Christian Troxler Book by: Alexander Gordon Smith Publisher: Faber and Faber Limited

1. Death Sentence: Escape From Furnace Christian Troxler Book by: Alexander Gordon Smith Publisher: Faber and Faber Limited Year Published: 2009

2. Introduction • In this twisted, action filled story, Alex Sawyer has been sent down to Furnace to be torn apart from himself and become something more, something powerful and evil. Alex is down there with the demented warden who is there to turn him into one of them, a blacksuit. He tests Alex in every way, and Alex believes he is not himself anymore. He faces creatures of hell and finds two of his friends. He is torn between himself and the monster that lies inside him.

3. Protagonist/Antagonist • The protagonist in this story is named Alex Sawyer. He is a weak, supposedly kind hearted boy, but there is a darkness that grows inside of him. In the story, he has to overcome the darkness that has been brought out in him and stay strong to escape from Furnace. • The antagonist of this story is the warden. He is the man who runs the Furnace. He is a cold hearted man that is the boss of the blacksuits and gives Alex troubles throughout the story.

4. Central Conflict • The central conflict of the story is the fact that Alex and his two friends Zee and Simon are stuck down in the Furnace without a way out. Another conflict that ties in with the central conflict is that Alex has to fight off the darkness inside him so he does not become the monster he fears. • There are many possibilities to escaping. Possibly they could get help from within the prison itself to escape.

5. Minor Characters • Zee- He is one of Alex’s best friends and with his help, Alex and there other friend Simon attempt to escape. • Simon- He is one of Alex and Zee’s friends that accompanies them throughout the story and helps them attempt an escape. • Bodie- He is a boy from a gang in the Furnace known as the Skulls. Alex and his friends find him and he helps plan an escape.

6. What the Critics Say • In the first review, it says that this book is very impressive. It is a great book for young adults. It had great action, twists and turns throughout and amazing chapter ending punch lines. It is a heavy page turner that you want to keep reading. It is given four and a half stars. http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/index.php?title=Furnace:_Death_Sentence_by_Alexander_Gordon_Smith • Throughout this second review it kept stating that it was very interesting with all the information in it. The struggle with Alex holding on to his identity was interesting and sad. It is creepy, action packed, and intense. It gets three and a half stars. http://www.pingwings.ca/death-sentence/

7. What I Say • From the start this book had me hooked. I could not put it down , and I just had to keep turning the pages. Its intense detail of action and the struggle that Alex has throughout had me keep wondering what could happen next. All the unexpected turn of events and well planned action added a great aspect to the story. Just when you thought they couldn’t do something they proved you wrong. I rate it ten out of ten. Great read!