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I get chills whenever I think about the description of Furnace.
It was a prison where anything could happen,they used to take people at night,and it was better if they never returned because after finding out what they had turned into,the idea of them not coming back was much better. And I wont go into explaining about the other creatures which kept scaring me all the time! Another thing about this book is that it was from male POV,and there wasn't any female lead. It was different from what I usually read,but the whole plot was really good and even the characters were very likeable. I liked reading this book from Alex's POV,and it was written in past tense which made it more mysterious.
There is also a bit of humor in the story. I enjoyed reading Alex,Donovan,and Zee's conversations,they were so funny sometimes that I would actually forget that I was reading a horror book. And that cliffhanger at the end! Now I need to find out what happens next! Jun 30, Paige Bookdragon rated it really liked it Shelves: Interview with Lockdown by Paige Bookdragon. Let's give it a round of applause. Now Lockdown, for those who haven't heard of you, can you tell us more about your story?
Thank you for having me here, Paige.
Well, Lockdown is a story of Alex Sawyer who was framed of murder. Now, this book is a dystopian novel so there's no juvie prison in this book, like what we have now. I heard that it was a scary book, is it true? But this is not the ghost-scary type. This is more like "one-wrong-move-and-something-is-going-to-get-me-sooner-than-I-want-and-I-don't-know-what-the-heck-are-those- something " type of scary.
You know, the boogeyman type of scare that you feel when you're a kid. But in this book, the boogeyman is real and you don't know when they'll get you. You just know that they will. Now that's a nasty and I love nasty. Let's talk about the main character, Alex Sawyer. How would you describe him? Well,Alex is a refreshing character. He's not whiny and he knows who he is. He has this sense of honor that you'll love. That's good to hear.
It's not everyday that you can read a book about survival in an underground prison. So to wrap this interview, tell our readers what they'll get if they read Lockdown. If you're a fan of creepy, gut-wrenching books, then Escape from Furnace series is for you. So go get it. We really appreciate you joining us for today's segment.
It has been amazing. Audience claps and fade out Mar 10, Alice Cai rated it really liked it Shelves: The action scenes were the best part. I think there could have been more with the monsters, but that's probably going to be explored in future books. I like all the characters, but I'm not super into them like I would in one of my favorite books. The main character is a bit too normal. Also the author really should of given him a more unique name than Alex. I've seen that name used so many times.
People aren't even named Alex that much in real life. Sep 21, Haley Mathiot rated it really liked it. Alex was like any other boy. Go to school, hang out with his group, and control the monkey bars. But when he started stealing, his life changed for the worse. Out of nowhere, his best friend is murdered, and he is framed for it. Kids do hard labor like chipping rock. Nobody can escape furnace. Personally, the first time I looked at the cover, I found it just a little disturbing. But hey—they want to send me a free book?
They could have done much better, either artistically or graphically or even with the colors. D so I did judge it. The first sentence of this book seemed to grab me by the neck: In fact, it held me after the end, too. I distinctly remember my blood racing, heart beating, sweating, adrenalin searing through my veins while I read this book! It was breathtaking and riveting to the last word. And even after the last word. I sat there, staring at the blank page, gasping and panting like a dog from lack of oxygen from reading a book. The characters in this book were very relatable.
They handled the horrific experiences of Furnace the same way I would have—screaming in their sleep, crying, throwing up from the horrors. It was an amazing thing to read, the language was very full in vocabulary, and it had good prose. Not really that bad. Here is a link for a giveaway for this book!
I usually don't say this, but What I love about this book: A hero with a complex personality. Alex Sawyer is a school bully, a thief and a burgular but never a killer. After he is I usually don't say this, but After he is accused of murdering his partner in crime Toby, he is sentenced to a life behind bars in Furnace Penitentiary, a prison of criminal teens which is located deep beneath the Earth.
Alex arrives along with two other inmates, Zee and Monty, both wrongly accused of crimes they never did. When Alex sees Monty being bullied by the Skulls, he couldn't restrain his temper and lashed out to save the poor kid. He does this partly because of his guilt he remembered the way he used to terrorize his classmates and saw the monster which was once himself. Alex is not someone you would like at the beginning, but by the end of the novel, you will find yourself taking his side.
The plot was entirely unpredictable. Quoting Donovan's own words on Furnace: You'll never know what will happen until it happens. I had a great experience of exploring Furnace, with its intimidating structure, scary proprietors, gory history and horrible inmates. Never once did this book disappoint me in any way. I was literally sucked into the gruesome yet fascinating world of the Furnace where the air is hot and scarce, the atmosphere creepy and frightening and the crushing weight of freedom comes down upon you.
