A review by arnoles
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

dark informative sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I absolutely loved this book - it was a page turner I found hard to put down. At the same time, it was very hard to keep reading. Elements of the book for the definition of "dystopian" but much of the book is not far off from our reality. The surveillance society and corrupt prison industrial system of the US is reality, hammered home by the footnotes. The book is beautifully written and the use of multiple character perspectives was really effective. My one quibble is I would have liked to see a little bit more of the relationships developing among the characters, especially the main two women.