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breezrose's review against another edition
4.0
Surrender Your Sons tells a multi generational story of coming out and the consequences, with the primary focus of course being on the teenage main character and the kids he meets in a remote conversion camp. The narrative also touches on both the inherited pride and trauma that persists within the queer community. This book is a heavy read as it covers conversion therapy, physical abuse and emotional abuse, so it would definitely need content warnings for young readers. It is a heartfelt exploration of life after coming out when the consequences of that are dire in a small, religious, conservative community. The adult characters embody the various ways one can internalize shame and perpetuate harmful ideas about gender and sexuality. The characters are endearing, resilient and believable. The ordeal the teens go through is quite extreme, and while the ideal endings for all of their storylines are a tad unrealistic, it's still satisfying. While overall it is a heavy read and maybe not for everyone, it tells a familiar story in a unique way.
ameserole's review against another edition
4.0
WOW.
Surrender Your Sons was a completely messed up book. Just wow. I had no idea what I was walking into but I also couldn't look away from it either. Oh lord, this book was so sad that I felt my heart strings being pulled and twisted throughout the entire book.
First off, no idea if these places actually exist to this day, but shame on parents who do this. I don't know how many times I wished I could reach into a book just to knock some sense into a person. Especially when it came to Connors' mom. She really needed a reality check and maybe a visit from baby Jesus every now and then.
Second, love is love. No parent should ever try to change their kid. They should always be their number one support system and to see how parents, and even the adults at this wacko camp, were acting - it broke my heart.
Third, I know this book doesn't sound like it has a lot of hope.. but it does. From the very beginning, I wanted all these kids to leave. To be rescued. Heck, to save themselves because they are bad ass to the bone. I won't say what did or didn't happen, you will just have to read it for yourself.
In the end, always have hope and a god damn amazing support system.
Surrender Your Sons was a completely messed up book. Just wow. I had no idea what I was walking into but I also couldn't look away from it either. Oh lord, this book was so sad that I felt my heart strings being pulled and twisted throughout the entire book.
First off, no idea if these places actually exist to this day, but shame on parents who do this. I don't know how many times I wished I could reach into a book just to knock some sense into a person. Especially when it came to Connors' mom. She really needed a reality check and maybe a visit from baby Jesus every now and then.
Second, love is love. No parent should ever try to change their kid. They should always be their number one support system and to see how parents, and even the adults at this wacko camp, were acting - it broke my heart.
Third, I know this book doesn't sound like it has a lot of hope.. but it does. From the very beginning, I wanted all these kids to leave. To be rescued. Heck, to save themselves because they are bad ass to the bone. I won't say what did or didn't happen, you will just have to read it for yourself.
In the end, always have hope and a god damn amazing support system.
lou_willingham's review against another edition
5.0
I was nervous about reading this. I knew Surrender Your Sons would be brutal and difficult to get through. I knew it would make me angry.
It also made me feel empowered to demand change.
This book is so brave. The characters are so brave. No one in there is a "perfect queer", and I love that. These are kids who are messy and scared and hurt. Connor's voice is strong and consistent and I couldn't help but love him! I want to sweep him up in a big, safe mom-hug and tell him it's okay.
The pacing is amazing. Most of the book happens over a weekend, with occasional flashbacks (I LOVE a good flashback). I listened to most of it on audio, and Sass had me gasping out-loud as pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
I'm so glad I read this book. It is a thriller, and it has very dark and upsetting moments which are just a reflection of some of the real horrors of homophobia.
Thoroughly enjoyed it! I cried, sure. But I feel good about it.
It also made me feel empowered to demand change.
This book is so brave. The characters are so brave. No one in there is a "perfect queer", and I love that. These are kids who are messy and scared and hurt. Connor's voice is strong and consistent and I couldn't help but love him! I want to sweep him up in a big, safe mom-hug and tell him it's okay.
The pacing is amazing. Most of the book happens over a weekend, with occasional flashbacks (I LOVE a good flashback). I listened to most of it on audio, and Sass had me gasping out-loud as pieces of the puzzle fell into place.
I'm so glad I read this book. It is a thriller, and it has very dark and upsetting moments which are just a reflection of some of the real horrors of homophobia.
