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Unwind Dystology #1.5
UnStrung
How did Lev Calder move from an unwillingly escaped Tithe to a clapper?
In this new ebook original short story, author Neal Shusterman opens a window on Lev's adventures between the time he left CyFi and when he showed up at the Graveyard.
Lev's experiences on a Hi-Rez, an extraordinarily wealthy Native American Reservation introduce him to a teen with remarkable musical talent... and whose gifts are destined to end up in the hands of another. And it is this teen's heart-breaking story that inspired Lev to choose the clapper's path.
Pulling elements from Neal Shusterman's critically acclaimed Unwind and giving hints about what is to come in the long-awaited sequel, UnWholly, this short story is a must for fans of the series.
In this new ebook original short story, author Neal Shusterman opens a window on Lev's adventures between the time he left CyFi and when he showed up at the Graveyard.
Lev's experiences on a Hi-Rez, an extraordinarily wealthy Native American Reservation introduce him to a teen with remarkable musical talent... and whose gifts are destined to end up in the hands of another. And it is this teen's heart-breaking story that inspired Lev to choose the clapper's path.
Pulling elements from Neal Shusterman's critically acclaimed Unwind and giving hints about what is to come in the long-awaited sequel, UnWholly, this short story is a must for fans of the series.
60 pages, ebook
First published July 24, 2012
341 people are currently reading
16759 people want to read
About the author
Neal Shusterman
90 books29.9k 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 - 30 of 788 reviews
May 20, 2021
2.5 stars
I was excited to read this novella having enjoyed Unwind immensely. I wanted to know what happened to Lev and the Hi-Rez idea sounded very interesting...
You see, the ebook I had was over 100 pages. I didn't know it featured other things too. I was very bored. I should've finished it in one sitting but I honestly never felt like reading it. And I still had 50% left of the book, you know?
So I was trying to read a bit more yesterday.. all while hoping for something to happen. And indeed, an unexpected event occurred. I read the next chapter (which is only a few pages) and the novella IS OVER. I felt underwhelmed, to say the least. All this time I kept waiting for it to get more enjoyable but was thinking maybe because we're still halfway through but no. THAT WAS IT.
Sadly, that doesn't make giving this book 2 stars any easier because I really liked the characters. I also liked the idea of People of Chance and that we had Native American characters. I also loved Wil and his grandpa. Unfortunately, when the book is too short to create a bond with the characters strong enough to enjoy the story when the story slows, it has to rely on the pace. Hence, my feelings toward the character remained superficial and I was simply uninterested.
Now that I think of it, the general atmosphere of the story was too calming and serene? Maybe that was why I didn't enjoy it much. After reading Unwind I was expecting more brutality but this book was the total opposite -ha ha you can guess why things got interesting at the end.
Briefly, I liked the idea of the hosts of this novella (NA who are against Unwinding and thriving on their own), I also liked the characters. But the general vibes and sound of the story bored me so damn much. Thank God the chapters were very short.
I was excited to read this novella having enjoyed Unwind immensely. I wanted to know what happened to Lev and the Hi-Rez idea sounded very interesting...
You see, the ebook I had was over 100 pages. I didn't know it featured other things too. I was very bored. I should've finished it in one sitting but I honestly never felt like reading it. And I still had 50% left of the book, you know?
So I was trying to read a bit more yesterday.. all while hoping for something to happen. And indeed, an unexpected event occurred. I read the next chapter (which is only a few pages) and the novella IS OVER. I felt underwhelmed, to say the least. All this time I kept waiting for it to get more enjoyable but was thinking maybe because we're still halfway through but no. THAT WAS IT.
Sadly, that doesn't make giving this book 2 stars any easier because I really liked the characters. I also liked the idea of People of Chance and that we had Native American characters. I also loved Wil and his grandpa. Unfortunately, when the book is too short to create a bond with the characters strong enough to enjoy the story when the story slows, it has to rely on the pace. Hence, my feelings toward the character remained superficial and I was simply uninterested.
