A review by cwilliams20809
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Phew! What a ride.
This book is Bold. Daring. Visceral. Dark. Gritty. Enigmatic. Necessary.
The Plot: Reminiscent of The Hunger Games & Gladiator but still original and innovative. Inmates opt in to CAPE - a capitalist driven, mass entertainment, literal fight to the death program. Inmates are part of links. Links from different chains compete against each other in matches. As inmates accrue more wins/kills they earn additional sponsorship, BP (blood points/money), and move up the hierarchy. The highest rank being ‘High Freed’ where they can obtain “freedom.”
Characters: So many. Our primary focus though is Hurricane Staxx and Thurwar. Their individual back stories are briefly explored. Their love is a present, but subtle, component of the character archs. For me, the plot was more compelling than the characters. However, I appreciate morally gray aspects and this is apparent for most of the cast.
Review: A sharp, social commentary of the prison-industrial complex. Nana integrates a lot of voices and plots. Some characters weren’t explored enough (ie Doc Patty, Will). Some plots needed more closure and nuance (the Game Makers). However, I appreciate a multi-POV story with various plots. So despite my minor critiques the macro-intentions of the story were clear. There were lots of moving parts at micro/individual aspects & most were executed fairly well. I appreciated the length - not too long and propelled forward by the lingering ‘threat’ of season 33.
This was a 5-star read until the last paragraph. I’m still confused. But maybe that was the point?
This book is Bold. Daring. Visceral. Dark. Gritty. Enigmatic. Necessary.
The Plot: Reminiscent of The Hunger Games & Gladiator but still original and innovative. Inmates opt in to CAPE - a capitalist driven, mass entertainment, literal fight to the death program. Inmates are part of links. Links from different chains compete against each other in matches. As inmates accrue more wins/kills they earn additional sponsorship, BP (blood points/money), and move up the hierarchy. The highest rank being ‘High Freed’ where they can obtain “freedom.”
Characters: So many. Our primary focus though is Hurricane Staxx and Thurwar. Their individual back stories are briefly explored. Their love is a present, but subtle, component of the character archs. For me, the plot was more compelling than the characters. However, I appreciate morally gray aspects and this is apparent for most of the cast.
Review: A sharp, social commentary of the prison-industrial complex. Nana integrates a lot of voices and plots. Some characters weren’t explored enough (ie Doc Patty, Will). Some plots needed more closure and nuance (the Game Makers). However, I appreciate a multi-POV story with various plots. So despite my minor critiques the macro-intentions of the story were clear. There were lots of moving parts at micro/individual aspects & most were executed fairly well. I appreciated the length - not too long and propelled forward by the lingering ‘threat’ of season 33.
This was a 5-star read until the last paragraph. I’m still confused. But maybe that was the point?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Suicide and Rape
Minor: Mental illness and Homophobia