Rating: 4.78 out of 5

I was not expecting this one to be so intense. You see the title and know it means prison, so you expect it to be dark, but the way it handles the isekai aspect is so unique? Like, imagine waking up not in a fantasy castle but in a literal dungeon with no idea why. It gave me chills.

The atmosphere in this novel is insane. You can practically feel the cold stone walls and the despair through the screen. The protagonist's struggle isn't just about fighting guards; it is about keeping their sanity when everything is trying to break them. There were moments in the middle chapters, specifically the "Solitary" arc, where I was actually holding my breath. It felt so lonely and real that I wanted to cry for them.

But then the romance hits you out of nowhere and it is the best kind of slow burn. Finding love in a hopeless place sounds cliché, but here it felt like a lifeline. The relationship between the MC and the love interest (I won't spoil who it is, but the chemistry??) is so raw. They aren't trying to save the world; they are just trying to save each other. That scene where they shared their food rations? It was such a small gesture but it meant everything in that setting.

The suspense during the escape plan had me stressed. I was scrolling so fast because I was terrified one of them would get caught. Caelinth really knows how to write action that feels chaotic and dangerous. The climax wasn't a big magical explosion; it was gritty and desperate, which fits the story perfectly.

I know it is a shorter novel with only around 23 chapters, but it feels so complete. The ending was bittersweet but satisfying. If you want a story that will make your heart race and then break it a little, you have to read this. 4.78/5 because I need a sequel about their life on the outside!