I was looking for an easy horror summer read when I came across this one which immediately grabbed my attention.

The story is simple, a black teen is sent to summer camp to do community service after she is caught shoplifting and her “friends” put all the blame on her.

Said summer camp is built next to Lake Lanier, a real place in Georgia with its own deep-rooted history. And while I had no prior knowledge of the legend of lake Lanier, after looking it up beforehand I got even more excited to start this book and see how Barzey incorporated this into his story.

And it definitely didn’t disappoint.

The book starts out a bit slow. We get to know our main girl Taylor, her “friends” and learn how she ended up at camp Lanier. While all of this is important to the story, it took up 25% of the story and I felt like this would’ve worked equally well with a few shorter scenes. Especially considering the book is only around 200 pages in total.

But despite this, I kept wanting to pick this up and continue reading and I’m glad I did. Once we’re past the 25% mark and the story at the camp starts, everything really gets going. What follows is a fast-paced story which can be best described as part ghost story, part slasher in which the lines between what is real and what isn’t start to blur.

Taylor starts to see and hear things other people don’t and while reading I was just as confused as she was at certain moments. What is real? What is in her head? And even then, did that specific event she's seeing really happen at one point or is she making everything up? The story keeps you guessing in that regard and that adds to the overall spookiness of the story.

The history told through Taylor's experiences is really interesting. The whole legend of Oscarville and Lake Lanier works really well as the setting for this story. Barzey does a great job of incorporating the history into the story without it becoming too much of a history lesson or info dumping. Seeing that I didn’t really have any prior knowledge, I love how much I learned from just reading this book. There’s even an author’s note at the end going into more detail on how this is a fictionalised version of these events.

These vision-like experiences Taylor has are also where the horror comes in. I went into this without any expectations on how scary this was going to be as I’ve seen other people complain about the lack of horror. But after reading I have to say I disagree. There’s a lot of degrees to horror and the use of it and this falls into one of the lower categories. To me this story contains just the right amount of gore and scares for a YA novel. There is some blood, but nothing over the top and I found the story to be very eerie and atmospheric at times. Enough to make you wanting to keep reading all the time.

While we’re at the subject of horror, I also loved the many horror references. Some of them are so sneaky you might not even pick up on them if you’re not an avid horror fan. I thought this was very nicely done and clearly shows Barzey knows his horror, which I always love to see. I think I got most of the references, but some are a bit more obvious than others. I won’t go into detail as it’s more fun to figure it out by yourself, but one of my favourites was a podcaster named Gale Prescott.

Even though this is a horror story, the real horror isn't the scares or the ghosts or the blood and gore. No, the real horror here is the racism interwoven throughout the whole book. It reminded me of the movie Get Out in a way and even the author has made the same comparison, showing how it has been one of his inspirations in writing this.

The racism is always present in the story in some way. Even if not overtly stated at all times, it’s very clear the black people are treated differently from the white people. At camp Lanier there is a separate place for all the delinquents. Almost unsurprisingly, they’re all black kids. They are forced to work, live and sleep under bad conditions while all wearing the same red jumpsuit. It is very clear what Barzey is going for here without actually saying the words.

The subtle racism and not so subtle racism was very eye-opening to me as a white reader. It wasn’t just Taylor who picked up on it while it was happening, I did too. To me, this all felt very well done and very realistic and it helped me see and experience what it must be like for black people to constantly have to deal with these experiences when I don’t have to worry about any of this. This definitely added another deeper layer and made it so much more than just a fun slasher/ghost story.

At only 200 pages this is the perfect pick if you’re looking for a quick, fun, spooky summer read and I definitely recommend it. While it has some darker themes, it was never handed too heavily. This being based on actual events gave the story an extra dimension. The characters are likeable and even the ones that aren’t have their reasons and that makes them real. To me Taylor very much has a teen voice which made her feel like a real teenager and her snarky humour made me chuckle quite a few times. The story was a bit predictable as I guessed who the killer was about 80% in, but this didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story.

I will definitely pick up more of Barzey’s work in the future.

*Thanks to NetGalley for this copy. I leave this review voluntarily and all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Great book. Although it felt very YA to me that is expected given the ages of the primary characters. I loved the creepy feel of the horror aspect without going too far. The mixing of elements ... urban legend, psychological, etc keep the story interesting and hard to put down.

