Searing critique of the USA prison industrial complex meets Hunger Games.

Prisoners can opt in to fight for their lives in a gladiator style competition - can you survive to ‘win’ your freedom? Chain-gang all stars is now in season 32 of the ‘sporting’ spectacle that has captured the attention of the public. It is has spin-off reality shows, armchair experts and big corporate (who always want to raise the stakes!) It’s very NFL/NBA. We hear from those in the chain gangs, avid fans, and protestors throughout the novel, giving us a full picture of the society.

There are also technological advances which allow for the control of the prisoners. Adjei-Brenyah does an impressive amount of world building without it weighing down the story. There is also a love story at the centre of the chain gang which gives the novel some softness and balance in tone throughout, and makes for a high stakes ending.

Themes rich - a good pick for book clubs.

Pick up this book up if: you want to read the 1984 or Brave New World of the 2020s.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I am really sorry but, after a couple of goes, I was unable to get into this book. I think it's more a me thing than the author, maybe just not the book for me at this time. I gave it my best and might try again in Audible once it has been published. I think that might work better for me.

Incredible. If reading this doesn’t make you furious at the existence and brutality and corruption of our prison systems, we didn’t read the same book. Every element of this book was thoughtfully crafted to expose and undermine prison systems and to question alternative paths towards justice.

The sports entertainment gameshow that pitted prisoners against one another was the perfect vehicle to explore the many ways in which prison systems are broken. Through the perspectives of inmates, families, reformers, wardens, police officers and investors the novel was able to show corruption, greed, violence, pain and the perpetuation of cruelty. The author also created characters who we could empathise with despite their crimes, emphasising humanity and the potential of reflection, remorse and change. It wasn’t dismissive towards victims but it did challenge the idea that prison systems are helpful or healing in the way we pretend they are.

In recreating systems of discrimination, hierarchies of power and greed, and the conditions that push vulnerable people towards crime, the novel highlighted who profits from prisons and who becomes their victim. The footnotes that interrupted this dystopia with present day facts about prison conditions, racial disparities, biased legal systems and victimised women were one of the most striking ways the author kept bringing readers back to reality.

The ending of this novel was heartbreaking but grounded the novel in its advocacy for compassion and the ability to change and the possibility of imagining new ways of reaching justice. This is a difficult read because there is so much violence and trauma but it feels carefully and purposefully written, and it is an unforgettable reading experience.

I didn’t know how I’d get on with this after the first few pages, but I did settle into it. I’m not sure if I ‘liked’ it but it was definitely an interesting read- it felt a little like a modern day Running Man. It was visceral and gritty. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

A fabulously written gripping story that was a pleasure to read. I would absolutely recommend this book

As the author no doubt intended, this political dystopia simultaneously drew me in and horrified me: a world in which those who have been convicted of a crime are given a token chance at freedom by taking part in a televised Hunger Games-meets-Gladiator style competition - the titular 'Chain-Gang All-Stars' - that the public spectate and analyse as though it were a wrestling or boxing match.

Adjei-Brenyah creates a complex and exquisitely rendered world that is all-too believable as she examines the effect of the system on a number of characters, both inside and outside the brutal world of Chain-Gang All-Stars.

Where the story falls down slightly is in the opaque dialogue between characters, where no-one ever says quite what they mean and the reader is left mostly in the dark. I imagine this was a deliberate choice on the author's part but it made for an uneven reading experience. Having devoured the first half of the book I found that the second half, where there is more dialogue, dragged slightly and it took me longer to finish than I had expected.

Overall though, this is a brutal, visceral and extremely memorable story and I wouldn't be surprised at all if we were to see it on the big or small screen in the next year or two.

I always love to read speculative fiction and sci-fi and the idea of a prison system with a gladiator style televised fight to the death competition to win their freedom was intriguing.

The book follows quite a few points of view, from the main storyline of Loretta Thurwar and Hurricane Staxx; female prisoners at the top of their game, as well as fans of the competition, new recruits and protestors. This switching of perspective really didn’t work for me, we didn’t settle on one person enough to really get a proper insight into their storyline. Some of the characters were very forgettable and the chapters weren’t signposted well enough to tell you whose point of view you were in which was jarring as you tried to work it out.

