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A review by thatlizhunter
Surrender Your Sons by Adam Sass
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.