Connor, Lev, Risa, and Cam... will the four of them be able to take down Proactive Citizenry and save the unwinds?

Connor and Lev are determined to stop Proactive Citizenry from continuing its campaign to promote the unwinding of teenagers. They are on a quest to hunt down the founders of the process of unwinding, but unfortunately a detour into Heartsdale, Kansas sparks more complications. Meanwhile, Cam, the first creation made entirely from the parts of unwound teenagers, wants to take down Proactive Citizenry in the hopes that Risa will then love him.

UNSOULED is the third book in a series that features a concept called unwinding, where parents can sign an order and literally wipe their child out of existence. At the time of unwinding, every single body part is donated and used for another human. I would not recommend reading UNSOULED out of sequence as both the world and character building have been developing over the course of the series.

Neal Shusterman crafts a world that is very grim and quite disturbing but then shows us the rays of hope even in the midst of such darkness. Political extremism and fear have taken over this world but we are beginning to see the gradual reawakening of empathy for others. I particularly like how Connor has evolved as a character along with the world. He has gone from an AWOL Unwind without a purpose to a true leader, willing to look within and examine his own failings. The addition of Grace as a character adds a new element to the world as she shows how a society can devalue someone who has so much to offer if only one takes the time to listen.

UNSOULED is as thought-provoking as it is bleak. The ending is a bit abrupt, however, as a fourth book, UNDIVIDED, is due out later to conclude the series. Neal Shusterman has definitely moved to my list of must-read authors with this series as I will definitely be reading more by him!