Thoroughly enjoyed it! I cried, sure. But I feel good about it.
ddrosche's review against another edition
5.0
This book is another much needed instance of queer representation in the thriller genre, especially when ya is factored in. Aside from the entertainment aspect of being just a great story, Sass is able to properly and effectively work in some heavy topics including coming out, conversion therapy, suicide, and first love. There were many times when I gasped, teared up, and was generally shook. Easily a 5
ruxandra_grr's review against another edition
4.0
It's so kind of you to visit in my loneliness.
This was quite a ride of a book, heartbreaking and funny and emotional. I loved the characters - all of the kids were just grrrreat. I do have to sit on it for a while and process. It was hard to face up to the horrifying reality of gay conversion camps. Maddening. Anger-inducing.
Surrender Your Sons cemented once again, for me, the idea that there are no two equal sides when it comes to this kind of hate. There's the side that wants to love and be loved. And there's the side that hates, that twists the idea of what humanity is, and that wants to be emboldened to hate and hurt and destroy. Some of the villains in the book suffer from so much toxic self-loathing that they're consumed by it and they threaten to consume what's around them as well. An endless cycle of hate.
But when it came to love, I really loved Connor, his sense of humour and his love for others. I loved how all the queer kids got together and that's where they drew their strength.
This was quite a ride of a book, heartbreaking and funny and emotional. I loved the characters - all of the kids were just grrrreat. I do have to sit on it for a while and process. It was hard to face up to the horrifying reality of gay conversion camps. Maddening. Anger-inducing.
Surrender Your Sons cemented once again, for me, the idea that there are no two equal sides when it comes to this kind of hate. There's the side that wants to love and be loved. And there's the side that hates, that twists the idea of what humanity is, and that wants to be emboldened to hate and hurt and destroy. Some of the villains in the book suffer from so much toxic self-loathing that they're consumed by it and they threaten to consume what's around them as well. An endless cycle of hate.
But when it came to love, I really loved Connor, his sense of humour and his love for others. I loved how all the queer kids got together and that's where they drew their strength.
jessheartswords's review against another edition
2.0
How in the HELL does this story take place in just 2-3 days? Connor was at the camp for only 24 hours. It is so implausible.
alongreader's review against another edition
3.0
This is an extremely important topic. It really is. And the author is clearly a good writer, handling descriptions very well; I felt like I was on the island with Connor and the other kids. I was afraid of the Reverend, I felt sorry for Bill during that one scene...you know the one if you've read it, that was just cruel.
But the pacing was all off, and Connor was completely unfaithful to his boyfriend. He tries to justify it later by saying that he was only in love with what the boyfriend represented, but still. In less than a day, under extremely fraught circumstances, Connor is declaring unending love for another camper.
If things had taken place over a slightly longer time period...a week, even, instead of the day shown here; if Connor had failed his initial review and then decided to take everything apart...I might have found it easier to swallow. But instead, campers who have been there for months or years are suddenly handing over secrets they've been keeping all that time, to a camper who just arrived and who, for all they know, is a plant put there by the Reverend. That and some very squicky abuses of power mean that this will not be one of my top books, sadly.
I genuinely do think the topic is important, and the author has a good handle on descriptions and characters. The story just lets it all down.
But the pacing was all off, and Connor was completely unfaithful to his boyfriend. He tries to justify it later by saying that he was only in love with what the boyfriend represented, but still. In less than a day, under extremely fraught circumstances, Connor is declaring unending love for another camper.
If things had taken place over a slightly longer time period...a week, even, instead of the day shown here; if Connor had failed his initial review and then decided to take everything apart...I might have found it easier to swallow. But instead, campers who have been there for months or years are suddenly handing over secrets they've been keeping all that time, to a camper who just arrived and who, for all they know, is a plant put there by the Reverend. That and some very squicky abuses of power mean that this will not be one of my top books, sadly.
I genuinely do think the topic is important, and the author has a good handle on descriptions and characters. The story just lets it all down.
mamagames's review against another edition
4.0
Emotionally difficult but captivating and suspenseful. Was pre-reading it for 14 yo J - who I think will mostly be okay with it, but I have cautioned her to come to me if it gets challenging.
mrjack's review against another edition
4.0
My coworkers love to ask me about what I’m reading. That I have a book with me almost everywhere I go is pretty much an official part of my brand here. I rarely have to elaborate for famous books. SURRENDER YOUR SONS, a newer release and very much a queer-centered read, made for interesting conversations.
