Book one in the internationally bestselling Escape from Furnace series that has captivated millions of readers worldwide. A teenager must survive the nightmarish horrors of a deadly underground prison in this fast-paced and terrifying read that’s perfect for fans of The Maze Runner . “A thrill ride that will leave the audience wanting more . . . Downright terrifying.” ― VOYA (on Solitary ) “Fresh and ferocious.” ―James Patterson “Furnace is hotter than hell and twice as much fun!” ―Darren Shan, author of the Demonata series “The Stephen King of YA horror.” ― The Book Zone Framed for a murder he didn't commit, teenager Alex Sawyer is sentenced to a life without parole at Furnace Penitentiary, the world's most secure prison for young criminals. Buried a mile beneath the earth's surface, Furnace is a place of pure evil, where inhuman creatures in gas masks stalk the corridors at night; giants in black suits drag screaming inmates into the shadows; and grotesque beasts can be heard howling from the blood-drenched tunnels below. And behind everything is the mysterious, all-powerful warden, a man as merciless as the devil himself, whose unthinkable acts have consequences that stretch far beyond the walls of the prison. Escape is Alex's only chance at survival, and with the help of fellow inmates―some innocent kids who have been framed, others cold-blooded killers―he may just have a plan daring enough to work. But as he starts to uncover Furnace's deeper, darker purpose, Alex's actions grow more dangerous, and he must risk everything to expose the truth. In this prison, secret horrors are finally breaking free. Expertly blending elements of horror, dystopia, and thriller, Alexander Gordon Smith delivers an action-packed, bone-chilling, and genre-defying must-read that grabs you from the first page and never lets go. READ THE ENTIRE ESCAPE FROM FURNACE SERIES: ● Lockdown (Book 1) ● Solitary (Book 2) ● Death Sentence (Book 3) ● Fugitives (Book 4) ● Execution (Book 5) “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 Alexander Gordon Smith lives in Norwich, England. "The Stephen King of YA horror," he is the author of The Fury; The Inventors; the Escape from Furnace series, which has sold nearly half-a-million copies; and the Devil's Engine series. Lockdown Escape from Furnace 1 By Smith, Alexander Gordon Square Fish Copyright © 2010 Smith, Alexander Gordon All right reserved. ISBN: 9780312611934 NO WAY OUT If I stopped running I was dead. My lungs were