Shusterman, Neal - UnWholly (Unwind #2) Buddy Read - May 16th

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

You still can Lisarenee - it doesn't take long to read ;)

[Jex]

I managed to fall a bit behind on the reading and questions will be very late today as in might not be up until tomorrow. Unless someone else wants to post today's questions. Sorry for my fail guys!

[Jex]

@Karen Post #40:

8. Apparently ads can brainwash society to buy anything...and I mean anything!

9. Languages would be a good skill.

10. LOL!

12. I didn't really think about the fact that the black market will continue even after the laws are changed...

15. I guess I just jumped to Roland...it could be anyone that saw her playing. Roland makes sense though with how in shape his body was.

[Jex]

@Nancy Post #41:

8. I hope you're right. Let's just clone people for parts instead of unwinding. It sounds safer.

9. Definitely a class divider for the cosmetic stuff, but I think serious injuries are covered hence Connor getting a new arm and eye. I wonder how seriously hurt you have to be before you have to pay for it? Does it depend how good of health insurance you have?

14. Cam is someone new to this book. Wil was from Unstrung.

[Jex]

@Sheila Post #43:

9. Totally! Who needs school? Or books? or anything? Just buy more brain!

11. I thought the same thing! I wonder if she was just there to tell Lev's part of the story?

13. I think Lev was set free to live with his brother since he was a minor and he couldn't be unwound because of the clapper thing.

[Jex]

@Kristin Post #47:

11. Well...she is a gift to god...literally.

14. I'm interested to see the point myself.

15. I was wondering if Connor's group snuck the picture in, but then again, how would they know? I also wondered if it got in there because the graveyard got infiltrated and the picture ended up in the wrong pile.

[Jex]

Questions for Chapters 4-12

16. So I looked up the article that was in the beginning of Part 2. Nebraska does a safe haven law that allows children (which they consider up to the age of 19) to be left. What do you think of that? Do you think the government wouldn't have made up the Unwind Accord if there will safe haven laws such as that still in affect?
That's just crazy, but I guess it technically happens all the time in the form of orphanages. Makes sense that it would translate to unwinding and all the weird laws that go along with it.

17. What do you think of Connor's rescue mission? I thought it was very telling how Connor made the parents write down why they chose for their child to be unwound and the threat of the identity cocktails. Someone can give their child up for reasons of personal hygeine; are there no limits? If they don't like the way their child looks can they be unwound? I wonder about Connor's parents now. I am hoping we get to see how what their life is like now.
I don't think parents really need a reason to have their kid unwound. It's a right they have to unwind no matter the reason why. Kind of the same for abortion these days. Technically your reason can just be "I don't want a kid." It's just a little more dramatic when the kid is 16 years old then when it's unborn. I did really like the rescue mission and how Connor handled it.

18. I found in interesting that the disabled aren't unwound. Is is because they are in a way "damaged"? Do you think Risa regrets not taking the spine from the Unwind? It seems to have created some problems for herself and her relationship with Connor (though I like the fact that she didn't take it).
I think it has to do with the rule that 98% of the person's parts have to be used and if there is a good portion of a kid that's damaged then they can't meet that criteria. I don't think she regrets it. I think she would have regretted it more if she had a part of an unwind in her. Just look at how guilty and awkward Connor feels have a piece of Roland. Granted that may just be because of who it belonged to.

19. I also wonder why the kids are at the Graveyard. If there is such an organ shortage but then there are hundreds, what used to be thousands, of kids just sitting in a desert. Why do you think they are leaving them alone?
I have a feeling that there will be a big bust of the graveyard somewhere in this book. It's coming! I also think it will be parts pirates raiding it and not juvey cops.

20. I see Connor still has issues with Roland's arm. I think it would be difficult to be in his position but then to be scared of part of your body and what it could do.
I can't imagine anything worse then getting the arm that not only tried to kill you but tried to attack the love of your life and having to live with it. And based on everything we've read it still has muscle memory and thoughts basically of its own. It has to be a scary thing to deal with.

21. I wonder what the deal is with the ADR and not helping the Graveyard kids. Either the ADR isn't capable of helping the Unwinds or there is something else going on. I almost feel like the Graveyard is one huge experiment.
I think the ADR is falling apart and the Graveyard just hasn't really caught wind of it yet. Maybe they just don't like the fact that Connor is in charge but have no one else willing to work with all those kids?

22. Oh Starkey. I was hoping he would prove me wrong and end up being a good guy but it doesn't look like it. Connor did save a storked baby but apparently that isn't good enough for Starkey. I don't think he would be a very good leader and it seems like everything he does is only to make himself feel more powerful. He sounds like a sociopath.
There is definitely some bad seed in Starkey. I mean, he doesn't even feel guilty or plagued at all by killing two people and now he's starting a rebellion in the only safe place? I smell bad things. Maybe Starkey is why the graveyard dies.

23. I might not remember this but what did Hayden mean when he said "Last year didn't count" in reference to him being 17? If he is 17 can't he leave the Graveyard and Connor?
An excuse to not leave yet? I don't know. I didn't really get the reference either.

24. Wow! So now every teenager is even more at risk. They have to make sure they don't make their parents mad but they also have to watch out for traps set out by parts pirates. Sounds like a pretty scary world for 13-16 year olds. But didn't anybody see this coming? Why would the Black Market only want AWOL's when they could get any healthy teenager? And wouldn't they want some of the "good" teenagers because they would be better people to be divided into other people...
Being taken by a parts pirate as a non AWOL sounds to me just like being kidnapped or what not in today's society. If you don't get into dumb stuff and go places you shouldn't you should be safe. However, that doesn't save you from your own parents. If the kid wasn't searching for cigarettes then he wouldn't have gotten caught. I loved that we got to see what happened to the juvey cop that Connor made a fool of though and kind of see how the black market thing worked.