This YA horror novel seamlessly blends supernatural elements, historical fiction, and classic slasher vibes. The story takes places along the banks of the scenic Lake Lanier as we follow Taylor trying to finish her part in a community service program without another hitch.

However, the eerie atmosphere and suspicious disappearances of campers quickly lead her into a mystery that runs deeper than she ever imagined. As we did deeper in to the urban legend of Lake Lanier and the tragic history of Oscarville, it becomes obvious that the ghostly sightings and campfire tales have more truth to them than one might expect.

Taylor teams up with Liam a fellow camp worker and dives into uncovering the dark secrets of the camp. As the situation continues to get worse and the ghost on the edge of darkness turn to slashers actively hunting for victims, a tale of revenge begins to unfold.

Taylor is a compelling protagonist. You want her to succeed and survive, and her journey to the heart of the mystery keeps you hooked. Although the story is short, Taylor's background is well explored, with a strong sense of trauma that drives her actions from the start. Her personality is also incredibly relatable—her thoughts and reactions, especially during the spooky scenes, make you think, "Yeah, same, girl."

Pros:

Protagonist: Taylor’s character is vey relatable, with her witty comments and reluctance to be the horror movie cliché despite never having seen a horror movie is humourous on its own. Her well-written character is authentic, making her easy to root for.

Loosely Based on Historical Events: Sylvester’s decision to intertwine the real history of Oscarville and Lake Lanier with the fictional supernatural plot adds a layer of depth to the narrative. After reading the book it is easy to go down the rabbit hole of the real Atlanta Ripper and learn a little more about the history of Georgia.

Atmosphere: The camp's eerie atmosphere and mysterious lake create strong campfire horror vibes. The view of the lake which would otherwise be very scenic and calm, is instead turned into terrifying, as if something or someone is about to jump out of a bush to grab you right there. The supernatural elements feel well-integrated into the story, with ghost sightings and strange disappearances adding suspense.

Pacing: The book is short and thus very fast-paced, hooking the reader from the beginning till the very end. This one is page-turner and before you even realize, the book is finished.

Cons:

Predictability: While the novel offers an interesting premise with a great atmosphere, well seasoned horror fans will find the plot and some of the twists very predictable. Some of the story arcs feel formulaic but does not take away from the suspense of the overall story.

Ending: The conclusion feels rushed and a bit disjointed, leaving some plot points underdeveloped. It could have benefited from a more polished wrap-up and better resolution for certain storylines.

Character Depth: Secondary characters like Liam and Mia feel a little underdeveloped compared to Taylor, with their motivations and backstories not as fleshed out as they could be.

Conclusion

This novel stands out for its unique mix of urban legend, historical events, and YA horror tropes. The incorporation of real-life tragedies like Oscarville into a supernatural mystery sets it apart from other camp horror stories, making it educational as well as entertaining. Taylor’s humor and relatable reactions make her a standout protagonist, while the eerie camp setting delivers on creepy atmosphere.

Scope for Improvement:

Deeper Exploration of Racial Themes: The story could explore the racial and social themes more thoroughly, particularly how Taylor’s experiences as a Black girl in a predominantly White environment affect her decisions more and how she deals with the ramifications of her own actions as well as the action of those around her.

Character Development: Developing the secondary characters more fully and creating more complex relationships among the cast could enhance the emotional depth of the story, particularly in moments of tension or danger.

A little more YA than I’m used to, but still really enjoyed this!! I did wish that all of the craziness started a little earlier in the book though, rather than around 70%. It ended up feeling a little rushed. Overall I thought it was a really entertaining read to start of spooky season! :)

I tend to really love YA horror but this read really young in my opinion. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend for middle grade but if you’re not really into horror but want something quick, supernatural, a little urban legend, with some Get Out themes - this is perfect for you. I enjoyed the story and it was perfectly fast paced, but it just felt a little young is all. Thank you to NetGalley and Sterling & Stone publishing for the copy.

After finding out this author grew up in the Bronx, I had to read this book. I'm really not a horror fan but this book made me a fan. I really enjoyed how the author combined history about Lake Lanier within the story. This book was historical fiction, I learned alot about Oscarville. Never heard or read about it in books. The horror of what our ancestors went through for folks to dominate power. I'm happy at the end Taylor found herself but it was Josephine who helped her along the way. If you're looking for a horror book that gives lessons along the way this is the book for you.

