Unwind
In a future where a divided nation has found a disturbing compromise, parents can choose to have their children 'unwound' – their bodies harvested for parts – between the ages of 13 and 18. This novel follows three teenagers on the run, desperate to avoid this fate. Their paths collide as they navigate a world that sees them as less than human, fighting for their right to live.
A former Navy officer who founded and runs the Graveyard, an illegal sanctuary for runaway Unwinds, partly out of guilt over having his own son unwound.
Unwind is the first book in a series, and its story continues in subsequent novels that explore the world and characters further.
While Unwind introduces a complete narrative arc for its main characters, it is the beginning of a larger series that delves deeper into the societal implications and expands on the initial conflict.
Neal Shusterman has stated that the inspiration for Unwind came from the ethical debates surrounding abortion and organ donation, prompting him to explore a future where these concepts are taken to an extreme.