25. The whole idea that you can keep changing body parts until you find what you are happy with is absurd to me. There should some sort of limit and wouldn't that be doing more harm to your body having repeat multiple surgeries especially on eyes.
I guess the technology is sound enough that it doesn't matter. I mean, they can make an entire human out of parts, why not continually change out the same part?

[Jex]

@Karen Post 49:

17. I forgot about them saying they would unwind her right after fixing her. Why bother getting fixed then?

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Jex - re post 65
"I think it has to do with the rule that 98% of the person's parts have to be used and if there is a good portion of a kid that's damaged then they can't meet that criteria

Ah-ha! I totally forgot about that rule. That makes sense to me now. Thanks :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Jex wrote: "I managed to fall a bit behind on the reading and questions will be very late today as in might not be up until tomorrow. Unless someone else wants to post today's questions. Sorry for my fail guys!"

All good Jex. I'll do the questions as I'm dying to read the next section...lol

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapters 22-35 Questions

33. What are your thoughts on The trust? It seemed to me that they were just brainwashing the kids against unwinding, the same as they were convinced of the opposite previously. Do you think it is right to keep Miracolina locked in, even when after a few weeks she still wants to be unwound?

34.Lev has become a bit of a cult-hero. Do you think it is right that they are looking up to him (to the point of worship?)

35.I found Miracolina is like Lev was originally, except her faith in needing to be unwound seems to be immovable. What do you think of her character?

36. So the discussion about souls comes up again. Lev really stumped Miracolina with the question of what happens to her soul if she is unwound. And this theme is also explored with Cam. Do you have an opinion on this?

37.Do you think Risa was kidnapped from the Juvies, or are they working with Roberta's group? It seemed pretty hostile to tranq her with a dart to the chest.

38. The first meeting with Risa and cam didn't go well (understatement of the year!). Why do they want her to accept a new spine?

39. Cam seems pretty creepy and obsessed with Risa. He also has aggressive tendencies. Maybe he does have some of Roland? I wonder if he will discover his talent with Wil's hands and use the guitar to win Risa over? (For those that didn't read the novella, in unstrung Wil's hands playing the guitar had an almost spiritual impact on people) Predictions on what will happen here?

40. Nelson is pretty cunning and determined! What do you think of his plan to find Connor? Will he use Lev as negotiating power? Poor Connor is going to have some rescuing to do!!

41. We are about half way through the book now. What are your thoughts so far? How does it compare to Unwind?

[Jex]

Questions for Chapters 13-21

26. Connor struggled with the idea of being the leader of the graveyard. Although he has a fake ID and could go an disappear if he wanted to, he stays to be involved with the ADR. Do you agree with his choice? What would you do?
I don't think Connor would be happy with simply disappearing. He would be haunted by the memory of those he lost along the way. Plus he would feel guilty not standing up for unwinds and having unwind parts.

27.Only 14 kids with the latest plan shipment. Do you think the ADR is just very disorganised and isn't able to get to kids before the parts pirates/juvies, or are not as many kids being signed ovr for unwinding, or is the ADR intentionally not finding AWOLs?
I think it's a combination of things. The parts pirates/juvies are catching more AWOLs with their traps and the ADR is losing their ability to get ahold of AWOLS as easily. Plus the average person is turning in AWOLS for reward money. When Starkey was looking it took him quite some time to find the ADR before falling for an ADR trap.

28.Trace is a Juvie! Would you trust him?
I was shocked! But I think his story is legit. I think (or hope) that he's on the side of the graveyard more then the juvies even though he gets a pay check from them. His story makes sense about all the things he could have been telling the juvies. They definitely would have come and taken Connor away by now.

29.Cam is released to the media as the first composite human. I was surprised, as I thought this would be a secret. Do you think Connor is right and they made Cam just because they can? I found the comment by one of the journalists that Cam was "no more human than a football is a pig" interesting. Do you agree?
That was a great line! I don't know if I agree with it or not, but still a great line. You get into that whole weird territory of whether a clone is a person and if they have rights and all that jazz. Such grey territory. My theory is if it can produce coherent thought and feeling then it's alive, but then again some machines have coherent thoughts, but can they feel? Oh science!

30. So we discover that Cam was on the bus with Risa when she was being shipped for unwinding. I am guessing she will become Cam's companion. Why do you think Risa swapped with Dylan?
Was he on the bus with her? I thought they said she died on a bus. Maybe I just read it wrong. I think her and Cam will have some interesting relationship but Roberta is trying to keep them apart at all costs for some reason or other. Probably because of what Risa is a part of. I think Risa swapped with Dylan because she was so adamant about saving a StaHo kid. She was determined to not lose another one just because the ADR won't give them doctors.

31. Part four begins with another news article: http://www.bioedge.org/index.php/bioe...
I love how the author disperses these through the book. Euthanasia is such a controversial topic. Do you think unwinding is a 'natural progression' of harvesting organs when someone is euthanised?
I've heard that some countries had trouble with euthanasia being forced on people for organ harvesting. Sounds similar to unwinding just less high tech. I think that's one of the arguments commonly used against euthanisia still.

32. we finally get more information about Lev and his life since the end of Unwind. I choked up when Pastor Dan was killed! Were you surprised about Marcus' choice and Lev's reaction to it?
Honestly, I wasn't surprised about Marcus' choice. Death shows the true character of a person, and Marcus wasn't as strong as he thought. I also felt that for Lev to become a part of the movement against unwinding he had to be truly alone and abandoned and Marcus choosing what he did left him more alone then if Marcus had just died.

