Cell 7

Kerry Drewery

Average Rating 8/10 (1 Review)

A world where justice and the fate of those accused of murder is decided by the public, but has moved on from the Roman Gladiator 'thumbs up or thumbs down' public vote, to a public vote by telephone. If you are voted innocent you are set free; if you are voted guilty you are committed to death by electric chair. Those awaiting their sentence reside in ever decreasing cells, getting smaller each day, until Day 7 and Cell 7, where they hear their fate.

Sixteen year old Martha has confessed to killing a famous celebrity. But has she done it? And if not, why has she claimed the murder? Perhaps she wants to show up the flawed and brutal system by sacrificing herself in the hope of a better world....

Or perhaps she is protecting somebody else...

A heart-rending, thought-provoking tale of doomed romance.

Review by Nigel (311216) Rating (8/10)

Review by Nigel
Book Source: Purchased
Rating 8/10
In Cell 7 author Kerry Drewery has taken reality TV to the extreme. In the not too distant future the death penalty has been reintroduced, however, the courts have been abolished and the accused are judged by public vote, with a seven day countdown to execution live on TV; think Running Man crossed with 1984.

We meet the main protagonist in Cell 1 of Death Row. Sixteen year old Martha Honeydew is accused of murdering the popular celebrity Jackson Paige. She was arrested standing over the body with the gun in her hand and has confessed to the crime. Martha looks set to be executed in seven days when she enters Cell 7.

The case is presented on the 24 hour reality TV Channel ‘An Eye for an Eye’ to enable the public to make an informed choice. As you can guess all is not as it seems as the story unfolds and we travel with Martha through the Cells. As public opinion is manipulated and Martha is subtly but cruelly tortured we come to understand the nature of the human spirit, both good and bad.

Cell 7 is an excellent YA novel. It tackles big ideas in an accessible way as Martha comes to terms with her fate and we are taken along with her. Highly recommended.
Nigel (31st December 2016)