Unwind (Unwind Dystology #1) by Neal Shusterman - Restarting July 11th 2019

[rachel, x]

@Patty + everyone else I started now! And wow! What a start right?? I am enjoying it a lot. A little confused and not sure what happening yet, like you said too Patty.

21% - (view spoiler)[I find it so sad and depressing that all these people could give up their children just like that. And not just give them up but kill them. Well, practically anyway. Lev's parents upset me the most. That is so sad that I cannot even begin to find the words to describe how terrible it must be to grow like that - knowing your parents are going to send you to your death for "the greater good". :'((

I like Connor already though and I am feeling the spunkiness of Risa coming on.

Theory for why Connor doesn't like Storking: he was Storked as a kid?? He witnessed someone like die of it something?? Something like that. I am excited to see how that turns out. Also I want to know more about actually how they "unwind" kids and why they did?? (hide spoiler)]

[P]

@Rachel I know right! (view spoiler)[ It's a really upsetting idea and kind of gross as well.. it freaks me out! I believe somewhere in the book the unwinding process is being illustrated in detail, so we might get an answer to that. As for the 'why', I think it might have got something to do with overpopulation. Getting rid of 'useless' people without actually killing them.

I like Connor too but Risa is going to be my favourite I think! She's a tough girl :)

Oh and I like your idea of the storking! Connor being a storked kid will kind of explain why his parents chose to unwind him.. don't you think? (hide spoiler)]
P. 53 now

[rachel, x]

@Patty (view spoiler)[It really is very upsetting to think about it. And yeah, now that I am thinking about it pretty damn gross too. Really? I hope so because I am intrigued by how its done. Yeah, I was thiking like is there too many kids or something?? Why don't they just stop people having kids then?? Maybe, hmm. I hope more is told about it later. :))

I like Connor a little more. He isn't totally kickass or anything like Risa is (she pretty darn awesome!) but I really like him.

Thanks. I think it would explain it and, yes exactly, why his parents wanted him unwound though it is said to have be because of his "unruliness". (hide spoiler)]

[P]

P.84. Connor's reason for his hate of storking is revealed and I truly understand why he hates it now. I'm also starting to understand Lev more. I didn't really like him in the beginning but I do more now.

[rachel, x]

30%, pg 102 - Yes, I completely understand why Connor hates Stokring so much. That is so terrible. Like, oh my god, terrible! How could everyone do that!? :((

And I still don't like Lev. I understands him more. His POV is interesting but I don't like him at all.

(view spoiler)[I don't see this situation with being cooped up with that Roland kid going well. Hayden seems okay but being stuck with them for four days?? And I don't know if I trust the shop owner yet. I mean locking them all up?? I don't know. I don't feel to easy around her.

Also, I cannot wait to see how it all works with Didi. That's going to be interesting! (hide spoiler)]

[rachel, x]

38% - Enjoying it but I don't like Lev. CyFi is exactly the fresh spunk this book needs. Gotta love him and his talk.

P.S. I don't think I am going to get too much read until the 2nd now. Busy night tomorrow and lots of sleeping on the 1st so HAPPY NEW YEAR, Patty! I hope you have a great night and I'll catch up on my three (roughly) three chapters asap. :))

[P]

P. 128. Didn't read very much yesterday and just like you I will probably not have much time today and tomorrow. But that's okay! I wish you a very happy new year! May it be a good one :)

On the book: ScyFi is indeed a nice refrehment to Lev's part, since Lev only seems to be able to whine the entire time haha. I really liked Hayden too but I'm afraid he won't be playing a big part in the upcoming chapters.

[rachel, x]

@Patty I got a little read today. Thanks Patty! Hoep your first day in 2014 has been awesome. :))

Yes, I absoutlely love CyFi! He's fun and kind and a breath of fresh air compared to Lev. I really cannot stand him! Hes so annoying and, liek you said, whiny and whingy. Its really starting to irritate me.

48%, pg 161 - I have to say how much I enjoy Connor's POV. Maybe because I can relate to him. I get his anger issue. I really find him a great character. Risa is pretty damn awesome too.

(view spoiler)[That stint with Roland and the bathroom was intense! What would have happened if Connor hadn't have come in?? Would he have really as gone as far as rape a girl to get revenge on him perceiving Connor as a rival?? Because if so, what a psycho! I am sensing a lot of problems coming from him.