[Jex]

@Sheila: If you'd like to do questions feel free to pick a date and I'll put your name down :-)

[Jex]

@Karen: Thanks for stepping up and doing the questions today Karen! I'm now only one section behind. Will be caught up by tomorrow :-)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Jex
29. I hadn't thought about AI. That is so true... how is Cam's 'thinking' different to a computers 'thinking'. Makes my brain hurt :)

30. I just re-read the passage and you may be right. He certainly saw her on a bus, but then he says he didn't get the memory about the bus bring hit by a tree. I wonder if the part of him that remembers her was at the ward and saw her getting on the bus? A bit confusing!

32. Very true, Lev would've been able to grieve Marcus' death, but now he just has to forget about him which can be much harder.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

No worries Jex. I was keen to start the next section.. and OMG...! ;)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I came across these when looking up some of the other web references in this book. Unbelievable.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/artic...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_tr...

[Sheila]

Chapters 22-35 Questions

33. What are your thoughts on The trust? It seemed to me that they were just brainwashing the kids against unwinding, the same as they were convinced of the opposite previously. Do you think it is right to keep Miracolina locked in, even when after a few weeks she still wants to be unwound?

I don't think they are trying to brain wash the kids. Most of them seem ok with not being unwound. I think it is complicated to keep Miracolina when she wants to leave. It is hard, because she wants to be unwound so much. But I also think that letting her go is not the right choice. I also wish they were not idolizing Lev. Lev is a good guy, but he is not perfect and they should be teaching those kids how to take care of themselves. Not to just blindly follow another person.

34.Lev has become a bit of a cult-hero. Do you think it is right that they are looking up to him (to the point of worship?)

Oh I guess I already answered this. Not I don't like it.

35.I found Miracolina is like Lev was originally, except her faith in needing to be unwound seems to be immovable. What do you think of her character?

I think she is annoying. It will be interesting what happens to her here on out. She has a lot of spunk.

36. So the discussion about souls comes up again. Lev really stumped Miracolina with the question of what happens to her soul if she is unwound. And this theme is also explored with Cam. Do you have an opinion on this?

It is really interesting. I don't know how Cam can have a soul, but what is our consciousness if not a soul. And I wonder how Miracolina will reconcile the soul question. Because Catholicism is pretty strict about suicide. Not ok. Her religion seems so important to her, but when you are in the divided state your soul is just divided and you are not dead, what does not mean? Does your soul not move on?

37.Do you think Risa was kidnapped from the Juvies, or are they working with Roberta's group? It seemed pretty hostile to tranq her with a dart to the chest.

I think the juvies and Roberta's group are working together. Or more to the point I think Roberta's group is in charge of the juvies and they do what the higher ups say. I am really worried about Risa. I wonder what happened.

38. The first meeting with Risa and cam didn't go well (understatement of the year!). Why do they want her to accept a new spine?

I don't know yet. I think they have some leverage that they will use against her. I am really concerned and frustrated not to have more information!

39. Cam seems pretty creepy and obsessed with Risa. He also has aggressive tendencies. Maybe he does have some of Roland? I wonder if he will discover his talent with Wil's hands and use the guitar to win Risa over? (For those that didn't read the novella, in unstrung Wil's hands playing the guitar had an almost spiritual impact on people) Predictions on what will happen here?

I have no clue. I am starting to really dislike Cam.

40. Nelson is pretty cunning and determined! What do you think of his plan to find Connor? Will he use Lev as negotiating power? Poor Connor is going to have some rescuing to do!!

Nelson is such a creep! But apparently smarter than I have given him credit for.

41. We are about half way through the book now. What are your thoughts so far? How does it compare to Unwind?

I like it, but there are more story lines and I don't like that. I feel like it is getting really complicated and not always in a good way. We will see how it goes in the second half.

[Sheila]

I can do today's (21) or tomorrow (22) questions. Which would you prefer Jex?

[Jex]

@Sheila: Do you want to do today (21)?

[Sheila]

Ok, I will post today.

[Jex]

Thanks!

[Sheila]

Unwholly Chapters 36-47

42. The demonizing of teens is really interesting to me. Also, the fact that nobody talks about it when they discuss the Unwind Accord. How important to you think it is? Do you think that Connor will be able to use that knowledge somehow?

43. Janson Rheinschild, who is he and what did he do? Any guesses?

44. How do you feel about Risa’s PSA? I am so curious why she signed it. Any guesses what their leverage against her is?

45. What do you think of Starkey showing Connor the interview with Risa? Do you think it will achieve the end that Starkey wants? Do you think Connor will finally figure out that Starkey has an agenda?

46. What a horrible rescue mission by Starkey and the stork club. What do you think the fall out will be? How do you think Connor will react? What do you think will happen to Starkey?

47. Risa is in quite a pickle. What do you think of the “arranged marriage” between Risa and Cam? Cam seems more human and the Proactive Citizenry seems more horrible in my mind. Do you think Risa will eventually care for Cam? Do you think Risa will ever see Connor again? Do you think Cam can really love someone?

48. We find out why Cam is in love with Risa. Do you believe Cam, that Samson just tapped him on the shoulder to notice Risa?