The world-building is amazing! From his capture to his developing Furnace-survival-skills to his planned prison break, Alex displays his growth both mentally and emotionally. We also observe how his mind is capable of thinking and creating ideas out of nothing. He did not plan of escape from the first moment he set foot in Furnace, but an idea started to hatch in his mind when certain possibilities open up to him.
The literary devices are brilliant! Let me tell you, the author is very skilled in descriptive writing - he uses figures of speech such as metaphors and personifications with an unusual grace. True friendship comes unexpectedly. Alex found his best friend in Donovan, a kid who was sentenced to life imprisonment because of accidentally killing his mom's abusive boyfriend.
Alex became good friends with one of the inmates who arrived on the same day with him - a boy called Zee. I really liked how the author wrote their friendship - it felt real and genuine. They always stick up for each other although things went awry. It makes me realize that true friendship is indeed precious. Exciting, thrilling and gripping, Escape from Furnace: I'm glad to announce that this book just made its way into my best books list! Can't wait for book 2! Dude, I knew I'd love this book the second I saw the cover and read the synopsis. If you're looking for a fast-paced, intense and frightening YA book that captivates you and has you on the edge of your seat until the end, I recommend you read Lockdown!
That alone is terrifying! Now, imagine that but a million times worse because the prison you're being sent to is buried a mile beneath the Earth's surface and is literally worse than Hell itself. I'm officially adding Lockdown to my Favorites. And I'm really excited for my copy of Solitary to arrive in the mail tomorrow because after experiencing that plot twist and cliffhanger, I NEED to know what happens next!
Buddy Read with TL: On further recollection, I'm giving this a 3. Usually I generally have a feeling on what rating a book will get, but this one left me feeling so conflicted.
On the one hand, it's a super fast paced, action packed book that never once made me bored while reading. The characters were also really cool, especially Donovan, who was my favourite. However, I just didn't love it.
I have to see what is going to happen. Buddy Read with TL: Young adult novel series Science fiction book series British young adult novels Novels set in London Prisons in fiction. This book wasn't horrifying. I just feel like going to the juvinile and getting Alex out of there and also clarifying to the judge that Alex did not do anything and also make the government close Furnace or at least make into a better environment.
I am so interested in finding out more abo Buddy Read with TL: I am so interested in finding out more about this world and who these terrible people that run the prison are. The book left me with a lot of unanswered questions, and I'll definitely be continuing on with the series. I do think that this book and the next book could've been one large book, rather than 2 short ones, and I think I might've enjoyed it more if it was a bit longer, with more world development etc.
But I am definitely looking forward to reading the next book. Her review here A fun idea of a book There were quite a few times in the book where I wanted to smack Alex for being an idiot.. Loved Zee and Donovan Well, I liked it for the most part but wasn't in love with it Kind Buddyread with Melissa: Kind of got the blah feeling a few times. Not bored or anything but more of "Hmm? One night though, everything goes wrong. But nothing goes as planned after his best friend is murdered right in front of him, and Alex is the one convicted for the murder.
Alex soon realizes that Furnace is a place worst than Hell, where the only way to survive is to find a way to escape.
The best way to describe Furnace is probably with a direct quote from the book: The way he described things in this book was breathtaking and just so realistic. Actually no, scratch that. Smith has such a great way with words that I did sometimes feel like I was actually living the journey with Alex, Donovan, Zee and all of the boys in there. I was nervous and scared for them… I remember my heart racing so fast at some points. Speaking of characters… I just loved them so much! Anyways, about the character that I did love: I just liked how they were so realistic.
Donovan and Alex were definitely my two favourite characters though. I think they both were amazing, and I loved the friendship that was built between them. View all 3 comments. Jan 08, Karen rated it it was amazing.
I am so glad that I bought this book and I cannot wait for the next one to come out It is the first book in a 5 book series and these books will definitely be pre-ordered asap. Alex is the main character in this book and he is framed for murder and sent to The Furnace Penitentary. A prison that was built yrs ago to house kids up til the age of 18 that are convicted of serious crimes. There is no parole at this prison, so once you are sent here you will stay here until you turn 18, when you are then transferred somewhere else. This book is about Alex trying to acclimate to his new surroundings and trying to fit in with the new people he is housed with now.
Alex holds onto the hope that he will leave this place someday and is constantly keeping his eye open for someway to escape. The first half of this book is about the different things that go on at the prison and it introduces you to the different characters in this book. There are some really creepy characters in this book, including the warden, the guards and some weird people that come sometimes in the middle of the night.
The second half of this book was about Alex discovering a way to escape and him and his friends making a plan and executing that plan. Although the book ends right before you find out if they escape or not There is so much that goes on in this book that you won't want to stop reading. The detail in this book is amazing and the character development is great. Although Alex did annoy me at times because of how stubborn he is! Please, if you haven't read this book yet, go out and get yourself a copy and start reading asap I was pleasantly surprised with Lockdown.
