UnSouled by Neal Shusterman

Series: Unwind Dystology (bk. 3)

Genera(s): Dystopian Sci-fi/Thriller

Subjects: fugitives, organ transplants, revolutionaries, survival, resistance to government

Setting: Near future, throughout the United States

POV/Tense: 3^rd person POV, present tense. Alternates between many characters including Conner, Risa, Lev, Cam, Starkey and others.

Age/Grade Level: Teen

Length: 404 pgs.

HC/PB: Hardcover

List Price: $17.99

Publisher: Simon & Schuster 

Summary/ product description: “The story that began with Unwind continues.

Connor and Lev are on the run after the destruction of the Graveyard, the last safe haven for AWOL Unwinds. But for the first time, they’re not just running away from something. This time, they’re running toward answers, in the form of a woman Proactive Citizenry has tried to erase from history itself. If they can find her, and learn why the shadowy figures behind unwinding are so afraid of her, they may discover the key to bringing down unwinding forever.

Cam, the rewound boy, is plotting to take down the organization that created him. Because he knows that if he can bring Proactive Citizenry to its knees, it will show Risa how he truly feels about her. And without Risa, Cam is having trouble remembering what it feels like to be human.

With the Juvenile Authority and vindictive parts pirates hunting them, the paths of Connor, Lev, Cam, and Risa will converge explosively—and everyone will be changed.

Neal Shusterman continues the adventure that VOYA called “poignant, compelling, and ultimately terrifying.”

My Review: When I first starting reading this book, I thought it was the final book in the series, but then found out there was going to be a fourth book. I’m a bit disappointed. I feel like not much happened in this book, even though it was entertaining. I feel like it was dragged out and some of it could have been cut and then added to make it the final book. There were just too many perspectives and characters that I couldn’t remember who was who besides Conner, Lev, Risa and Cam. I did read the short story Unstrung, and it was nice to see some of the character from that. The Arapachi, People of Chance. 

The one thing that this author does really well is writing 3^rd person in a thrilling way. This it the only series I know of that’s written in 3^rd person POV with present tense rather than past tense. It makes you read faster. It is a bit annoying that the chapters aren’t separated, though. It takes forever to get through a book without chapter breaks. The book becomes a never-ending train. But there is separation in parts. There’s 6 parts that are 50-75 pages long. There are also fake advertisements in the chapters for unwinding-related things. I like some of the characters. Some of the dialogue in funny and entertaining. I like Lev, and Conner, and the new character named Grace who likes to play games. Cam is pretty interesting because he was rewound and has so many people that make him. 

I can tell that this series it well researched. The author includes articles and fakes ads and even scientific stuff. Near the end there’s a mention of 3-D printing organs. I read about this in Smithsonian Magazine articles. It’s a very interesting concept and definitely a better alternative than Unwinding. I hope that Unwinding never happens in real life, especially not in the USA. This series is full of controversial topics and it’s a great series for discussion. There’s a lot of disturbing imagery and stuff that will give you nightmares.

Sadly, this was not my favorite book in the series. I enjoyed UnWholley a lot more because it was the long-awaited follow up to Unwind. I think this could have been better if you read the books back-to-back. I really do want to read the final book, Undivided. I suggest maybe holding off on UnSouled until you have Undivided in your possession. 

Cover Art Review: Very creepy over. I don’t like it because it’s too creepy and a bit disturbing. Looks like ghosts or cancer patients.