UNBOUND

The Unwind world is thoroughly explored in this companion piece.

If Shusterman's Unwind (2007), UnWholly (2012), UnSouled (2013), and UnDivided (2014) weren't enough for you, you're in luck. This tome holds 10 short stories set within the author's dystopian series, fleshing out the nooks and crannies in exhaustive detail. Shusterman is joined by the likes of Terry Black, Michelle Knowlden, and others as co-authors to pad out his universe, supplying fans with new characters and different perspectives on a future in which troublesome teens are “unwound” by the government and the Heartland War has ravaged America. While this may be thrilling to fans, newcomers may not be so engaged. The stories are all written with an urgent pace and bittersweet tone, which makes them run together a bit by the end. Luckily readers can pick and choose and read at their leisure, as the stories are barely interconnected. The company's writing is up to snuff, but the major events described occur off-page, in the main series, making this little more than a glimpse for the uninitiated. The book avoids the trap most companion pieces fall into: this isn't strictly a "for fans only" affair, working as an introduction to the Unwind world, but only barely. It serves much better as a piece read after the major series has been devoured.

A competently produced set of stories that will send fans over the moon and swiftly intrigue newcomers.