In the novel, Connor Major is sent to an island conversion therapy camp by his fanatically religious mother. The institution claims success for its many pupils. But Connor soon finds that the ministry is full of secrets. He and his classmates don’t just want to escape. They want to take the place down.
SURRENDER YOUR SONS is fast-paced and entertaining. Its heavy subject matter is exploited here as fodder for a thrilling page-turner, but author Adam Sass tackles these issues with capable sensitivity. He writes with an awareness of queer teenagers and what it’s like to be young and gay (only a gay teen could think Disney’s Into the Woods movie was good). If the novel has a flaw, it’s that the main villain becomes too convoluted in his motives and backstory, muddying a simple story that did not require complication. Still, this is a grand novel with both queer catharsis and trans affirmation that I enjoyed.
CW: homophobia, transphobia, suicide
In the novel, Connor Major is sent to an island conversion therapy camp by his fanatically religious mother. The institution claims success for its many pupils. But Connor soon finds that the ministry is full of secrets. He and his classmates don’t just want to escape. They want to take the place down.
SURRENDER YOUR SONS is fast-paced and entertaining. Its heavy subject matter is exploited here as fodder for a thrilling page-turner, but author Adam Sass tackles these issues with capable sensitivity. He writes with an awareness of queer teenagers and what it’s like to be young and gay (only a gay teen could think Disney’s Into the Woods movie was good). If the novel has a flaw, it’s that the main villain becomes too convoluted in his motives and backstory, muddying a simple story that did not require complication. Still, this is a grand novel with both queer catharsis and trans affirmation that I enjoyed.
CW: homophobia, transphobia, suicide
thatlizhunter's review against another edition
5.0
okay, this was extremely hard to put down. It's gripping, it's terrifying, and it's so very relatable. trigger warnings below.
First, I fell into this book from the first frigid interaction between Connor and his mom. The way Connor is treated, his nearly forced coming out, his internalized homophobia, and stubborn refusal to surrender. It's heartbreaking, and utterly gripping.
Connor is shipped off to conversion therapy, and it's a nightmare. And while it is awful in the way one can expect from conversion therapy, there's also wry humor, sparkling romance, warm friendships, and a thrilling mystery.
i seriously want to wrap this entire group of kids in my arms and tell them it will be alright. You will survive. Homophobia doesn't win. You're strong and brave and entirely deserving of love and being yourself.
Anyway, this book hit me hard in the gut. It reminded me of harsh conversations with people in my life about my sexuality, my own fear and experience with conversion therapy and religious fanaticism, and the utter desperate desire to be free.
Also, no spoilers, but while Surrender Your Sons has DARK moments, this book is not just a hard thriller. There are shining times of Queer Joy and survival. Basically, the bad guys don't win all the time and I needed that hope for this story.
Trigger warnings for homophobia, abuse, suicide, religious trauma, violence, transphobia and conversion therapy.
First, I fell into this book from the first frigid interaction between Connor and his mom. The way Connor is treated, his nearly forced coming out, his internalized homophobia, and stubborn refusal to surrender. It's heartbreaking, and utterly gripping.
Connor is shipped off to conversion therapy, and it's a nightmare. And while it is awful in the way one can expect from conversion therapy, there's also wry humor, sparkling romance, warm friendships, and a thrilling mystery.
i seriously want to wrap this entire group of kids in my arms and tell them it will be alright. You will survive. Homophobia doesn't win. You're strong and brave and entirely deserving of love and being yourself.
Anyway, this book hit me hard in the gut. It reminded me of harsh conversations with people in my life about my sexuality, my own fear and experience with conversion therapy and religious fanaticism, and the utter desperate desire to be free.
Also, no spoilers, but while Surrender Your Sons has DARK moments, this book is not just a hard thriller. There are shining times of Queer Joy and survival. Basically, the bad guys don't win all the time and I needed that hope for this story.
Trigger warnings for homophobia, abuse, suicide, religious trauma, violence, transphobia and conversion therapy.