I liked the sci-fi elements - the wristbands the prisoners wore which would attach them to magnets or stop them from speaking without punishment depending on the colours they glowed was interesting. The book also made important commentary about what constitutes as entertainment and how easy it was for some people to become invested in death. The sponsorship angle also hammered this home as well. The author seemed to rely a little too heavily on footnotes to give important exposition or explain certain historical events which would have worked better if they had been seamlessly woven into the narrative. This wasn’t helped by the way the ARC was formatted on my Kindle – with the asterisks being so small I couldn’t really see them and the footnotes themselves sometimes being pages away at the end of the chapter, so by the time I’d gotten there I’d forgotten why they were relevant.

I must admit that I got to over 50% of this book and realised that I’d essentially been procrastinating picking it up – a book which I should have finished in a few days took me weeks to get halfway. Although the premise really interested me, the reality was dry, a bit bland and with so many points of views, confusing. I DNFd it for now, and although I may come back to try and pick it up again, right now, this was not the book for me.

Overall, Chain-Gang All-Stars should have been an absorbing, fast paced read but it just felt bland and a little boring. Thank you to NetGalley & Random House UK, Vintage & Harvill Secker for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another brilliant high-concept book from this author. The social commentary is of course great, but the character snapshots are a particularly unexpected highlight - pacy, commercial, and a good summer read. I would recommend wholeheartedly (unless the reader/buyer has a strong aversion to violence).

I really tried to like this book but I just could not engage with it. Book bloggers whose recommendations I love, raved about this book so i was somewhat disappointed that I didn’t click with the story. It was an interesting premise (I have noticed several new releases follow a similar theme) but when you realise by page 150 you have already read 3 other books while struggling to read this, it’s not going to have you raving about it.
So the premise of the story that prisoners may sign their life over to fight other prisoners (CAPE) with the hope of securing their freedom, they have of course have to win every fight,, they are fights to the death. Loretta Thurwar is the main character in this story and she so far has won every fight and is close to being released. Luckily you can’t fight your own team as her lover is on the team. The battles are televised live per pay per view, with all the gore and violence and the fighters have a huge fan base. When they are not fighting their daily lives are streamed as reality television. I’ve read that this book is a Satire, but that obviously has gone over my head.

#ChainGangAllStars #NetGalley

'The Eraser boys were racist murderers and it was easy to feel that they deserved this punishment, deserved to be on a Chain. In some way their presence, what she appreciated as an obvious, simple evil, justified the whole thing.'

Chain-Gang All-Stars, Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah's first novel, has a simple and, in some ways, familiar premise. In a near-future United States, incarcerated people convicted of serious crimes can 'choose' to become a Link in a Chain-Gang, fighting Links from other Chain-Gangs in staged, televised death-matches, alongside a lot of the other paraphernalia of reality TV - lucky spins for weapons, a ritualised march to base, sudden rule changes to make things more exciting. So far, so Squid Game, The Hunger Games or Battle Royale, although Chain-Gang All-Stars is specifically focused on exposing the brutality of the US prison system, both in its own reality and in the 'real world' we live in. The novel is explicitly abolitionist, exposing the suffering of incarcerated people and the way in which the prison-industrial complex magnifies the problems it claims to solve.

I sometimes feel a little concerned about fiction that tries to critique something in our own world by imagining a future where it is worse - doesn't this risk prompting a complacent reaction in the reader, a sense that things aren't really that bad? But, as he did in the best stories from his collection Friday Black, Adjei-Brenyah is adept at keeping near enough to our reality that this 'black mirror' is illuminating rather than falsely comforting, and the footnotes that note the actual facts of US prisons make sure his story tacks closely to the truth. He exposes the torture of solitary confinement, for example, pointing out that America keeps more people in isolation than any other democratic country, and that isolation has been proven to cause mental breakdowns. In fact, by the end of this novel - thinking of a book I read when I was a history undergraduate that argued that the decision to conduct executions in private in England after 1868 robbed the condemned of the support they received from the crowds at the gallows - I was starting to wonder if our own reality is really better in every way than this speculative future.

If you're a cynical, already-committed-to-prison-abolition reader like me, you might be thinking: so what? Does this violent, deeply painful novel just exist to tell me something I already know? Not to worry, because Adjei-Brenyah has a SO WHAT for you. First things first: I've never read a novel, or seen a film, with this premise that actually faced up to its consequences. I loved the Squid and Hunger Games but both stories are plotted in such a way that our protagonists never have to actually kill anyone whom we also like. None of that for Adjei-Brenyah, who is either careful to explore the humanity of his Chain-Gang's opponents or emphasises, in their brief appearances, that they are helpless victims of their bad luck, as in the match where top gladiator Thurwar ends up facing a brand new Link, a teenage boy armed only with a cooking pot. He also has little to say about our protagonists' pasts, even though we know that they are all murderers and that some are rapists. Rather than telling redemptive stories about why the Links ended up in prison, he lets us imagine what they might have done and focuses on what their lives are like now. Thurwar, for one, has no excuses for herself: 'I killed somebody. A woman named Vanessa. She was beautiful, sweet. I destroyed that.'

This, however, is not just a good narrative choice but absolutely crucial to Adjei-Brenyah's project. As Chain-Gang All-Stars reached its climax, I gradually realised that the world of the Chain-Gang can be read not just as a version of our prison system but as a version of our everyday. What happens to people, living in our world, to make them do bad things? How can we stop this from happening? And why is prison not the answer? This comes across most vividly in the story of Bad Water, a lesser link on the Chain, who was falsely accused of murder:

'Ten years ago he'd been innocent. And now he wasn't in the same way. Now he'd killed. Funny how things went. He tried to forget that he'd been thrown in for nothing. Thrown in for being poor, lawyer-less and dumb. He went in for murder and was sure that they'd see he wasn't like that, couldn't be like that. And yet here he was.'

The quotation at the start of this review comes from Emily, a viewer who is initially wary of the gore of the show but finds herself sucked into its stories, and desperate to justify how riveting she finds it. By telling herself that there are 'good guys' and 'bad guys' in the Chain-Gangs, she can make herself feel better by rooting for the 'heroes'. But this is Adjei-Brenyah's message; once we decide that anyone is obviously, simply, evil, we risk sending many others to this kind of hell.

this had a really interesting concept that I really wanted to get into, but unfortunately for me I think the writing style wasn't my vibe. I have no critique or criticism to make on this book, but I think the audience is not me! :) I think it is more suited to people who enjoy reading action and people who enjoy wrestling/WWE and would want to read this in a dystopian setting.

Such a blast; rebellious, incendiary - The Hunger Games kind of dialled up to eleven - an open critique of the American prison system that takes it and runs with it all the way through - hyperactive; gory, pulpy - Nana Kwame Adjej-Brenyah blew me away here.

The commentary and the real-world prison system social aspects are spectacularly well done as one would expect from an author who's done their research. It's such a premise that demands investment in its characters; and there are some quick favourites - Staxxx is a crowd-pleaser, and the short-story structure really gives the book its time to flesh these protagonists out. It's the fascinating lack of morality that makes this bloodsport so interesting, gruesome and bloodthirsty mired in with an overture to love and atonement - there's so much of a good thing in here it's hard not to admire it.

The touches of Gladiator here really help and the characterisation from Adjej-Brenyah really does give it an extra edge - not completely abandoning the humanity at the core of the book.

Set in a compelling, profoundly disturbing version of our world where convicted people can sign on to enter a highly televised reality/game show in which they must kill or be killed, this was an astonishing read. There’s so many brilliant details which root this concept in reality - the existing carceral system in the US, the corporate sponsors that emblazon their logos all over the warriors as if they were just regular sports teams, the semi-constant surveillance that calls to mind any number of reality TV shows - and the wonderfully vivid, flawed, desperately real characters are the cherry on top.

With a striking cover and a strapline of "Squid Game meets The Handmaid's Tale", this book is already making waves this summer. But, hiding behind that punchy, bright cover is a story that's quite complex - and one I haven't completely made my mind up about yet.

Chain-Gang All-Stars is a unique read. It's imaginative, but it's also incredibly heavy, dark, and it was a hard slog for me at times. It opens with a scene of stark brutality, as we meet Loretta Thurwar, a prisoner facing off to a fellow prisoner, fighting to the death.

The titular chain-gangs in this dark, dystopian version of America are groups of prisoners, who travel together in 'Links' to different cities where they're pitted against Links from other chains to fight to the death for entertainment.

The fights take place at packed-out arenas complete with cheesy commentators, and many Links build up their own fan bases. In this bizarre, complex ecosystem they can win new weapons, switch around their 'load-outs' and earn 'Blood Points' which buy them extra privileges such as better food and accommodation between fights.

But, of course, forcing murderers and rapists to fight each other to death is a controversial 'sport' and, while the Chain-Gang All-Stars has a following of millions, there are many who disapprove of the activity and protesting is on the rise.

There's a couple of main characters at the centre of all the action; Loretta Thurwar and Hamara 'Hurricane Staxx' Stacker are both seasoned fighters who have been on the circuit a while, and they happen to be lovers too. But there's a lot of other characters crowding this story, which I think is one of the reasons I struggled to get into it. We meet a lot of individuals who are connected to the Chain-Gang in some way, whether as followers, protesters, or prisoners on the circuit. It's not clear how they all connect together, and many of their stories felt like small vignettes which almost detracted from the flow of the story.

Underlying the story is a strong social commentary examination of the treatment of prisoners - particularly black prisoners - in American society. It's explored further through footnotes recounting real incidents of mistreatment which bear strong parallels to the dystopian world depicted in the story.

But with pages of hardcore, difficult-to-read violence and death, a changing cast characters and often lengthy footnotes interrupting the story, I didn't find this book an easy read. It was only in the final third for me that things started to come together as some of the characters' connections became clearer, and the final epic fight scene was as brutal, shocking and emotional.

Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah is a bold and immersive debut novel that thrusts readers into a dystopian world where the American prison system has been transformed into a high-stakes televised sporting event. The story opens with a brutal fight between Melancholia Bishop, fighting for freedom, and Loretta Thurwar, fighting for survival. From the outset, the novel establishes its premise, presenting a society where convicted criminals battle each other to the death in a bid to win their freedom, all while being broadcasted to a nation that actively roots for their demise.

Adjei-Brenyah's world-building is both expansive and impressive. The author effortlessly explains the intricacies of this dystopian world, introducing concepts such as links, chains, HMCs, ranks, high and low-freed individuals, Influencers, and Marches. Despite the complexity of these elements, the reader easily grasps their significance, understanding the stakes, lore, and how everything fits together. The meticulous thought put into the world-building is particularly commendable for a debut novel.

In conclusion, Chain-Gang All-Stars is a multi-faceted, engaging, and impressive debut novel. It tackles political themes and prompts thought-provoking reflections while remaining an enjoyable reading experience. Adjei-Brenyah's skillful storytelling, meticulous world-building, and well-crafted characters make this a standout work. I would highly recommend this novel to those seeking a thought-provoking and socially conscious narrative.

(Note: This review is based on an e-ARC received from NetGalley and Vintage Books in exchange for an honest review.)

Subtle is not a word that I would associate with this book.

Usually love a dystopian novel but this was too much of a Gladiator/Hunger Games love child with an unnecessarily large cast The large cast seemed even larger as the weapons had names. To me the saving grace was the references to the existing US penal system

Thanks to Netgallery for the ARC

The book was brutal, and thought-provoking. The author captures the grim reality for those entrapped in perpetually flawed criminal justice system. Chain-Gang All-Stars offers a fresh perspective on the dystopian genre, carving its own unique tale. If you like series such as, The Hunger Games, and Squid Games this should be your next read. I am deeply impressed with this debut, and I am interested to see what the author produces next. Highly recommended!

