Part One

"Lockdown": by Alexander Gordon Smith

Book Review

Are you looking for a horror story or thriller? Well this is the book for you!


Furnace Penitentiary is the world’s most secure prison for young offenders, buried a mile beneath the earth’s surface. One of the newest members of the Furnace is Alex Sawyer, who was convicted for a murder that he did not commit and sentenced to the Furnace for life with no parole. Alex and his friend Toby were petty thieves and one night, when they were in the middle of a job, Alex's best friend, Toby, got shot by men in black suits. Alex made a break from the scene of the crime but was eventually caught by the police and was framed for the murder. He was sent to court and was found guilty, repressing in sentence to the Furnace for life.

The book goes through in vivid detail the horrors of the Furnace, from the gruesome monsters, the “gasmasks”, the mysterious men in black and the evil warden. The conditions are so horrific, death is a normal thing in the Furnace.

Alex is a curious character, always asking questions and constantly excited. Even though Alex is brought down by the Furnace, he tries his best to make the most of himself. The reader roots for Alex and his fellow inmates to escape even though Alex and his inmates have commited their share of crimes. The goal of an escape is reached, but will they be able to reveal the horrors of the Furnace to the rest of the world?

Lockdown is an exhilarating read. There are many cliffhangers in the book which add to the excitement and thrill. I was hoping for an explosive ending to the book but was disappointed with being left with a cliffhanger. This book is the first of a three-part series. As disappointed as I am with the Lockdown's ending, I am already reading Book Two. This book will keep you wanting for more.

Alternative Cover