There are very few books so powerful that can follow you into your dreams. That leave an imprint on your soul. That are so dreadful and horrifying, but in the same time so beautiful and completely mesmerising.
And this time around it was true, it was not a wish of sorts, not a simple thought that just comes and goes. After reading it (this whole series), I had the more horrifying night ever – dreaming of unwinds and AWOLs, leaping back into consciousness only to be swept away into another desperate dream, where someone would be divided to pieces and I would endlessly run for my life.
It’s no wonder actually, as I’ve been spending around 4-5 days with the series, so my mind was pretty much overfilled with this story, but still.. I confirm that (indeed) this book has the power to haunt you even in your sleep.
It’s hard to get to the end of a series when you love it as much as I loved this one. It pains me to be over with it.
But truth being told, it was exhausting, emotionally draining! My heart wouldn’t have been able to take any more pain or suspense, and I think that the characters felt just the same.
Everything came into place. Everything made complete sense. All their small fights had an impact on the world around, but the way it all resonated – well, that seemed to be a lot greater than the sum of its parts. They probably never dreamed of achieving this much. They just wanted a chance to… be.
If the first book was created as a standalone, the last 3 books come hand in hand. You can’t have one without the others, you can’t see the big picture without reading them all. It started as the story of Risa, Lev and Connor. It ended as the story of so many more.
All those people who didn’t believe in unwinding (/anymore), all those people who needed and wanted things to change, all those people who were guilty in a way or another, all those people that had a handful of letters written in blood, even the world itself was there to watch them take the last steps in this journey – and it was marvellous.
Without any of them, the story wouldn’t have been the same, the ending wouldn’t have been as great. Their individual fights, their sacrifices, their strength and hope for a better world was what drove them on this path.
There are not enough words in this world to express the immensity and the beauty of it all.
I will miss these characters dearly, I feel like knowing them better than I know my own friends and I cared for them so much through this story. They are part of my life now and I refuse to say goodbye.
CONCLUSION:
There are books that you read, you enjoy maybe love, but you easily forget. This is one of the stories I’ll hold dear to my heart forever.
I am not sure if it’s in the touching subject, the strong characters, or in the ties with the reality that it holds. But there is so much beauty in this series.
I will love it forever.
I will cherish it forever.
I will never stop recommending it.
It is absolutely well written, it has so many narrators and still they are all distinct and strong and they leave such an imprint in this story.. All of them, even the very small roles that come and go, never to hear of them again, everyone is important. And the story wouldn’t be the same without them all.
Happy midnight reading and don’t forget: Stay whole!
Short review:
“I wish I could unwind time so I could experience this book from every possible angle, not passing through the moment, but living it.”
[adapted from a book quote by Connor]
I am unwinding in the inside.
My thoughts are in a divided state and I can’t make myself rewind them.
This story is too powerful for words.
I just know that I LOVE this series.
I know that I love…
I… I know that…
I…
I…
… …
Book Teaser Video:
I love the fact that they’ve created all these wonderful teasers through the series.
🙂 And now that I am done with the books, I can’t wait to hear news about the upcoming movie!
Music of Choice:
Well, what would fit better than the one song from the book?
My copy is soon to arrive I can’t wait now, this review makes me so excited about it!! And I think that this is the best cover in the series, I love what they did with the statue! My my my come here pretty book!
That’s great! I hope that you will love it too, because it is such an great ending for this amazing series!
“That are so dreadful and horrifying, but in the same time so beautiful and completely mesmerising.” You’ve nailed it girl! Beautiful!
Thanks hun. I loved this one so much!
I wish more people would know about this series. I think it is better than many others out there and it makes me happy to find someone that loved it as much as I did.
I wish that too, it is by far my favourite dystopian story 🙂 amazing in so many ways!
Is it bad that I read the review for the last one if I didn’t read any of these? LOL. No, it sounds great and now I’ll check the other ones too 😛 Thanks for sharing!
LOL, it happens to me too sometimes. It’s good that I try to stay away from spoilers though, and yes, go check the others because this series is definitely worth it!
