Unwind by Neal ShustermanNovember 2007 by Simon & Schuster
Hardcover, 335 pages
Purchased
Book Synopsis
In a society where unwanted teens are salvaged for their body parts, three runaways fight the system that would "unwind" them. 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 three unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing their lives hang in the balance. If they can survive until their eighteenth birthday, 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...(Goodreads)
Review
Review
The Heartland War rips the country apart, the worst war anyone has seen, started because of the abortion issue, Pro life and Pro choice Americans go to war against each other until a medical and scientific breakthrough of generating human body parts is discovered and the brilliant minds of science and government write the Bill of Life which makes all sides happy, and gives parents the right to send their children off to be harvested if they haven't met certain standards by the age of thirteen. Most of the rebellious kids or under achievers are selected for unwinding. Even worse the crazy religious parents who begin tithing their kids and raise them to be sacrifices.
....The Bill of Life states that human life may not be touched from the moment of conception until a child reaches the age of thirteen. However between the ages of thirteen and eighteen a parent may choose to retroactively abort a child.......(Intro)
If that didn't make you shudder well Id say you have watched to many horror movies. I got major chill bumps after reading the opening of the book hence The Bill of Life. I knew in those opening pages I was in for a gripping read.The story follows three kids Conner, Risa and Lev. All unwinds who are hiding from the government so they can turn eighteen and live free from the fear of being caught.They will face many dangerous situations; life on streets and finally an Arizona safe haven of fellow unwind kids on the run. A sense of community and freedom gives the kids hope but little do they know the evil lurking within the graveyard and where this last stop will take them.
If that didn't make you shudder well Id say you have watched to many horror movies. I got major chill bumps after reading the opening of the book hence The Bill of Life. I knew in those opening pages I was in for a gripping read.The story follows three kids Conner, Risa and Lev. All unwinds who are hiding from the government so they can turn eighteen and live free from the fear of being caught.They will face many dangerous situations; life on streets and finally an Arizona safe haven of fellow unwind kids on the run. A sense of community and freedom gives the kids hope but little do they know the evil lurking within the graveyard and where this last stop will take them.
Throughout the book the term unwinding and unwound is used but none of the kids really know what takes place or how the harvest camp works. When we actually get to a point in the book where an unwinding takes place it was awful and heartbreaking to read, my poor stomach was in knots during those pages. I think I was truly feeling the characters fear and utter hopelessness....not that I like feeling those things but that is fantastic writing when your so connected to the fate of the characters and feel emotion as something terrible happens to one of them, or to feel happiness when things work out. Conner was the character I most latched unto due to his quiet bravery yet his take no crap attitude. He's bold yet charming and I immediately wanted him to survive this book... my favorite Conner quote, who is screaming at the horde of kids surrounding him..." We Have a right to our lives! We have a right to choose what happens to our bodies"!! His character reminded me of William Wallace in Braveheart (teen style-with no blue face) a guy who just wants peace and to live a normal life but winds up being a leader and ultimately a hero.
I feel like I've been through the wringer after reading this very dark and disturbing tale. Written brilliantly with a powerful and haunting message. Gut wrenching yes, but one I would recommend.
5/5- YA-Dystopian
I am SO glad you like it. I thought about this story for weeks after reading it. What a social commentary!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe cover freaks me out!
ReplyDeleteWow. I haven't heard of this one before, though I'm adding it to my reading list now! Great review and thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteNatalie
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