Thank you to Sterling and Stone, NetGalley, and Sylvester Barzey for a wonderful spooky camp horror story. It made for a fun Summerween read and I highly recommend it for a great camp adventure. The story is about Taylor Johnson who after getting caught shoplifting with her friends-her white friends-gets sent to a summer camp in order to change her life. Initially she was rather confused and shocked when she arrived but soon finds out that for decades mysterious disappearances have happened at this camp and it all relates to the curse of Lake Lanier. The story is based on urban legend of Lake Lanier, Georgia—an all black town was forced out to make way for the lake. Legend says it’s been cursed ever since.
Very well written and I really enjoyed the characters in the story. I love a great urban legend brought to life on the page, especially when it’s done well.

A fantastic YA horror read!

I know for a fact that I would have absolutely LOVED this book as a teenager! Even as an adult, I was really engaged with the story the entire time.

It's not just your average Summer Camp horror/thriller, I found the story to be really unique. I really enjoyed that although the novel is fiction, it focused on the history of Lake Lanier and the horrific things that people of colour endured during that time.

The characters, plot and writing were all perfect for a YA book.

A very enjoyable read!

The only criticism I have is that I think it could use another edit as there were quite a few spelling errors that I picked up on.

3.5 stars rounded up. This was a fun, creepy but not too creepy camp tale. I can see why the summary compared it to Get Out and Friday the 13th.

I liked the way the way historical aspect of the story was woven in. It added some depth to everything. The protagonists were all likable in this one. The villains were of the racist, mustache twirling variety but it was fun to root against them and the ending was satisfying.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

It is a 3.5-3.8 for me. So not a full 3 but not quite a full 4.

The book started off very slow and then picked up about halfway through. It was a good book and it had a good story. But it felt rushed. This YA thriller was very short and so I think that maybe if it was a little longer there could have been some more build up. I would still recommend this book to other people but probably to younger people or people just getting into thrillers/horror.

I wish we had more background information and I was hoping the characters would start evolving some more.

I was first interested with the cover. It is a classic horror cover that will catch a reader's eye.

I will say that the storyline was a bit more young adult than I normally read but I think it would be a good book for young adults. It has some really important themes such as racism and classism that I think younger readers could use more exposure to. In the "About the Author" it states that Barzey's goal is to shine a spotlight on BIPOC characters. I think that is very necessary in the world right now. So kudos to the author!

I do think that the book has maybe too many classic horror tropes in it but hey, it makes it fun that way. I liked hearing more about the real Oscarville at the end of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sylvester Barzey, and Sterling & Stone for the opportunity to read Camp Lanier. I have written this review voluntarily.

Terrifying, disturbing and historical!! This book will keep you up at night thinking about all the horrible things done to the people of colour living in what is now called Lake Lanier and the social racism people of colour face everyday
The main character taylor (POC) is sent to Camp Lanier after her white friends frame her for shoplifting.
Upon arriving she notices something is off about the camp and to many people have disappeared there.
Its very short and definitely young adult friendly, with an almost scooby doo -esque mystery solving ending
I reccomend for any horror fans who enjoy realism and ghost stories come to life

Taylor has chosen the worst friends and it lands her in a world of trouble. She’s caught shoplifting and thrown under the bus by her “friends”. Instead of serving time in jail she’s given the opportunity to work at Camp Lanier for the summer. Things quickly turn dark and spooky upon arriving and it’s up to Taylor to unravel the truths behind Camp Lanier.
This was a thrilling, chilling and quick YA horror novel perfect for Summerween lovers! It was like watching a camp slasher or ghost story movie.
Each character was perfectly unique and well rounded. I fell in love with Taylor, her family and their loving dynamic.
I was surprised to learn this is a fictionalized version of an actual Lake Lanier/Ocscarville. The dark history is described in the author’s note and it’s harrowing. It’s a history everyone should know about and not stop talking about.

Black young woman main character. Taylor lands at Camp Lanier after shoplifting with her white friends goes way left. Camp is located on Lake Lanier; well-known for being haunted and responsible for multiple deaths. When Taylor hears the ghost of a missing girl while working at camp, things will get worse before better.