I love it when a book or series ends up leaving such a great impression with you, I actually can’t remember the last time that this happened with me, but I’m always on the lookout for books which keep you thinking about them for days afterwards, so will definitely be considering giving this series a go! Wonderful review as always Ari!
When Neal decided to turn this story into a series I wasn’t sure it was the right decision (because I loved the first one and it was great as a standalone). Even after reading the second book I was a bit sceptical. But then came the last 2 books and I understood where the story was going and I fell in love so deeply I would read this series over and over again.
I didn’t know Luke Daniels narrated this series, and I have the first book on audio and an e-copy. I love his narration! My husband read the first book and said it was really good but it creeped him out. The whole premise creeps me out especially being a parent I can’t imagine the kind of parent who could do that to a child! Anyhow, I can see how this series would haunt you right into your dreams. Nice to hear you enjoyed the series. I’m still going back and forth on whether or not I’ll read Unwind.
I lose focus way too easily, so I don’t usually listen to audio books (I’m a “reading kind of girl”)… though I should really improve my pronunciation and this would probably help :))
But back to the story, what I loved about Unwind Dystology is just how plausible the premise can actually be. Various dystopian stories are simply fiction, you know things like that will probably never happen, but this one (with the way it is written, with the made-up brain-washing media messages inserted, with the real references –from our world– included) feels like it can happen any moment now. Which is even creepier. Maybe not with kids though, that would be a new low for our world.
And the characters – the good and the bad ones- are absolutely great. And there are so many turnarounds and breathtaking moments. It’s really amazing.
Unwind (back when it was a standalone) had been probably my first dystopian story, but after all this time I still think it is better than most. And with the last 3 books in the picture, I really can’t put into words how much I appreciate it.
If one day you will decide to read it, I hope that you will enjoy it. Just know that there are plenty of different POVs (though the first one has fewer), which can be a bit confusing, but it is important that the story would be told this way.
And I’m done now, ’cause if I write one more paragraph it will look like another review altogether, LOL
I’m STILL waiting for my copy to arrive (it was returned I don’t know why and I had to order it again.) Anyway, I cannot wait to read it! I’m dying to read it!
And I LOVE your review so much!!
Oh hun, and here I was thinking that our postal service was the worst ever, but you’ve been having so many troubles with it lately. I am so sorry to hear that, because I know how terrible the wanting can really be *sigh* I hope that you will get it as soon as possible, because it was a great ending to the series. I hope that you will love it too 🙂
If only all dystopias would be as great as this one.. sigh
That is true. Such complex characters and plot lines… It was all insanely beautiful. I can’t put into words my deep love for this series!
I’ve been trying to comment this review since the day you posted it, but my internet connection, no luck.
I didn’t know about the teaser! Wow! so amazing!!!
I adored this book and I can’t even tell you how wonderful your review and the images you picked are.
And… I love your new design! I was the biggest fan of the old one, but this is just as pretty!
Thanks, honey, I really hope that you’ll have a better experience with this new theme as I felt bad when you couldn’t access the blog 🙁 I tried to minimise the graphic elements and to make it compatible with mobile devices (things that lacked before). I hope that it worked ;))
The book.. It is amazing, the whole series is. I might write about it on the skyline as that is just how much I love this world, the characters, everything.. Well, not really love the world, that would be creepy, but it’s still amazing even in this horrifying way ;)))
Thanks again :*
Hi! I have a quick question: is there an epilogue at the end of this book???
No, not that I remember, but this December a collection of short stories comes out and it should have something from the “future” in it. See this post for more details: https://www.readingaftermidnight.com/mf/tmcoc/miss-the-unwind-world.html
Thank you very much!!!! I’m SO excited! By the way, you have an AMAZING website!
Thank you! And I am really excited too, I love that series and I can’t wait to read something else in that universe, even if it’s just a few pages long.
I couldn’t agree more!!!! I never thought I’d find a book like this interesting or to be considered one of my favorites but boy was I wrong!! Gosh December couldn’t get here sooner can it??!!! =D
I think I will re-read all books when this one comes out, just for the pleasure of it 😉