I couldn’t get into the story just as I thought. Not disappointed but need more depth, I think. I can't remember when was the last time when I read a book in which the whole plot was 100% equal to what was written in the blurb and nothing more. There was no surprise there, no resolution to any of the plot threads and the whole story was blatantly predictable and painfully dull.

Unfortunately, I had to DNF at 38%
The concept of this could’ve been great, but I just could not deal with the writing in this book. Maybe it’s just written too young for me??

"Welcome to hell. Pick a bunk."

When a Black teenager is arrested for shoplifting lipgloss (after being thrown under the bus by her white "friends"), instead of jail time, she is sentenced to a work release program at a summer camp. But soon after Taylor arrives, she quickly finds out there is something not quite right about the camp.

This book had all the makings for a great YA horror read: a camp setting, an urban legend, supernatural elements, and even actual historical facts. And it definitely delivered!

I loved so many things about this book but I think the thing that stuck out the most to me was the diversity!
Especially in the horror genre, that can sometimes be hard to come by. Most of the characters are Black, and quite a few are LGBTQ+ ❤️

I loved the way the characters were written and how they expressed themselves. Taylor's struggles with racism in everyday situations and how she chose to handle them are important highlights that add to her character. Also, she is hilarious. She was obviously taking what was going on at Camp Lanier seriously, but still managed to find humor in things (a great example: "because then I fainted, but like a gangsta.")

Overall, I would definitely recommend this book! It didn't necessarily scare me, but it is YA and I am hard to scare. But it definitely has a creepy atmospheric vibe to it! It was a very fun and quick read!

Big thanks to netgalley for this ARC! I will def be keeping an eye out for more from this author!

An enjoyable fun and fast paced book that feels like a camp fire story. I throughly plan to do some research now after reading this.

Spooky Season is HERE. 👻😮‍💨 I’ve heard stories about Lake Lanier for years and this book did not disappoint me.

———

Taylor is sent to spend the summer at Camp Lanier for a work release program after she is caught shoplifting and is thrown under the bus by her “friends”.

She is made an alternate counselor because she goes to a good school and is deemed more trustworthy than the other kids that are there for work release. She is paired up with the Victoria, a camper turned counselor who comes to the camp every year because she is a lesbian and wants to avoid her homophobic grandma. Soon she starts hearing screaming that only she can hear and seeing a little girl dressed in a white gown around the camp.

At first, she shakes it off as nothing but when she touches the strange little girl one night at the dock, she is taken into the water and shown Oscarville, the black town that was wiped out and its residents murdered by white men who were looking to build Lake Lanier. She is pulled out of the water by two other work release kids, Mia and Liam. They start talking about Oscarville, the lake, the family that owns it and all the deaths that happen at the camp.

After Mia goes missing and is reported as yet another runaway, Liam and Taylor and Victoria team up to find out what’s really happening to these kids and what’s really going on at Camp Lanier.

———

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


⚠️ MILD SPOILERS AHEAD ⚠️

This book was SO SPOOKY. I was expecting there to be a more ghostly reason for the missing kids but honestly, it’s scarier the way it was written. One family and their enduring commitment to racism, violence and murder is fed by the government and is finally stopped by one Black girl and the ghosts of all the people who have been a victim of them.

I was expecting it from Rose and her father but Jason seemed so nice, he really snuck up on me. 😤 Their end was poetic. Jail would have been too good for them. I was kicking my feet and twirling my hair when the life was draining from their little beady eyes.

The bodies floating to the top of the water at the end was 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼 so creepy and so perfect. The Hudsons were gone and the lake could stop holding its secrets.

I love that Taylor found herself with Liam and Victoria and they all stuck together to the end and past it. I will never accept ANY criticism on this book.

I was hesitant when I first started reading this since it's centered around YA. But, I was pleasantly surprised at this creepy, vibey, supernatural story! It's campfire tales, amplified. No disappointment here! Than you for the ARC!

