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

[Nancy]

So I stayed up last night finishing this.!

Questions for Chapter 48-67:

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?

In her position I think she did. She really thought that Connor and the others were in jeopardy. I find it honorable that she would go against what she believed in to try to save the others.

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?

Starkey annoys me so badly! He's so selfish and I can't believe he ruined the escape plan. He really thinks he be a leader.

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

I was both surprised and relieved. He really was true to his word about not giving away their plans.

[Nancy]

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 think he's going to have a very difficult time "rallying" his grouop to follow him. He's so unpleasant!

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?

It shows how smart he really is. While reading the firt book he really annoyed me in the beginning and started growing on me by the end. In this book I have to say I defintely liked him a lot more!

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?

I hope that they can stay friends. It seems like Cam is out to help her to try to win her affections but I think if/when she gets reunited with Connor, Cam is not going to like it.

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 may play a part in the rebellion after seeing what Lev's done.

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 don't know. Hayden was 17 and can't be unwound but the others can. If anything I thought that he should either shoot himself or go out alone and let the others die like they wanted. They didn't want to be unwound.

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

I don't like him! He's super angry now but don't think he'll get to Connor.

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 was surprised to find that Sonia was the wife. I wasn't surprised too much about them creating technology that ended up being used for something bad. I think sometimes people get very excited with inventions/technology and don't think al of the consequences through enough before making it public.

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 I mentioned in a previous post, I enjoyed this story but definitely not as much as the first one. I'm giving it 4 stars and I will definitely be reading book 3. Have to find out how this all ends! No crazy predictions but I'm hoping Risa, Connor, and Lev get reunited.

[Jex]

@Nancy:

Glad you could finish!

60. I agree. I was shocked the other kids followed him out. Then again, Hayden was their leader so maybe they lost their resolve to die after he did.

63. I hope they reunite also, but I think it will take some time.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

I just noticed that a friend of mine is reading this book:
Leviathan

I've already atken Unwholly back to the library, but wasn't that the name of Lev's religion?!

[Lisarenee]

Karen wrote: "I just noticed that a friend of mine is reading this book:
Leviathan

I've already atken Unwholly back to the library, but whasn't that the name of Lev's religion?!"

It is Leviathan. I said something to my daughter about it. Leviathan (the name--not the book) has inclinations to a sea monster in the bible and much more.

I read Leviathan and there's not connection to this book. :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

It is Leviathan. I said something to my daughter about it. Leviathan (the name--not the book) has inclinations to a sea monster in the bible and much more.

Interesting. I guess that makes sense that Lev was given a religious name!
And, yes I read the blurb for the book and there was no connection at all..darn it..lol

[Lisarenee]

Karen wrote: "It is Leviathan. I said something to my daughter about it. Leviathan (the name--not the book) has inclinations to a sea monster in the bible and much more.

Interesting. I guess that makes sense t..."

It's a cool book I read the Trilogy.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

That's a shame Kristin, but I think I understand what you mean. There was an awful lot going on in the middle that it made it a bit hard to be engaged with any one plot line. I think that is a bit of "second book syndrome" and I suspect (hope!) the third one will tie up all those loose ends

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Wow was it really 6 months ago we read this?!

Who is ready for ? January 2014?

[Jex]

I'm in for sure!

[☆Joycedale☆]

Karen wrote: "Wow was it really 6 months ago we read this?!

Who is ready for ? January 2014?"

The cover changed? That's not the one Neal Shusterman revealed on fb a few months ago.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

The other versions have the "faces" cover - I think they re-released the trilogy with versions of this cover to have them match I suppose. The other version is much creepier!

[Jex]

This is the one I've seen everywhere.

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Yes, that is the "faces" one that seems to be on most versions, before the re-release I guess. I really like that one

[Anima]

I'm in for the discussion, I finished the book two days ago, but it is so full of various difficult issues, I will happily share my feelings :)

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Great Anima

Book 3 I have set up here

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

BUDDY READ REVISIT! BUDDY READ REVISIT! BUDDY READ REVISIT!



This thread is to discuss UnWholly by Neal Shusterman. Be prepared for spoilers.

Synopsis:

It’s finally here. The long-awaited sequel to the bestselling Unwind, which Publishers Weekly called a “gripping, brilliantly imagined futuristic thriller.”

Thanks to Connor, Lev, and Risa—and their high-profile revolt at Happy Jack Harvest Camp—people can no longer turn a blind eye to unwinding. Ridding society of troublesome teens while simltaneously providing much-needed tissues for transplant might be convenient, but its morality has finally been brought into question. However, unwinding has become big business, and there are powerful political and corporate interests that want to see it not only continue, but also expand to the unwinding of prisoners and the impoverished.