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Sheila -
33. You may be right. I guess I wondered how many of the saved tithes were "brainwashed" that they wanted to be unwound and then get convinced just as easily that they don't want to be. Makes you wonder if they have any independent thought/choice when they have never had it before. Which kind of goes to the point about worshipping Lev. I agree with you they shouldn't just be blindly following him

36. I agree with all you said, and still don't know if I have a position on it!

37. True, maybe Roberta's group run the juvies. It was the dart to the chest that made me wonder if they were "capturing" Risa from the Juvies rather than just transferring her. But maybe they just don't like her!


38. me too!!

41. Yes there are alot of storylines. I have the feeling this book will not answer most of them, but just continue on into #3 (so basically #2 and #3 are the one book in two parts). I generally don't like it when writers do that, but as long as some things are tied-up/answered I'll be happy

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Chapters 36-47
42. The demonizing of teens is really interesting to me. Also, the fact that nobody talks about it when they discuss the Unwind Accord. How important to you think it is? Do you think that Connor will be able to use that knowledge somehow?
Yes, this is really giving us a better insight about how unwinding came to be. This actually started to have it make more sense to me as to why they agreed to it. I think Connor will be able to use it as faith that "starkey's way" is not the right way. If they are violent it will not help their cause

43. Janson Rheinschild, who is he and what did he do? Any guesses? I can only assume he decided unwinding was not a good idea. Or perhaps he made a way to grow human organs without actually taking them from a person and they wanted to shut down that kind of new technology as they really do want a way to get rid of "wayward youth" who create damage and grow up to be, what they consider, useless members of society

44. How do you feel about Risa’s PSA? I am so curious why she signed it. Any guesses what their leverage against her is?
I was DYING to find out and it still hasn't been revealed! I can only assume that Roberta threatened to raid the graveyard unless she agreed (as they still don't know Connor is alive so it can't be about him)

45. What do you think of Starkey showing Connor the interview with Risa? Do you think it will achieve the end that Starkey wants? Do you think Connor will finally figure out that Starkey has an agenda? I think connor is starting to work it out. I also think connor needed to know. Surely he will realise that Risa would only do that under duress

46. What a horrible rescue mission by Starkey and the stork club. What do you think the fall out will be? How do you think Connor will react? What do you think will happen to Starkey?
I think this will have people thinking back to that time which Connor just read about. It will somehow result in the graveyard being raided as they only let them stay there as they didn't do this kind of thing. Starkey will now break off with his own group

47. Risa is in quite a pickle. What do you think of the “arranged marriage” between Risa and Cam? Cam seems more human and the Proactive Citizenry seems more horrible in my mind. Do you think Risa will eventually care for Cam? Do you think Risa will ever see Connor again? Do you think Cam can really love someone?
I think Risa will care for him, but in more of an empathetic kind of way. I hope that she and Cam end up escaping, but I don't expect them to be reunited with Connor in this book. I had a bit of a laugh when he brought out the guitar. I love it when I can predict something..lol

48. We find out why Cam is in love with Risa. Do you believe Cam, that Samson just tapped him on the shoulder to notice Risa? Interesting isn't it. How he has all these flashes of memory and feelings. We know from ciFi that the people who have been unwound don't have new memories, but that muscle memory is there. creepy!

[Jex]

Chapters 22-35 Questions

33. What are your thoughts on The trust? It seemed to me that they were just brainwashing the kids against unwinding, the same as they were convinced of the opposite previously. Do you think it is right to keep Miracolina locked in, even when after a few weeks she still wants to be unwound?
Miracolina is a lot like Lev was. She hasn't found that moment where unwinding becomes real to her. Well, real in a bad way. She needs a Cyfi incident to help her figure it all out.

34. Lev has become a bit of a cult-hero. Do you think it is right that they are looking up to him (to the point of worship?)
It's not good that they're worshiping him in that way, but then again, everyone has an idol so why not have it be Lev.

35.I found Miracolina is like Lev was originally, except her faith in needing to be unwound seems to be immovable. What do you think of her character?
I think if Lev had been taken to a place similar to this one he would have acted the same way. It took a lot to change his train of thought. I think in the end she'll come around.

36. So the discussion about souls comes up again. Lev really stumped Miracolina with the question of what happens to her soul if she is unwound. And this theme is also explored with Cam. Do you have an opinion on this?
Souls are a hot topic in this book. It treads too close to religious topics for me to be comfortable really getting into. I think Lev was really able to make Miracolina think though which is good.

37.Do you think Risa was kidnapped from the Juvies, or are they working with Roberta's group? It seemed pretty hostile to tranq her with a dart to the chest.
I think Roberta's group paid off the Juvies because Cam wanted Risa. Money seems to go a long way in this society.

38. The first meeting with Risa and cam didn't go well (understatement of the year!). Why do they want her to accept a new spine?
If Risa is really going to be Cam's comrade person then she has to be presentable and right now she's not presentable. She's the epitome of the ADR sitting in that wheelchair. I think that's why everything in her room is so difficult. Make her want to sign the papers.

39. Cam seems pretty creepy and obsessed with Risa. He also has aggressive tendencies. Maybe he does have some of Roland? I wonder if he will discover his talent with Wil's hands and use the guitar to win Risa over? (For those that didn't read the novella, in unstrung Wil's hands playing the guitar had an almost spiritual impact on people) Predictions on what will happen here?
I'm waiting for Cam to break free and do something useful, but I don't know if that will happen anytime soon. I think Cam will become the face of the unwinds but not a reason for it, a reason against it, but he'll be ok with that all because of Risa.

40. Nelson is pretty cunning and determined! What do you think of his plan to find Connor? Will he use Lev as negotiating power? Poor Connor is going to have some rescuing to do!!
OMG him getting Lev! I couldn't believe it! Of all the cars! I think he'll be able to use Lev to get to Connor for sure.

