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Unwind Dystology #1-2, 1.5
Unwind Unboxed: Unwind / UnStrung / UnWholly
Unwinding - the process by which a child is both terminated yet kept alive.
With breath-taking suspense Unwind is a chilling futuristic tale of ethics and morality combined with fast-paced non-stop action. This ebook boxed set includes Unwind, and Unwholly, plus a bonus companion story, Unstrung.
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 and 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 unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing all the while that their lives are hanging in the balance…
With breath-taking suspense Unwind is a chilling futuristic tale of ethics and morality combined with fast-paced non-stop action. This ebook boxed set includes Unwind, and Unwholly, plus a bonus companion story, Unstrung.
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 and 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 unlikely companions make a harrowing cross-country journey, knowing all the while that their lives are hanging in the balance…
775 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2012
58 people are currently reading
628 people want to read
About the author
Neal Shusterman
91 books29.8k followersAward-winning author Neal Shusterman grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he began writing at an early age. After spending his junior and senior years of high school at the American School of Mexico City, Neal went on to UC Irvine, where he made his mark on the UCI swim team, and wrote a successful humor column. Within a year of graduating, he had his first book deal, and was hired to write a movie script.
In the years since, Neal has made his mark as a successful novelist, screenwriter, and television writer. As a full-time writer, he claims to be his own hardest task-master, always at work creating new stories to tell. His books have received many awards from organizations such as the International Reading Association, and the American Library Association, as well as garnering a myriad of state and local awards across the country. Neal's talents range from film directing (two short films he directed won him the coveted CINE Golden Eagle Awards) to writing music and stage plays – including book and lyrical contributions to “American Twistory,” which is currently playing in Boston. He has even tried his hand at creating Games, having developed three successful "How to Host a Mystery" game for teens, as well as seven "How to Host a Murder" games.
As a screen and TV writer, Neal has written for the "Goosebumps" and “Animorphs” TV series, and wrote the Disney Channel Original Movie “Pixel Perfect”. Currently Neal is adapting his novel Everlost as a feature film for Universal Studios.
Wherever Neal goes, he quickly earns a reputation as a storyteller and dynamic speaker. Much of his fiction is traceable back to stories he tells to large audiences of children and teenagers -- such as his novel The Eyes of Kid Midas. As a speaker, Neal is in constant demand at schools and conferences. Degrees in both psychology and drama give Neal a unique approach to writing. Neal's novels always deal with topics that appeal to adults as well as teens, weaving true-to-life characters into sensitive and riveting issues, and binding it all together with a unique and entertaining sense of humor.
Of Everlost, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman has reimagined what happens after death and questions power and the meaning of charity. While all this is going on, he has also managed to write a rip-roaring adventure…”
Of What Daddy Did, Voice of Youth Advocates wrote; "This is a compelling, spell-binding story... A stunning novel, impossible to put down once begun.
Of The Schwa Was Here, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman's characters–reminiscent of those crafted by E. L. Konigsburg and Jerry Spinelli–are infused with the kind of controlled, precocious improbability that magically vivifies the finest children's classics.
Of Scorpion Shards, Publisher's Weekly wrote: "Shusterman takes an outlandish comic-book concept, and, through the sheer audacity and breadth of his imagination makes it stunningly believable. A spellbinder."
And of The Eyes of Kid Midas, The Midwest Book Review wrote "This wins our vote as one of the best young-adult titles of the year" and was called "Inspired and hypnotically readable" by School Library Journal.
Neal Shusterman lives in Southern California with his children Brendan, Jarrod, Joelle, and Erin, who are a constant source of inspiration!
In the years since, Neal has made his mark as a successful novelist, screenwriter, and television writer. As a full-time writer, he claims to be his own hardest task-master, always at work creating new stories to tell. His books have received many awards from organizations such as the International Reading Association, and the American Library Association, as well as garnering a myriad of state and local awards across the country. Neal's talents range from film directing (two short films he directed won him the coveted CINE Golden Eagle Awards) to writing music and stage plays – including book and lyrical contributions to “American Twistory,” which is currently playing in Boston. He has even tried his hand at creating Games, having developed three successful "How to Host a Mystery" game for teens, as well as seven "How to Host a Murder" games.