Cam is a product of unwinding; made entirely out of the parts of other unwinds, he is a teen who does not technically exist. A futuristic Frankenstein, Cam struggles with a search for identity and meaning and wonders if a rewound being can have a soul. And when the actions of a sadistic bounty hunter cause Cam’s fate to become inextricably bound with the fates of Connor, Risa, and Lev, he’ll have to question humanity itself.

Rife with action and suspense, this riveting companion to the perennially popular Unwind challenges assumptions about where life begins and ends—and what it means to live

Buddy Read Rules
Comments ALWAYS under spoiler tags

[Cynthia]

I'm reading this book now if anyone wants to BR with me.

Questions for Unwholly Chapter 1-3: (view spoiler)[

7. Odds for unwinds: 1 in 2000 kids not including StaHo kids. That's a lot of kids! What'd you think of the negation clause that was read to Starkey when the juvey cops came for him?

Sounds like something the prolifers came up with. That's what I thought about when I heard '6th day post conception'.

8. The advertisements throughout the chapters are crazy! How do people sympathize with these? Voluntary unwinding to provide for your family? Don't waffle just unwind now! Want to get thin? Replace your heart! Want a skill? Grab a piece of brain! "When you love them enough to let them go." "Carefully ease them into a soothing divided state." "The divided state? Wow. What an adventure!" Thoughts?

It makes the abnormal seem normal. When you're inundated with it, I think it slowly becomes a normal part of life. How else would you get that many people to murder their children?

9. Neuroweave technology - the latest and greatest in brain transfers. Is there a subject you would want implanted in your brain? (I wonder if the Neuroweave technology is the same technology introduced in Unstrung.)

I didn't read Unstrung. I wish I had now, though. I would like to learn a second language. I'm awe of people that are fluent in more than one tongue, because I've studied both Spanish and French. I've had 2 years of college French and I can ask the time and inquire about the location of the bathroom. That's it.

10. What are your thoughts and impressions of Starkey? Will he be problematic in the future?

Starkey is going to be a huge problem. He's not only violent, but he's manipulative, and maybe even charismatic. He's managed to spread his name and rep throughout the new crop of unwinds. Scary.

11. I can't believe that Miracolina was given the option to live and still chose being unwound! That's some serious dedication to her religion. Thooughts and impressions on Miracolina?

Any religion, taken to extremes, makes people crazy.

12. The hot topics in this book seem to be that the age has dropped to 17, there is now an organ shortage causing the black market, and a new petition for a 6 month waiting period after signing an unwind order. Bounty hunters, parts pirates, juvey traps, rewards for AWOLs...it seems like society has changed a bit since we last saw it. Even the Anti-Divisional Resistance is pulling tricks to catch AWOLs in hopes of saving them. Do you think the changes are working toward the better or is society getting worse?

It's certainly getting more desperate. In one way, that's a good thing. It seems that everyone, regardless of class or status, was once able to access pieces and parts. With the shortage, the lower classes won't have access. They'll be resentful and turn against the process. People hate what they can't have.

13. Lev is back saving tithes! Looks like he'll have a big role in this book as well.
I like Lev, and I'm glad to see him back.

14. Sounds like Cam got Wil's hands!!!! And we meet the lady that was in Wil's unwinding room. (from Unstrung). Such a waste of great parts, to create a life from nothing but pieces to ...what...prove you can?

AAHH I have to read Unstrung!!!

15. Did Cam get a part of Roland? Is that why he recognizes the picture of Risa? So many questions!

I initially thought Cam was some reconstruction of the Humpty Dumpty boy from Unwind, which really freaked me out. In comparison, the truth doesn't seem quite as bad. I hated to think of them reclaiming his parts and putting him back together. gaaah.

OTOH, Entirely constructed people? That's got to be a govt project. It wouldn't be useful to an individual, since they would not be a part of the construct. (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

Questions for Chapters 4-12 (view spoiler)[

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?

The Unwind Accord wouldn't be profitable if people had an alternative to unwinding. I'm sure it isn't cheap to have Unwinding centers and the juvie police. It would make no sense to fund that if people could simply take their kids to Nebraska instead of unwinding them.

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 think the parents are deluded by the media and religion. There may be a few that feel some guilt, but not enough to change the accord.

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 don't think she regrets it. She has a strong character and integrity. As far as unwinding the disabled goes, I think it would bad publicity. People like the illusion that the kids aren't dead, but undivided. Who would buy the pieces of a disabled person? Would you have an outlet mall for damaged goods, like seconds are sold now?

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?

