Lockdown Review

Monday, November 22, 2010


Lockdown follows the story of tweenage Alex, once a normal boy who got into stealing and ended up being framed for a murder. Condemned to Furnace prison, Alex discovers that it's not ordinary lock-up. Furnace makes the most heinous of all prisons look like paradise. Full of under-age criminals, Furnace employs monsters to guard the little monsters inside, and when the lights go out in Furnace for the night, the darkness of the prison becomes all-consuming. Alex, along with Donovan, his cellmate, and a quiet schemer hellbent on escape, Zee, must learn to survive or escape Furnace once and for all, or the darkness might consume them all together.

Ok, I like dark stories. I should put that out there. I really do. Lockdown completely satiated my appetite for a creepy, eerie, and slightly insane novel. Though written for a younger YA audience, the descriptions within Lockdown were enough to give me chills and to make me cringe at certain points. I believe that's the measure of a good author. Perfectly balancing that age-old test of show vs. tell, Alexander Gordon Smith has created a thrill-ride of a story that will have you cheering for the characters, reading with baited breath, and still leave you longing for more.

I really don't have many qualms with Lockdown at all. I think the characters were well-rounded and each one adds a little bit to the story. Furthermore, the MC, Alex, is truly relatable. You can get inside his head, feel what he's feeling, and get a sense of what's happened to his world by being condemned to Furnace. The only slight hiccup that I have to mention in the story is that Alex seemed to slip in character slightly near the end. He was strong the entire story, but then his personality seemed to falter for a bit. I found that a little disappointing, but I was pleased to see him redeem himself in the end.

All things considered, I have to give Lockdown a very strong 4.5 out of 5. It's well-written, slightly terrifying, and a little bit psychotic just to keep you on your toes. I would recommend this to an upper YA audience, especially those who enjoy horror and sci-fi. Due to a wee bit of graphic violence, I would recommend this to those who can stomach such stories.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher, Macmillan (Feiwel & Friends), in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my review or opinion of this book.

26 comments:

  1. This sounds awesome! The cover is super creepy.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wow sounds creepy. I love the cover! That will really jump out at you on any bookshelf.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Okay...seriously...that cover is CREEPY! 0_0 Glad to hear it lives up to the image it presents though...definitely sounds like one to check out, but perhaps with the light on...and my big dog close by. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yes, the cover does inspire total creepiness! I'm going to have to add it to my TBR.

    Can't wait for your review on Logic of Demons. Hal is sending a copy my way for review but it hasn't arrived. You will have to let me know what you think.

    Jen
    In the Closet With a Bibliophile

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh I love scary creepy and pyschotic, and so do my students. This sounds perfect. Terrific review, I definitely want this one.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Ah! Are those needles on the bottom of the book cover?? I am deathly afraid of needles so I don't know if I can read a book where some dude walks around stabbing people with them. The cover is eerie enough without them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It sounds like a book I might read - thanks for your review!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I haven't read it, but my colleague book talked this before our middle school book fair, and we must have sold about 100 of them! Looks good -- a great "boy" book! Thanks for visiting my blog, and I'm following...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Something about this reminds me of Incarceron. Hmmm...

    I like dark, too, and I'm really intrigued by your slightly insane comment. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  10. This certainly does look like a horror. The cover is terrifying and the premise is creepy too. You're right, if an author can balance show vs. tell and have both children and adults scared, they've done something pretty great. Thanks for the review!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ooooo sounds gooood! Great review.

    I like sci-fi but I'm sooo scared of horror.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I haven't heard about this one. It sounds interesting. It reminds me of Incarceron.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This definitely sounds super creepy! I think if I read it I would have to have all the lights on and lots of people around me - I'm sort of a baby :(

    ReplyDelete
  14. This one sounds great! I love me a good horror once in a while! ;) Love your review! :D

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love the review of this one! It goes on my TBR

    ReplyDelete
  16. Horror, not really my fav, I will rather watch it and be scared out of my mind ;)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Totally creepy sounding, but totally awesome. How do you find these random books, they all sound so good!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love a good creepy story myself, but I've never even heard of this one. I'm really interested in it now though and I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the review Melissa!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh, I'll have to check this one out. Creepy? Me thinks I will like!

    ReplyDelete
  20. i have this book but haven't read any reviews for it. it sounds great :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Honestly, had it not been for review, I wouldn't have thought twice about this book. Now, my interest is piqued. Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  22. My oh My! This book has to be on my TBR list now. Cover love and well your review sparks a inky goodness love. How did I miss out on this book??? How will I go on? *leaves and runs to so straight away*

    *yells* Butler say good bye for me I must get this book!!

    Madame, I am sorry but the Scientist had a brief emergency and she will be getting back to you once the book is in your hands.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Ooo! Sounds dark and excellent! Fantastic review, as always.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I've really been wanting to read this one. I love the dark, creepiness it sounds like it has.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ok, this one definitely sounds like a must-read novel. Huge fan of dark and creepy, so this one seems like a must-read :)

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I always do my very best to return the favour :)

Please note that this blog is an award-free zone!

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Pin It button on image hover