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.
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With all the buzz I’d seen about this book on Twitter, I was beyond excited to receive an ARC.
This book isn’t for everyone. It deals with some dark, heavy topics, and parts of it are absolutely gut-wrenching. The slurs and vitriol spat out by some of these characters is horrific and repulsive – and yet some people in the world still feel this way. It’s unfathomable to me.
My heart broke for Connor and his friends and the unimaginable circumstances they were forced into. Despite their grim situations, this group of queer kids stick together and support each other. The heartfelt bonds, friendships, and romantic relationships they form are one of the best parts of the novel, and I wanted to just hug every one of them.
With tension-filled moments and layers upon layers of secrets, this book is difficult to put down. My only critique would be the time frame. Everything happens on the island in roughly twenty-four hours, and I found that a little tough to swallow. Trust me – a lot happens.
Although some parts are tough to read, this book is full of heart and hope and one I highly recommend.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Harrowing. Heartbreaking. Terrifying. Infuriating. Inspiring.
I cannot find enough adjectives to adequately describe the fabulous discovery that is SURRENDER YOUR SONS. Adam Sass’ debut novel will explode in your psyche like a nuclear warhead—you cannot read this book and come away unscathed. Sass has written this tale about a boy’s escape from a cruel “conversion therapy” camp as a thriller, but it is far more than that. The chapter titled “The Sanctum” is so raw with emotion, it moved me to tears. What a special, unique, wonderful story. I have already recommended it to everyone I know who searches for books that are different, that have something important to say. Buy this book. Read Connor’s story. Pass it on.
Wow! I was on the edge of my seat from pretty much the very beginning. So much of this made my skin crawl. Everything Connor and all the other kids go through at Nightlight was some of the most horrific, realistic nightmares I’ve ever read.
There are trigger warnings listed by the author on the first page, and I think that’s so important to see and note.
I finished this moving, terrifying, quirky, heart-breaking novel by Adam Sass some time ago, but needed to get my head around what I’d read before writing my review. It really wasn’t an easy read for so many reasons. But so worth it. Initially I loved the cover art, and then the blurb just sucked me in.
Honestly, I actually can’t believe that these ‘conversion camps’ are still happening and the whole premise was a complete eye-opener for me. Horrifying. The writing was sublime – the author totally captured the heart and soul of these children, teens and young adults in such a way that you could almost feel their pain and horror and fear. But also their strength and friendship and love and triumph.
There are some really bad people in this book, and also some good people who do bad things, but the message coming through loud and clear is of hope and acceptance and love, despite all the bad stuff.
Do yourself a favour and one-click this one
4.5
How do you start a review for a book like Surrender Your Sons?
How about this: Surrender Your Sons made me cry so ugly my iPhone didn’t recognise my face after.
I don’t think I have ever read a book that I was so invested in a character so quickly as I was Connor Major. I don’t think I have ever read a first chapter that filled me with hope, sadness, anger and fear all at once. This is Surrender your sons, and you could never.
Surrender Your Sons isn’t just a coming of age YA queer thriller, it is a revolution. It is generations of queer people saying ENOUGH. This book has a pulse, it’s strong, and it isn’t stopping. It can’t, and more importantly, it shouldn’t. Surrender Your Sons is heart-breaking, funny, shocking, horrible, beautiful, devastating and victorious. Go and read it now
Wow, this was such a good book! It was so intense and emotional at times. I liked how it showcased so many different things. Not only how different people dealt with this uncertainty in their life of coming out in a world like we live in today, but then how some people still are easily pushed into doing what society expects. But there were some really bad people in this as well. Some evil people at the camp, and then some that were just messed up, regretted what they’d done, and maybe wanted to make up for those things, even if it was too late. And there was romance, as much as there can be in the situations they were in. I liked how the author didn’t shy away from not only the emotional and romantic parts of the main characters relationships, but we also got physical parts, like you would with a heterosexual romance without the batting of an eye. I think it is so great to be getting books like this more easily available and becoming more normal, even if like some of the characters and situations in the book itself, not everyone wants it to be that way.
I’m just a big ball of emotions right now. It’s been a long time since I stayed up this late to finish a book. And I don’t regret it for a minute.
Surrender Your Sons is a punch to your gut. It hooked me from the beginning, and actually hasn’t let me go yet. There were times it was extremely difficult going, as it deals with some very heavy issues (please read the Author’s Note if you’re worried). Parts of it were truly heartbreaking, and I tear up just thinking about it. But then there were these moments of sweetness and light that had my heart swelling with giddiness. This book won’t be for everyone, but I think everyone should read it. It’s hard to image there are places like Nightlife Ministries out there, but sadly I’m sure there are, and worse. And it’s even more devastating to know that there are parents like Connor’s, willing to send their children to these hellish places, hoping it will change them- when they are perfect just as they are.
