UnWholly (Unwind, #2) Summary & Key Insights

Neal Shusterman's 'UnWholly', the second book in the 'Unwind' series, continues the story of Connor Lassiter, Risa Ward, and Lev Calder, three unwinds who escaped their designated fates in the first novel. While the previous book focused on their desperate flight to safety, 'UnWholly' explores the complexities of their newfound freedom and the ever-present threat of the unwinding process.

The trio, now residing in a hidden sanctuary run by the elusive "Clappers", face new challenges. The idyllic safety is shattered when the Clappers' leader reveals their true intentions: they are not abolitionists but are using the unwinds for their own manipulative purposes. The children are forced to participate in a dangerous game where they are trained to become highly skilled warriors, their skills honed to both fight and escape. This training exposes them to the moral grey areas of the "good guys" fighting the system, highlighting that even those aiming to abolish unwinding may use questionable methods.

Connor, grappling with his volatile nature and increasingly honed combat skills, finds himself increasingly drawn to the Clappers' militaristic ideology, seeing it as a way to exact revenge on those who tried to unwind him. His rebellious streak and thirst for justice make him a dangerous asset, but also a volatile one.

Risa, always the pragmatist, questions the Clappers' methods more frequently, her empathy and moral compass causing friction within the group. She remains committed to finding a lasting solution to the unwinding problem, yearning for a world where children are truly safe.

Lev, grappling with his religious beliefs and the harsh realities of survival, struggles with the violence he's forced to embrace. He continues to strive for peaceful solutions, his faith tested by the ethical compromises he witnesses and participates in.

The overarching theme of 'UnWholly' is the blurred lines between right and wrong in the fight against injustice. The characters, desperate to survive and resist the oppressive unwinding system, find themselves participating in activities that conflict with their moral compasses. The novel explores the complexities of revolution and the potential for even the most well-intentioned movements to become corrupted.

The book concludes with the trio escaping the Clappers, their trust in supposed allies shattered, and their understanding of the unwinding debate further complicated. Their journey toward a better future continues, but their faith in the possibility of a simple solution is severely tested. They now understand that eliminating unwinding might require more than simply escaping the grasp of those who endorse it; it demands a fundamental shift in societal values and a questioning of all involved, even those fighting on the same side.