The government has always artificially inflated certain markets by paying subsidies to farmers to leave fields fallow, even though there people in other parts of the world that need feeding. How about the oil cartels, managing the oil supply? Maybe these kids are the equivalent of the strategic oil reserve.

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 think it would benefit him to tell Risa why he can't be intimate with her. I think that Roland's arm is more than just Roland's arm to Connor. It represents the pre-AWOL part of himself. The part of himself that was out of control.

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 haven't figured that out yet. Unless the ADR was never about rescuing the kids, but more about storing them for some purpose.

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.

I think he's this book's version of Roland, but a little more subtle about it. He wants to be the big man.

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?

Maybe because 18 was the age-out when he was sentenced to unwinding and he had it in his mind to spend a given amount of time working at the Graveyard. I really don't know. Maybe he's waiting for someone else to age out.

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...

Part of me thinks that the disappearance of 'wanted' teens will help the Unwinds cause, but the other part of me realizes that you can't put the cat back in the bag. This technology is out there, and even if the people decide to repeal the Unwind Accord it won't stop the harvestings.

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.

It's not much different from what people are already doing to themselves. Some people to go to such lengths that they are grotesqueries.

(hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Cynthia, if you like the series then I would say you really should read Unstrung. I don't usually read Novellas, but in this case, what happens in the novella and the characters introduced are referred to throughout the next couple of books.

I agree the idea of a person entirely constructed can't be something an individual would want. Would make a ready Army for the Govt though?!

re:#20, I like your insight here. It doesn't just represent Roland and I think that is particularly hard

re: #24 and #25. Very true. Even if unwinding was illegal, people would always find a reason to access it

[Cynthia]

Thanks for your comments, Karen. I like novellas, but my library doesn't have this one. In fact, they don't have any of the Unwind books in electronic format for some reason. I would think the YA books would be very popular in e-book form, but what do I d know?

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

Oh that's a shame.
And no problems, I love this series. Shusterman has become an 'auto-read' author for me now

[Princess]

I just read this for the challenge so I can discuss it with you. I haven't read Unstrung yet so if you want we can read that too.

[Cynthia]

I've finished the book, and I thought I had answered more than one set of questions! I'm on the waitlist for UnSouled. I'm on still on the fence for UnSTrung.

Questions for 68-End (view spoiler)[

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?

Starkey has charisma, and angry people prefer action over inaction. It was people do things that are bound to fail, rather than waiting for a plan that will work.

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?

I suspected Nathan was setting up Lev and Miracolina, but I didn't see her getting left behind.

I think Lev is becoming 'the guy whose plan always works, no matter the odds'. Even leaving Miracolina turned out fine. A little too neat.

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?

It did surprise me that Cam hid her out. I thought he would have left with her, rather than stay behind and work the inside.

Connor and Risa will get together, which upsets me a little. He may be a great guy (who doesn't have a lot of friends) or a great leader (who has poor judgment) but he isn't a great boyfriend.

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?

Miracolina's situation, as I've said before, seems like it wrapped itself up a little too neatly. I don't have strong feelings for her either way. I suspect that everyone introduced in the book (that didn't die) will play a part somehow in the next book.

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?

Hayden's already proven that he's dedicated to the cause. He's stayed beyond his 17th.

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

He'll get Risa.

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 knew she had some kind of horrible (in her opinion, anyway) past. I suspect this is the only way for her to atone.

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 liked Unwind better. There were some close calls, but they didn't seem as numerous or outrageous as UnWholly. I especially disliked the Miracolina solution. It would have been better if she called her parents later, found out she didn't have to run, and was torn between staying to help or going home. And then Nelson captures them and laughs in her face when she says she's not an AWOL. Lev is also shocked, and the implications of her staying when she could have gone haunt him after Nelson runs off with her while he's rescuing Connor. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ⊰✿, Fiction Aficionado]

teehee I love your alternative ending

This book is the weakest of the series as it is setting up a lot for the next 2 books and unfortunately suffered a bit from "second book syndrome". I hope you enjoy the next ones :)

[Princess]

@Cynthia I love your alternative ending.

It looks like I'm the only one who likes Unwholly better than Unwind. (view spoiler)[ I like the additional characters, their side stories and how it all played a role on my favorite trio. I'm excited on what will hapoen with book 3.

Is it gonna be like the transition of Unwind to Unwholly wherein many years have already passed or it will just be months? Also, I love the character of Cam and I want more from him. (hide spoiler)]

[Cynthia]

Thanks Karen & Princess! I suspect Shusterman has something planned for Miracolina in the next book or else he would have done something more creative with that resolution.


I didn't dislike it the book. It may even be better than Unwind, but when I read Unwind the concept was new to me. That always increases the excitement about the book.