Thrilling, haunting, heart-wrenching yet hopeful, Surrender Your Sons has left a lasting imprint on me. I don’t know why I have such a hard time when it comes to writing reviews for books that really impact me, but such is the case with SYS. I have all these thoughts running through my head, but they’d never transfer to words the way I’d hope. So I’ll just end with this- read this book, please!
It was the bright yellow colour of the cover that attracted my eye, then the title “Surrender Your Sons” made me curious as to what the book was about. The genres I have seen listed for this book are Teen, YA and LGBTQIA which I agree with but it is also so much more. I am not a Teen reader yet thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I’d say it has lots of elements within it such as mystery, thriller, suspense and it covers some really emotive subjects. The book deals with “coming out” to your family, their reactions as well as your wider community’s reactions too.
The main character in the book is Connor Major, who lives in Ambrose, Illinois. A place he describes as in the middle of nowhere. Connor lives with his mother, Marcia Major, as his father left them years ago and has had very little to do with Connor since. Marcia Major works at the local hospital caring for preemie babies.
The Majors nearest neighbour is Reverend Stanley Packard who seems to float around Ambrose with all the women, including Marcia fawning over him and basically hanging on his every word and request. Connor has an Iranian boyfriend, Ario who is older, and much more experienced as well as further on his life. Ario’s mother and family are supportive of him being gay, which is probably why Ario not only encourages, but pressures Connor into officially “coming out”. Unfortunately for Connor, his mother is shocked and annoyed, so much so that her reaction is to confiscate Connor’s phone and not allow him out. Connor briefly dated Vicky, who he now looks upon as his best friend. Vicky is pregnant by an older man whose identity she is determined to keep secret. Unfortunately for Connor this makes people resume he is the father of her baby. The sad thing is his mother Marcia indicates she would be quite happy if this was the case, and tries to pressure her son into “stepping up” and “taking responsibility” for Vicky and her baby. Connor’s mum does attempt to punish her son by not allowing him to see his boyfriend and by signing him up to do meals on wheels for the Reverend. It’s whilst doing this that Connor meets Ricky Hannigan. Ricky has had some sort of accident and is paralysed, the Reverend stresses to Connor he must treat Ricky and his mother like VIP’s and always be on time. Ricky lives in the area that Ario does so naturally Connor takes the opportunity to visit his boyfriend but instantly regrets this when he is spotted coming out of his boyfriend’s home by the Reverend who is keeping a close eye on him. After that Connor is accompanied on his meals on wheels round by the Reverend. When Ricky suddenly dies he leaves a musical programme for Connor with the words “Help Connor” and “Nightlight” on it. It’s not until later that Connor realises Ricky is attempting to send him some sort of important message.
Then one evening he is woken from his sleep, restrained, bundled into a van and taken to an Island to basically “make him straight”. He isn’t the only person on his way to the Island, he meets Molly who has a girlfriend and her family have also paid to have their child “made straight” too. Both Connor & Molly are handled roughly and quite badly that first night but its just the beginning of their journey. Connor begins to realise this is the place called Nightlight that Ricky was trying to warn him about.
There’s a real mixed bunch of people at the camp, from 20 yr old rich male model, to young teens. Connor soon discovers that he isn’t the only one who has a parent that doesn’t understand him. At some point within the book all the characters attempt to fake being “normal” to pass the tests and classes they are subjected to. There is one particular class led by the awful Ramona where they have to pair up into “normal couples” and go on a date. The jobs the campers/prisoners are given are very gender specific too, such as Molly cleaning, Darcy waitressing. The punishments are archaic and very “boot camp-esque” even staff members can be subjected to them.
There’s lots of great characters in this book, so its hard to choose just one favourite. I loved Darcy Culpepper, who is described as wearing a retro bob wig. This description had me thinking of Frenchie from Grease and the whole Beauty School Drop Out scenes! It turns out that Darcy is much more, wily and knowledgeable than she is given credit for. Darcy knows things, secrets, about the staff, pupils and what is going on at Nightlight, than you at first think. Another character I liked even though she was only in the book for a few quick scenes was Ario’s younger sister. The one who Connor gave $10 to, as she wanted to donate it to a page of the Aunt of a male model who had disappeared, thought to be being held captive at some weird place that was going to make him straight. Connor empathises with the male model as it appears most of his family have turned against him since he came out just like Connor’s mum has with him. He also likes Ario’s little sister, thinking its great that she wants to help, and is so accepting of both her brother’s and his sexuality.
