Undivided

By Neal Shusterman

Proactive Citizenry, the company which created Cam from the parts of unwound teens, has a plan: to mass produce Rewound teens like Cam for military purposes. But below the surface is of that horror lies another shocking level of intrigue: Proactive Citizenry has been suppressing technology that could make unwinding completely unnecessary. As Conner, Risa and Lev uncover these shocking secrets, enraged teens begin to march on Washington to demand justice and a better future.

But more trouble is brewing. Starkey's group of storked teens are growing more powerful and militant with each new recruit. And if they have their way, they'll burn the harvest camps to the group, and put every adult in them before a firing squad-which could destroy any chance America has for a peaceful future.

Praise for UNWIND:
"This is the kind of rare book that makes the hairs on your neck rise up. It is written with a sense of drama that should get it instantly snapped up for film." The Times
"Gripping, brilliantly imagined futuristic thriller… The issues raised could not be more provocative - the sanctity of life, the meaning of being human - while the delivery could hardly be more engrossing or better aimed to teens." Publishers Weekly, starred review
"a powerful, shocking, and intelligent novel... It's wonderful, wonderful stuff." thebookbag.co.uk
"This book challenges ones ideas about life, about morality, about religion, about fanatics. It is not a comfortable read but it is thought-provoking." Carousel

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Release date: Nov 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781471122545

Neal Shusterman

Neal Shusterman is the New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty award-winning books for children, teens, and adults, including the Unwind dystology, the Skinjacker trilogy, Downsiders, and Challenger Deep, which won the National Book Award. Scythe, the first book in his series Arc of a Scythe is a Michael L. Printz Honor Book. He also writes screenplays for motion pictures and television shows. Neal is the father of four, all of whom are talented writers and artists themselves. Visit Neal at StoryMan.com and Facebook.com/NealShusterman.

Reviews for Undivided

[stephlaymon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Being the last book in the Unwind Series, UnDivided had to be a lot of things to make this reader happy. Thus far, I have enjoyed the series immensely, and have found that Shusterman is the best at taking a story that is unbelievable and making the reader imagine that there is a way for every bit of it to happen. Sure, the main theme of unwinding seems impossible, and there are times when I had to reel myself in from over evaluating, but there was a time when a lot of things were unimaginable that have now happened in our world. Plus, Shusterman incorporates a few creepy as hell real life articles that reminds the reader that things can change to the unimaginable pretty easily in our world.Man almighty! We have picked up a lot of characters along the way and it was a hell of a ride with a lot of action, twists and turns, and heartache. Things may have been confusing and the heartache unforgivable from a lesser writer, but is just more that is nicely done. In the end, I couldn't be happier with how the series ended, I am only sad to say that its over. I will be picking up something again by this author in the near future. You don't have to be a fan of YA to enjoy this series. I actually think that having some experience under your belt enhances the readers ability to think things through politically, as well as understanding the full scope and consequences. For that reason, I would recommend this book to anyone who has the propensity to enjoy a dystopia setting and all the interesting elements that come with only the best of them.

[jdifelice-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

a great book to finish off a great series. definitely going to have a book hangover after this one. i couldn't put it down! Neal Shusterman did an AMAZING job with this series, by far THE best series i've read in a while. The character development and the emotional state and empathy you feel for even the villains is just staggering. A definite recommendation to anyone who wants to read a great YA dystopian series. I picked up unwind at the library because it seemed like an interesting book and it left me thirsting for more! such a great conclusion and just overall wonderful series to read :)

[mountie9_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fabulous conclusion to an intriguing series. I had during the first book about the reasons for unwinding but the author slowly brings you into why. Incredible world building, intriguing characters who develop into flesh and blood people that you can imagine are real. This one was a bit of a nail biter with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on your toes. Highly recommend this series to teen readers as the story will feel like something they are going through. The discussions you could have about this series are unending, especially moral issues. Positively brilliant.

[haileyb.b1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Cam finds out that proactive citizenary is mass producing rewinds for the military. So he tricks Roberta into confessing while he is broadcasting to the world. Conner and Risa are caught by parts pirates Connor is unwound then rewound Risa runs away. Hayden has a radio station an has everyone that want stop meet at Lincoln memorial if you are against unwinding where Connor is reunited with his parents. Grace gives the organ printer to a company to fix it an sell it so they can stop unwinding. Lev gets as many names of every kid that has been unwound tattooed on every part of his body and goes to the statue of liberty, takes of all of his clothes except his underware and pretends he is a clapper so the cops will shoot him and the news of what he did will be broadcasted all across the country. This book was a great ending to the unwind dystology. I really like all of the different unexpected plot twists. it was very interesting. i could stop reading until i was done.

[dianekeenoy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This last book in the Unwinding dystology keeps up the unrelenting fast pace of the first three books. The bad guys get what they deserve and the good guys ultimately win...just not in the way you might expect. I highly recommend this series...although it could definitely cause nightmares in teenagers!

[mirandalg14 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There were a few parts that dragged a little, but overall this is a great fantasy with an original world. Interested in seeing what happens with the Origin Wells.

[myntop · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an emotional ride this book took me on. I suffered the losses and near losses with so much pain you'd think they were real people and not just characters in a book. I was so drawn in and immersed in the story that the characters were like friends, or enemies, but people I KNEW in my own personal life. It's a wonderful thing when an author can make you relate so fully to the universe they've written and get you so involved that you feel the pain and joy and other emotions of the characters as if they were your own. I would definitely recommend this series to all readers, especially fans of the dystopian genre.

[Eliana · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love it. So much. Perfect book. Heartwarming at the end and fully sealed character arcs. Beautiful book.