Now that I think of it, the general atmosphere of the story was too calming and serene? Maybe that was why I didn't enjoy it much. After reading Unwind I was expecting more brutality but this book was the total opposite -ha ha you can guess why things got interesting at the end.
Briefly, I liked the idea of the hosts of this novella (NA who are against Unwinding and thriving on their own), I also liked the characters. But the general vibes and sound of the story bored me so damn much. Thank God the chapters were very short.
October 30, 2022
After leaving CyFi and before heading to the graveyard, Lev stayed at a wealthy Native American reservation. Native American reservations don't participate in unwinding and they sometimes shelter AWOL kids. While there, Lev meets a young man Chowilawu, Wil for short, who has an incredible talent with a guitar.
UnStrung is an interesting tale that I must admit didn't sound too intriguing. I thought I knew enough about why Lev became a clapper and wasn't all that interested in reading the novella. Fortunately for me Unstrung was available at my library as a digital download so despite my mild interest I checked it out anyway. I'm thankful I didn't skip it because this really is a strong and emotional novella.
The story started out slowly and doesn't seem at first to fit into Unwind outside of Lev being involved. Some unfortunate circumstances change that quickly and bring the heartbreaking reality of the Unwind world into the novella. I think I have to leave some time between reading the different books in this series because I can barely handle the hell these children live in.
Lev and Wil's time together was a bright spot in the story. Despite the brevity of their relationship Lev and Wil seemed to bond and understand one another quite well. I also appreciated seeing a whole people group stand against the atrocity of unwinding.
UnStrung is a quick strong novella that's worth reading for any fans of the Unwind series.
UnStrung is an interesting tale that I must admit didn't sound too intriguing. I thought I knew enough about why Lev became a clapper and wasn't all that interested in reading the novella. Fortunately for me Unstrung was available at my library as a digital download so despite my mild interest I checked it out anyway. I'm thankful I didn't skip it because this really is a strong and emotional novella.
The story started out slowly and doesn't seem at first to fit into Unwind outside of Lev being involved. Some unfortunate circumstances change that quickly and bring the heartbreaking reality of the Unwind world into the novella. I think I have to leave some time between reading the different books in this series because I can barely handle the hell these children live in.
Lev and Wil's time together was a bright spot in the story. Despite the brevity of their relationship Lev and Wil seemed to bond and understand one another quite well. I also appreciated seeing a whole people group stand against the atrocity of unwinding.
UnStrung is a quick strong novella that's worth reading for any fans of the Unwind series.
Want to read
July 7, 2012WHAT?!
An UNWIND novella?!
An UNWIND novella?!
August 20, 2012
3.5 stars. I'm not going to go into any sort of summary or recap for UnStrung because there isn't much to break down when it comes to reading something the length of a few short chapters. If you're interested in why I think this series is badass, check out the summary for Unwind, the first book in the series. The description alone sells the book.
Reading UnStrung didn't do much except to stir my enthusiasm for the upcoming book, as was probably the point. At first, I didn't understand why this "half-sies" story was even needed. Now, I'm curious as to why Mr. Shusterman felt we needed to know this brief cutaway glimpse from Unwind (when Lev is on the run). Perhaps, something or someone from this story is going to come back around in a big way in the newest book?
There's not much to report because this is an extremely short blip in the world (although I still managed to get teary eyed from one scene...sigh). Don't read this if you haven't read Unwind already, or you will be extremely confused and not much of anything will make sense.
I have the feeling that this trilogy will take over the top spot for favorite dystopia series when it's all said and done. Unless book 3 drops the ball in a big way but I'm thinking probably not...Shusterman hasn't let me down so far.
Reading UnStrung didn't do much except to stir my enthusiasm for the upcoming book, as was probably the point. At first, I didn't understand why this "half-sies" story was even needed. Now, I'm curious as to why Mr. Shusterman felt we needed to know this brief cutaway glimpse from Unwind (when Lev is on the run). Perhaps, something or someone from this story is going to come back around in a big way in the newest book?
