Solitary by Alexander Gordon Smith

Title: Solitary

Author: Alexander Gordon Smith

Age Group: Teens

# of Pages: 272

My Rating: 4/5

Note: Spoilers for those who haven't read the first volume, Lockdown, yet.

From the previous novel, Alex manages to blow a hole in one of the Furnace's walls. Soon, he will escape from the prison of hell. Except only to find there are more horrors that await him in the darkness.

If you have read my review for the first novel, Lockdown, you can assume that I was excited to try out the sequel. After being left at a cliffhanger, I was dying to know what was going to happen next.

However, this being a trilogy, the protagonist wasn't allowed an easy and sweet escape that early. Instead, he and his fellow inmates that were trying to get out with him were caught. Alex and his friend Zee were shoved into a hole where they were going to be locked up in the dark for a month. With Alex being stuck there for most of the time, the plot definitely slowed down from the first volume. There was just so much that one could do when one couldn't do anything at all! Luckily, the author didn't leave his character sitting around all day, which was good. However, I didn't feel the same excitement I had for Lockdown. There was a lot more freaky drama and tension, whereas this volume focused a lot more on escaping. There was an introduction to a likely plot twist because there was a new anonymous character introduced.

I was glad that Alex was not the one to give up. Even though he wasn't a good kid, he sure didn't deserve to be in the Furnace. I want to check out the last volume to see what will happen in the end. I cross my fingers for him.

Review copy provided by Macmillan Children's Publishing Group.

Lockdown by Alexander Gordon Smith

Title: Lockdown
Author: Alexander Gordon Smith
Age Group: Teens
# of Pages: 288
My Rating: 5/5

Alex Sawyer and his friend have a tendency to steal from other people. Hey, it's not that bad, they never get caught. When the two are tipped off that the owners of a home will be away, they get down to business. But they have no idea what awaits them...

Accused of murdering his friend, Alex is sent to the Furnace, an inescapable prison for young offenders which is known to be absolutely treacherous. Alex doesn't know why he is framed into such a position but he does know one thing, he has to get the hell out of there. And fast, before it is too late.

Madly intense, Lockdown will keep your eyes wide open and mesmerized into a world that is full of darkness and terror.

Really, I don't even know where to begin for this review! Alex is not a bad person, he just does bad things. Somehow, his actions catch up to him, sending him straight down to hell --- literally. He regrets the first time he stole money from a kid he bullied at school. If it wasn't for that very small event in his life, he wouldn't have ended up in Furnace because of repetitive stealing. He encounters enemies that are absolutely horrifying as they torture him in his wake and sleep. The only fact that is keeping him alive is the possibility of escaping this endless nightmare. You will be attached to the book, supporting and praying for Alex from the beginning to the end because you know, deep down he does not deserve his punishment.

My favourite character would have to be Donovan, Alex's cellmate. He puts on a tough facade but is really a great guy. Although he is in the Furnace for a crime he did do, you will still root for him as much as you do for Alex. Together they have a stronger bond of friendship than you can imagine.

In this riveting tale, you will be pulled into a terrifying journey that you'll never know where you'll end up at. When you think everything calms down, something else jumps out at you! Left with a cliff-hanger that literally made me feel like I was hanging from a cliff, I am definitely holding on for the sequel! Lockdown is a must read everyone should pick up!

Review ARC copy provided by Henry Holt and Company.