Few issues today remind one of America's polarizing, high-stakes political landscape quite like that of abortion rights. Whether one be pro-life or pro-choice is irrelevant when it comes to measuring stubbornness and passion on both sides of the fence. And although this determination to fully engage oneself and one's idea in the democratic process is an admirable trait, Neil Shusterman shows just how dangerous it is to only compromise out of necessity in one of his latest novels, Unwind.

This book is sure to put any reader on the edge of their seat. It explores a horrific compromise society comes to when the war over abortion rights becomes too costly. In the Unwind Accords peace treaty, both the pro-choice and pro-life armies decide to fuse together their ideologies by forbidding the termination of an unborn child, but still giving parents the right to "unwind" their offspring before the age of eighteen if he or she becomes too burdensome.

Unwinding, a process said to be the opposite of death, allows children to live in a "divided state" while their organs are used to treat needy patients. For many in this dystopian society, this seems a great way to both rid the world of troubled youths and fulfill a massive need for organ donors, but for the donors themselves, it is nothing short of a nightmare scenario.

Unwind begins with the story of Connor Lassiter, the type of troubled young man who would probably not be an uncommon sight in today's sprawling suburbs. About to be torn away from the only life he knows by both his parents and the Juvenile Authority, he must make a choice: try to escape, or be unwound. Choosing to fight, Connor soon finds himself on the run and making a name for himself with both the authorities and those who begin to look up to him as an example of a hopeful future.

Despite the exciting appeal and interesting philosophical points, however, this novel definitely lacks a certain emotional element. Perhaps the author is trying to connect with a teenage audience through his stereotypical dialogue, but it certainly does not scream out with authenticity. One always craves a character that one can connect to, but throughout the book this seems to be an impossible dream. Sure, the children's plight evokes certain feelings of empathy, but their behavior, dialogue, and general mannerisms do not in any way foster attachment between the reader and the characters. Their actions may be heroic, but the personalities behind them are one-dimensional and surprisingly lackluster.

All in all, an important lesson is delivered in an entertaining way. Kind of like on Sesame Street.

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