As a screen and TV writer, Neal has written for the "Goosebumps" and “Animorphs” TV series, and wrote the Disney Channel Original Movie “Pixel Perfect”. Currently Neal is adapting his novel Everlost as a feature film for Universal Studios.
Wherever Neal goes, he quickly earns a reputation as a storyteller and dynamic speaker. Much of his fiction is traceable back to stories he tells to large audiences of children and teenagers -- such as his novel The Eyes of Kid Midas. As a speaker, Neal is in constant demand at schools and conferences. Degrees in both psychology and drama give Neal a unique approach to writing. Neal's novels always deal with topics that appeal to adults as well as teens, weaving true-to-life characters into sensitive and riveting issues, and binding it all together with a unique and entertaining sense of humor.
Of Everlost, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman has reimagined what happens after death and questions power and the meaning of charity. While all this is going on, he has also managed to write a rip-roaring adventure…”
Of What Daddy Did, Voice of Youth Advocates wrote; "This is a compelling, spell-binding story... A stunning novel, impossible to put down once begun.
Of The Schwa Was Here, School Library Journal wrote: “Shusterman's characters–reminiscent of those crafted by E. L. Konigsburg and Jerry Spinelli–are infused with the kind of controlled, precocious improbability that magically vivifies the finest children's classics.
Of Scorpion Shards, Publisher's Weekly wrote: "Shusterman takes an outlandish comic-book concept, and, through the sheer audacity and breadth of his imagination makes it stunningly believable. A spellbinder."
And of The Eyes of Kid Midas, The Midwest Book Review wrote "This wins our vote as one of the best young-adult titles of the year" and was called "Inspired and hypnotically readable" by School Library Journal.
Neal Shusterman lives in Southern California with his children Brendan, Jarrod, Joelle, and Erin, who are a constant source of inspiration!
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 4, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed these books! Very different storyline but I enjoy a good dystopian book!
July 29, 2023
fun and easy read. Wish it would of given more perspectives from other parents and adults
March 20, 2025
The way I read the other books in the series, see other entries for ratings.
April 8, 2014
I started the series quite uneasy. I have been adrift in the world of dystopias. I find beauty in the most bleak places that are created by a wide range of authors. I am always looking for books to incorporate in a middle school lesson that might reach the most unmotivated reader.
All of that being said, I did enjoy the series to the point of encouraging a niece to continue the series.
****Spoiler Alerts- as an adopted child, I was able to relate to the stroking process. Thankfully the family I joined, was much better than the ones in the books. As a teacher in an urban setting, I could easily see my children relating to their circumstances. I know it seems like a stretch, but until you have been there, it is hard to comprehend.
I went through a horror phase as many people do. I have been so frightened by Stephen King or Christopher Pike that I was kept awake more than a few nights. Much like The Stand and Under the Dome, often the scariest characters are the most like regular people. Seeing a such a dramatic breakdown in society made me question some of my own beliefs. The idea that "unwinding" a child could be considered an honor scares me to my core. The unwinding of Roland still makes me shiver when I think about it.
The religion element, although brief, is often left out in this genre. I enjoyed the revelations made by Pastor Dan and later by Lev. Religion has been used to justify some of the worst atrocities in our history.
I think the only thing missing is the government presence. Most dystopian novels have an all powerful government, but only the Juvenile Authority seem to be present. I assume of more novels are made, the government will be more revealed throughout the series. It is hard to compare the cruel government element when it is not really there.
I also am a little annoyed with the hints at a disturbing surprising secret, yet nothing surprising happens. As a fan of the genre I am good at anticipating certain things, so I maybe guessed at many things that came true.
I would love to see more development in this series. Neal Shusterman is a great author and I have enjoyed reading his books. I look forward to reading more.
All of that being said, I did enjoy the series to the point of encouraging a niece to continue the series.
