Goose Reads 2023! (Closed)

Week 17 - Camp Antler Point

Week Seventeen - April 23rd - April 29th

Title: Camp Antler Point 

Author: sandydragon1

Genre: Horror

Number of Chapters: 24

Completed? Yes

Link (Added as an in-line comment):

Blurb:

Eighteen-year-old Amy Sterling expected her overprotective dad to be the worst thing about working at Camp Antler Point over the summer, but when one of her would-be coworkers goes missing right before the start of camp, its up to her to save the kids from rampaging wildlife.

When rebellious bad boy Lucas invites her to sneak off for some fun by the lake, Amy jumps at the chance to finally be around someone who doesn't treat her like she's made of glass just because she has cerebral palsy. Helicopter parenting quickly becomes the least of her problems when what she thought was just a campfire story turns out to be horrifyingly real as a disease ravages the local moose population, turning the once gentle giants into murderous monsters.

Goose's Thoughts:

It's Week 17 and things are getting a little murderous thanks to some moose behaving very strangely...

From the very beginning we are introduced to this creepy, unsettled location where not everything is as it seems. Sandy effortlessly transition from the creepiness into the chaos of a summer camp and the humour that comes with it. It works so well that for a brief moment, the fear created in the opening disappears until the floor gates open and the murderous moose really start to show their faces. The horror weaved with the humour creates a realistic feeling of people being in such a strange, yet dangerous situation. 

Each character goes on a journey through this story with some growing on me and one really falling in my estimation as the story goes on. What I do love is that Amy, Carson, and Lucas are willing to put the arguments behind them if it meant looking out for their friends. They're more than willing to risk their lives for each other (although I will never forgive Lucas for what he did, the dude crossed a line).

Another thing I love is just how casual the representation is written. It's so perfectly written into the story, as all representation would. The conversation between Lucas and Amy about her asexuality, although angered me to no end, was so well written and definitely a realistic conversation. More stories need casual representation, and Sandy shows just how easily it can be done.

The open-ended nature of the story really adds to the ominous vibes created and lends itself into a sequel or to just up the fear-factor. It's not a happy ending, and definitely means the goosebumps (or moosebumps) are going to stick around for a little while longer.

If you're looking for a good scare, and don't mind your opinions on moose being dramatically altered, this is definitely the story for you. I just loved how it was written and definitely deserves a lot of love for the spook and the writing.

Thank you for writing such an amazing story, Sandy!

-Goose