Back when I started reading this book, I was not completely sure if it would be a good fit for me, as the distopic gladiator death match prison reality show that's a commentary on the US incarceration system is not something that closely known to me - but I was wrong. Throughout the book, by getting introduced to characters that seem real and flawed, as well as statistics from the real world, I was deeply saddened about the injustice, discrimination, and violence that people both rightfully and wrongfully imprisoned have to endure.

This book is beautifully written, with a natural flow of stories of multiple people getting entangled with each other, but also so heartbreaking, because we know that each time they meet in the arena, they won't all survive and get the freedom they fight for.

The main story revolved around Loretta Thurwar and Hurricane Staxxx, two links (members) in one chain (team) in the CAPE program, but we also see bits from the life of other links in that and other chains, how some are protesting this show, but also others who are huge obsessed fans of the televised violence. None of their stories will leave you untouched.