes its time introducing the characters and building the tension and unease before things get chaotic and crazy af. This made the payoff even better once the creepy stuff started happening.
The camp setting was easily my favorite part. There’s just something about an isolated camp in the middle of nowhere that instantly makes me nervous, and this book absolutely leaned into that eerie atmosphere. The characters range from counselors to those attending camp and I couldn’t help but root for (most of) them lol. As the mystery unraveled, I kept trying to figure out what the heck was going on and I had ideas but was not even close. I loved how it all came together in the end.
If you’re a fan of horror with an unsettling atmosphere, a steady build-up, and plenty of creepy summer camp vibes, I highly recommend checking this one out.
Thank you so much AJ for sending me this copy and I can’t wait to read what else you have in store.
I will say this one starts off a little slow (but in a good way). It takes its time introducing the characters and building the tension and unease before things get chaotic and crazy af. This made the payoff even better once the creepy stuff started happening.
The camp setting was easily my favorite part. There’s just something about an isolated camp in the middle of nowhere that instantly makes me nervous, and this book absolutely leaned into that eerie atmosphere. The characters range from counselors to those attending camp and I couldn’t help but root for (most of) them lol. As the mystery unraveled, I kept trying to figure out what the heck was going on and I had ideas but was not even close. I loved how it all came together in the end.
If you’re a fan of horror with an unsettling atmosphere, a steady build-up, and plenty of creepy summer camp vibes, I highly recommend checking this one out.
Thank you so much AJ for sending me this copy and I can’t wait to read what else you have in store.
December 8, 2025
Kamp Kromwell left me thinking long after I closed the last page. There’s something chilling about the way A.J. Grea describes “evil in the dirt” not as a monster, not as a ghost, but as something woven into the land itself. Joey’s journey completely broke me open. The trauma he carries, the secrecy, the desperate need to escape… it all felt painfully real.
What struck me most was how the book balances horror with a deeply human story. Joey isn’t just running from monsters; he’s running from the world’s cruelty, and somehow trying to find a place where he can breathe again. The way the author captures fear, both supernatural and personal, is masterful.
I wouldn’t call this book just horror. It’s survival. It’s pain. It’s a strange, haunting beauty. And honestly, I wouldn’t have discovered it if not for Ashley mentioning the author’s previous work, Life Revisited. I’m glad I picked this one up. It’s unforgettable.
What struck me most was how the book balances horror with a deeply human story. Joey isn’t just running from monsters; he’s running from the world’s cruelty, and somehow trying to find a place where he can breathe again. The way the author captures fear, both supernatural and personal, is masterful.
I wouldn’t call this book just horror. It’s survival. It’s pain. It’s a strange, haunting beauty. And honestly, I wouldn’t have discovered it if not for Ashley mentioning the author’s previous work, Life Revisited. I’m glad I picked this one up. It’s unforgettable.
December 16, 2025
This novel is a chilling blend of Southern Gothic, queer horror, and cosmic dread. Its central idea, that evil isn’t symbolic but literal, alive in the dirt of Jasper Mill, feels original and deeply unsettling. The soil becomes a patient witness to generations of violence, absorbing hate until it turns sentient.
Joey Carpenter’s story gives the horror its emotional weight. His queerness, trauma, and desperate flight from a brutal home ground the supernatural elements in painful reality. The violence he survives is handled with restraint, making it far more disturbing than graphic detail ever could.
Jasper Mill and Kamp Kromwell are richly atmospheric, places that feel cursed not by a single event but by accumulation, of silence, cruelty, and memory. Bleak but powerful, this is horror that lingers, suggesting some evils don’t arrive… they’ve always been waiting in the dirt.
Joey Carpenter’s story gives the horror its emotional weight. His queerness, trauma, and desperate flight from a brutal home ground the supernatural elements in painful reality. The violence he survives is handled with restraint, making it far more disturbing than graphic detail ever could.
Jasper Mill and Kamp Kromwell are richly atmospheric, places that feel cursed not by a single event but by accumulation, of silence, cruelty, and memory. Bleak but powerful, this is horror that lingers, suggesting some evils don’t arrive… they’ve always been waiting in the dirt.
December 10, 2025
I honestly didn’t think a book about “evil dirt” would pull me in this hard, but wow… Kamp Kromwell is on another level. The whole vibe of Jasper Mill is creepy in a way that gets under your skin without trying too hard. Joey’s journey hit me emotionally, running from a life that’s been nothing but pain, only to land somewhere even stranger.
What I liked most is how real Joey feels. The fear, the confusion, the need to escape, it all comes across naturally. And the mystery behind the camp and the town? I kept flipping pages trying to figure out what was coming for him next.
When I first heard about this book through Ashley (who introduced me to Life Revisited too), I didn’t expect it to be this gripping. But here we are, completely hooked.