There's not much to report because this is an extremely short blip in the world (although I still managed to get teary eyed from one scene...sigh). Don't read this if you haven't read Unwind already, or you will be extremely confused and not much of anything will make sense.
I have the feeling that this trilogy will take over the top spot for favorite dystopia series when it's all said and done. Unless book 3 drops the ball in a big way but I'm thinking probably not...Shusterman hasn't let me down so far.
February 17, 2016
It's been a long time after I've finished reading Unwind and I'm quite relieved that I still remembered what happen there. There is an instance that Lev just appeared in Graveyard after he has been separated to Connor and Risa and this short story told me (will tell you) the missing scenes of the book-- what happened to Lev; where did he go.
I found it fascinating and interesting that this book delivered me to another world of unwinding. In the place where Lev has been gone, they used animal parts rather than humans' as a replacement for their broken/weak body parts. Still quite disgusting, yes, but at least not humans.
Good new characters were also introduced here that became friends with Lev and I can say that I've gotten attached to them even with a short time. Lev, however, I like him more because he is learning what really life is and he became wiser and wiser. He did have now the urge to stand for others and to what were really good to be stand for.
A short read, indeed, but you will eventually like the story and love the characters. And it will give disturbance in your fragile emotion especially on the last part.
I found it fascinating and interesting that this book delivered me to another world of unwinding. In the place where Lev has been gone, they used animal parts rather than humans' as a replacement for their broken/weak body parts. Still quite disgusting, yes, but at least not humans.
Good new characters were also introduced here that became friends with Lev and I can say that I've gotten attached to them even with a short time. Lev, however, I like him more because he is learning what really life is and he became wiser and wiser. He did have now the urge to stand for others and to what were really good to be stand for.
A short read, indeed, but you will eventually like the story and love the characters. And it will give disturbance in your fragile emotion especially on the last part.
September 2, 2020
Being a short story in the Unwind universe, I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised if it just gives us a taste of a bit more characterization of one of the side characters, exploring a bit of the way the current cultural mores inveigle their way into a Native American community (or how they resist it).
It was okay. I personally didn't get much out of it other than seeing a little mild resistance, but I hope to see quite a lot more in future novels.
It was okay. I personally didn't get much out of it other than seeing a little mild resistance, but I hope to see quite a lot more in future novels.
January 19, 2023
این داستان کوتاهی از مجموعهی گسستهست که در واقع بخشی از ماجرای یکی از شخصیتهای اصلی رو دنبال میکنه
در کتاب اول «لِو» از «کانر» و «ریسا» جدا میشه و داستان اون مدت به طور کامل گفته نمیشه. لِو برای مدت کوتاهی با گروهی زندگی میکنه که قوانین گسستهکردن رو قبول نکردند و به شیوهی خودشون زندگی میکنند. این فرصتیه که بتونه تفکراتی که باهاش بزرگ شده رو بیشتر از قبل به چالش بکشه
کتاب انقدر کوتاهه که انتظار خاصی نمیشه ازش داشت. فقط برشی متفاوت از دنیاییه که شوسترمن ایجاد کرده که برای من خیلی معمولی بود. در ضمن صوتی این جلد بهتر از قبلی بود
۱۴۰۱/۱۰/۲۹
در کتاب اول «لِو» از «کانر» و «ریسا» جدا میشه و داستان اون مدت به طور کامل گفته نمیشه. لِو برای مدت کوتاهی با گروهی زندگی میکنه که قوانین گسستهکردن رو قبول نکردند و به شیوهی خودشون زندگی میکنند. این فرصتیه که بتونه تفکراتی که باهاش بزرگ شده رو بیشتر از قبل به چالش بکشه
کتاب انقدر کوتاهه که انتظار خاصی نمیشه ازش داشت. فقط برشی متفاوت از دنیاییه که شوسترمن ایجاد کرده که برای من خیلی معمولی بود. در ضمن صوتی این جلد بهتر از قبلی بود
۱۴۰۱/۱۰/۲۹
January 10, 2022
This was just ok for me. I don’t feel like it really added much to the collection.
