Name: Stella's review of Unwind by Neal Shusterman
Item: Unwind
Rating: 3.5
Author: Stella

Neal Shusterman

In the future, between the ages of 13 and 18, parents can have their children "unwound" so that the child's organs are transplanted into different donors--so life doesn't technically end.

Unwind

In a future world where those between the ages of thirteen and eighteen can have their lives "unwound" and their body parts harvested for use by others, three teens go to extreme lengths to uphold their beliefs--and, perhaps, save their own lives.

Angelica Garcia

I promise, he says, I promise I will never touch you with this hand 

Xorah Cole 

With a life so full of rules and regiments, it's so easy to forget that's what they are. She knows-she sees- how often compassion takes a back seat to expediency.

Sarah

it was really weird and I thought that the romance between Risa and Connor was not necessary and the author forgot about it at times. 

Stella

Monicap

Emily

** spoiler alert **
           I forgot how disturbing this book was, in a good way, of course. It makes you think, and I mean, really think about what our world has become. We're so focused on abortion rights that we forget the human. The only difference here is abortion is completely illegal, and the only option is to unwind your child when they turn 13.

This book is amazing and I think everyone should read it. Especially in a school setting, let the children who are between 13 and 17 think about real-world problems for once in a safe environment such as a school. At least, school is supposed to be safe but that's a conversation for a different time.

i like the concept. looking forward to the rest of the series. (when i get around to it :p)

4 of 5 stars

-----


I just cannot give this one less than four star rating. I can't and I won't! The world after The Heartland War became so dark and messed up. This book inappropriately and disturbingly offered an interesting way to enjoy the reading experience. The whole concept of being an Unwind is just so terrible and sickening but then it somehow makes you read more of it and devour every bit of it because it's just so addicting! I picked this up only because I wanted to try something from Neal Shusterman, but I was not expecting so much from it. But damn! My first book from this author and it didn't disappoint. I would definitely continue to devour the rest of this series as soon as possible!

chloe rae

This book is definitely a lot different than any I've ever read before. First off, the idea is so different than any I've come across and I absolutely LOVED that. It took me a while to really understand what was going on and to get into the story but once I did, I legit couldn't stop reading. Oh and can I just say, THE ENDING OHMYGOD. Nothing super crazy happened but every thing came together and I just kept going "OMG" and "Oooh, I see what you did there! IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW" and lastly, "DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?!" The only reason I'm giving this 4 out of 5 stars is because of the changing of POVS got confusing at times. My first thought was that it was only going to change between the 3 main characters but there were SOO many different POVS. From a hospital nurse to an angry mob and while I really loved it, it also could be a bit much at times. Overall, this book is stellar and I'd recommend it to anyone (just make sure you can handle the mature topics involved.) I started reading this for Halloween so it definitely has the spook element and is just a really interesting read. Hope you enjoy as much as I did!

nina 

Can't wait to continue on with this series

Sasha

Lisa Lindquist 

Diana_Ioana

Read it in 8 hours. Really liked the concept of this book. Some characters definitely pissed me off but I could understand where they were coming from.

Julia

Pretty good. I liked it, not so much the ending, but it was overall a good read.

If you’re looking for a good dystopian, look no further. 

Amy R Vigil

Jacalyn Boggs

In the effort to disclose information, here’s my confessions. I hate the term “Pro-Life”. Like those who are “Pro-Choice” are somehow against life in some way? After two very high risk, life-threatening pregnancies, I’m also a fan of “My uterus, my rules.” I choose what to do with it and I don’t want other people deciding this. That does not necessarily mean I am “Pro-Choice”, just that I don’t like the idea of someone else telling me what to do with my body. Finally, I really wasn’t sure I could even read this book without gagging or going into some sort of thermonuclear meltdown at the thought of having babies just to farm them for spare parts which I partly attribute to having a cancer-survivor for a son.

Why did I read this book? I read it because I had far too many people tell me that it was just that good. Much like “The Hunger Games”, Shusterman’s “Unwind” tells a thought-provoking story with a terrible backdrop. The backdrop is merely a setting, one that while horrifies you. The story, however, takes you on adventure of human nature while exploring the role society plays in people’s lives.

