Item: Unwind
Rating: 5.00
Author: amber

by Neal Shusterman

In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would 'unwind' them. Perfect for fans of THE HUNGER GAMES.

Unwinding: the process by which a child is both terminated and yet kept alive. Unwinding is now a common, and accepted, practice in society.

Connor's parents want to be rid of him because he's a troublemaker.
Risa has no parents and is being unwound to cut orphanage costs.
Lev's unwinding has been planned since his birth as part of his family's strict religion.

Brought together by chance, and kept together by desperation, these unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance.

If they can survive until their 18th birthday, they can't be harmed - but when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, is wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away...

"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 thought-provoking, well-paced read that will appeal widely"School Library Journal, starred review
"A breathless tale turning pages for teenage boys, as it challenges not just where life begins and ends, but what it means to be alive." Educ8 magazine
"a powerful, shocking, and intelligent novel... It's wonderful, wonderful stuff." The Bookbag
"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

Also by Neal Shusterman:
Everlost
Everwild
Everfound
UnStrung
Unwholly
Unsouled
Undivided

All time favourite. ALL THE AWARDS.

Full review here: http://www.booksofamber.com/2012/09/unwind-by-neal-shusterman.html

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I. Adore. This. Book.

Things I Loved:

- The characters. Each of the main characters is flawlessly (expect to see the word 'flawless' used several times in this review) developed and thought out. Connor, Risa and Lev are all characters I fell in love with, and I love that we got to spend lots of time with each of them.

- The writing style. Honestly, Neal Shusterman's writing is unlike any I've ever read. He's definitely one of the best, and after reading this book I'm definitely compelled to read everything else he's ever written or will ever write. The man is supremely gifted, pure and simple.

- The action. This book was INSANE. There was so much going on, and there isn't any point in which you could put the book down to take a break. Whenever it seems like there isn't going to be anything happening, something explodes.

- The way Shusterman connected everything at the end. It's not often that I read a book in which there are clues and references thrown around form the very beginning. At least, not unless it's in a totally obvious way which doesn't leave me surprised at all. In Unwind, the author puts things in and you don't even realise they are important until later on in the book.

- The dystopian society. Guys. GUYS. This could totally happen in real life if we had the resources to do it! It was creepily realistic in some ways, and like I said I could totally see the government banning abortion. I don't see them allowing kids to be unwound (i.e. pulled apart and donated to needy people), but who knows what people could be pushed into doing?

Things I Hated:

- NOTHING AT ALL BECAUSE THIS BOOK IS FLAWLESS.

What You Should Do:

- BUY THIS BOOK RIGHT NOW. FLAWLESS.

Unwind (Unwind Dystology Series, #1) (Unwind Dystology, #1)

by Neal Shusterman

Reviewed by Amber on Aug 30, 2012

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