3 ⭐️
3 ⭐️
December 16, 2016
5/5 stars
Unstrung is a very short story of the untold journey of Levi Calder about how he gets so much anger that turned him from a nice religious boy to a suicide bomber. It is set during
after Lev left CyFi and before he arrives at the Graveyard. Lev runs away from the authorities and relentlessly seeks for a sanctuary until one day he’s saved by a native American tribe who calls themselves the people of change. There’s no unwinding there. The tribe never sign the unwind accord and thus they can’t be unwound nor receive unwind parts. Lev is taken care by a kind family who treat him like one of their own and even plans to adopt Lev legally to their family so Lev could be protected from unwind forever but that life is taken from Lev when a parts-pirates raid comes and takes one of Lev’s new family just because someone had specifically asks and would pay a lot for a people of change’s part out of favor, not even need. Most of the other tribe members blames Lev for it because they cannot blame anyone else. The last thing Lev ever give to his ‘brother’ is his applause to express his gratitude and appreciation and Lev finally see how powerful his claps could be.
Well, I read Unwholly before I read this and I got so much unexpected realization. No wonder Lev changes so much. He’s been trough too much already. Imagine loosing a family not only once but twice. And when all the connections this book has with
clicked in my head with a single name Roberta, I really want to strangle that woman. She’s officially the devil! No human can be that evil and enjoys it so much. It also makes me curious what would happen if Lev meets Cam.
This book is really interesting. It tells quite a lot about the native American cultures. I love reading about the tribe. They seem so traditional yet also kinda modern especially in technology. It seems to be a really exciting place to live. Too bad Lev has to be kicked out but for anyone who has already read Unwind and UnWholly, you’ll know it’s for the better goods. Without Lev all those good things will never happens. I have to warn you that it has a very sad ending at least in my opinion it is. I cried at the end. I wished the story would be longer. It’s a really good story.
Funny how morality, which always seems so black and white, can be influenced so completely by what you were raised to believe.
Unstrung is a very short story of the untold journey of Levi Calder about how he gets so much anger that turned him from a nice religious boy to a suicide bomber. It is set during
after Lev left CyFi and before he arrives at the Graveyard. Lev runs away from the authorities and relentlessly seeks for a sanctuary until one day he’s saved by a native American tribe who calls themselves the people of change. There’s no unwinding there. The tribe never sign the unwind accord and thus they can’t be unwound nor receive unwind parts. Lev is taken care by a kind family who treat him like one of their own and even plans to adopt Lev legally to their family so Lev could be protected from unwind forever but that life is taken from Lev when a parts-pirates raid comes and takes one of Lev’s new family just because someone had specifically asks and would pay a lot for a people of change’s part out of favor, not even need. Most of the other tribe members blames Lev for it because they cannot blame anyone else. The last thing Lev ever give to his ‘brother’ is his applause to express his gratitude and appreciation and Lev finally see how powerful his claps could be.Well, I read Unwholly before I read this and I got so much unexpected realization. No wonder Lev changes so much. He’s been trough too much already. Imagine loosing a family not only once but twice. And when all the connections this book has with
clicked in my head with a single name Roberta, I really want to strangle that woman. She’s officially the devil! No human can be that evil and enjoys it so much. It also makes me curious what would happen if Lev meets Cam.This book is really interesting. It tells quite a lot about the native American cultures. I love reading about the tribe. They seem so traditional yet also kinda modern especially in technology. It seems to be a really exciting place to live. Too bad Lev has to be kicked out but for anyone who has already read Unwind and UnWholly, you’ll know it’s for the better goods. Without Lev all those good things will never happens. I have to warn you that it has a very sad ending at least in my opinion it is. I cried at the end. I wished the story would be longer. It’s a really good story.