41. We are about half way through the book now. What are your thoughts so far? How does it compare to Unwind?
There's a lot of new people and a lot more insight into society which was needed. I'm excited to start getting into the actual storyline though and less of the catching up.

[Jex]

Unwholly Chapters 36-47

42. The demonizing of teens is really interesting to me. Also, the fact that nobody talks about it when they discuss the Unwind Accord. How important to you think it is? Do you think that Connor will be able to use that knowledge somehow?
I think it shows how much power teens can truly have. I hope it inspires Connor to do more then he's doing now. You don't have to go as far as being a clapper or blowing things up, but you can do a lot as a youth as long as you have numbers to back you up, and that's something Connor definitely has.

43. Janson Rheinschild, who is he and what did he do? Any guesses?
My guess is that he was like the Admiral: originally speaking for unwinding, then he did something dramatic to go against it. Maybe he was an adult unwind?

44. How do you feel about Risa’s PSA? I am so curious why she signed it. Any guesses what their leverage against her is?
Apparently she wanted to walk so bad that she'd do anything. Granted it sounds like she didn't know the PSA's were a part of the deal and couldn't go back after the surgery was already done. I don't understand why the sudden change of heart though. I guess she figured she wasn't go back to her life in the graveyard, she might as well get to walk.

45. What do you think of Starkey showing Connor the interview with Risa? Do you think it will achieve the end that Starkey wants? Do you think Connor will finally figure out that Starkey has an agenda?
I think Starkey has royally messed up with showing the Risa video and then the stork saving. He played too much too soon and it will bite him in the ass.

46. What a horrible rescue mission by Starkey and the stork club. What do you think the fall out will be? How do you think Connor will react? What do you think will happen to Starkey?
I hope Starkey gets kicked out of the graveyard and that Connor finally realizes how truly dangerous he is, but I don't know if that will happen. It all depends on if Connor actually finds out about the mission and all that. Also depends on if Connor doesn't implode from the Risa news.

47. Risa is in quite a pickle. What do you think of the “arranged marriage” between Risa and Cam? Cam seems more human and the Proactive Citizenry seems more horrible in my mind. Do you think Risa will eventually care for Cam? Do you think Risa will ever see Connor again? Do you think Cam can really love someone?
The problem with Cam is that while he is an abomination he hasn't done anything wrong. He wasn't asked to be created, he just was. Hate the scientists not the monster. I still think that Cam will become a part of the ADR at some point, I just don't know when and how.

48. We find out why Cam is in love with Risa. Do you believe Cam, that Samson just tapped him on the shoulder to notice Risa?
It's hard to know how the brain works and if that part of his brain has more power then another. At least we know who it was that recognized Risa now.

[Jex]

Kristin wrote: "Alright I have been a little MIA and I apologize that I didn't get to respond back to people who answered my questions. My baby is down for the night and my husband is working so I am going to try ..."

No worries Kristin!

[Nancy]

Chapters 22-35 Questions

33. What are your thoughts on The trust? It seemed to me that they were just brainwashing the kids against unwinding, the same as they were convinced of the opposite previously. Do you think it is right to keep Miracolina locked in, even when after a few weeks she still wants to be unwound?

The trust seems kind of shady to me. The group is idolizing Lev....who doesn't even want to be idolized! So yeah, it's almost like a mini-cult of former tithes. I don't think it's right to keep Miracolina locked up, but if they let her go, I'm sure she'd tell authorities and they'd be discovered.

34.Lev has become a bit of a cult-hero. Do you think it is right that they are looking up to him (to the point of worship?)

No, he doesn't think he's a hero and doesn't want to be worshiped.

35.I found Miracolina is like Lev was originally, except her faith in needing to be unwound seems to be immovable. What do you think of her character?

Yes, she's very similar to how Lev was in the beginning. I have to admire her strength and perseverance, even if I don't agree with her!

36. So the discussion about souls comes up again. Lev really stumped Miracolina with the question of what happens to her soul if she is unwound. And this theme is also explored with Cam. Do you have an opinion on this?

I'm not sure. It seems that part of the unwound's personality goes to the person who receives the organ/part. But in a case like Cam when you have have so many body parts does he really have a soul.

37.Do you think Risa was kidnapped from the Juvies, or are they working with Roberta's group? It seemed pretty hostile to tranq her with a dart to the chest.

I thought it was Roberta's group since that's where she ended up.

38. The first meeting with Risa and cam didn't go well (understatement of the year!). Why do they want her to accept a new spine?

I have no idea! So the two "look" better together??

40. Nelson is pretty cunning and determined! What do you think of his plan to find Connor? Will he use Lev as negotiating power? Poor Connor is going to have some rescuing to do!!

I think so. It almost seems like there's too much going on and Connor won't be able to help everyone. I have a bad feeling....

41. We are about half way through the book now. What are your thoughts so far? How does it compare to Unwind?

I'm not as awed and in disbelief as I was reading Unwind but I am still finding the read to be very interesting and keeping me reading on!

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

@Jex
38 - yes, despite Risa's guilt over having the spine I also suspect she is secretly grateful to be able to walk again. In some ways, this has worked out for her to be given 'no choice'

39 - I agree, I think Cam will side with the ADR in time

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Nancy wrote:"I'm not as awed and in disbelief as I was reading Unwind but I am still finding the read to be very interesting and keeping me reading on! "

Same here. It is like unwinding has become 'normal' in my brain as I read. And that horrid part of me thinks that Starkey would be of more use to society as pieces. AH! can't believe the writer has me thinking that!! :o

[Jex]

Sorry gals! I wrote up questions last night for yesterday's reading and then forgot to post them after work! Posting now!

