Chains tells the story of Isabel, an enslaved teenager in 1776 New York City, who fights for her own freedom while the American Revolution rages around her. Sold to a cruel Loyalist family, Isabel is promised freedom if she spies on her masters for the Patriots, but she soon discovers that neither side truly cares about her liberty. Using her intelligence and courage, Isabel must navigate a dangerous world of secrets, betrayal, and war to break the chains that bind her and her younger sister, Ruth. This powerful novel shows that the fight for independence was personal and complex, especially for those whom history often forgets.