CyFi's problem with the kleptomania because of his brain transplant is so damn awesome! Well, obviously not for him and its kind of sad from the original brain owner because CyFi says he can feel his confusion about the situation and stuff but dude! Its pretty darn creative of Neal Shusterman to think of stuff like that. (hide spoiler)]

I will admit I am a little bored at the moment. Its dragging. Not too much happening. I won't to ave more action scenes, more... something!

Also I feel like I still don't know much about this dystopian world. Obviously, Stroking has been explained but I want to know more. More about unwinding and the war and the science behind unwinding. How did they get the idea?? How do they actually unwind you?? How do people decide to unwind?? Why those ages?? I will say that Neal Shusterman manages to give us the information we need without infodumping on us which is pretty skillful.

[P]

P.161 as well!
(view spoiler)[ CyFi's problem is indeed smart ánd awesome. At least, the idea is awesome and smart. As a student in psychology these kind of things really interest me, since if it could be done, brainparts will always be formed by the experiences of the owner. Maybe not exactly in the way Shusterman describes it, but it's a good idea eitherway.

Btw I don't think anything would've happened if Connor would not have gone to the bathroom. Roland only did it to make Connor come after him, but I guess we'll never know? He is after all the bad guy.
(hide spoiler)]

I'm still not sure how I feel about this overall. I constantly wait for something more exciting or shocking to happen. Plus, indeed, the fact that the whole idea behind the unwinding is pretty vague. Still waiting for the part where the unwinding process is being revealed (although it will be pretty disgusting to read about hehe).

[P]

P. 197
Wow! Both storylines just got really excited! Especially Lev's chapters were pretty heavy.. Maybe this event will finally change Levi's ways.

(view spoiler)[ Guess who's back? Hayden! I really like him and so glad he's back to spice things up with his jokes and questions. He made the scene in the crates pretty awesome. I'm also really eager to find out how things will work out in the graveyard now that Connor and Risa got there. And of course about where Lev will end up now! (hide spoiler)]

[rachel, x]

Patty wrote: "P.161 as well!
CyFi's problem is indeed smart ánd awesome. At least, the idea is awesome and smart. As a student in psychology these kind of things really interest me, since if it could be done, ..."

(view spoiler)[CyFi's problem is pretty smart!

He is one sick boy. Seriously, what a creep! Yeah, he did say that he made sure Connor knew where he was going so I wonder how far he would have gone to make Connor jealous... what a disturbing thought! (hide spoiler)]

Yeah, same. Something dramatic needs to happen. The plotline is a little dull but the awesome backdrop makes up for a lot. Doesn't mean I am missing the action though. I am enjoying Lev's part more. Not his POV but what's happening.

[rachel, x]

Patty wrote: "P. 197
Wow! Both storylines just got really excited! Especially Lev's chapters were pretty heavy.. Maybe this event will finally change Levi's ways.

[spoilers removed]"

I am up to here now too! Sorry, I haven't been getting much read!!

(view spoiler)[CyFi's problem was so sad. It actually made me cry. I mean that poor Tyler kid. He just wanted to make his parents love him despite all his faults, his kleptomania etc. It was seriously so sad. But I don't get how CyFi's dads knew to go there...

And yayy! I am glad Hayden's back. I really liked him. :)) The crate scene was pretty deep and I liked how it showed a lot of different perspectives - not just Connor, but everyones.

Yeah, I have a bad feeling about the Graveyard and the Admiral. I have a feeling that they are going to be in for some grueling hard labor or something. Just a hunch of mine. And I am still suspicious of how they manage to evade the authorities. Seems like a lot of missing children.(view spoiler)[

And now what about Lev?? (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[rachel, x]

I tried to read a little more but to be honest, I am pretty bored. Not much is happening. Just read the chapter in (view spoiler)[teh Admiral's (hide spoiler)] perspective and now Risa (view spoiler)[has been made into a medic because she knew about blood noses?? Good gracious, I wouldn't want medical advice from someone so uneducated in health but I guess there isn't many more qualified candidates. Still... (hide spoiler)]

Anyway, I am going to put it down for the night. Hope it picks up a little...