The book touches on the wanted and unwanted in society as well as what depths people will go to survive. It makes you consider organ donation. The look into a future where people claim life “sacred” and yet treat it as a “disposable” commodity offers you the ability to truly ponder what life means to you. The book even touches on what could happen to the adoption/foster care system in a future world more gritty than our own. Legalized abandonment on a doorstep known as “storking” is a way of life in this future, and the instances seen in Shusterman’s novel is heartbreaking.

I think the most chilling topic covered is the “tithe-child”. A child born for the sole purpose to one day be “unwound”. A child whose very existence puts all new meaning to “an heir and a spare”. It made me sick to think about, but maybe that’s because I actually had people bring up this idea when my oldest son had cancer.

As with most dystopian tales, this book is not for the faint of heart. I promise, the story is worth reading. It’s just that good, but it will leave you thinking.

This book tackles a huge moral issue by exploring a world where life is cheap. I definitely enjoyed the fast-paced action and adventure that came with it. 

There is a semi-graphic scene describing how they unwind a person. It’s not bad, but if you get grossed out like me, it’s nice to know it’s coming.

Jeweliet Coffee

This book tackles a huge moral issue by exploring a world where life is cheap. I definitely enjoyed the fast-paced action and adventure that came with it. 

*warning*

There is a semi-graphic scene describing how they unwind a person. It’s not bad, but if you get grossed out like me, it’s nice to know it’s coming.

it’s been a long time since i’ve read a ya dystopian book and i was not disappointed. it was honestly a bit hard/sad for me to read this bc of the material and how relevant it is to today’s society and what’s going on. im excited to continue the series. connor and risa were <3 and i felt so bad for lev, and cyfi as well

Danyella Barajas

Christine Bruce

When the argument over abortion delves the country into civil war, a resolution is found. All babys must be born, but can be unborn or “unwound” at 13 if the parents so choose. This is the story of survival of three such chosen teens. 

Spoilers:
This was very solidly a YA novel, in the best way. In that classic way that YA used to be written in, when it wasn’t marketed more to adults. Because of that, while interesting and incredibly well constructed, it was not for me. 

The world building was believable and thorough, the characters were well fleshed out and dynamic. Even the guy you’re rooting against- when something bad happens to him you feel the horror and loss. The shame of having wished for his demise just chapters before. I’m glad there’s more than one in the series- many kids would really benefit from them. And especially with recent news, it’s particularly poignant. 

💭 
8/10
YA at its best and truest
Top notch world building
Dystopian

This was a “read 12 recommendations from 12 friends” book. Recommended by TWO friends- thanks Daire and Seba!! Let’s discuss in the group chat 😂

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 through desperation, these three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing all the while that their lives are hanging in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthdays, they can't be harmed. But when every piece of them, from their hands to their hearts, are wanted by a world gone mad, eighteen seems far, far away...

Pavonini

I think it's good for what it is, and I did enjoy it. Wasn't sure whether to give 3 or 4 stars. Have downgraded to 3 because, though I liked the characters and the story & themes were fun, I was not satisfied with the reasoning behind the unwinding laws or the weird approach to medicine. Was expecting to be more horrified by the process, but it wasn't that bad to read. Also the kids rally for bodily autonomy near the end and yet forced pregnancy seems to be the norm? Perhaps it's addressed later in the series. Hopefully the film will be good. I'll probably read the others at some point. I imagine YA readers will have a good time reading this, and I can understand why. I'd recommend it to them for sure.

Marloes

Lincy

Michaela Gillmore

✨Tyler ✨

i don't think i knew enough going into this book. i was expecting something a little more... nuanced when i put it on hold. i didn't even realize it was ya until i started reading. so i think those expectations immediately set me up to be disappointed.

it was easy enough to read (and keep reading) but i won't be continuing the series.

Alexa

Quick story that keep you entertained. It explores each characters pov. It's a quick series with twists and turns 

Jessica

This book kept me intrigued the whole time. I was invested in what was going to happen to each and everyone one of the characters from the very beginning. I enjoyed the different POVs and how they were all connected. Even though it is the first book in a series, i think it Can also be enjoyed as a stand alone. Recommend of dystopian/ futuristic society is something you enjoying reading about. 

Amanda Kordeliski

Fantastic Sci-Fi, ecstatic it won the Middle School Sequoyah Book Award for 2010, one of the best middle grade books I read this year.

Sarah &
Unwind by Neal Shusterman

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