“…and your hands? They played guitar with rare and glorious talent!”
(Roberta, unwholly)
August 27, 2012
So I've basically arranged my reading (and sleeping) schedule around the fact that UnWholly comes out on Tuesday, and I've been saving this novella for today. And.... meh. I don't know if I was influenced by the fact that I know it wasn't Neal Shusterman who wrote this, or if the story just isn't up to Unwind standards, but I was neither over or underwhelmed. Did Frankie Landau-Banks say I could be whelmed? Then I am whelmed. I don't think it's a MUST READ for Unwind fans the way Ferragost is a MUST READ for Lumatere fans. Lev was one of the most fascinating characters in Unwind, so I was hoping UnStrung would add yet another layer. Again... meh. On the plus side, there's an excerpt of UnWholly included with this novella.
October 25, 2025
It didn’t add much to the overall story, nor did it discuss the other book in the series. It’s more like a retelling of the Native American story. It was an enjoyable read — some might find it a bit slow at times, but it genuinely moved me in a few moments.
October 20, 2012
This one is really difficult to rate, because, although it does shed light on a very important decision a character makes in the first book and sets a bridge between the developments of the stories in both books, it felt... off. I really don't know how to explain it. First off, it is obvious Shusterman had very little to do with the writing of this short story. He might've plotted it, but filling it in went to the other author and, while she did a decent job at sounding like him, it didn't read like Shusterman's prose and didn't carry the force his lines usually carry. It was also a bit melodramatic with the inner thoughts of the characters, and, quite frankly, I was a bit bored. I actually fell asleep in the middle of it. But, anyway, I liked the inclusion of another side of society that stands against unwinding, but somehow developed their own advanced and ethically-questionable medicine. The climax, however, felt a bit too forced for me. So, in the end, it is 2.5-3 stars with this one on concept alone.
August 10, 2016
2.5 STARS
This was about a whole bunch of rich People of Chance (i.e. Native Americans) protected from the Unwind Accord are living their own personal dramas when a certain Lev Calder dropped in and sought asylum. One such drama Lev caught himself in is with a sixteen year old boy, Wil, with a marvelous talent for playing the guitar who only wants to be appreciated by his tribe... but isn't because it's considered selfish on Wil's part to expect so.
Okay, beyond their walls kids are running for their lives, trying to escape the horrible mess their parents sentenced them to and Wil .
I dunno, Wil's character came across shallow to me and Lev figured much less prominently in the story than I was expecting. I got the impression this was going to bridge the Lev who got separated from Risa and Connor in the early parts of Unwind with the Lev who became the clapper. I suppose it did... In the metaphorical sense but definitely not how I pictured things were for him. He remains my favorite character in this series because of his complexity but somehow all of that was missed here.
Of course this somehow ties to some details in Unwholly and there's a nice continuity there, I suppose, but in terms of being integral to the series, I didn't feel it.
This was about a whole bunch of rich People of Chance (i.e. Native Americans) protected from the Unwind Accord are living their own personal dramas when a certain Lev Calder dropped in and sought asylum. One such drama Lev caught himself in is with a sixteen year old boy, Wil, with a marvelous talent for playing the guitar who only wants to be appreciated by his tribe... but isn't because it's considered selfish on Wil's part to expect so.
Okay, beyond their walls kids are running for their lives, trying to escape the horrible mess their parents sentenced them to and Wil .
I dunno, Wil's character came across shallow to me and Lev figured much less prominently in the story than I was expecting. I got the impression this was going to bridge the Lev who got separated from Risa and Connor in the early parts of Unwind with the Lev who became the clapper. I suppose it did... In the metaphorical sense but definitely not how I pictured things were for him. He remains my favorite character in this series because of his complexity but somehow all of that was missed here.