[Jex]

Questions for Chapter 48-67:

49. Cam shows that he has a bad side when he blackmails the surveilance guy to get the footage on Risa. Then he goes all crazy like when he finds out the truth about Roberta and how evil she is. Could this be the beginning of Cam switching sides? Do you think he overreacted?

50. We finally found out why Risa took the spine and it wasn't for selfish reasons. She did it to try and save the graveyard! Too bad she doesn't realize that Trace is really a good guy and that he's not telling anyone anything. Do you think she made the right choice?

51. Cam and Risa seem to be getting closer and closer. Do you think there might be something there?

52. Lev is awfully smart. He can get out of anything! Breaking free of the beds, getting Mira to go with him, tricking Nelson with the tranq dart the second time...is there anything he can't think of? Oh wait! Nelson putting a tracking chip in him! Thoughts on the whole Lev/Mira adventure?

53. Starkey has ruined the graveyard! All his treacherous rescue missions of storks have lead the juvies to retaliate. And he doesn't even feel bad about it! Were you surprised when he broke free and started his mission to steal the dreamliner?

54. Trace came running back after he got fired! Were you surprised? relieved? happy?

55. Starkey is stealing the dreamliner, Trace is helping without knowing it, Connor thinks Trace ran out on him, the kids aren't ready for attack, Nelson is at the graveyard thanks to Lev, Lev has arrived to help, Mira is in a bush tranqed, and the juvies have arrived in full force! The crap storm has begun! Predictions for how it ends? Does it feel like an awful lot of stuff all at once?

[Sheila]

Questions for Chapter 48-67:

49. Cam shows that he has a bad side when he blackmails the surveilance guy to get the footage on Risa. Then he goes all crazy like when he finds out the truth about Roberta and how evil she is. Could this be the beginning of Cam switching sides? Do you think he overreacted?

I don't think he overreacted. I finished the book so I won't answer the other questions. But I think it was important for him to know what is going on around him and what their agendas are.

50. We finally found out why Risa took the spine and it wasn't for selfish reasons. She did it to try and save the graveyard! Too bad she doesn't realize that Trace is really a good guy and that he's not telling anyone anything. Do you think she made the right choice?

She was between a rock and a hard place. I think she made the best decision she could with the information given to her.

51. Cam and Risa seem to be getting closer and closer. Do you think there might be something there?

No, I think that Risa is just learning he is more human than she thought. It is hard to be mad at someone who has never done anything to you and is nice to you.

52. Lev is awfully smart. He can get out of anything! Breaking free of the beds, getting Mira to go with him, tricking Nelson with the tranq dart the second time...is there anything he can't think of? Oh wait! Nelson putting a tracking chip in him! Thoughts on the whole Lev/Mira adventure?

It was cute and nice to see them connect.

53. Starkey has ruined the graveyard! All his treacherous rescue missions of storks have lead the juvies to retaliate. And he doesn't even feel bad about it! Were you surprised when he broke free and started his mission to steal the dreamliner?

I wasn't surprised, but I was horrified. The whole situation was horrifying. I hated reading it. Also, Starkey has blown his last chance with me. I kept feeling like he was a troubled kid who needed help and I still think that is true, but now he has crossed too many lines. First the fires and now abandoning all those kids to be unwound. Just horrible.

54. Trace came running back after he got fired! Were you surprised? relieved? happy?

Relieved and then not when Starkey used him like that.

55. Starkey is stealing the dreamliner, Trace is helping without knowing it, Connor thinks Trace ran out on him, the kids aren't ready for attack, Nelson is at the graveyard thanks to Lev, Lev has arrived to help, Mira is in a bush tranqed, and the juvies have arrived in full force! The crap storm has begun! Predictions for how it ends? Does it feel like an awful lot of stuff all at once?

I read to the end. I couldn't wait. It was all so sad and depressing I had to find out how it ended.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

49. Cam shows that he has a bad side when he blackmails the surveilance guy to get the footage on Risa. Then he goes all crazy like when he finds out the truth about Roberta and how evil she is. Could this be the beginning of Cam switching sides? Do you think he overreacted?
I'm glad he did this. Shows he is not just a "puppet". I don't think he overreacted when I remember that he is made up of parts from 99 "delinquents" so this guy is always going to have a temper

50. We finally found out why Risa took the spine and it wasn't for selfish reasons. She did it to try and save the graveyard! Too bad she doesn't realize that Trace is really a good guy and that he's not telling anyone anything. Do you think she made the right choice?
I love it when I guess correctly! haha. I think she made the right choice given the information she had

51. Cam and Risa seem to be getting closer and closer. Do you think there might be something there?
I think she feels empathy for thim, and perhaps a bit of friendship

52. Lev is awfully smart. He can get out of anything! Breaking free of the beds, getting Mira to go with him, tricking Nelson with the tranq dart the second time...is there anything he can't think of? Oh wait! Nelson putting a tracking chip in him! Thoughts on the whole Lev/Mira adventure?
I liked that Lev is not just this scared 13/14 year old kid anymore. I liked the adventure as it developed his character well

53. Starkey has ruined the graveyard! All his treacherous rescue missions of storks have lead the juvies to retaliate. And he doesn't even feel bad about it! Were you surprised when he broke free and started his mission to steal the dreamliner?
Not at all. So selfish. This guy is going to be a big problem in the next book!

54. Trace came running back after he got fired! Were you surprised? relieved? happy?
a bit of all of those things! :)

55. Starkey is stealing the dreamliner, Trace is helping without knowing it, Connor thinks Trace ran out on him, the kids aren't ready for attack, Nelson is at the graveyard thanks to Lev, Lev has arrived to help, Mira is in a bush tranqed, and the juvies have arrived in full force! The crap storm has begun! Predictions for how it ends? Does it feel like an awful lot of stuff all at once?
It was a lot going on! Sorry Jex I tried to wait, (I did so well too!) but last night I had to finish the book :)

[Jex]

I understand all those that couldn't wait to finish the book. It was a tough spot to finish. If I hadn't have fallen asleep reading I would have finished also. Today has been busy so off to finish the book myself!

[Jex]

Another night of late night questions. I realized I should probably stop doing my reading at 11pm PST when I'm in charge of questions....

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

lol
all good... could be worse... you could have just given up on the book.. haha

[Jex]

Questions for 68-End:

56. The Dreamliner didn't end up so well. Looks the juvies were ready for it with the truck they placed. Landing gear gone, Starkey injured, he just gets more and more unpleasant doesn't he? And then he killed Trace and left behind all those injured! Why do people keep following him? Predictions for Starkey for Book 3?

57. Lev came up with yet another brilliant plan and gets both himself and Connor out of the battle. What'd did you think of the plan?

58. Risa hears about the graveyard and is free to say what she wants. Did you like her speech on camera? Were you surprised that Cam hid her in his dressing room? What do you think is in store for Risa and Cam for Book 3?

59. Miracolina, who we thought was left behind, ends up saved by her parents of all people! Turns out everything that happened to her was just what she needed to realize that living was ok. Do you think she'll be happy with just living now? Or will she play a bigger role in the rebellion?

60. When the com-bom scene happened I almost cried. The kids going mad as they slowly drifted to death and then finally gave themselves up. Why didn't Hayden give just himself up? Or why didn't they go out shooting?

61. Nelson now has a bigger vendetta then ever against Connor and Lev. Predictions for him for next book?

62. Turns out Sonia is part of the husband/wife team that created the unwind technology and the Proactive Citizenry! Such great vision of what the world could be and it all turned into monstrous disgust. Were you surprised?

63. Any crazy predictions for book 3? Anything else you want to say about this book that we didn't talk about? Was it better/worse then unwind? How many stars did you give it?

[Jex]

The worst part about this book is that the next one doesn't come out until October!

[Jex]

Karen wrote: "lol
all good... could be worse... you could have just given up on the book.. haha"

That's very true. I'm very much a late night reader and I'm in one of the last time zones so I forget that most people are waiting on me. Maybe I should shift my schedule and always read a day ahead so I'm reading tomorrows reading tonight....

[Jex]

Thinking of times, I looked at the clock and was trying to figure out why you're up. Silly australians... :-P

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

haha
yes, I have the opposite issue to you... I have to start the book a day "late" and I get so confused as to what day the BRs are up to..lol

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

56. The Dreamliner didn't end up so well. Looks the juvies were ready for it with the truck they placed. Landing gear gone, Starkey injured, he just gets more and more unpleasant doesn't he? And then he killed Trace and left behind all those injured! Why do people keep following him? Predictions for Starkey for Book 3?
I was really disappointed about Trace being killed like that. I think it is shaping Starkey's character up to be icredibly evil. I think in book 3 he will lead a larger group of kids into anarchy

57. Lev came up with yet another brilliant plan and gets both himself and Connor out of the battle. What'd did you think of the plan?
very clever. He is starting to be written as a bit older than his age. But then when I think about it, thre are plenty of kids his age in war-torn countries today that have the same 'street smarts'

58. Risa hears about the graveyard and is free to say what she wants. Did you like her speech on camera? Were you surprised that Cam hid her in his dressing room? What do you think is in store for Risa and Cam for Book 3?
loved this whole bit. good revenge and nice to see that Cam helped her. I still think he is creepy, and although it is good he is on her side, I have a feeling he will go nuts when he knows connor is alive and with Risa. I think he will end up dying in book 3

59. Miracolina, who we thought was left behind, ends up saved by her parents of all people! Turns out everything that happened to her was just what she needed to realize that living was ok. Do you think she'll be happy with just living now? Or will she play a bigger role in the rebellion?
This was interesting! I kind of assume her character is done now, but then I wonder why she was introduced at all... I have to assume she won't be part of the rebellion, but a sympathiser in book 3

60. When the com-bom scene happened I almost cried. The kids going mad as they slowly drifted to death and then finally gave themselves up. Why didn't Hayden give just himself up? Or why didn't they go out shooting?
I didn't understand this either. why did they follow Hayden? I can only assume they didn't really want to die. But I think they would be better off dead than unwinding after that scene with Roland in book 1!

61. Nelson now has a bigger vendetta then ever against Connor and Lev. Predictions for him for next book?
This guy is so evil. Not sure what will happen, but he will definitely be hunting them

62. Turns out Sonia is part of the husband/wife team that created the unwind technology and the Proactive Citizenry! Such great vision of what the world could be and it all turned into monstrous disgust. Were you surprised?
I loved this bit. I completely forgot about her. I hope in book 3 we find out about all those letters she saved. I wonder if she started the ADR? I wonder if her husband is actually still alve or did they unwind him?

63. Any crazy predictions for book 3? Anything else you want to say about this book that we didn't talk about? Was it better/worse then unwind? How many stars did you give it?
I thought this was pretty solid for the second book in a series. It gave some closure, but also left enough threads open for book 3. At times there were a bit too many new storylines, but overall I still really enjoyed it. For some reason I didn't find it as shocking as the first book - maybe I've just grown accustom to the thought of unwinding (like that society has!). I gave it 4 stars and will be keen to read the next book at the end of the year :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

And thanks Jex, Kristin and Sheila for the DQs!