****Spoiler Alerts- as an adopted child, I was able to relate to the stroking process. Thankfully the family I joined, was much better than the ones in the books. As a teacher in an urban setting, I could easily see my children relating to their circumstances. I know it seems like a stretch, but until you have been there, it is hard to comprehend.
I went through a horror phase as many people do. I have been so frightened by Stephen King or Christopher Pike that I was kept awake more than a few nights. Much like The Stand and Under the Dome, often the scariest characters are the most like regular people. Seeing a such a dramatic breakdown in society made me question some of my own beliefs. The idea that "unwinding" a child could be considered an honor scares me to my core. The unwinding of Roland still makes me shiver when I think about it.
The religion element, although brief, is often left out in this genre. I enjoyed the revelations made by Pastor Dan and later by Lev. Religion has been used to justify some of the worst atrocities in our history.
I think the only thing missing is the government presence. Most dystopian novels have an all powerful government, but only the Juvenile Authority seem to be present. I assume of more novels are made, the government will be more revealed throughout the series. It is hard to compare the cruel government element when it is not really there.
I also am a little annoyed with the hints at a disturbing surprising secret, yet nothing surprising happens. As a fan of the genre I am good at anticipating certain things, so I maybe guessed at many things that came true.
I would love to see more development in this series. Neal Shusterman is a great author and I have enjoyed reading his books. I look forward to reading more.
October 4, 2014
In the book, Unwind Unboxed, the subject of the book in which the unwanted kids were sent to a harvest camp where they get broken into pieces. Their parts, eyes, arms, legs, brains and whatever else that is usable is given to someone in need. I did not like the book because it is too realistic and cold hearted. Storking also bothered me. How could a mother put a baby on someone else’s doorstep and hope that it doesn’t die. Babies could be passed from house to house like a sack of potatoes. If you are made up of parts of many people then who are you really?
October 21, 2017
I'm not sure why... but I don't like the books too much. I love the storyline but really? Why does it have to be so many different people's view points. I cannot really get close to many of the characters. I will continue to read this series because I hate not finishing something I started but I am going to put them on the back burner and read a few other books in the meantime. I think I have book 3 and book 4 yet to read.. and maybe a 0.5 book... I'm just having a hard time with this series and hope to come back to it and like it better.. maybe lol
November 12, 2012
I finished this last night. The story kept me interested so much so when I turned the last page I was confused about where the story went so I had to turn back a page then forward again, the story was done and I was reading about Neal Shusteman. LOL. Now I’m one of those people who have to wait for the 3rd book to come out!
February 3, 2015
This is a great young adult dystopian novel. The characters are living in a very chaotic time and they endure a lot of different types of catastrophes. My favorite character is Connor and enjoyed watching his character change throughout the book. Shusterman does a great job of making the characters relatable.
January 19, 2015
A fun and disturbing young adult novel that makes the reader think there's a very short leap from organ donation to organ harvesting. An interesting story of what could happen to a society warring over the pro life /pro choice issue and what happens to the unwanted kids as a result of the laws put in place.
October 9, 2017
I am mad at how Unwinding became a thing that exists, like purging it makes no sense, but maybe the author will explain how it works in this alternate dystopian universe he has created, there is a lot of story to go after all. Also, storking, seems completely unethical, I guess no more so than unwinding, both seem less ethical than abortion
November 22, 2012
This book was really a page turner. I can't wait to see what direction the story will go.
December 12, 2012
This is one of the great, though overlooked, dystopian YA novels. I am excited to read the sequel, Unwholly. Should be interesting to see where this goes!
November 27, 2014
Provocative
April 9, 2015
The story is interesting and writing is good, but the idea that the pro-choice movement would accept the accord presented in the book is ludicrous and that hampered my suspension of disbelief.
January 11, 2019
AHHHHH THIS IS SO GOOD!!!! I LOVE THESE BOOKS!!!!
August 30, 2016
The book is really darn good, btw if u like this u will like the gone series.
Read
January 27, 2018read these 2 years ago and loved them we worth wile
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews