bearley
Written on May 8, 2021
In a society where unwanted and troublesome teens are salvaged for their body parts, Connor, Risa and Lev continue to fight against the system that would 'unwind' them. Thanks to their high-profile revolt at the Happy Jack Harvest Camp, people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding.Ridding society of so-called troublesome teens might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question and a new law passed. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests, not to mention the illegal 'Parts Pirates', that want to see it not only continue, but expand.
Connor, Risa and Lev each struggle to rescue as many AWOL teens as possible and offer them sanctuary. But life at the Graveyard is hard, rivalries bubble under the surface and the cracks are beginning to show.
And then there is Cam, a teen who does not exist. Made entirely out of parts from one hundred other 'unwinds', Cam is a 21stcentury Frankenstein, a rewound, struggling to find a true identity and meaning, and a place in society. But when a sadistic bounty hunter who takes "trophies" from all the 'unwinds' he captures starts to pursue Connor, Lev and Risa, Cam finds his own fate inextricably bound with theirs…
Praise for Unwind:
"Following in the footsteps of Jonathan Swift, Shusterman uncorks a Modest Proposal of his own…" Booklist
"Gripping, brilliantly imagined futuristic thriller… The issues raised could not be more provocative - the sanctity of life, the meaning of being human - while the delivery could hardly be more engrossing or better aimed to teens." Publishers Weekly, starred review
"a powerful, shocking, and intelligent novel... It's wonderful, wonderful stuff." thebookbag.co.uk
"This is the kind of rare book that makes the hairs on your neck rise up. It is written with a sense of drama that should get it instantly snapped up for film." The Times
- ISBN10 0857078623
- ISBN13 9780857078629
- Publish Date 27 September 2012 (first published 28 August 2012)
- Publish Status Out of Stock
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Simon & Schuster Ltd
- Imprint Simon & Schuster Childrens Books
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 416
- Language English
Reviews
Angie
Written on Dec 6, 2013
Instead of being primarily from Connor, Risa, and Lev's POVs, we get the addition of Starkey, Miracolina, Cam, Nelson and a handful of chapters from other minor characters. This may seem like a lot of perspectives to keep track of, but it never gets confusing. It's actually quite necessary to get a feel for all of the havoc taking place, and since the characters spend a lot of time separated from each other. Just like in the first book, everyone is connected in UnWholly so it's not just a jumble of random characters.
I couldn't buy into the world that the author was selling in Unwind, but in UnWholly I can definitely see how something like this could stay in place once it arises. It actually made me feel quite uncomfortable when I noticed that some of the arguments for unwinding make sense. I certainly don't agree with the process as it is, but I also can't condemn it completely since it is helping people. This is a common theme throughout the books, and it's actually something that comes up near the end thanks to some sleuthing by Lev and Connor. I do hope that they find what they're looking for.
UnWholly was another thought provoking addition to this series. It's much more focused on human nature than the first book, but it's no less exciting or engaging. It was interesting to me how something good can end up being really bad, how something seen as bad can actually do good. The gray area is firmly where this book resides.
Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.
Amber
Written on Sep 16, 2012
I'll be back with a review once I've pulled myself together.
Full review here: http://www.booksofamber.com/2012/09/unwholly-by-neal-shusterman.html
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How do I even begin to review such an amazing book?
As well as Risa, Connor and Lev, there are some new characters that are introduced. There are new antagonists, as well as some old ones. Starkey is one of the new antagonists, and he is the absolute worst. I don't think I've ever hated (or loved to hate) a character as much as him. He is pure evil and he makes me so angry.
There was only one character in this book that I neither liked or loved to hate and that was Cam. I think he'll probably be in the third book, so I am kind of looking forward to what trouble he can cause for Roberta, and he was all right, but I didn't feel connected to him. I often wanted to punch him because he was a spoilt brat. I guess that's not totally his fault, though.
The ending is AMAZING. There was so much action and I was holding my breath. It was like an episode of Spartacus which, by the way, usually give me panic attacks. It was told from several points of view, and that meant that we got to see it from many different angles. It was honestly the most brilliant ending.
I'm so sad because my favourite new character didn't make it. I won't mention this character at all because I don't want to spoil anyone. Just know that someone dies and it made me cry because this someone was flawless.
How on earth is the third book going to bring everything together? I have no doubt that Neal Shusterman will pull it off flawlessly, but I just don't know how. Can I have the next book NOW, please?
Has anyone else read this? I NEEEEEED to find someone to talk about it with, so if you have then leave a comment. This is set to become one of my all time favourite trilogies!