Title: Unwind
Author: Neal Shüstermann
Author: Neal Shüstermann
Published: 2007
Length: 335 pages
Genre: Young Adult, Dystopia, Sci-fi,
Summary:
The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child "unwound," whereby all of the child's organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn't technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.
Review:
Holy poop on a stick! My mind is just buzzing after reading this novel. I loved it, was disturbed by it and it made me think.
Set in the near future (we never find out the exact year), world that Shüsterman has created is vivid, terrifying and altogether very possible. The novel follows three teens about to be unwound – which is the thing to do with unwanted teens and basically means that they are to be scavenged for body parts to be transplanted to where they are needed. Connor has always been in and out of trouble, sometimes unable to control his temper. When he finds out that his parents are about to have him unwound, he runs away and crosses paths with Risa and Lev. Risa is a state ward being sent away due to shortage of money and Lev is a tithe, sacrificed by his religious parents for a "greater good".
All they have to do is avoid being caught by Juvey-cops until they are 18 and they are safe from being unwound.
As I said before I really loved this book.It kind of slaps you in the face, but you still want to dive back in and read it again. The characters were interesting and I always wanted to know more.
There was one scene in this book that I found quite disturbing. There weren't many gory details, but they way it was written was.. haunting.
Rating: 4.5 starts outa 5.
I like that, when an author goes more for haunting and disturbing than gore. I don't much like gore. And if a book is well written it doesn't need it.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all of your reading challenges!
Totally agree with you!! I read this book in... wow, 2009, I think. You've really made me want to reread now! I recently found out there's going to be a sequel, which I'm incredibly happy about it!
ReplyDeleteGreat review :)
this book sounds AAAHHHH-mazing!!! The cover just about scared the crap outta me though haha. Definitely will read this one!
ReplyDeleteBrodie - A sequel, really??? YAY! I really hope it follows the same characters.
ReplyDeleteLazy Girl - I've had to ignore the cover as it creeps me out too. But whats between the cover is Fantastic - note the capital F. If you read it I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!
haha capital F! putting it on my TBR pile thanks!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked it, T.B :D
ReplyDeleteYour right that it was intense. When I was reading it my hand cramped from holding the book too tightly!
Lol yeah, I have odd little sayings like that.