What did you think of the book Jex?

[Jex]

@Karen:

58. Interesting prediction. I didn't think of how he would react if he found out Connor was alive. I pictured Cam working more as an inside man in book 3, but I could see some dramatic end where he dies or does something really dumb because Risa doesn't want him.

59. If she doesn't come back then we have to believe her soul purpose was to a)give Lev the forgiveness he needed and b)show that even the most stubborn person can change their mind about unwinding. But I think she'll be back. She's had a taste of the real world.

60. Something was really off about that scene. It didn't feel complete. I don't know.

62. Oooh I didn't think about her starting the ADR. I don't think her husband is alive though. If he is he has to be ultra hidden somewhere.

63. I thought the same. This book was very much a middle book. Not as shocking, lots of new introductions, and lots of open ended storylines to leave you wondering what happens next. The whole last section of the book felt like the end of a rocky and bullwinkle segment "will rocky jump off the cliff or run into battle? watch next week to find out what happens"

[Jex]

Overall I liked the book. I'd give it 4 stars. It didn't keep me wanting to read quite as much as book 1 and I felt like some of it was overkill with too many things happening at once. But I feel if book 3 is done right it will make this book worth the read. All the storylines are set up nicely for the ultimate end all rebellion so I can't wait for the next book.

[Sheila]

Questions for 68-End:

56. The Dreamliner didn't end up so well. Looks the juvies were ready for it with the truck they placed. Landing gear gone, Starkey injured, he just gets more and more unpleasant doesn't he? And then he killed Trace and left behind all those injured! Why do people keep following him? Predictions for Starkey for Book 3?

I don't know about Starkey. He is just so volitale and self-centered. I am worried that he is going to feed into everyone's worst nightmare of what teenagers can do.

57. Lev came up with yet another brilliant plan and gets both himself and Connor out of the battle. What'd did you think of the plan?

Lev is a genius. I don't think I would have been able to think that up.

58. Risa hears about the graveyard and is free to say what she wants. Did you like her speech on camera? Were you surprised that Cam hid her in his dressing room? What do you think is in store for Risa and Cam for Book 3?

Yes, I liked her speech. I wasn't surprised Cam hid her. Cam cares more about Risa than about Roberta and has seen how manipulative Roberta can be.

59. Miracolina, who we thought was left behind, ends up saved by her parents of all people! Turns out everything that happened to her was just what she needed to realize that living was ok. Do you think she'll be happy with just living now? Or will she play a bigger role in the rebellion?

I think she will play a bigger role in the rebellion. I am excited to see where her character goes from here.

60. When the com-bom scene happened I almost cried. The kids going mad as they slowly drifted to death and then finally gave themselves up. Why didn't Hayden give just himself up? Or why didn't they go out shooting?

I think it was a really beautiful statement. Hayden couldn't give himself up without giving up everyone. And I think having the media see that these kids almost killed themselves in order to avoid being unwound is a powerful statement. I hope it makes a difference.

61. Nelson now has a bigger vendetta then ever against Connor and Lev. Predictions for him for next book?

He will be even more crazy and more devoted to destroying them.

62. Turns out Sonia is part of the husband/wife team that created the unwind technology and the Proactive Citizenry! Such great vision of what the world could be and it all turned into monstrous disgust. Were you surprised?

Yes, I did not see that coming. I am so excited to see Sonia again. I liked her. She has spunk.

63. Any crazy predictions for book 3? Anything else you want to say about this book that we didn't talk about? Was it better/worse then unwind? How many stars did you give it?

Like most book 2's I found the ending disappointing. But I am excited to read book 3. And it had a decent enough ending that I am not dieing to read book 3 right now. Unlike The Millenium Trilogy. That almost killed me to wait.

[Jex]

@Sheila:

56. I guess every story needs an evil villain. This just adds an AWOL villain to the mix.

[Nancy]

Unwholly Chapters 36-47

43. Janson Rheinschild, who is he and what did he do? Any guesses?

Have no idea....very curious though!

44. How do you feel about Risa’s PSA? I am so curious why she signed it. Any guesses what their leverage against her is?

I think they threatened Connor/the Graveyard. I don't think there's any other way that she'd voluntarily do it.

45. What do you think of Starkey showing Connor the interview with Risa? Do you think it will achieve the end that Starkey wants? Do you think Connor will finally figure out that Starkey has an agenda?

Starkey does everything to benefit himself, so his intentions were purely selfish ones. I think he wants to get Connor upset and could this bring Connor to leave?? Not sure what will happen

46. What a horrible rescue mission by Starkey and the stork club. What do you think the fall out will be? How do you think Connor will react? What do you think will happen to Starkey?

Connor is going to be pissed! Hopefully Starkey will lose some of his followers when they see how violent he is.

47. Risa is in quite a pickle. What do you think of the “arranged marriage” between Risa and Cam? Cam seems more human and the Proactive Citizenry seems more horrible in my mind. Do you think Risa will eventually care for Cam? Do you think Risa will ever see Connor again? Do you think Cam can really love someone?

Arranged marriage??!!! I think I missed this! I think she's already started caring for him or she's being a really good actress for the interview together. At this point I'm not sure how she'll be able to see Connor again. Once it's discovered that he's alive I think they'll want to capture him.

48. We find out why Cam is in love with Risa. Do you believe Cam, that Samson just tapped him on the shoulder to notice Risa?

It makes sense but it's weird! He's made up of all these different people. But if all of those people behind those parts can do that it's really kind of creepy to me!