A Review Of Unwind

Unwind is a book by Neal Shusterman published in 2007. It's book 1 in the Unwind Dystology series. I know I'm 16 years behind the curve, but this book is so good that it needs to be talked about. We can't talk about the book and not the author.

Shusterman was born on the 12th of November 1962. At 16 Shusterman moved to Mexico City. He finished high school and said that it gave him a new perspective. He attended the University of California, Irvine, and double majored. After college, he got a job at a talent agency, where Lloyd Segan became his agent. Within the year he had his first book deal. He moved to Florida. He's written a lot of books and got a lot of awards. Click HERE to learn more.

Unwind is a sci-fi novel with around 335 pages. It is a dystopian novel that takes place in the United States in the future. In his novel, there is a second civil war where they fight over abortion. The result of this war is a compromise that makes abortion illegal but allows parents to sign an Unwind order when the kid hits 13-18. This is done by taking them to "harvest camps" where they dissect their body parts for use in other places. As part of the compromise, 99.44% of the kids have to be alive, but in a divided state. We follow Connor, Risa, and Lev mainly. As all of their paths collide as they try to evade the juvy cops that take kids to "harvest camps".

Now that we got the main summary out of the way let's get to my opinion. This book is written from different people's perspectives, but in a way that makes a very enthralling story. You get the important parts of the story while feeling like you personally know the characters. I felt like I was living it with them. It made me want to read the rest which I have started.

Connor is a teenager with quick wits and an analytical outlook on everyone and the things he comes across. Although he does get Risa and Lev in trouble occasionally, he cares deeply about them and risks his life multiple times for them. I like his character a lot he messes up but will do anything to make sure that not only him but unwinds like him stay safe. He is an extremely well-written character.

Risa is strong-willed and comes with a lot of trauma. She takes care of herself and is street-smart. She tries to protect herself above all. She trusts Connor and might have a small crush on him. Risa bails Connor out of a lot. She is a character who I can relate to a lot, and she keeps her head up and does what she can to help everyone.

Lev started as a shy kid, but throughout the book becomes brave and able to protect himself. His plan wasn't to be on this trip he ended up on, but he turns out to be stronger and cherishing his life more than he could have ever imagined.

There are several other characters that are relatable and written into the story in a way that makes it such a good read.

On to the plot. The plot is engaging and keeps you on your toes through the whole book. Unwinding is an interesting concept. The trip that all the kids go on takes a lot of different paths. You follow Lev, Connor, and Risa as all of their thoughts and paths get highlighted and intertwined. Lev ends up separated from Connor and Risa and meets a guy named Cy-Fi and goes on an adventure to help him with an issue I won't spoil. Risa and Connor end up in safehouses and a place called the "Graveyard". They meet the admiral that protects them.

I don't want to say much more because I want you to read the book. It's an amazing book.