I enjoyed Barzey highlighting horrors inflicted upon Black Americans. Oscarville, the Atlanta Ripper, the corruption in the USA justice system. It felt ambitious to discuss all these topics in one book but all the issues are extremely interconnected. The thesis felt heavy-handed, and I appreciate that the writing style could best fit the intended audience.

A gripping YA horror/thriller novel. Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC 🩷

This book surprised me, in a good way. It is a YA book, and is written for that audience. If that’s not your genre, don’t read it, you won’t like it.
Id say it’s a YA Horror mixed with a little urban legend and a paranormal mixer. It was a fast paced read, reminding me of the 80’s slasher camp movies (which I loved). The beginning of the book was rough, the way our main character is treated as a girl-of-color was terrible, and the way she was profiled during the girls little “shoplifting spree gone wrong” shameful. Taylor is given the option of going to jail for 2 years, or working an entire summer at a camp was a no-brainer. Off to spooky camp we go! I don’t want to give too much away, but I’ll say that things start looking up for Taylor (until they don’t). Weird things start happening to her, seeing things, blackouts, etc. She needs to figure out what is going on before she is the next victim claimed by Lake Lanier.

I unfortunately could not get into this book. I felt that the writing really packed editing and was an extremely clunky read. This was a DNF for me after only a few chapters.

I do think the premise and general story were interesting, but I couldn't even make it far enough into the book to even get a handle on the plot.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC to review.

This is a YA Horror book, which I'm glad to see. There weren't many of these when I was a kid & glad it's starting.

I really enjoyed the premise and loved learning about Oscarville and Lake Lanier. I had never heard of this but of history in Atlanta and wish the book had delved in even more.

Why just a 3.5? I was about 65% in when the book finally got to the meat of the story. The build up was very long and I wish we were in the heart of it more. The character development wasn't enough IMO either and felt rushed. I also thought there was a bit too much going on: slashers, ghosts, camp story, lots of characters. For a short book I felt like it should have stuck with a little less so it felt more fleshed out.

Regardless, I loved the history, I loved the premise, and I am glad I read it.

A compelling YA thriller that takes me back to my 90's love of R.L. Stine. A fast-paced, light read for the summer but would be PERFECT for spooky season this fall. Recommended for anyone who would like a book that can easily be devoured in one sitting.

**Thank you NetGalley for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**

Camp Lanier by Sylvester Barzey is a thrilling blend of horror, history, and coming-of-age adventure reminiscent of several films in the Camp Horror genre. The novel tackles themes of grief, loneliness, racism, classism, friendship and resilience..The protagonist, in particular, is a standout, displaying a believable mix of bravery, vulnerability, and growth throughout the story.
However, I do feel that the lack of development of side characters does leave the reader wanting. Without building an understanding of these characters we are left without feeling for the trials they go through or understanding the motivations that lead their behaviors. This group of teenagers who find themselves in a summer camp that quickly turns into a nightmare as they face supernatural threats and their own personal demons could have been a complete ensemble cast, however we do not get the harmony that could have brought this book to the crescendo the subject matter deserves.
Barzey's writing is crisp and engaging, effectively setting a tense and eerie atmosphere from the get-go. Appealing to the Young Adult reader with the inclusion of current social media platforms and pop culture.It does read somewhat younger than YA but that may be that this is the subject matter most of the 13-17 readers I’m familiar with will enjoy. The plot is fast-paced and filled with twists and turns that can make the reader feel a bit blindsided. However, Barzey skillfully balances the horror elements with moments of humor and heart, creating a narrative that is both terrifying and emotionally resonant to younger readers.Some readers might find certain plot points to be somewhat predictable, and the resolution, while satisfying, might leave a few loose ends for those who prefer a more neatly tied-up conclusion.
I loved the inclusion of the real historical horrors of Oscarville and Lake Lanier, although I do wish these elements too were more developed and explored. The addition of another 50-100 pages of this historical element would have created a further connection with the reader that allowed the horrors of the present day camp to unfold in a way that created the suspense and connection that this subject matter deserves.
Overall, Camp Lanier is a wonderful addition to the horror genre and I do recommend it to my fellow readers.

