Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - Desconexión

Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

Desconexión by Neal Shusterman

12 reviews

milshollini's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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racheldonna14's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I read this book in 2010 and decided to reread and see if it was as good as I remember. It was better, and the themes ring loudly post Roe.
The characters start as 2D characters of a troubled teen, ward of the state, and religious tithe which allows the world to be the main character for a while. The world of this book feels familiar (because its mostly Ohio and Arizona) but the rules are different and it takes the reader on a journey to see what the USA has become post Second World War. Once the world is concretely established, the characters, and their relationships between one other, begin to blossom and become complex and whole. Each of their motivations and desires are unique leaving no room for confusion as to why they make the choices that they make even if the choice is wrong. The story is gut-wrenching and visceral from beginning to end.

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mpbookreviews's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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oliverreeds's review against another edition

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dark hopeful tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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snazz07's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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_mims_'s review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Great dystopian fiction is great because the reader can see the literary dystopias reflected in our current society. This is certainly not the case with Unwind. The premise was absurd. A civil war over abortion? It felt a little too silly. I picked up the book, fully prepared to hate it. And I did- at first. However, Shusterman managed to turn his absurd premise into something surprisingly readable. It certainly isn’t Nobel prize worthy, but it was easy entertainment. Would have liked to see more focus on the characters rather than just plot progression. I thought the concept of the tithe was very interesting and would have loved to see more of Lev in the book. Overall, if you just want to turn your brain off for a few hours and enjoy some interesting plot twists, this is a good choice. Felt a little preachy at some points.

Spoiler

Romance was not fleshed out at all. Shusterman should either have developed it more thoroughly or left it out entirely. However, it wasn’t just the romance that felt hollow. All of the relationships lacked depth. The dynamic between Lev and the other main characters felt particularly nonsensical. </spoiler >

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cepbreed's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I really love Neal Shusterman, I love the YA dystopia genre and I miss its golden age. Doesn't mean this doesn't hold up today! I really enjoyed this book and finished it in one school day so I think I'll finish the second tomorrow, but I'm interested to see how the series continues, this didn't exactly end in a way that needs continuation. I bet it's a new cast of characters. If that's the case I'm really going to miss the intellect and the impulse. How in the hell did Shusterman manage to sneak a fake-dating trope in a dystopia and why did I love it so much!!!

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