Now to characters I loved to hate! Well of course the pious, foreboding Reverend Stanley Packard the man in charge at Nightlight. The same man that strides around Ambrose that everyone bends over backwards to please and impress. Then there’s the crazy Miss Ramona Hayward or Miss Manners as the campers nickname her. Ramona is likely to strike out and hit or scratch you if you don’t say what she considers the right thing. Ramona is also the camp nurse, so that’s a great combination when she injures someone, then has to deal with what injury she has inflicted on them. Though Ramona isn’t the only violent one at Nightlight, Briggs is the one in charge when the Reverend is back in Ambrose. Briggs also lashes out and punches and pushes the campers around to make them do what he wants.
The book is told in different series of timelines/memories. There’s Connor “Before” he came out, Connor “After” he came out but “Before Nightlight”, then the “Present” which is Connor at Nightlight and then right at the end of the book we get a taste of life “After Nightlight”. It’s all from Connor’s point of view and we make discoveries about the other characters and Nightlight as he does. He discovers the Winners Wall which is the walls of the cabin the boys sleep in. The walls are covered in photographs of success stories, those that arrived gay and went home “normal/straight”. Its whilst looking at this wall that Connor discovers a photo of Ricky Hannigan, as well as Briggs, one of the staff members. There’s also a space where a photograph has been ripped away. The Winners Wall holds a lot of clues and secrets that Connor needs to uncover the truths about. As Briggs was on the boys cabin Winners Wall it made me wonder if female staff member, Ramona was on the Winners Wall in the girl’s cabin, but we didn’t get a description of their cabin or anything from their point of view/their voice really.
I found the book quite an addictive read and enjoyed pondering what had happened to Ricky that ended up with the FBI turning up at his home when he died to investigate. For them to be still asking questions about his accident that happened years before. Why was Connor told to treat him like a VIP? I loved the brain teaser type aspect to the book, and at times hated having to put it down. In fact, when I finally finished reading the book it was in the early hours of the morning as I had to know what had happened to Ricky and who was responsible for Ricky’s accident. I totally admit I thought I had solved the mystery a couple of times but wow I was still shocked when the truth was revealed. This book certainly made you think and puzzle over why these people at Nightlight thought how they treated the campers would somehow change their sexuality. The end of the book was really realistic and I am really glad it was. Connor talking to Ario about how different he felt now they had been apart and what he had been through with his new friends he met at Nightlight. I was glad things were kept super realistic with Connor’s mother too. It would have been so easy to have her denying any knowledge of what went on at the Island she had sent her son to. It would have been a typical happy ever after for her to apologise and her to welcome back her son immediately. I found the ending with Connor & Marco reuniting Ricky’s ashes with his own true love fairly emotional. This book certainly transports you to hell and back with Connor on his rollercoaster life. Though this book does deal with serious issues don’t be put off reading it as it also contains some great humorous quotes and scenes too.
My immediate thoughts upon finishing the book were that I had really enjoyed reading it. The book was really believable and I quickly became attached to the characters. By the end I even felt a little sympathy for staff member Briggs, though I couldn’t bring myself to feel anything positive for the Reverend or Ramona!
To sum up I think maybe some readers will think it a little far fetched and try to deny places and people like Nightlight existing but who knows if they are providing the type of teaching and treatment described within this book, they wouldn’t be openly advertising it would they! I loved the mystery and suspense elements within the book. It did make me think about anyone “coming out” in the present day and I reckon its still a big step for anyone. When will society just be accepting of everyone no matter who they are or what their sexuality is.
SURRENDER YOUR SONS
This book is haunting and grips you from start to finish. A perfect, dark escape that will inspire you to get off of your own island that traps you.
“Nightlight has no TV, no running water, no basic necessities… but they’ve got body bags.”
I loved this book. And I don’t think it would have exceeded as well as it did without the author. Adam Sass breathed life into this book. Despite the dark concepts, there were still moments of humor and smiles that kept this book afloat. The MC, Connor Major, was 1000% my favorite part of the story.
Connor Major was kickass. A beautiful balance of strength and vulnerability, of grit and fear. He had a smart-mouth and was fearless, but he was still human enough to panic, to feel fear and doubt and guilt in his decisions.
“I finally did the right thing. I didn’t leave them. I stayed. Whatever comes next, we’re on the same team.”
The plot itself was dark. But I’m glad it was written as a YA. If it had been any darker, I don’t think my heart could have handled it. I liked that it was dark, and exposed the darker sides of humanity all the way down to the escape when the public claimed Connor was lying, but it still held hope. I think that’s my favorite aspect of the story: hope. Hope for goodness amidst the darkness.
I highly recommend this as a read.
“Nightlight tried to snuff it out, but love grew. Love found its way to the island, and this sanctuary made it possible.”