Connor, Risa, and Lev are running for their lives.

The Second Civil War (aka the Heartland War) was fought over reproductive rights. The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment of conception until age thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen and eighteen, however, parents can have their child “unwound,” whereby all of the child’s organs are transplanted into different donors, so life doesn’t technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state, is not enough to be kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound.

Together, they may have a chance to escape and to survive.

There are books that make you think, and there are books that make you analyze, process, question, and contemplate the themes presented in the story. The Unwind Series is one of those series that leave you constantly questioning your own thoughts and beliefs. Based on the premise that a civil war occurred over the argument of pro-life vs pro-choice, this dystopian novel will leave you questioning how far would you compromise your personal beliefs in order to end a war. In this universe, the answer was the unwinding initiative.

What is unwinding?

Unwinding is a legal action that parents and guardians can take when their children are between the ages of 13 – 17. By signing a form, they can retroactively terminate their responsibilities as parents up to six days post-conception. This places the teens in the hands of the government and they are sent to Harvest camps where almost 100% of their body is fully deconstructed and sent to individuals in need of (or wanting) transplants. This allows the teens to continue on “in a divided state.”

This may not be the kind of book that everyone will enjoy. But I found it to be highly interesting and I really appreciate any book that makes me think. The book particularly follows three teens: Connor, Risa, and Lev who are being sent to a Harvest camp. Each comes from a completely different setting and their views on unwinding and self preservation vary greatly.

“If more people could admit they really don’t know, maybe there never would have been a Heartland War.”

Connor Lassiter – Unwind

I would highly recommend this book, however I would forewarn that this is a difficult topic to consider. This book is not for everyone. I can understand why you might not be interested in it or want your children to read it.

For those of you who are interested or have previously read the book, I would love to know your thoughts. Feel free to comment below or message me your review link.