Surrender Your Sons by Adam Sass

Release: September 15, 20203
Format: Ebook
Publisher: ‎ Flux
Source: TBR and Beyond Tours
Find it at: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Connor Major’s summer break is turning into a nightmare.

His SAT scores bombed, the old man he delivers meals to died, and when he came out to his religious zealot mother, she had him kidnapped and shipped off to a secluded island. His final destination: Nightlight Ministries, a conversion therapy camp that will be his new home until he “changes.”

But Connor’s troubles are only beginning. At Nightlight, everyone has something to hide from the campers to the “converted” staff and cagey camp director, and it quickly becomes clear that no one is safe. Connor plans to escape and bring the other kidnapped teens with him. But first, he’s exposing the camp’s horrible truths for what they are—and taking this place down.

Content Warning: conversion camps, religious bigotry, homophobia, transphobia, physical and emotional abuse, suicide, murder, kidnapping

About the Author:

Adam Sass began writing books in Sharpie on the backs of Starbucks pastry bags. And His debut YA novel, Surrender Your Sons, was named a best book of 2020 by Kirkus Reviews and Foreword INDIES, a best first novel for young readers by Booklist. It also won the Gold Medal for YA fiction at the IPPY Awards and was a selection for ALA’s Rainbow Book List for 2022. Again, his YA rom-com, The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers, was named a Best Book of 2022 by Seventeen and received starred reviews from Booklist and School Library Journal. He is also the author of the upcoming thriller, Your Lonely Nights Are Over.

Adam has been featured in Teen Vogue and the Savage Lovecast. He is also a recurring co-host on the popular podcast Slayerfest98, where he recaps Marvel shows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and other pieces of pop culture. He lives in Los Angeles with his husband and dachsunds.

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Surrender Your Sons Review:

“Surrender Your Sons” is an absorbing young adult thriller that draws you into its world, allowing you to become a part of the campers at Nightlight and share in their desire to escape the island. This book had me hooked from start to finish.

The story delivers on its promises as it takes you on a captivating journey of individuals stranded on an island, contending with the oppressive rule of the Reverend. The author skillfully unveils the psychological manipulation and torment the campers face at Nightlight. It sheds light on the extreme measures the camp’s leaders took to maintain control and suppress any form of resistance.

Speaking of characters, Connor is a compelling lead. The author does an excellent job portraying Connor’s struggle to assert his identity from his mother. Connor’s internal conflicts and astute observations contribute to the suspenseful atmosphere on the island.

The bond between Marcos and Connor adds depth to the narrative, and their scenes together are a delight. Memorable moments include Connor’s uneasy interactions with the Reverend on the cliff and the palpable tension when he and Marcos hide in the closet from Miss Manners. Other memorable characters were Briggs, Drew, Molly, and Darcy.

Furthermore, the mystery surrounding Ricky’s past and the camp’s history adds intrigue as the story unfolds. The author adeptly shifts between past and present, leaving readers eager to uncover the camp’s sinister secrets. This narrative also prompts reflection on individuals who struggle to accept their family members’ identities, subjecting them to hardships in the name of societal norms.

In summary, “Surrender Your Sons” is a captivating read, particularly suited for fans of suspenseful thrillers with an LGBT theme.