What I liked most is how real Joey feels. The fear, the confusion, the need to escape, it all comes across naturally. And the mystery behind the camp and the town? I kept flipping pages trying to figure out what was coming for him next.
When I first heard about this book through Ashley (who introduced me to Life Revisited too), I didn’t expect it to be this gripping. But here we are, completely hooked.
August 31, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Kamp Kromwell is an eerie, powerful, and deeply emotional read. A.J. Grea masterfully blends supernatural dread with the raw struggles of identity, trauma, and survival. Joey’s journey is heartbreaking yet full of resilience, and the ominous presence of Jasper Mill’s “evil in the dirt” adds a chilling layer of suspense throughout. The atmosphere is vivid you can almost feel the weight of the Tennessee mountains pressing down on the story. Dark, haunting, and unforgettable, this is a book that lingers long after the last page.
Kamp Kromwell is an eerie, powerful, and deeply emotional read. A.J. Grea masterfully blends supernatural dread with the raw struggles of identity, trauma, and survival. Joey’s journey is heartbreaking yet full of resilience, and the ominous presence of Jasper Mill’s “evil in the dirt” adds a chilling layer of suspense throughout. The atmosphere is vivid you can almost feel the weight of the Tennessee mountains pressing down on the story. Dark, haunting, and unforgettable, this is a book that lingers long after the last page.
February 23, 2026
I won this book in a giveaway on Goodreads and I apologize for taking so long to finish it as life happened. I really enjoyed this book, the horror was great and kept me wanting more. I really like how the characters were fleshed out and felt human, not too good not too bad. I did find that in some parts it jumped from scene to scene in a way that if you weren't careful it could make it a little hard to follow. I also love that 80's theme and how it didn't feel like it was just for nostalgia but the experiance. And it's something I can reread, And enjoy again and again.
October 7, 2026
Kamp Kromwell started off slow, but by the end, I was invested. The voice of the book was very strong, with sharp prose and an easy to follow narration. By the time the horror ramped up, it was interesting and scary, though it took a while to get there. My big complaint was the jumping around of perspectives. It was hard to follow at times because there was not a particularly strong delineation between the first and third person writing styles, which made me wonder at times what events the narrator was present for which he wasn't
December 10, 2025
This would make an amazing book club pick. There’s so much to unpack, generational darkness, small-town secrets, trauma, found family, queer identity, and the strange, almost sentient presence of the land itself. Grea’s writing is layered, cinematic, and precise. Joey’s voice is unforgettable. Every chapter felt like peeling back another piece of rot hiding under Jasper Mill. So well done. RECOMMENDED
December 10, 2025
Some books shock you. Some soothe you. Kamp Kromwell does both. Joey’s struggle to find safety after surviving something horrific… it felt intimate. Raw. When I got to understand Life Revisited through Ashley, I realized how many people carry pain like Joey’s and how stories like this give them space to breathe. The horror is gripping, but the heart of the book is pure tenderness. Stunning work.
December 21, 2025
This book hurt in ways I didn’t expect. Joey’s story is painful and courageous, and reading it reminded me of conversations I had when I got to know Life Revisited through Ashley, about survival, growth, and reclaiming your voice. Grea writes with empathy and edge. Powerful book.
June 30, 2026
Are you sick of queer characters getting butchered? Great news, that doesn't happen here! Oh, it covers some dark topics and there is violence but the story isn't built on queer suffering. The violence is pretty mild so it's good for YA audiences on up.
December 21, 2025
I picked this up for the creepy concept… but stayed for Joey. He’s such a compelling character. The horror is weird, original, and unsettling in all the right ways. Definitely worth reading.
August 4, 2025
I am a huge fan of A.J. Grea's writing style and have thoroughly enjoyed all his books. That being said, this one is definitely a stand-out. Grea takes the summer camp slasher trope we're all familiar with and delivers something updated, original, and spine-chilling...in more ways than one. With his adept character development, he has created characters we can relate to and invest in which makes our sense of dread and fear at the evil surrounding them even more palpable. Not only is this a horror story, it is a coming-of-age tale about a young teen boy escaping a horrific event and, despite feeling alone, discovering nothing could be farther from the truth. If you're looking for a book that delivers terrifying horror elements but also heart (and even humor on occasion), this one is for you! Highly recommended!
July 28, 2026
4.5 stars!!! I was hooked from page one of this book. the “cursed soil”, “demons in the mud”, “ghosts in the foundations” of the barn that sits upon the land. but oh was it so much more than just horror. there was found family, coming of age, lgbtq rep, and defeating your personal demons. all with a campy, Friday the 13th style setting. this book really captured the slow, eerie build up to the horror that is introduced at the beginning. the latter half of this book I could not put down!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews