What do you think?
Rate this book
American Parable #2
Breaking Chains
In the second novel of the American Parable Series, Christian Sterling expands on his work of heart-stopping storytelling. American Breaking Chains continues the tale of the three gangs, The Revelators, DC-2, and The Young Guns, through a melding of action, humor, and romance, furthering the story of our favorite characters. Six months following the fiery events of American Ashes and Embers, our heroes find themselves facing new threats in gangs, the police, politicians, and mysterious villains. Their journeys of self-fulfillment and romantic endeavors are tested as they face warfare, kidnapping, and violence, attempting to protect those they love and defeat all they oppose. Enemies become allies and allies become friends in the wake of a greater threat, intertwining their stories more than ever before. Passion, joy, pain, and misery resonate to the heart in this novel. With a continued witty dialogue, poetic scene setting, and thought-provoking political prose, every bit of literary excellence can be experienced in American Breaking Chains.
380 pages, Paperback
First published July 16, 2018
5 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 31, 2019
The second installment of the American Parable series completely blew my mind. Christian has such a way with writing these novels. I was completely sucked into this world and rode through every high and low. The character growth was phenomenal, the story line held strong and carried on. This is such a masterpiece of a series and I am absolutely holding onto the edge of my seat awaiting the next installments. You have built a series that would "typically" fall outside of the genre I am used to reading, and have made it a genre for me that I want more of. Give me any book that is filled with The Revelators, DC-2, The Young Guns and The Rangers. I will be re-reading this series for many years to come and I will keep recommending them as well. You have truly created a masterpiece. Keep at it!
September 10, 2018
I was highly anticipating this second in the series since I finished the first, and, boy. It did not disappoint!
Some of the highlights for me:
--The pacing was PERFECT. It was incredibly visual, the characterization continued to be quite moving, and the consistent change in POV was wonderful. There was never really a dull moment for me.
--"Realness" factor. I appreciated the well-scripted handling of tough issues that always felt very real and close to home. The brotherly friendships were incredible, too!
--Panda. I just really love that man, okay? 😭
--The Young Guns. I love all the gangs -- again, the changing POV can't help but make you love them all -- BUT, the Young Guns just have a way of really touching me.
--THAT. FREAKING. ENDING. YES.
Some of the negotiations and relationships felt a little *too* easy to accomplish at times, but it was easier for me to allow it based on the maturity they grew into via the previous novel.
All in all, though, a wonderful and fun read! I look forward to the next installment!
Some of the highlights for me:
--The pacing was PERFECT. It was incredibly visual, the characterization continued to be quite moving, and the consistent change in POV was wonderful. There was never really a dull moment for me.
--"Realness" factor. I appreciated the well-scripted handling of tough issues that always felt very real and close to home. The brotherly friendships were incredible, too!
--Panda. I just really love that man, okay? 😭
--The Young Guns. I love all the gangs -- again, the changing POV can't help but make you love them all -- BUT, the Young Guns just have a way of really touching me.
--THAT. FREAKING. ENDING. YES.
Some of the negotiations and relationships felt a little *too* easy to accomplish at times, but it was easier for me to allow it based on the maturity they grew into via the previous novel.
All in all, though, a wonderful and fun read! I look forward to the next installment!
October 14, 2018
I hadn't realized how much I adored this story and the characters until I was so thrilled to pick up the second! This one had less fighting and more character building which was refreshing and much needed because it was so much fun to learn anything and everything about the gang members, big and small. It had as many, or more, twists like the first book and I found myself thinking no, that's not going to happen and literally every time it did! Without spoiling anything, the book was very humble and hopeful which was the biggest reason why it was such a great thrilling read. You wanted some happiness for the gangs after all they had gone through, and they got it... for the most part... that ENDING.
August 15, 2018
I cannot even handle that ending. I inhaled this book as fast as I could, being a homeschool mama with 3 kids. I loved the dynamics between the 3 gangs, the character development, and the passion you can feel for the families these leaders protect. Highly recommend.
October 8, 2018
This book was a strong following to the first book in the series. The characters have truly come into their own and captured my heart. It is fast paced, never a dull moment, and the ending is so epic. I can't wait for the third installment.
July 25, 2018
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. Here it is: I loved this book!
There's action, romance, kindness, second chances, really good plot twists and great characters! What more could you ask for?
It's even better than the first book in the series, in my humble opinion!
There's action, romance, kindness, second chances, really good plot twists and great characters! What more could you ask for?
It's even better than the first book in the series, in my humble opinion!
December 5, 2018
Christian Sterling has a way of surprising me.