I devoured every page about these boys and the dangers they faced inside their horrific cage. There was mystery, violence, horror, and a fast pace that easily guided you through the characters struggles. The characters were believable and had dimension. What is on the other side? It was another mystery that always sat at the back of my mind, increasing the overall excitement of the plot.
What I also loved was, since this is a YA novel, there was underlining lessons for the readers. Even though we are reading about these dark and awful events it does not make them okay. They are not acceptable actions and we should not condone the characters for performing them. The main character, Alex, helps reveal these lessons as he realizes things about his self and his past actions that lead him to start to become a better person.
A person he will hopefully be proud to be, that is, if he is able to survive the darkness threatening to take not only his hope but his life as well. I was being left with the dreaded cliff hanger! A cliff hanger so intense I immediately started reading book number 2! My feelings were successfully pulled all over the emotions hemisphere, a huge plus for me, and there was not a moment I was not immersed in the story. Apr 01, Jenn rated it it was amazing Shelves: This was heading for a 4, but that ending made me grin so much. He lives in Norwich. Settings Tips on technique 3: Point of view Tips on technique 4: Dialogue Tips on technique 5: Plot Tips on technique 6: Tense Tips on technique 7: Escape from Furnace 1: At last, Alex meets Furnace who's still alive by being attached to a machine and wants Alex to be his heir - Alex is the only one who could handle the nectar and remember his history, and that's what the Stranger needs to survive.
He accepts Furnace's offer, and in doing so Alex's nectar is replaced by the Stranger's blood from Furnace's veins. Furnace is turned to dust and the Stranger manipulates Alex in continuing the war. However, with his friends' support Alex ends it by killing all of Furnace's creatures, including Simon, through telepathic images of freedom and peace. When Panettiere finally reaches them, she receives all of Alex's blood and dies while Alex is saved by receiving a nectar transfusion. Alex, Zee and Lucy are then brought to a military base where he's interrogated about what has happened.
As time passes, the three of them and the whole world are trying to live a better, normal life, and Alex goes under the knife in order to become human again. Alex Sawyer - The main protagonist, 14 years old. Although he's a teenager like others, he makes many bad choices: After a burglary, he is framed for the murder of his best friend and is sent to Furnace with no possibility of parole. With a bunch of inmates he tries to escape twice but fails. After the second attempt he is turned into a blacksuit and during a test to prove himself as a blacksuit, he kills Ozzie.
However, he remembers his name and he successfully makes the third escape along with all of the prisoners of Furnace.
He's on the brink of insanity due to the nectar running through his veins, but with his friends' help he manages to stay true to himself. After the escape he's infected with a new type of nectar, defeats Warden Cross and is turned into a berserker. After escaping the army who wants the nectar for themselves, he kills Furnace by becoming his heir and receiving the stranger's blood in Furnace's veins. He's in control of the war now but with his friends' help he manages to end it by killing all of Furnace's creatures. He is framed for driving into an older woman and prior to Furnace, he used to steal cars.
He's immune to the nectar: Carl Donovan - Alex's cellmate, 16 years old, one of the first to be brought to Furnace. At 11 years old he murders his mother's lover with a candlestick - he couldn't bear his mother's beatings. In Lockdown he acts as a guardian angel for Alex, although he doesn't want to admit it, and takes part in the escape plan until he is taken away in the blood watch. In Solitary he is turned into a blacksuit and is killed by Alex. Throughout the whole series, Alex still thinks of him and has imaginary talks with him.
Simon Rojo-Flores - A failed mutant who assists Alex and Zee with and after their escape plan from the hole. He is sent to Furnace because he accidentally murders the owner of a jewelry store during a robbery. He dies at the end of Execution. Her father was a policeman who's been killed during the Summer of Slaughter , therefore, she hates them at first. Warden Cross - One of the main antagonists whose eyes are so full of madness, hatred and rancid glee that meeting them is like watching yourself die a million times over.
Soince then he's regularly taken the nectar. In Furnace Penitentiary, he has control over the wheezers, blacksuits, prisoners and other creatures. He takes orders only from Alfred Furnace, often referring to himself as Furnace's 'right-hand man'. Due to Alex's rebellion against him Furnace forgets about him and wants Alex instead to be his right-hand man. Warden Cross is eventually drained of his own blood by Alex and fed to the wheezers in Fugitives. Alfred Furnace - He is the founder of the Furnace Penitentiary and the main antagonist in the series.
He communicates telepathically with Alex and the other creatures through the nectar but he appears only in Execution. He is over years old - was born in Hungary in the 18th century - and he's survived so long because of the Stranger's blood, the base product of the nectar. For centuries, he traveled across Europe, creating soldiers with his nectar in order to make a world where there's only strength and equality.
However, Furnace isn't in control of his actions but is controlled by the Stranger.