Sylvester Barzey’s "Camp Lanier" is a gripping horror novel that intertwines racial history with supernatural terror. The story follows Taylor Johnson, a Black student at a predominantly white private school who, after being unfairly implicated in a shoplifting incident with her wealthy White classmates, is sentenced to community service at Camp Lanier. Her summer quickly turns nightmarish as she experiences unsettling hallucinations, hears mysterious cries at night, and uncovers the camp’s dark past. Driven to uncover the truth, Taylor learns about the horrors linked to the camp and its connections to the eerie urban legend of Lake Lanier. Her interactions with other camp members, especially Liam and Mia, reveal the chilling present-day realities of Camp Lanier. "Camp Lanier" is a must-read for horror and supernatural fiction enthusiasts, offering a chilling narrative that explores both historical and modern-day fears with a unique twist.

A nice little horror/ ghost story to keep you entertained.

Knowing the history and myths around Lake Lanier, I was very interested to read this book. And it did not disappoint. Although I'm sure it's meant as a YA or NA (Young Adult or New Adult) level read... I (48 year old) still found it a held a powerful message about past, current, and future actions within society, and how we're all caught up in a ripple affect they cause, unless we find a way to stop it. It's a message people of any age (or nationality - Aussie here) should hear and act positively upon.

Sorry if I got to arty farty there, it's what I do when strongly impacted byvthe signs and symbolism of a well written book.

Okay, to plain speak it - this is a great summer camp ghost / horror story for all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life... IF you like summer camp ghost / horror stories. And who doesn't? But it is told from a perspective not often shown, and one I hope to see more of.

Totally enjoyable, highly recommend.

The characters are very relatable but could use a little rounding, and the plot is clean and easy to follow, but I would live to see a little more tension building. I dont just want to read what the characters are feeling but to feel it with them. Thank you for sharing!

Camp Lanier is a blend of supernatural horror and a touch of urban legend.. The cover alone sets the tone with its stunning visuals, promising all the campy slasher horror vibes.

The novel dives deep into the chilling urban legends surrounding Lake Lanier, seamlessly weaving supernatural elements with historical facts. It’s packed with campfire creepy vibes, ghostly sightings, and an atmosphere that keeps you on edge throughout.

The protagonist, Taylor, stands out as a well-written character who feels real and relatable. Her journey from skepticism to uncovering dark truths at Camp Lanier is gripping, making her someone you root for from start to finish. The supporting cast adds depth, each contributing to the eerie atmosphere and unfolding mystery.

While the book stays true to its YA roots and doesn’t delve into hardcore horror, it maintains a fast-paced narrative that hooks readers till the end. Though somewhat predictable, it remains an enjoyable ride for anyone into ghost stories and urban legends.

Overall, "Camp Lanier" is a must-read for fans of YA horror looking for a spooky summer escape. It blends fam

CAMP LANIER – by Sylvester Barzey

First, I want to say how much I LOVE the cover! Second, I want to talk about story wherein, Taylor Johnson—the main character and narrator—due to her poor choice of ‘friends’, finds herself facing two years in jail or spending her Summer at CAMP LINIER.

From the opening scene, Johnson comes off as an unlikable character as she aligns herself with bullies for friends at her new school, and seems perfectly fine with their actions.

It isn’t until Johnson arrives at camp—when the setting, along with a few characters, make their intentions known that I begin to root for her.

Barzey does an excellent job bringing the creep factor to various scenes, though at times they feel clipped as we move from one scene to the next, especially with the repetition using fade-outs.

‘Urban legends say that an all Black town was forced out to create the lake, and it has been cursed ever since….’

‘But if the ghosts aren’t real, why is she the only one who can hear someone crying at night?’

CAMP LINIER is what I would call a Young Adult Horror Story, a fictional tale set in a real location historically steeped in racism—Oscarville, in Forsyth County, Georgia.

Recommend!

Be sure to read the Author's Note at the end, which explains a bit of the history regarding the setting.

Thank you, NetGalley and Sterling & Stone Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of CAMP LANIER at the request of an honest review.

I actually DNF around 36%. I did not like the writing and I found some of the characters to be juvenile and problematic. However, I do appreciate the Author’s Note and highlighting the history of Oscarville. If this is what the author was trying to do, it just needed to be better executed.

Living in Georgia, I knew I had to read this book. I love it, felt like I was watching a horror film. I love the history the author adds a the end. Definitely will look more into Lake Lanier and the town of Oscarville.

This was a nice quick and easy read. I thought it would be a bit more thrilling, but it was still good.
It touches on racism and ghost stories surrounding Lake Lanier. You hear so many stories about this infamous lake in Georgia. I like the concept of the book. It would fit to be a YA thriller book.