[sheiladeeth_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The final book in Neal Shusterman’s dystology, UnDivided draws all the storylines, hints and characters together. Can such a messed up world be mended (and oh, can ours as well?)? Can such wounded characters find a way forward? Can peace be restored without first going to war? The author’s masterful sense of timing brings a unexpected sense that all these questions might have answers. Even the surprises (and stings) in the tale make sense, fitting together like jigsaw pieces at that point where suddenly you know what the picture’s going to be. I didn’t know—not for sure—but I began to guess. Then tragedy. Then hope.UnDivided is a roller-coaster ride of a read, and a perfectly fitting, well-timed and enjoyable end to the four-book journey. It’s highly recommended.Disclosure: I love it! Can’t wait to persuade sons and friends to read it too.

[librarycin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is the 4th book in the Unwind “dystology” (I was also going to say final book, but it looks like there are some short stories added on in an additional book). Cam, Lev, and Risa (and others) are all continuing to fight to stop unwinding; different people have different ideas about how to best fight it. I really liked this last book in the series. There is a nice little intro to explain who some of the major players and companies are, and it includes general terminology, as well. Because I go so long in between reading books in a series, I also looked back at my summaries from the other books, which was helpful. I did have trouble remembering characters in the 3rd book, but I was able to catch on quicker and remember much better in this one. I still like the way the little “advertisements” are done in this series. I thought this one was quite exciting, though there were some tough happenings. Really good ending.

[karconner · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love this series. This one did not disappoint. As one of my students aid when we read the first f the series, this guy really makes you think! Now, I hear a 5th is in the works, and I'll be getting it as soon as it is out.

[mtlkch-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent end to an excellent series. Was not expecting what happened!

[indygo88 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have mixed feelings about this final installment of the Unwind series. I've been lukewarm about the series as a whole, liking the controversial & thought-provoking aspect, but not being overly impressed with the execution or writing. Undivided followed along as its predecessors with similar style, continuing the story that's pulled in many readers from many age groups. Like the third in this series, I thought this one dragged on a bit, and didn't really pick up until about halfway through. At that point I started to get sucked in and started reading faster, really beginning to enjoy the various plot twists & directions that the story was taking. Overall, it was a satisfying ending. As a series, this was great for discussion, although ultimately written for a younger age group. Had this been written as an adult series, I think it would've been more satisfying, given better writing & a more mature audience.

[fromthecomfychair · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Last book in the Unwind Dystology. This one took a while to get going--for me, it didn't take off till about half way through. But once it did--page-turner alert. And I have to say I'm pretty happy about the way that Shusterman ended the series. But no spoilers from me. There are some interesting plot twists, that's all I'll say. I love the way Shusterman starts every Part of the novel with actual stories from the news that demonstrate that his fiction about unwinding troublesome teens for their parts is really not so far-fetched. Some dystopian novels are based on ridiculous or extremely far-fetched premises, but Shusterman is tuned in to the world we actually live in and his plots reflect this. And his dialogue is really great--he writes teens the way they talk. I am glad he chose to wrap up his series on the 4th book. No doubt he could have stretched it out for a few more, but I'm glad he didn't.Probably my favorite YA dystopian series.

[Tara McConaghy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing! Love Neal Shusterman's books! So different and creative! :)

[bell7_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The premise of this series is haunting: what if really screwed up teenagers were “unwound” to provide organ and other transplants? What if abortion didn't exist, but you could leave an unwanted baby at a doorstep as long as you weren't caught (a practice known as “storking”), with the expectation that the owners of the house would take the child? The concluding book in the series that begins with [Unwind] finds Connor, Risa, Lev and others at a crossroads. Can they put an end to the practice of unwinding, or will political forces in the election give the Juvenile Authority expanded authority to unwind troubled teens without parental consent? Working together or alone, several forces will have to come together in just the right way...Though definitely not a standalone book, UnDivided is a compelling read with a scary premise is made all the more plausible by the inclusion of real-life articles about harvesting organs or 3D printing technology. This was a heartbreaking, thrilling read that kept me on tenterhooks to the very last page (and yes, there was a marathon reading night of the last 90 pages or so before I could finally go to sleep). The ending was satisfying to me though somewhat implausible. I had a hard time believe that everything would come together just so - but I guess there's historical precedent for that, isn't there? I was glad that the main characters didn't die, but I also didn't feel like that would have been the "real" outcome of their actions. I highly recommend this thought-provoking series.

[kassilem · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's over. Actually there is another book full of short stories coming after this one as a kind of epilogue if I'm getting my facts straight. But for all intents and purposes, this is the end of the Unwind series. This dystopia is like nothing I've read before. It's forever going to be in my head. I love talking to people about this book I've been reading because their faces and expressions show just how horrifying it sounds. And to actually read it, is a whole other experience. I wasn't too thrilled about the second book, so it's taken me a while to get through this series, but now that I have I can't believe this series is not more popular. it is a lesson in morality. It's a lesson in how far we allow things to go, all by not doing anything. It's a lesson in a million other things. Seriously, I am never going to be able to forget this story of a horrifying possibility.

[anatoliar.b1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This last book confused me so much that i might have to read it again. Several parts of the book were so slow and boring too. The ending was pretty happy though, so all is good. Connor got back to his family, but for the other people i didnt get it. And that is why im going to need to read this book a second time. The begging was pretty boring in my opinion and was also really slow. I honestly didn't enjoy the book so that is why i gave it a 3 star rating. Throughout the book i was really starting to dislike all of the characters, the good guys and the bad guys. The first book made every character seem really cool, but for me, with this book i totally lost interest. There were a few new characters introduced and that is where i started to get really confused because there were so many people. As for suggesting this book to people, if you've read the first three, you might as well finish the series because book three gave you a SERIOUS cliff hanger.