Unwind

Title: Unwind
Author: Neal Shusterman

What it's about: In the future, children from thirteen to seventeen can be "unwound", a process wherein their bodies are dismantled and the parts given to others. It's not a fate many would want, and that's why Connor runs away from home when he finds out his parents are planning to have him unwound. He soon meets Risa, a orphan girl being unwound by the state to save money, and Lev, a boy being unwound because of his family's religion. The three of them have to survive until they reach eighteen and can no longer be unwound.

What I thought: I gotta say, I admire Neal Shusterman for writing exciting stories that still manage to make you really think about things. In this case, the issue is life and related things like abortion, when life starts and ends, souls, and such topics. Pretty heavy stuff? Yeah, definitely. But you don't feel like you're being hit over the head with any of it because it's all integral to the story, and the story is engaging. Connor, Risa, and Lev are all pretty deep characters, and they all get great development over the course of the story, learning and growing. The book has a very developed and consistent view of this future world, as well.

Overall: I can't wait until I get to reread this book.