Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - A corrente

I loved this book. It wastes no time in jumping straight into the dramatics and I was not expecting it. The book has an incredibly dark storyline but its worked out so well by the author that it keeps you hooked without losing you through the tense plot. This is the second of Adrian McKinty's novels that I have read and he is so good at creating unique plotlines that are so intriguing. It is one thing for the characters to create such a horrific kidnapping scheme but another when you realize that the author created it for the sake of the story. I myself was trying to figure out a way out of the chain, but I couldn't, and that is the beauty of Adrian's talent. I'm not giving this book a full 5 stars because the main character, Rachel, kept making very stupid decisions and she seems like the kind of character that would know not to mess with things like this. However, the re-readability of this book is very high, which is why I decided to buy this to add to my personal library. I would highly recommend this book to friends and I already have.

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madanxiety's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

Not my usual taste, but it's gripping. I liked how everything slowly came together, and how it wasn't too easy to figure out what was gonna happen next.

This may be the most disturbing book I've ever read. No, actually, I've read Night by Elie Wiesel and a few different narratives of formerly enslaved people. Maybe it's the most disturbing fiction book I've ever read. That doesn't say a whole lot since I know there are much more disturbing books--I'm of the mind that there are too many real-life horrors to stomach fictional ones too. For that reason, I was going to quit the book halfway through, which I don't think I've ever done, if

the little girl died from anaphylaxis

. But that didn't happen, so I trucked on.

I'm skeptical about the implications of these kind of books in the same way that I'm skeptical of the true crime genre. I think these things sensationalize interpersonal violence and organized crime, weaving these horrific-yet-juicy narratives that ultimately (1) distract from the state-sanctioned violence that's infinitely more rampant in the US and the world at large, and (2) teach the common people to be fearful of each other, squashing our ability to build trusting community support networks.

I'd have given it 5 stars if it was a more explicit commentary

on corruption in law enforcement/FBI/etc. Instead, especially due to the focus on Ginger and Ollie's traumatic and disturbing childhoods, the book is more localized--"these specific people are crazy evil villains," not "these people reflect the normalized abuse of power and resources that takes place in America law enforcement and justice systems." I guess that's what's more interesting and compelling to me, not cults of "sociopaths" (a word used in the book to describe Ginger, but which is not a scientifically specific, diagnostic term).

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blueskyvibes1point0's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

*The Chain* is a gripping thriller with a captivating plot (4/5) and a strong emotional impact (5/5). Adrian McKinty's writing style is engaging (4/5), though some side characters felt one-dimensional (3.5/5). The book is unique and well-executed (4/5). Overall, a solid 4/5.

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