YA horror offers teenage readers edge-of-their-seat chills, thrills and scares without tipping over into outright gore. Camp Death, by Jim Ody, is the first instalment in the Eerie Things series and also makes up part of the Question Mark Horror series. It delivers a blend of teenage angst, atmospheric dread and satisfying twists that fans of Point Horror, Christopher Pike and Nicholas Pine crave, perfect for young adult page turners age 13+.
Camp Deathe is the ultimate family holiday retreat buried in the woods. It’s a luxurious spa for parents where the adults can relax while their children can make new friends in the activity hub. By day, the adults can soak their worries away in hot tubs and unwind in massage rooms; by night, their kids bunk down in rustic wooden cabins set deep in the forest. When siblings Ritchie and Sophie arrive, Ritchie quickly befriends a rebellious clique that shuns organised fun in favour of exploring the camp’s abandoned cabins. But these cabins have a bad reputation that has earned the camp the unfortunate moniker of Camp Death.
The stories told around the campfire about a bloodthirsty beast are shrugged off as harmless pranks, urban legends, tales to entertain and scare holidaying teens – that is until one of the teenagers disappears without a trace. As Ritchie and his new friends start to delve into the camp’s dark history, they uncover whispers of a creature that hunts under moonlight. With fleeting shadows shifting through the trees and the feeling of being watched, they realise there may be more to the stories and they might just have terrifyingly real substance to them – and one of them could very well be the next victim.
Overall, I really enjoyed Camp Death. At just 213 pages, Camp Death delivers a tightly wound YA horror experience that never lingers too long in any one scene. It’s direct and unpretentious, flirting with dark humour, even as the tension builds and thickens. It opens with a jolt – giving readers an early scare that hooks them instantly, drawing them into a tale that doles out the suspense in escalating waves. With twists lurking around every corner like a silent creature in the night, it ensures that Camp Death is anything but a cosy campfire tale, it’s one that can swiftly turn into a night of nightmares. A psychological horror written perfectly for the YA reader in mind; teenage angst, friendships, love interests and of course fear (but not so graphic that teenage readers will have nightmares).
Camp Death is a multi-layered story; a camp within a camp, rumours of a murderous beast that lives and hunts in the woods and teenagers that need help with their own personal and individual problems. The fast-pacing makes it a quick read, revealing a few unexpected dark twists and turns along the way that really capture the imagination.
The characters are excellent, interesting while feeling very real. The main character of Ritchie has been well thought-out and is very relatable and likeable.
Camp Death is a fascinating tale, packed with enough tension to keep readers engaged and interested. Some of the plot twists I thought were rather odd (I would have liked more details) but they were enjoyable, giving a unique finish to the book. With tension building to fear, enough mystery and scares to engage the reader, it never goes over the top or becomes outright frightening or graphic and it has a dark underbelly creeping throughout the pages.
Camp Death is a thrilling YA horror. With its relentless pace, authentic teen characters and just-enough-gore approach, it promises shivers, suspense and a reminder that some legends are more than just stories – they’re nightmares waiting to be unleashed. Perfect for teens that like a scare without all the horrific and gory details.
Rating: 4/5
RRP: £7.99 (Paperback) / £1.99 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
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