Unwind by Neal Shusterman (Group Read December 2013)

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

Finished chap. 2. (view spoiler)[I didn't like Miracolina. I kind of wanted to slap her, even though I get that she was brainwashed to believe that her purpose was important. I'm curious who is going to change her mind. Maybe Lev? But she's only 13, right? (hide spoiler)]

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

I like your points about the differences in the characters, even those who come from similar backgrounds. So far, this is one of the biggest strengths about the books, how everyone's personality and situation makes their journey different.

[Sandra]

18%, finished Part I: Really liking it so far. (view spoiler)[OMG! Cam. What have they done to you. I'm as touched as I was with Ronald's chapter. He knows Risa. U wonder if he has something from Ronald. I don't what Cam to be a Frankenstein but I'm preparing myself for it. (hide spoiler)]

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

I just finished Part 1 as well. I had the exact same thoughts about (view spoiler)[Cam and how it was very surreal like Roland's chapter. Was he completely made from scratch, was he remade? My heart already goes out to him and his reaction to the picture of Risa. (hide spoiler)]

[Dee]

i believe that he (view spoiler)[was completely made from scratch - kind of a best of the best type person (hide spoiler)]

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

That's what I was assuming but wasn't sure. It sounded like all (view spoiler)[of his parts were harvested from the best in athletics, music, languages, etc. I just didn't know if he had a base body or if he was 100% parted out. If so, that's so sad. When he saw his face, I felt so bad for him. (hide spoiler)]

[Gwennie]

He's 100% all parts.

Just out of curiosity how many of you read ?

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

I have read Unstrung. It's been a while, so I don't remember much about it though.

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

I'm up through chapter 6. Conor and Risa are so sweet together.

I probably won't read any more until tomorrow. I only have a few chapters left in the group read (which is really good!) and I want to go ahead and just finish that up so I can commit to this book fully.

[Sandra]

I really like Connor and Risa!

Ending chapter 7: (view spoiler)[Oh my! Bench press scene. Starkey. I don't know if we could trust him in the end but the collision with Connor is going to be impacting for sure. (hide spoiler)]

[Gwennie]

Okay, because over the course of the rest of the series, the events of Unstrung are pretty important...

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

I might go back and re-read it then after I finish Unwholly to refresh. I remember it being pretty short.

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

Also, I was thinking about Cam and how (view spoiler)[he is all parts. If his brain is made up of many different people, how does he have his own individual personality? Does he have ownership of his "soul" or "essence" or whatever makes each person unique? Where does it come from, if he's nothing but a patched together version of other people? (hide spoiler)]

[Diane]

Stacia (the 2010 club) wrote: "Also, I was thinking about Cam and how [spoilers removed]"

Those are exactly the thoughts that confounded me when I read this.It would be a great topic for philosophical discussions between scientists and spiritualists.

[Anna]

Stacia (the 2010 club) wrote: "Also, I was thinking about Cam and how [spoilers removed]"

Cam has bigger problems then (view spoiler)[ if he has a soul. By trying to make him as smart as possible,they have given him brain pieces from so many different people that his "memories" conflict. Something like that can make it almost impossible to make decisions and therefore function. Does anybody else get the feeling that part of the reason for all the different skin tones on the face is to visually set him apart as a new race? (hide spoiler)]

It feels like there are a lot more POVs than in the first book. It's been awhile since I've the first one though so my memory could be wrong.

[Sandra]

The first one had some ocassional POV such as of Ronald's or the woman who storked but the main voices were Risa's, Connor's and Levi's.

I choose not to read UnStrung because I usually don't read novellas and Lev Calder is not my favorite character either. I felt that it wasn't explained enough why he (view spoiler)[joined the clappers (hide spoiler)] and I guess this is perfectly told in Unstrung but I didn't felt interested enough in the story. I hate the haters so much!

[Dee]

I haven't read unstrung either

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

Diane wrote: "It would be a great topic for philosophical discussions between scientists and spiritualists..."

It would. I almost feel like I could ask the same question in the group read topic because that book also deals with the same type of procedure, except with (view spoiler)[animals instead of humans. (hide spoiler)] That wasn't really a big spoiler because you find out pretty early on in the book, but yeah...I've had the same thoughts about both this book and Madman's Daughter.

Anna, I don't know if I had the thought that it was to make him (view spoiler)[specifically his own race but I did have the thought that the creators must have had enough of an ego to want to make sure that his face is recognizable as something different. It makes them look like they're playing God. (hide spoiler)]

[Diane]

I saw Cam as (view spoiler)[ the creators thinking themselves as artists and h a work of art that encompasses all races and everything that is good about humanity. He was something that would unite the human race. In creating him though they embodied everything that is wrong about humanity.They took away the most basic human rights in order to steal the best aspects of all humanity for their creation. (hide spoiler)]

[Gwennie]

I don't like shorts much either, Sandra. Normally I skip them. Unfortunately in books 3 and 4 a lot of what happens has to do with Unstrung, so if you don't want to read it PM me so that I can tell you, lmao. I just think there'll be a lot you won't understand.

[Sandra]

Haha, Wendy, I'm already sold!

Currently half through chapter 18. I'm sick worried about Risa. Obviously we can blame on Neal Shusterman.

(view spoiler)["She closes the van's back door without saying good-bye, because they share a secret superstition, never saying goodbye to each other. Risa will soon regret that she didn't." (hide spoiler)]

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

That scene! I'm not surprised that Risa (view spoiler)[would sacrifice herself but what is Connor going to do? Will he go after her? I'd think he would. At least, I'd hope he would. (hide spoiler)]

I'm up to chapter 20 at the moment. So far, I'm less absorbed in the activities at the graveyard and most captivated by Cam's story. Is it possible that he has (view spoiler)[some of Roland's parts? He's very interested in Risa and I don't recall there being any mention of a tie to her, so I'm guessing that must be it? Or did I miss something along the way? (hide spoiler)]

[Sandra]

That's my guess too.
I'm at chapter 24. (view spoiler)[Cam's presentation and new Levi's ordeal broke my heart. (hide spoiler)]

[Gremlin]

Despite all my best plans, I won't actually be getting started with UnWholly until Friday. D'oh! You'll probably all be done by then - but I'll chime in with my impressions anyhow :)

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

No rush. Usually, I'm the one lagging behind.

I just finished Chapter 29.

Lev (view spoiler)[I felt for him losing Pastor Dan but I think his new life is going to be much more interesting. Matching him with Miracolina makes a lot of sense because I think the two of them could become a force to be reckoned with, once she quits being a pain. (hide spoiler)]

Cam (view spoiler)[It was sad to see Risa reject him but she's been through so much. To her, he's unnatural. I really feel for Cam though. (hide spoiler)]

[Sandra]

YAY! I hope you can join us Gremlin. Even if I have finish I'll be following your comments too.

I'm glad I pick this one. It's a solid sequel and I'm enjoying every chapter. Neal Shusterman makes you reflex even if you normally refuse to do it at your free time, as I'm used to.

I'm at chapter 44. (view spoiler)[Miracolina is a pain but at least they will be soon at the Graveyard. Starkey is downhill and Risa is still a jerk. I don't think Cam did or said anything that justify her cruelty. Don't you see him as a sort of human being? Why don't treat him sort of nicely if he is nice to you? (hide spoiler)]

[Dee]

are you guys going to start UnSouled after?

[Gwennie]

Sandra wrote: "YAY! I hope you can join us Gremlin. Even if I have finish I'll be following your comments too.

I'm glad I pick this one. It's a solid sequel and I'm enjoying every chapter. Neal Shusterman makes..."

I think with Risa it's about (view spoiler)[her own history. The world is a cruel place to troubled teens. She's fighting for her life. She's fighting for Connors life. He's made up of basically murdered parts of people just like her. Think, if I remember correctly, she recognizes this but she can't help but feel the way she does. She's too close to the situation (hide spoiler)].

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

I'm falling a little behind. I'm only at chapter 35. But I will read more later tonight and comment tomorrow. Today ended up being sort of busy with my little one having an unexpected snow day and he's buzzing around me non-stop.

Dee, I don't know when I'll read UnSouled. Probably not right after but hopefully sooner rather than later.

[Sandra]

Dee wrote: "are you guys going to start UnSouled after?"

Hi Dee, I'm following Wendy's advice and plan to read Unstrung before jumping into Unsouled. I guess I'll pick some fluffy book before that, but surely I'll read it before December ends. I'll post a more precise date in the Buddy Reading requests thread.

[Sandra]

Loved Chapter 46. (view spoiler)[I love how Risa starts to realise that Cam is much more than the sum of his parts. I love him. I'm afraid of him doing something wrong in time but so far he is so nice! (hide spoiler)]

[Dee]

i need to go back to unstrung I think...i'm stuck on unsouled and I had unsouled and undivided on my series catch-up list for 2014 - I don't think i'm going to get them done though unless I decide to buddy read with someone - so PLEASE :)

[Sandra]

Dee wrote: "i need to go back to unstrung I think...i'm stuck on unsouled and I had unsouled and undivided on my series catch-up list for 2014 - I don't think i'm going to get them done though unless I decide ..."

Hehe, count on me. This series is great for buddy reading and I'm committed until the end.

[Gwennie]

I wish I had known Dee, I never think of that. I would have waited for you.

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

I will try to jump in whenever you guys want to do it, as long as it's at least a week out. I want to re-read Unstrung first.

I'm back on track with this book. I got into a reading groove this morning by finishing up another book, then read up through 46 in this book, and am about to knock out a bunch more in a few.

Is it sad that I sort of want Risa (view spoiler)[to pick Cam instead of Connor? I like Connor but something about him bothers me too at the same time.

If this were any other book, I'd find it too convenient that Risa got the use of her legs back, but since the entire premise of the series is about using parts to fix people, I'm okay with it here.

Starkey...sigh. I liked him so much at the start but he's getting worse. I hope he has a turn around sooner rather than later. I don't want to see him be the villain for the rest of the series. But I don't know if that can happen if he's not upset about what happened to Jesus... (hide spoiler)]

[Sandra]

@Stacia, if you have already read Chapter 48: (view spoiler)[The reason for me to rather have Risa with Cam would be that my heart wouldn't be broken. Before this chapter I didn't feel any love between her and Connor but I swoon when she described Connor in the garden scene. That was a girl much in loved!

About Sparkey, I liked him too at the start but he definitely seems to be a black sheep. Better him as villain than Cam! (hide spoiler)]

Starting chapter 58: (view spoiler)[Biting my nails since Connor has opted for the plan B. Obviously there are more books to come so I hope that either Trace come up and flies them away or Juvies don't assault the Graveyard or Connor survive somehow (and Hayden!!!). Trace, where are youuuuu????.

OMG, knowing what Neal Shusterman is capable of, I am so worried of the overcome in case Juvies do come! As he thought in describing three hours for Ronald's unwinding from his own POV, I wouldn't put past of him sacrificing 50 kids in a frontal assault. So I don't know if I'll be brave enough for Undivided! Now I'm writing here out of cowardice to keep on reading! (hide spoiler)]

[Gwennie]

Love Trace.

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

About Risa/Cam (view spoiler)[I'm pretty sure it's wishful thinking on my part. It seems like the author is just using Cam as a distraction, so Connor and Risa don't get boring so early in the series. I can't imagine that Risa would end up with anyone but Connor in the end. And I'm sure Wendy is reading this and laughing because she already knows if I'm right or wrong. (hide spoiler)]

Just finished chapter 71. I had a big Oh no! moment about Lev (view spoiler)[and Miracolina. He left her and she's been captured.

Starkey - he's really become an ass. Pushing that chick down the stairs...dang. (hide spoiler)]

[Gwennie]

LMAO, you can definitely bet I'm in here lurking and reading everything with a smile on my face.

Every time I post a two word comment I laugh because I'm really trying hard to keep my thoughts to myself so that I don't inadvertently give anything away.

[Christie]

Wendy F wrote: "LMAO, you can definitely bet I'm in here lurking and reading everything with a smile on my face.

Every time I post a two word comment I laugh because I'm really trying hard to keep my thoughts to ..."

Me too Wendy. Me too.

[Sandra]

Lol! @Wendy, Christie: I hope you keep having fun with Unstrung, Unsouled and Undivided!

@Stacia: Ohhhh It's my turn for waiting before reading spoilers! I'm at chapter 62. But I ordered Unstrung last night. I'd like to read it with you and Dee. Do you have any preferences about when to start it?

[Dee]

I have Unstrung on my kindle - so whenever you guys are ready - just lemme know!

i got about 1/3 of the way through Unsouled before I got distracted - so i'll probably need to start that from the beginning

[Sandra]

The better for me would be either start it tomorrow or wait around a week. That way I'd start something else meantime. What works best for you, Stacia?

[Dee]

i'm good with waiting a week or so - I have a reading challenge to try and finish tonight, then my brain kind of goes to mush mode for a little while

[Sandra]

Continuing our discussion about Risa/Cam: (view spoiler)[I guess you might be right, Stacia. Cam could have been a NS's resource for avoiding us to get bored of Connor and Risa's relationship. And what a resource, he is! Masterfully done! When Gremlin asks us for Top ten secondary characters that steal the show, he will be in my list for sure. I'm still worried because I might be wrong liking him so much - as I was with the freaking Starkey! - but so far I love Cam. (hide spoiler)]

End of chapter 70:(view spoiler)["Tranq'd by your own gun," Lev says. "How pathetic."

Hello! Some balls has Lev. (hide spoiler)]

[Sandra]

Ene of chapter 72: (view spoiler)[Some balls has Trace too,calling Starkey moron after he threat him not to do it again! (hide spoiler)]

[Stacia (the 2010 club), groupaholic, YA-MA founder]

I'd prefer to wait a week.

Answering your spoilers (view spoiler)[I still don't know how Cam is his own person. It makes you wonder if Cam has the personality of one of the unwound kids but doesn't know it. I don't think the question will ever be answered but you have to wonder how someone's soul is "invented" through a mess of spare parts. I think you could explore Cam for a very long time and never know him completely but a side PoV would be interesting. (hide spoiler)]

[Sandra]

End of Chapter 78: Starkey! (view spoiler)[Bastard! Filthy street rat! OMG, not only he left the rest in the Graveyard but he has left Trace to his fate! No, no, noooo... *In Cam's particular language* Squashed filthy rat! (hide spoiler)]

[Sandra]

Cam:(view spoiler)[Cam said her that he loved her. I thought my heart would be broken but nope, because I felt it breaking whilst Trace was drowning. Still worried about what Cam is capable of doing for her. (hide spoiler)]

[Gwennie]

Sandra wrote: "End of Chapter 78: Starkey! [spoilers removed]"

lol... i've been waiting for you to get there.