Chain-Gang All-Stars

Bookseller recommendation

“I finished this amazing book in two days. Simply could not put it down. My experience of dystopian fiction is quite limited but the premise of this really grabbed me. You follow a chain gang from NYC who are forced to fight for the promise of their freedom. A promise which has never been truly fulfilled. Echoes of the slavery regime and prison system that the USA has always struggled to come to terms with. Using themes of fear and false imprisonment to show how disadvantaged and marginalised people could be demonised and used for corporate financial gain. Ultimately the book is about love in extraordinary circumstances between two warrior women. The fight scenes are incredible and the side characters are, without exception, enthralling and engaging.”

— Dan • Bookbugs and Dragon Tales

Bookseller recommendation

“A brilliant audio that really brings this gritty book to life, it really takes it to another level. ”

— Jackie • Padstow Bookseller

Bookseller recommendation

“Chain-Gang All-Stars is narrated in multiple POVs and shares the adrenaline-pumping, heart-breaking tale of a for-profit prison system and its program to make gladiators out of common people in order to fight to the death for their freedom. A fascinating critique of what it means to be human through a fast-paced story. ”

— Lindsey • Bookish

Bookseller recommendation

“Behind this near-future Death Race/Mad Max style story is an absolutely exceptional novel which masterfully critiques the American justice system and holds a mirror up to the way society consumes ‘reality’. It is challenging and does not shy away from hard truths of inequality and exploitation, exposing just how close the world currently is to this imagined future. The plot is pacey and gripping, the characters feel real in their shades of grey and whilst there is no escaping the savage violence there is still love and humanity. Read it, be angry, be scared, be informed.”

— Eloise • Falmouth Bookseller