The American Parable series falls outside of my typical genres/reads, but each time I open the pages to a new installation I’m sucked right back into the incredible world he’s built.
I was highly anticipating the release of Breaking Chains after the cliffhanger we were left with in Ashes and Embers. And for the love of God I CANNOT wait to find out who Kind Eyes and Dark Eyes are! The little games they’ve been playing for the entirety of the books are enthralling.
In this installment we see our three main gangs—The Cenizas, The Young Guns, and The Revelators—team up in a way that we wouldn’t have dreamed of in the first book. The looming presence of a larger threat has them meeting and discussing allying terms as well as the necessary steps to ensure the survival of their clubs.
The Revelators and The Cenizas were at a place of peace at the end of book one, so it was no surprise that the two grew closer and worked together in this book. The surprise that really shook me was the moment the two clubs came together to ally with the Young Guns as well.
The Young Guns are much different than the other two gangs, because of the work they do with children in their cities. This meant that the terms of their partnership had to look a little different, and they couldn’t guarantee help in a gang battle situation. They had young lives to think about.
The Young Guns were also dealing with some other issues in this book—police brutality and racism. Sterling handled this issue with grace and interspersed the serious moments with well timed humor. I was blown away by this aspect of the story.
Juan Carlo, having found out about his mother’s secret love life in the first book, is thrown into a whirlwind romance of his own. “Ladies will do that to ya. All of a sudden you’re ready to trade in everythin’ that makes you a man for a quiet night at home.” I don’t want to ruin his love story, but I will tell you that he’s ready and willing to kill for Maggie.
David, though, still holds rank as one of my favorite characters. He is so well written that I feel like he’s one of my oldest friends. He leads with heart and mind, and he takes care of those around him to a point that’s almost a fault.
When tensions between the Big 3 and an outside source rise, the three leaders must come up with a plan to ensure the survival of their clubs. The corruption runs deep, and some strings must be pulled, but with the help of an unlikely ally they’re able to make it out of the other side—but not unscathed.
Breaking Chains answers many questions, but it also leaves us with even more pressing questions.
Needless to say, I cannot wait for the next installment!
Christian Sterling connects all the players in his story masterfully, and the plot is never predictable.
I’m looking forward to reading book three, and I want to extend a sincere thank you to Christian for sending me an ARC.
The American Parable series falls outside of my typical genres/reads, but each time I open the pages to a new installation I’m sucked right back into the incredible world he’s built.
I was highly anticipating the release of Breaking Chains after the cliffhanger we were left with in Ashes and Embers. And for the love of God I CANNOT wait to find out who Kind Eyes and Dark Eyes are! The little games they’ve been playing for the entirety of the books are enthralling.
In this installment we see our three main gangs—The Cenizas, The Young Guns, and The Revelators—team up in a way that we wouldn’t have dreamed of in the first book. The looming presence of a larger threat has them meeting and discussing allying terms as well as the necessary steps to ensure the survival of their clubs.
The Revelators and The Cenizas were at a place of peace at the end of book one, so it was no surprise that the two grew closer and worked together in this book. The surprise that really shook me was the moment the two clubs came together to ally with the Young Guns as well.
The Young Guns are much different than the other two gangs, because of the work they do with children in their cities. This meant that the terms of their partnership had to look a little different, and they couldn’t guarantee help in a gang battle situation. They had young lives to think about.
The Young Guns were also dealing with some other issues in this book—police brutality and racism. Sterling handled this issue with grace and interspersed the serious moments with well timed humor. I was blown away by this aspect of the story.
Juan Carlo, having found out about his mother’s secret love life in the first book, is thrown into a whirlwind romance of his own. “Ladies will do that to ya. All of a sudden you’re ready to trade in everythin’ that makes you a man for a quiet night at home.” I don’t want to ruin his love story, but I will tell you that he’s ready and willing to kill for Maggie.
David, though, still holds rank as one of my favorite characters. He is so well written that I feel like he’s one of my oldest friends. He leads with heart and mind, and he takes care of those around him to a point that’s almost a fault.
When tensions between the Big 3 and an outside source rise, the three leaders must come up with a plan to ensure the survival of their clubs. The corruption runs deep, and some strings must be pulled, but with the help of an unlikely ally they’re able to make it out of the other side—but not unscathed.
Breaking Chains answers many questions, but it also leaves us with even more pressing questions.
Needless to say, I cannot wait for the next installment!
Christian Sterling connects all the players in his story masterfully, and the plot is never predictable.
I’m looking forward to reading book three, and I want to extend a sincere thank you to Christian for sending me an ARC.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews