Lockdown, the first book in the Escape from Furnace series by Alexander Gordon Smith, follows the story of Alex Sawyer, a teenager who is framed for murder and sent to Furnace Penitentiary, an underground prison for violent young offenders. As Alex navigates the dangers of Furnace, including inhuman creatures, brutal experiments, and the constant threat of violence, he forms alliances and plans an escape with his friends. The book is described as a fast-paced, action-packed thriller with a dystopian setting that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.
The writing style of Lockdown is praised for its vivid descriptions, realistic character development, and suspenseful atmosphere. The book delves into themes of friendship, survival, and hope amidst a dark and dangerous setting, reminiscent of prison break stories and dystopian adventures. Readers are drawn into the thrilling narrative that explores the challenges and horrors faced by Alex and his companions as they navigate the nightmarish world of Furnace Penitentiary.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book includes triggers for violence, loss, and mental distress due to the brutal and horrific conditions in the prison.
From The Publisher:
In this prison, secret horrors are breaking free.
"Fresh and ferocious, Lockdown will hook boys with its gritty, unrelenting surprises." -James Patterson
"Furnace is hotter than hell and twice as much fun! Sign me up for a life sentence of Alexander Gordon Smith!" -Darren Shan, author of the Demonata series
Furnace Penitentiary: the world's most secure prison for young offenders, buried a mile beneath the earth's surface.
Convicted of a murder he didn't commit, sentenced to life without parole, "new fish" Alex Sawyer knows he has two choices: find a way out, or resign himself to a death behind bars, in the darkness at the bottom of the world. Except in Furnace, death is the least of his worries.
Soon Alex discovers that the prison is a place of pure evil, where inhuman creatures in gas masks stalk the corridors at night, where giants in black suits drag screaming inmates into the shadows, where deformed beasts can be heard howling from the blood-drenched tunnels below.
And behind everything is the mysterious, all-powerful warden, a man as cruel and dangerous as the devil himself, whose unthinkable acts have consequences that stretch far beyond the walls of the prison.
Together with a bunch of inmates-some innocent kids who have been framed, others cold-blooded killers-Alex plans an escape.
But as he starts to uncover the truth about Furnace's deeper, darker purpose, Alex's actions grow ever more dangerous, and he must risk everything to expose this nightmare that's hidden from the eyes of the world.
Praise for Lockdown:
"Fresh and ferocious, Lockdown will hook boys with its gritty, unrelenting surprises." -James Patterson
"Furnace is hotter than hell and twice as much fun! Sign me up for a life sentence of Alexander Gordon Smith!" -Darren Shan, author of the Demonata series
"This nightmarish start to a new series is unrelentingly bleak, uniquely horrifying, and strangely compelling." -Realms of Fantasy magazine
"A great next choice for fans of The Maze Runner, The Grassland Trilogy . . . or Lord of the Flies. As for me, I'm looking forward to future books. Recommended for dystopia, thriller, and horror fans, or anyone looking for a fast-paced, spine-chilling ride." -Jennifer Robinson's Bookpage
"Readers will be turning pages without pause, and the cliff-hanger ending will have them anticipating the next installment. Most appealing is Smith's flowing writing style, filled with kid-speak, colorful adjectives, and amusing analogies. Fans of James Patterson's 'Maximum Ride' and Darren Shan's 'The Demonata' series will find this satisfying fare." -School Library Journal
"One of those leave-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat thrill rides that will grab the reader right from the start. Teens will appreciate Smith's vivid imagery. His writing is extremely fluid, and he makes the reader feel for the characters, especially the young protagonist, Alex. Readers will be cheering him on from start to finish." -Voice of Youth Advocates
"Not for the faint-hearted, this dramatic British import is both a page- and stomach-turner . . . The pacing is superb, building on the tension as each horror is revealed while saving the ultimate monstrosity for the cliffhanger ending. . . . Readers will find themselves rooting for even the most violent of the inmates as they try to make their escape and defeat the Furnace." -The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Smith establishes a quick pace." -Booklist
"Lockdown is a beautifully written book that builds itself up on violence, suspense, and mystery." -A YALSA YA Galley Teen Reader
"This is a compelling book." -Ellaina, age 14
"The whole book was extremely compelling. The . . . plot was alluring and drew you in with its dark undertones." -Hannah, age 17
"Lockdown was a brilliant book that gives vivid imagery to the life of Alex within the Furnace . . . it kept me captivated till the end." -Ryan, age 16
"Lockdown is a beautifully written book that builds itself up on violence, suspense, and mystery." -Gabe
Also by Alexander Gordon Smith:
The Devil's Engine series
The Devil's Engine: Hellraisers (Book 1)
The Devil's Engine: Hellfighters (Book 2)
The Devil's Engine: Hellwalkers (Book 3)
The Fury
The Escape from Furnace series
Lockdown (Book 1)
Solitary (Book 2)
Death Sentence (Book 3)
Fugitives (Book 4)
Execution (Book 5)
Ratings (4)
Loved It (4) |
Reader Stats (11):
Read It (4) | |
Want To Read (7) |
What can you read after
Lockdown?
About the Author:
Alexander Gordon Smith is the author of the Escape from Furnace series. Born in 1979 in Norwich, England, he always wanted to be a writer. After experimenting in the service and retail trades for a few years, Smith decided to go to University. He studied English and American Literature at the University of East Anglia, and it was here that he first explored his love of publishing. Along with poet Luke Wright, he founded Egg Box Publishing, a groundbreaking magazine and press that promotes talented new authors. He also started writing literally hundreds of articles, short stories and books ranging from Scooby Doo comic strips to world atlases, Midsomer Murders to X-Files. The research for these projects led to countless book ideas germinating in his head. His first book, The Inventors, written with his nine-year-old brother Jamie, was published in the U.K. in 2007. He lives in England.
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