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

challenging emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

A powerful story following criminals who have to survive 2 years of essentially being gladiators to be freed - something only one or two have completed. The book follows several perspectives, with the main one being Loretta Thurwar on the road to the last battles in her career. There are footnotes scattered throughout citing true statistics about the industrial prison complex and the way prisons use incarcerated people (who are largely people of color) for profit. This book just carries the profitizing further as the criminals in the CAPE program are used for entertainment and reality show material between matches.

There is nothing subtle about this book and no holds barred. The characters are constantly fighting for their life and their humanity. This ending rattled me for a bit, but was perfect for what the book intended.
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