She felt their eyes, all those executioners...

The Hunger Games meets Gladiator meets WWE to define a near-future dystopian modern private prison system.
It’s season 32 where prisoners are pitted against each other in blood sports - a fight to the death.
Demonstrative of the cruel capitalist control, rules are easily changed and tweaked to serve the desires of profitable stakeholders, media, and consumers in these gladiatorial fights watched over by Big Brother-esque reality TV.

“The carceral state depends on a dichotomy between innocent and guilty, or good and bad, so that they can then define harm on their terms, in the name of justice, and administer it on a massive scale to support a capitalistic, violent, and inherently inequitable system.”

How insane is it that it is the convicts who feel and show the most remorse about the deaths than the spectators?

With such an intriguing premise, I was excited to dive in. However, I almost dnf’ed it. I think I’ve read too many dystopias that this didn’t even surprise or shock me. Just read the Hunger Games, Battle Royale, or Red Rising.
I think because the moralistic was also so glaringly obvious, I felt like there was no room to think and explore concepts as a reader.

It was fascinatingly shown how some prisoners were appeared to have more morality and love in them the the spectators they’re supposed to be locked away to protect. Yet, I felt it was managed heavy-handily and failed to create characters I could deeply root for due to the ever changing perspectives.

If you are into classical dystopia, I think this would be a good fit for you!

I really hate bailing on books, but I think this is not the right book for me, right now. So many of my friends, whose judgement I trust, have loved this book, but I just can't get into it. I don't understand what's going on, and it feels a bit like a more violent Hunger Games to me.

I'll probably try again at a later date.

Gladiatorial combat meets high-technology in this clever novel which says as much about the current USA penal system as any sci-fi future. The concept is simple and horribly plausible: prisoners serving long sentences can opt to join 'Chain-Gang All-Stars', whereby they participate in a highly orchestrated reality show, punctuated by regular death matches. The incentive is the possibility of winning their freedom if they can survive three years.

The story features a number of characters, some of whom only have a single short section from their viewpoint, some who feature regularly. Probably the two most important characters are Hamara Stacker and Loretta Thuwar, two of the most successful competitors the 'games' have ever seen. Stacker and Thurwar are also best friends and lovers, and have brought some form of lawfulness and dignity to the brutal world of the chain gang. But every aspect of their lives are controlled by people whose only interest is making money from TV - so you know it's not likely to end well.

Throughout the book, Adjei-Brenyah includes footnotes about both the history of the fictional characters, and real statistics and stories about justice - or what passes for it - in the USA. Despite it being a work of fiction set in a near-future about an extreme extension of the current system, I felt like I gained a lot of insight into the world of the American penal system. It would have been tempting I'm sure to make all the characters wronged innocents, but Adjei-Brenyah does not do that. By writing about people who have (mostly) done genuinely bad things he gives us a book that feels very authentic and is far more thought provoking. There are some really weighty philosophical questions underlying all of this about how we value human life and how we punish those who do wrong. There is very little of the victims' perspective, and maybe we'd feel differently about the characters if we were introduced to them through that angle. But on the other hand, would any of us want to be judged solely on the worst things we have ever done? Is there a line after which a person is considered un-redeemable and unforgiveable, and where do we draw it?

All of the above makes it sound like a very heavy read but in fact it's entertaining and gripping. Of course there's plenty of violence, but it's always done quickly and it's surprisingly light on gore for a book with this topic. It's a moving story with characters you come to care about despite knowing some of them are murderers. It reminds me in some ways of the 'Hunger Games' novels, with it's gladiatorial elements and reality TV show razzmatazz - but it's a more thoughtful and less breathless read.

If you enjoy literary fiction in general, this is definitely worth reading. It's thought-provoking, moving and entertaining. It's also strangely life-affirming, despite or perhaps because of the subject matter. Adjei-Brenyah is definitely an author to look out for.