Of course this somehow ties to some details in Unwholly and there's a nice continuity there, I suppose, but in terms of being integral to the series, I didn't feel it.
March 17, 2016
Cool little novella detailing Lev's missing time from Unwind. In barely 100+ pages I loved Wil, Una and Tocho, felt their love and fear and anger. It gave me a chance to find out how Lev as a character made that dramatic shift. I have to think that Neal had originally written this as part of the novel, then cut it at some later point because of how well it fits and explains Lev's position. It's short and sweet but I definitely recommend it!
March 29, 2018
3*
This book is kinda pointless. I wouldn't recommend it. It does show what the native americans do in the world of the unwinds. They perfected animal transplantation instead of people getting unwound. At the end of this something happens that implies some role in later books.
I found out what the yellow eye was though.
This book is kinda pointless. I wouldn't recommend it. It does show what the native americans do in the world of the unwinds. They perfected animal transplantation instead of people getting unwound. At the end of this something happens that implies some role in later books.
I found out what the yellow eye was though.
January 13, 2013
Guys, this comes out the day before my birthday.
Thank you, book gods.
Thank you, book gods.
April 1, 2024
Shusterman, my man, you can't be writing this (quite poorly thought out depiction of native americans)
May 9, 2024
WOW!!! Lev is missing from the story in Unwind for a few chapters, but when he returns, he is changed. This shocking and haunting take reveals that change.
May 25, 2025
3.5⭐
Wil summons a wry smile for Lev before the parts pirates take him and his guitar away. “Thanks for the applause, little brother.😔
هي نوفيلا قصيرة لكن مدري كيف تعلقت في ويل كذا يعني انفجعت لما فككوا رولاند الحين ويل يقلع ام الرعب ابغى اعرف وش يصير الحين لاعضاءهم بعد ما تفككوا و هل رح يرجعون بعدين ولا كيف كذا بس و ليف كيف وصل للمقبرة الحين بعد ما افترق هو و ساي فاي و راح لذي القبيلة و طلع منها بعدين وش صار له كيف وصل للمقبرة و التقى بكونر و ريسا
Wil summons a wry smile for Lev before the parts pirates take him and his guitar away. “Thanks for the applause, little brother.😔
هي نوفيلا قصيرة لكن مدري كيف تعلقت في ويل كذا يعني انفجعت لما فككوا رولاند الحين ويل يقلع ام الرعب ابغى اعرف وش يصير الحين لاعضاءهم بعد ما تفككوا و هل رح يرجعون بعدين ولا كيف كذا بس و ليف كيف وصل للمقبرة الحين بعد ما افترق هو و ساي فاي و راح لذي القبيلة و طلع منها بعدين وش صار له كيف وصل للمقبرة و التقى بكونر و ريسا
January 29, 2018
this was short, but so good! I'm glad we got to find out where Lev went during some of the events in Unwind. Wil, on the other hand, deserved his own book in my opinion, he was such a complex character for this novella.
February 5, 2019
and the most outdated reader award goes to...
*drum rolls*
me.
*drum rolls*
me.
July 15, 2020
This is a short story in the Unwind world and to me, it is also the saddest.
December 6, 2012
Oh, my...Shusterman calls this 1.5 for a reason...it's a story within UNWIND...a story from Lev's point of view that covers time from his leaving CyFi until his appearance at the Camp. He ends up in an Indian reservation...supposedly safe ground from AWOL bounty hunters. There he exposes his initial ignorance and prejudice of native ways, to a deep respect and reverence. He meets Wil, a gifted guitarist who is suffering through real identity concerns...where does he fit in? How can he contribute? How much of the old ways are HIS ways?
This is a splendid short piece...it reunites us with Lev from the first book, it explains some of his new introspection. It introduces another view of 'unwinds' -- in this reservation, healers try to truly heal the body and mind and soul, not just replace parts. Lev sees another perspective.
And, it connects us to UNWHOLLY in a totally creepy, devastating way. Let's just say I cried all through sixth hour.
