Zach’s Reviews > Chain-Gang All-Stars > Status Update

The footnotes this author puts in about Incarceration are informative. Like some stats about demographics and general facts. There were notes about the psychological implications of solitary confinement as well which made me think differently about it. I get to read a story and learn about the real world prison system in the same breath. This is a very solid read. The narrators are amazing too!

I love the concept of Blood Points and how it connects violence for profit. Its capitalist in nature. Because the more points you have, the more resources you have access to. In this case, its armor, weapons, and food. The fighter has a better chance to progress. Same way someone wealthier has a better chance of progressing in society. Loretta counters the system designed to pit them against each other by sharing.

Bro I am already invested. Prisoners fighting to the death while being televised for a chance at freedom!? Great Premise. The author does an excellent job of explaining the history of this dystopian world (near future), the technology used, and how the privatized prison system works all while keeping a fast pace with action scenes from the battleground. I also love its critiques, LGBTQ rep, and themes at play.