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gillygild2342's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I liked this. Going more in depth in some paces or learning more about existing characters. An interesting way to have a 5th book.unschooled - hated Nelson and hate even more now knowing once a slimy bastard always a slimy bastard.
Unfinished symphony - are you kidding?!?! RISA WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE UNWOUND?!?! So fucking pissed
Undevoured - oooft Roland. He wasn’t a good guy but I do feel somewhat bad for him
Unclean - the only story I wanted more of!! Who really was heath? Why not a vaccine for AWOLs to imitate cancer. I wanted to follow Anissa’s story well past its end.
Unstrung - they really did blame lev for nothing. Poor Wil, he had big dreams and he was a good guy
Unnatural selection - the stuff of nightmares. The burhmese dah zey are terrifying.
Unconfirmed - HAYDEN!!! I still love him. Connor and risa being attacked is bullshit but I’m glad grace found out where they were and with Connor’s family too
Untithed - MIRCOLINA!! Loved her Batman like story here.
Rewinds - oooooft dirk was scary. I’m still not 100% comfortable with una and cam together. Keaton and the Rubix cube was cute
Unknown quantity - divan and argent better leave Connor and risa alone!!!!!!! fun ending to the series.
Unfinished symphony - are you kidding?!?! RISA WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE UNWOUND?!?! So fucking pissed
Undevoured - oooft Roland. He wasn’t a good guy but I do feel somewhat bad for him
Unclean - the only story I wanted more of!! Who really was heath? Why not a vaccine for AWOLs to imitate cancer. I wanted to follow Anissa’s story well past its end.
Unstrung - they really did blame lev for nothing. Poor Wil, he had big dreams and he was a good guy
Unnatural selection - the stuff of nightmares. The burhmese dah zey are terrifying.
Unconfirmed - HAYDEN!!! I still love him. Connor and risa being attacked is bullshit but I’m glad grace found out where they were and with Connor’s family too
Untithed - MIRCOLINA!! Loved her Batman like story here.
Rewinds - oooooft dirk was scary. I’m still not 100% comfortable with una and cam together. Keaton and the Rubix cube was cute
Unknown quantity - divan and argent better leave Connor and risa alone!!!!!!!
dpprichett's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annithebookaholic's review against another edition
5.0
I usually don't like short story collections but this was really good!
I loved getting glimpses into the past as well as the present of certain characters that were introduced in the main series. But I especially liked the stories about the new characters and their experiences. This world is so complex and this answers many of the unanswered worries the main series left.
I loved getting glimpses into the past as well as the present of certain characters that were introduced in the main series. But I especially liked the stories about the new characters and their experiences. This world is so complex and this answers many of the unanswered worries the main series left.
kilbmc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bouncy_knight_reads's review against another edition
I liked the story about the experimental facility and the other girl in Risa's shelter but thats about it
sarahassaad_851's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
punkrockingnerd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This feels like Neal saw some feedback about how the Unwind dystology was never "horrifying enough," and he said, "hold my beer."
nicole603's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
hotmessmamareads's review against another edition
3.0
It's been a few years since I read the UNWIND Dystology by Neal Shusterman, but I really enjoyed the world he created so much that I had to buy Unbound when it came out. And if you haven't read the series, then I'd suggest you not continue with reading this review as there are spoilers (from the series, not this collection) involved. This is a collection of short stories set in the world of UNWIND. Some of them include characters from the books themselves and some are entirely new characters. Perhaps most interestingly, some of the short stories are set before, during, and after the events described in the series.
I particularly enjoyed the prequel story, UnSchooled which gave insight into the making of the Juvey-cop turned parts pirate character of J.T. Nelson. Another favorite short was Unfinished Symphony which gave a glimpse into the events that led to Risa Ward's unwind order.
UnDevoured was a little bit of a heartbreaker because it really fleshed out the sad life of Roland, the boy with the shark tattoo on his arm. When I first encountered Roland in the series, I really disliked him. He was something of a bully with a temper, as I remember him, but by the series end when readers finally get to experience what being unwound is like from his perspective, I remember being moved to tears as the process continued. So, getting to read this story about his youth added additional perspective and depth to Roland.
Unnatural Selection was an interesting story introducing new characters on the other side of the world (Burma/Thailand) that focuses on the Dah Zey. This was a nice way to flesh out the world Shusterman created beyond the confines of America, noting that the practice of unwinding had become a global phenomenon.
I didn't really see the point of including UnStrung, considering the story was previously released on it's own, but that's a different sort of criticism. Other stories included in this series that I liked, but weren't particularly impressed by included UnConfirmed (because it was so incredibly short and I wasn't really sure how much it added to the entire collection, given that it's not really driven by action on it's own--it focused on suggestive theoretical locations on where Connor and Risa may be now) and UnTithed (because I thought the storyline itself was fairly predictable and not altogether as interesting as some of the others).
Overall, though, I think the short story collection accomplishes a lot since it allows the reader to see some of what's happened before the Unwind Dystology events and even see what happens to some of the characters after they exit the main story. In particular, the story called Rewinds, which focuses on Camus Camprix and other rewinds he's in charge of, provided an additional epilogue of sorts for some of the characters we came to feel for within the Unwind world and I think it's worthwhile reading for people who really enjoyed the UNWIND series. I would've been satisfied if the short stories ended with that one, but I didn't mind reading on to see what's become of Skinner in the final story, either.
A word to the wise, though: if it's been a while since you last read the series, at least refresh your memory on who's who because I'm sure some of these stories would have a greater impact on me had I remembered everyone!
I particularly enjoyed the prequel story, UnSchooled which gave insight into the making of the Juvey-cop turned parts pirate character of J.T. Nelson. Another favorite short was Unfinished Symphony which gave a glimpse into the events that led to Risa Ward's unwind order.
UnDevoured was a little bit of a heartbreaker because it really fleshed out the sad life of Roland, the boy with the shark tattoo on his arm. When I first encountered Roland in the series, I really disliked him. He was something of a bully with a temper, as I remember him, but by the series end when readers finally get to experience what being unwound is like from his perspective, I remember being moved to tears as the process continued. So, getting to read this story about his youth added additional perspective and depth to Roland.
Unnatural Selection was an interesting story introducing new characters on the other side of the world (Burma/Thailand) that focuses on the Dah Zey. This was a nice way to flesh out the world Shusterman created beyond the confines of America, noting that the practice of unwinding had become a global phenomenon.
I didn't really see the point of including UnStrung, considering the story was previously released on it's own, but that's a different sort of criticism. Other stories included in this series that I liked, but weren't particularly impressed by included UnConfirmed (because it was so incredibly short and I wasn't really sure how much it added to the entire collection, given that it's not really driven by action on it's own--it focused on suggestive theoretical locations on where Connor and Risa may be now) and UnTithed (because I thought the storyline itself was fairly predictable and not altogether as interesting as some of the others).
Overall, though, I think the short story collection accomplishes a lot since it allows the reader to see some of what's happened before the Unwind Dystology events and even see what happens to some of the characters after they exit the main story. In particular, the story called Rewinds, which focuses on Camus Camprix and other rewinds he's in charge of, provided an additional epilogue of sorts for some of the characters we came to feel for within the Unwind world and I think it's worthwhile reading for people who really enjoyed the UNWIND series. I would've been satisfied if the short stories ended with that one, but I didn't mind reading on to see what's become of Skinner in the final story, either.
A word to the wise, though: if it's been a while since you last read the series, at least refresh your memory on who's who because I'm sure some of these stories would have a greater impact on me had I remembered everyone!