[P]

I ended up at p. 226 last night but I will read more this afternoon and evening. I understand your boredom although I have to say I'm actually starting to like it more now. I was more bored the first half of the book. You will soon find out some stuff about the graveyard and the general that might make the story more exciting for you! At least it did for me :)

(view spoiler)[ Gee the whole thing with Roland bores me. I don't care if some stupid arrogant kid is trying to take things over at the graveyard. Connor's story kind of makes up for that though! I hope we will be shocked about who killed those five kids.. I'm thinking it might have been the general himself after all, although I do trust him more than before. (hide spoiler)]

Still, there's something to this story that makes me feels unconnected. Maybe it's the characters. I don't really feel like I know anything about them except where they come from. They just don't really stand out as unique, different people. Do you have that as well? I also have the feeling that this story somehow exists of several unconnected pieces. A lot has happened already but it doesn't really seem to be connected to each other or leading up to something bigger. You know what I mean?

[P]

P. 244. Okay. Every single time I expect some event to finally make things clear, it doesn't. Everything that's happened up until now only makes it less clear. Too many characters and too many things going on that don't seem to relate. I really don't know what to expect anymore. I'm off to sleep for the night xx

[rachel, x]

Patty wrote: "I ended up at p. 226 last night but I will read more this afternoon and evening. I understand your boredom although I have to say I'm actually starting to like it more now. I was more bored the fir..."

I am still bored. Honestly, I wasn't bored as much during the first half only because I was excited about the prospect of learning more and that kept me reading now, I am just plain old bored.

(view spoiler)[Yeah, I do agree that I hope its shocking. I gotta say this whole Admiral thing is pretty dull. I honestly don't really care about it all. It might be the Admiral. I think there is still more to him than we know. With the killer's identity? Something shocking like Cleaver or Emby is my guess. Well, hopefully!

And what is up with Lev?? Gosh, it is sooo weird. He's all like "I'm not the same person". But why? Because he saw the thing with CyFi?? Did that really have such a big impact on him??

That group?? What is with it?? Are you sensing a like terrorist-like extremist group. I am. I think they are going to bomb (or something like that) the oil pipeline that Mai and Lev volunteered for. (hide spoiler)]

Exactly. Oh yes, I know exactly what you mean and I am so glad it isn't just me! They just are really dull character. I mean I do like Connor and Risa is okay but their forgettable. And the plots a little jumpy and disconnected.

[rachel, x]

Patty wrote: "P. 244. Okay. Every single time I expect some event to finally make things clear, it doesn't. Everything that's happened up until now only makes it less clear. Too many characters and too many thin..."

I think that is one of the problems. Neal Shusterman is trying way to hard to make something unique and unusual and it juts isn't working. Like you said, too much. Too many characters and subplots. I have to say my initial enjoyment of this book is dwindling down to nothing. I am really bored and aren't liking it too much at all.

[rachel, x]

Oh point of clarification needed: (view spoiler)[Is Mai that Asian girl from the bunker under antique store?? (hide spoiler)]

And I have to agree with your point about the (view spoiler)[Roland drama (hide spoiler)]. Why is it such a big deal??

[rachel, x]

73% - Oooh, this could get interesting!

(view spoiler)[The Admiral is the real Humphrey Dunfee's father?? So are the legends true... And Roland stuck in a crate of dead people. (hide spoiler)]

Hopefully, things are going to start to pick up.

[rachel, x]

85% - Don't know if I like this turn of events. I have an awful sneaky suspicion that (view spoiler)[Lev is going to be unwound soon. I am so weirded out by him at the moment. What the hell is he on about chaos being contagious and stuff?? What the heck is going on!? I am so confused about his thoughts now.

And the whole Roland trying to Connor wasn't done very well. It should have been more dramatic and climatic. (hide spoiler)]

Overall, I am simply just not enjoying this much at all. I am going to get it out of the way and try ad finish it tonight.

[rachel, x]

Oh my god, Patty. I just read the unwinding scene. Its so much worse than I thougth it would be. Cried and literally gagged through the chapter. No child deserves that. It is wrong on so many levels, I cannot not even process anything right now. I need chocolate or a hug or something...

[P]

I'm glad you want to finish this today, me too! I just want to get it over with.

(view spoiler)[ yes, mai is the punk girl we've met before in the warehouse. She's a weirdo :p

I liked the Humphrey thing coming back as well but again, it's just another vague storyline of this book. I do want to find out what the entire thing with the admiral is about though..

And about Lev, I don't like his change of character either. First he wanted to be unwind and now he's in a group of people who like to shock the world just for the heck of it? It doesn't make any sense. I wonder where he'll end up.. Maybe he'll be unwind after all like you said. Maybe they'll bomb the entire graveyard. Well, I'm going to read further to find out what it's going to be! (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

I am so sorry that you girls don't care too much for this book. I loved it, eve though that sounds sick in itself. When I read it I kept looking at it from a philosophical standpoint. That really kept my head in the game during slower parts. Rachel, the unwinding itself is sad. It's crazy to think that the world could ever be such a place. Imagine parents being able to decide to simply dump their kids like that? I think many parents do that in our society today, but in a very different way.

I hope that you both end up liking it more by time you finish.

[rachel, x]

Just finished it then. I had to stop for a bit to go throw up at something. So damn disgusting! Ugh, cannot even think about it. Not sure my feeligns towards the ending. Didn't do it enough justice in my opinion and I have to say, for a book that started so slow, I didn't enjoy this much at all.

Answer to your previous spoiler tab: (view spoiler)[Okay. Thanks. I thought it was, just thought I should check!

I cannot say anything now because I know how it ends up! I gotta say you probably won't guess it and its pretty weird and disturbing.

Okay. I really didn't like the change. It was sudden and weird and made me dislike Lev even more. (hide spoiler)]

Thoughts on the ending: (view spoiler)[ I don't really know how I feel about Risa's paralysed state but Connor having Roland's arm is so disgusting! It made me sick, literally. How did Risa get over that so quickly?? I still am not over it!

I like how Hayden and Connor take over the Graveyard. I didn't like the lame attempt at the Risa/Connor romance. Didn't evoke any feelings and felt sloppy and rushed. I was so creeped out by the Admiral's attempt to "reassemble" his son. Cute thought, disturbing conclusion. Poor Emby! (hide spoiler)]

[rachel, x]

@Vicki Yes, the unwinding totally ruined it for me. Not only is a crazy and weird and unbelievable but it was plain old disturbing. It literally made me sick. My main problem was with the character, plotline and the fact that I was awfully bored but the unwinding was kind of icing on the cake. The part where (view spoiler)[Connor gets Roland arm disturbed me most. (hide spoiler)] Overall, I am glad that you were able to enjoy it but this book just simply wasn't for me. It started good and got worse and worse.

[Vicki]

Well, Rachel, we all have our opinions. It was a hard read due to the nature of the subject matter and the unwinding itself. Sorry you didn't care for it. Like I said I totally had to read it with my philosophical eyes on which helped me stomach the plot line!

[rachel, x]

Yeah, I guess we do. It was a hard book to stomach because of the various subjects introduced. Yeah, I am sorry I didn't like it to. I really wanted to. And maybe I could have coped better with the unwinding if I had come to care for the characters more. I don't know. I think this book just wasn't for me. :)

[rachel, x]

I don't know if I am going to read the next book or not...

[P]

Just finished it as well.

@Vicky: I do understand why people like this book and I do agree that the idea of the unwinding is smart and original, it has great potential of making a good story. What mostly ruined it for me were the plain characters and the storylines that seemed to be all over the place. I did like the ending though, the deed of Mai and Blaine seemed heroic and I liked how Lev adjusted his idea's (again though). I get that seeing this from a philosopher's viewpoint makes it a better story.

@Rachel: So much different things happened in the ending, I really need to think about it some more. I did in a way like the ending, what Lev and his crew did was pretty heroic. Kind of ironical then that he changed his mind AGAIN. But I guess he did the right thing (view spoiler)[ because he saved a lot of kids (hide spoiler)].

(view spoiler)[
I'm not really fond of Risa & Connor's relationship either. It seemed indeed rushed and I didn't feel like they we're emotionally invested in their relationship. But I guess they went through a lot and that creates a bond strong enough.

And Connor ending up with Roland's arm.. ugh. Disgusting. Did you really throw up over that? If I'd been Connor I'd rather had no arm at all. I didn't like the unwinding scene either. It was weird, it was impossible. Roland could never have been conscious the entire operation. Harlan's scene was cute but kind of melancholic. Nobody could deny the fact that although his parts were there, he was still gone as a person and nothing could change that. (hide spoiler)]

My actual rating is gonna be 2.5 stars. I will write a review soon.

[P]

Rachel wrote: "Oh my god, Patty. I just read the unwinding scene. Its so much worse than I thougth it would be. Cried and literally gagged through the chapter. No child deserves that. It is wrong on so many level..."

Ohh Rachel I'm just reading this now. I'm sorry you had to cry :( It was really sad and .. digusting. Here's a digital hug to cheer you up! *hug* haha!

[Abi]

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Restarting June 10th 2014.

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[Rachael]

Yay!! Thanks Abbie! Been wanting to read this for a long time!

[Marie]

Can't wait to read this book!

[Zoë]

I want to join this! How often do you discuss etc?

[Rachael]

At your own pace :)

[Rachael]

For me it depends how good the book is! lol

[Rachael]

Sorry guys.. I can't join for this one this month =/

[Marie]

Rachael wrote: "Sorry guys.. I can't join for this one this month =/"

Aww :( whenever you do get to read it though be sure to post below so we can hear your thoughts about the book aswell :)

[Marie]

Going on to chapter 2

(view spoiler)[ so far so good! It's so weird to think that they would choose people to kill so they can use their body parts.
It was really nice of Andy not to give away Connor and lead the police away from him. It was also really nice of the trucker who gave him a lift but now he is probably going to go to jail for letting Connor drive with him.
I can't believe Ariana got Connors hopes up that she will run away with him just to turn him down (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Going on to chapter 3
(view spoiler)[ I feel that I'm not as attached to risa as I am Connor so far. I like how the author is showing us different examples of how people become unwound. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Going on to chapter 6

(view spoiler)[ I know it must annoy some people but I like how the author has done it from different peoples point of view. He even done it from the police officer's perspective (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Going on to chapter 21

(view spoiler)[ I can't believe lev betrayed them. I knew he would eventually but I thought he would of came to his senses earlier than he did. I wonder if he will meet up with risa and Connor further on in the story
I think it was really nice of Sonia and Hannah to help them out instead of turning them Into the police and I also like Sonia's idea of writing a letter and if they get unwound she would send it. I thought it was really nice of her. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Going on to chapter 22

(view spoiler)[ so Cy has some of the unwind's memories even though he is dead. I wonder how the whole unwinding thing works and I also wonder if some people who have the certain part of the brain can here an unwind talking. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Going on to chapter 32

(view spoiler)[ when the boy who was stuck in Cyrus kept saying unwind me. Oh my god it was so sad, he thought he was still alive in one piece and he was begging for his life. And like lev said, the parents looked as though they were being victimised and that made me quite angry.
I wonder what is going to happen with this whole Roland thing. He is a pain. I'm glad that Connor and risa are finally safe though
I know it happened a little bit earlier in the story but I'm glad Hannah decided to take the baby even though I thought it would be interesting to see if risa and Connor would take care of it I still think it was nice of her (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Going on to chapter 35

(view spoiler)[I wonder who could of killed those people. I have a suspicion it was Roland but that would be too much of an obvious answer. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie]

Going on to chapter38

(view spoiler)[Wait.. What! Humphrey Dunfee is a real person and the admiral is his father. My mind has been blown. Why is emby going to his ex wife though? (hide spoiler)]

[Rachael]

I guess I can get to it!! Starting this now!

[Rachael]

Through part 1 (view spoiler)[ An interesting concept.. Children can be "aborted" between the ages of 13 & 18? Seems absurd.. I can understand why people are running from it. I like how it's told from a bunch of different perspectives.. That way we'll get the whole picture from start to finish (hide spoiler)]

[Rachael]

Chapter 19 (view spoiler)[ I like this Sonya lady.. I like the way she talks, almost like every line could be a quote. I also like her letter plan.. How she makes everyone write a letter, to get down everything they wish they could say to somebody, and tells them to come back for it at 19 or a year later she's gonna send it. It's a great idea (hide spoiler)]

[Rachael]

Chapter 33 (view spoiler)[ Okay I'm really confused about this part.. The kid Cy's brain is being taken over partially by someone.. I don't get how this works really (hide spoiler)]