Reviews

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

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tiffanyllim's review against another edition

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2.0

short review:
"america's new hunger games"
this is false
just read hunger games

will write my thoughts later

dexkit10's review against another edition

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Very well written and main characters were compelling but was just too dark and depressing for me. Plus the plot strayed often from the main characters so it was hard to be completely invested in their story.

catamongstthepages's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

abloo17's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

I WANTED TO LIKE THIS MORE THAN I DID. I STRUGGLED WITH THE SET UP TO THE STORY, THE CONSTANT BACK AND FORTH, AND NO BACK STORY TO HOW WE GOT THERE. THAT MADE IT DIFFICULT TO YNDERSTAND MOTIVATIONS AND PURPOSE. I LOVED THE PREMISE AND SETTING OF PRISON BEING A LIFE AND DEATH SENTENCE, I JUST REALLY STRUGGLED TO BE EXCITED ABOUT AN ACTIONLESS ACTION BOOK.

juicey_'s review

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challenging dark emotional informative fast-paced

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

5.0

colingooding's review against another edition

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dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I had heard great things about this and was very excited when my hold finally came up from the library after a long wait, so I couldn't help but be a little disappoint that I mostly just found this book to be alright.

There is certainly some interesting stuff in here. The chapters from the perspective of Simon J Craft in particular stood out to me as chilling and effective, as is anything to do with the "Influencer" technology. And there are a handful of well-realized character relationships that lead to an ending that I did find mostly satisfying.

However I found most of the story to be a bit muddy, and not quite as bold or incisive as I was expecting. I think I was expecting either something extremely over-the-top zany or a precise and biting examination of the American prison system, but it really just dips it's toes in both of those. It oftentimes just read as a grittier Hunger Games to me.

It's not a bad book by any means, just did not live up to the hype.

embersthebold's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

tiaolynyk's review against another edition

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3.5

Generally really liked it, but found it difficult to pick back up after putting it down. The facts weaved into the story (in the margins) were truly horrifying and fascinating. Didn't care about the characters that much, but I just don't think there was enough time to build a connection given the book length. (There were also a lot of characters).

edencruix's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

rainbopagn's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.75

This is a book that will make you rethink everything you feel and know about the American justice system. This should be required reading. The way you go back and forth between perspectives and the way they come together in the final pages... its beautiful storytelling. It is also vicious and violent, much like the real life justice system. The way the author pulls in real people and real statistics is an homage to those who have been unfairly and unjustly treated.

SPOILERS in
3

2

1

I am more than a little pissed that Thurwar killed Staxxx. I had expected them to go out together, mortally wounding each other. I understand the meaning of the full circle moment but it still annoyed me.

Content Warnings

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