This is a splendid short piece...it reunites us with Lev from the first book, it explains some of his new introspection. It introduces another view of 'unwinds' -- in this reservation, healers try to truly heal the body and mind and soul, not just replace parts. Lev sees another perspective.
And, it connects us to UNWHOLLY in a totally creepy, devastating way. Let's just say I cried all through sixth hour.
August 24, 2017
How did Lev Calder move from an unwillingly escaped Tithe to a clapper?
I figure this would tell me but...maybe I missed it?
Don't get me wrong, I liked the story. It gives us another side and another view of unwinding. The People of Chance have different laws and of course different problems and I appreciated having this glimpse. However, I'm not sure how that changed Lev into the boy who pops up again in Unwind. Where did all the anger come from? When did he decide clapping was the answer? I dunno.
I get the feeling the real purpose of this has something to do with the upcoming books. In particular . You know, just a hunch. Or . If neither happens I'll really wonder what the point was. Guess I'll have to find out.
I figure this would tell me but...maybe I missed it?
Don't get me wrong, I liked the story. It gives us another side and another view of unwinding. The People of Chance have different laws and of course different problems and I appreciated having this glimpse. However, I'm not sure how that changed Lev into the boy who pops up again in Unwind. Where did all the anger come from? When did he decide clapping was the answer? I dunno.
I get the feeling the real purpose of this has something to do with the upcoming books. In particular . You know, just a hunch. Or . If neither happens I'll really wonder what the point was. Guess I'll have to find out.
July 27, 2013
Somehow managed to make me cry in 60 pages. Thanks, Neal.
I really don't usually get this emotional over books, but something about Neal's style and stories can really do it to me.
Great little novella, even though the plot felt a little rushed. You should probably read it before unwholly, but if you have already read unwholly I wouldn't worry. I read unwholly before I knew unstrung existed, and it really made the same point, just in a different order. It's really just a choice of which book you cry over.
I really don't usually get this emotional over books, but something about Neal's style and stories can really do it to me.
Great little novella, even though the plot felt a little rushed. You should probably read it before unwholly, but if you have already read unwholly I wouldn't worry. I read unwholly before I knew unstrung existed, and it really made the same point, just in a different order. It's really just a choice of which book you cry over.
September 11, 2012
I just want to lie down and sob for an hour or two. Be back to write a review when I've composed myself.
So. *deep breath*
This story tells a little more about Lev, what happens after leaving CyFi and there is more added to why he comes to feel the way he does, why he becomes so filled with hatred that he is willing to sacrifice himself. I was not expecting what happens in this story at all.
I hope there will be some tie in to the overall arc of what happened here.
Heartbreaking.
So. *deep breath*
This story tells a little more about Lev, what happens after leaving CyFi and there is more added to why he comes to feel the way he does, why he becomes so filled with hatred that he is willing to sacrifice himself. I was not expecting what happens in this story at all.
I hope there will be some tie in to the overall arc of what happened here.
Heartbreaking.
August 19, 2015
UnStrung Is a short companion story to Unwind and tells us Lev's story during that book. It fit perfectly with the bigger story and showed a new side of this incredibly detailed fictional world. It was a nice little story that explained Lev's change and his thirst for revenge in Unwind. Despite the fact that this entire story takes place during another book, it stands well on its own.
June 26, 2016
This was very good, but I wish it was longer. It was also kind of sad. It tied up a few loose ends on Lev's story in Unwind.
August 28, 2021
Feeling a lot of things but mostly wondering why this exists.
May 14, 2024
2.5 stars
Full disclosure I did wait like 6 weeks after reading Unwind to read this before starting the next book in the series, but this just felt unnecessary and I don’t think it adds anything to the story.
Anyway can probably skip it
Full disclosure I did wait like 6 weeks after reading Unwind to read this before starting the next book in the series, but this just felt unnecessary and I don’t think it adds anything to the story.
Anyway can probably skip it
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