Solitary Review

Alex Sawyer and his mates should have known there was no way out of Furnace Penitentiary. Their escape attempt only lands them deeper in the guts of this prison for young offenders, and then into solitary confinement.

And that's where a whole new struggle begins—a struggle not to let the hellish conditions overwhelm them. Because before another escape attempt is even possible, they must first survive the nightmare that now haunts their endless nights.
Taken from Goodreads.

Solitary follows the story of Alex and his friends, still trapped in Furnace Prison and losing hope every day. Alex knows he deserves a punishment for what has happened, but nobody deserves to be in the horror that is Furnace. After a successful escape from gen. pop, those who survived are now stuck in solitary confinement, and just when they think things can’t get worse, they do. Alex is desperate to escape, but the horrors of solitary confinement are nothing compared to the living nightmare right beyond their cell doors. Can Alex and his friends escape without losing their minds…or their lives?

If you remember, I read the first book in the series, Lockdown , just a little while back, and I was stunned by just how dark, complex, and intricate the story was. After the cliffhanger ending kept me desperate for more, I was so excited to pick up Solitary to figure out what happens next. I am so happy that this book didn’t disappoint. Once again, Alexander Gordon Smith transports the reader to a hellish world that makes real-life prisons look like resort clubs. Eerie, unsettling, and filled with twists and turns that keep you rooting for the characters and begging for a way out, Solitary is an intense thrill ride.

The main strength of Solitary lies in the characters, in my opinion. Alex isn’t perfect. He’s flawed, and the prison is gradually taking its toll on his conscience, which is perfectly detailed with every chapter. Despite his downfalls though, I was cheering for him throughout, and I could barely put this book down. Furthermore, it’s rare for me to see a book where the setting is as much a character as the characters themselves. Solitary presents a world that’s alive with terror and rich with details that kept me white-knuckling the book.

Sequels don’t always live up to the first book, but Solitary is an incredible follow-up. In fact, I’d be so bold as to say it’s even better than the first. I give it a 5 out of 5, and I would definitely recommend this to those who love YA mysteries, thrillers, and just a touch of sci-fi to keep you guessing. This book is also perfect for boys (not those with weak stomachs!)

I received this book free of charge from the publisher, Farrar, Strauss & Giroux, in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.