I really enjoyed this summer camp story based on Lake Lanier on North Georgia. Perfect blend of supernatural meets summer camp slasher . Reminded me of an old school horror flick. Thank you for the ARC copy from #netgalley #camplanier

2.5 stars rounded up

The main character, Taylor, is caught shoplifting and has to take the blame when her so-called friends leave her behind. She's sentenced to a community service program at Camp Lanier, which lies on the infamous Lake Lanier, a lake that's rumored to have flooded an all-Black town and has been cursed ever since.

I was really excited to read this book as I'd heard about the real-life Lake Lanier and the rumors surrounding it. This is a YA horror/thriller and I was overall disappointed with the characters, plot, and lack of spookiness.

The characters felt kind of flat and plain to me, and the dialogue was somewhat stilted. I can't imagine teens speaking that way. Overall the plot was fine, but I wanted to be more afraid for our characters, and I wanted to feel more eeriness in the atmosphere and setting. Everything felt rushed and I found myself wanting a lot more from this story.

This book is gripping from start to finish! Taylor is a black girl, who is a new to town and school falls in with the wrong group of girls. Taylor ends up getting arrested and sent to a summer camp for wayward youth. But soon Taylor discovered that this camp Lanier isn't what it seems...

Taylor has been hanging out with the wrong kind of ‘friends’, and it costs her. Big time! When she is caught shoplifting, something she was coerced into by those friends of hers, she has a choice to make. Two years in jail or spend the summer working at Camp Lanier. Seems like a simple choice. But little does Taylor know that Camp Lanier has a horrific legacy of death…a legacy that continues to this day. Camp Lanier is a slasher mixed with ghost story with a touch of exploration of historical racism. Have to say this one hooked me right from the start. It has great pacing that kept me flipping pages. Seriously I ended up reading this in a single day. If I had any complain it’s that I’d have liked it to be a bit longer. Felt like there was more to explore. 4.5 stars. I’d like to thank Sterling & Stone and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Camp Lanier.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1GRUIZ25NZG8X/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Thank you @netgalley for an advance copy!

I'm going to get straight into this book. I couldn't put it down. Very much "Get Out" vibes. And even funny at times! A YA horror, but deeper. How deeper? The amount of Black history and just .... knowledge weaved into every aspect was very eye-opening.

As the mother of a POC child, I am constantly trying to digest his culture, his history, so that I can know him better. And that doesn't only happen in history books. It happens by reading literature written by other POC. This quick horror tale was no exception.

And not only in reading Black history, but also watching the strength in the FMC.

READ 👏 BIPOC 👏 ALL 👏 YEAR 👏

Gosh and I loved learning about the true history of the town of Oscarville at the end, very powerful.

A ghost story on a rainy summer night was what I was looking for, and Camp Lanier had just the right amount of dark and creepy moments. Knowing this book was based on an actual town in Georgia that was purposely flooded made it hard for this history buff to put down. Mixing the paranormal with the horrifying truths of our not so distant past, was a way to bring disturbing stories to the surface that should never be forgotten. The author’s note and research he provided was the perfect bit of historical information to include regarding the actual town of Oscarville, and all the injustices that were inflicted on its citizens.

I’m so happy to have had the chance to read the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy of Camp Lanier by Sylvester Barzey; thank you NetGalley and Sterling and Stone.

2.5 stars rounded to 3. First of all, this is a YA horror book, so it should be read as a YA take on the legends around Lake Lanier. Do not expect any deep characterization (or even a consistent one!), make some allowances for the plain, undemanding prose, and keep in mind this is in no way an elaboration of any extensive research on the place. Plus the cover looks AI made, the socially sensitive themes (eg. racism) are painted with a broad brush, and the dialogue feels rather stilted and unnatural. The author has nothing new to add on any front: the plot is a standard slasher told in a supernatural key (think Leatherface in a summer camp with ghosts!), throwing some historical facts into the mix for good measure. However, if you're after a quick summer read, and enjoy ghost stories and urban legends, this book won't disappoint.