Unwind/Characters

Everything About Fiction You Never Wanted to Know.


The characters of the novel Unwind:

Connor Lassiter

"Yes, it is an answer. Maybe it's the best answer of all. If more people could admit they really don't know, maybe there never would have been a Heartland War."

One of the three main characters, Connor was signed by his parents to be unwound because of his trouble-making nature. He plans to runaway with his friend and crush Ariana, but she backs out at the last second. Connor gets caught, but manages to escape and meets Risa while rescuing Lev.

Risa Megan Ward

"Don't I have a choice in this?

One of the three main characters, Risa is an orphan at Ohio State Home 23, StaHo for short. After making several mistakes during her piano recital, Risa is one of the 5% population of the teenagers there that are going to be unwound to suffice the orphanage's budgets. She escapes the bus taking her to the Harvest Camp and ends up meeting Connor and Lev.

Levi "Lev" Jedediah Calder

This is what I was born for. It's what I've lived my life for. I am chosen. I am blessed. And I am happy.

One of the three main characters, it was in Lev's religion to become unwound - as he is the "tithe." Along the highway, Lev is kidnapped by Connor as a hostage, but impulsively rescues Lev when he gets tranqed by a bullet meant for Connor.

Ariana

"Sure. Sure I do. I could leave here. If you asked me."

Connor's friend and crush in the beginning of the novel. Connor and Ariana planned to kick-AWOL together, but Ariana backs out at the last second because of she is the maid of honor at her sister's wedding and because of school.

  • Betty: Arguably the Betty to Risa's Veronica. Ariana was the closest girl to Connor until Risa came along and has known her longer (but we don't know much about her personality), while Risa is strong-willed, is a quick thinker, and is really quite capable of defending herself. It could be played both ways, but we don't really don't know much about Ariana to label her the Veronica.
  • The Ditz: According to Connor, Ariana wasn't all that bright.
  • Love Triangle: A mild, implied one between Connor, Risa, and Ariana.
  • Shallow Love Interest
  • Technicolor Eyes: Always gets the newest pigment injection. Ariana's current eye color the beginning of the novel is "sweet violet with streaks of gray."
  • Temporary Love Interest
  • Unlucky Childhood Friend: We don't know if she's Connor's childhood friend, but she's the closest girl to him until he meets Risa.

Alexis

"Hi, you must be new! I'm Alexis, and this is Chase."

A girl who Connor and Risa meet on a school bus. She has a baby son named Chase.

Hannah Steinburg

"Don't tell me your names. Don't tell me anything, so if they question me afterward, I won't be lying when I say I don't know."

A teacher who helps Connor and Risa escape the school and find shelter with Sonia, who shelters Unwinds. Hannah volunteers to take in the baby that Connor and Risa were caring for.

Sonia

"Maybe, maybe not. One thing you learn when you've lived as long as I have--people aren't all good, and people aren't all bad. We move in and out of darkness and light all of our lives. Right now, I'm pleased to be in the light."

An elderly woman who shelters Unwinds. She works with Hannah in protecting Unwinds. Nicknamed "Dragon Lady" by Hayden and Mai.

Roland

"Consider yourself lucky."

One of the three Unwinds that Connor and Risa meet when finding shelter with Sonia, Roland was going to be unwound because he beat up his stepfather for beating his mother; his mother took his stepfather's side instead. An intimidating adolescent who is both feared and respected, Roland sees Connor as a threat.

Hayden

"Let's take a poll--would you rather die, or be unwound?"

One of the three Unwinds that Connor and Risa meet when finding shelter with Sonia, Hayden came from a wealthy family, but when his parents had a divorce, they fought over the custody of Hayden, leading to an alternative choice - to have Hayden unwound rather than to have one of the parents have Hayden. A bit of a jokester, Hayden befriends Connor.

Hayden briefly takes over the Graveyard after Connor and the others take the Admiral to the hospital. He continues to work at the Graveyard to help Unwinds like himself.

Mai

"We get sent to the harvest camp and they cut us apart, that's what happens next."

One of the three Unwinds that Connor and Risa meet while finding shelter with Sonia, Mai was going to be unwound because her parents tried to have a boy and instead had another girl for the fourth time.

Mai becomes a Clapper after the death of her boyfriend Vincent and kills herself when she activates her detonator.


Cyrus "CyFi" Finch

"Ain't no one gonna tell you what's in your heart. You gotta find that out for yourself."

A young Umber who Lev accompanies to Joplin after Lev betrays Connor and Risa, Cy is friendly and optimistic.

It is later revealed that when he had surgery and recieved a 1/8 lobe of a brain from an Unwind, that Unwind - named Tyler - still believes he is alive and at times takes control over Cy's body to steal. Cyrus is going to Joplin for the sake of Tyler, and they both (sort of) concile with their respective parents.

Zachary "Emby"

"Wait till you're the one who's dying and see how you feel about it!"

One of the boys in the same crate as Connor and Hayden when they're sent to the Graveyard. Nicknamed the Mouth Breather.

Diego

"Unwound. I'd rather be unwound."

One of the boys in the same crate as Connor and Hayden when they're sent to the Graveyard. He is the quietest of them.

The Admiral/Admiral Dunfee

"I'd like to be the first to welcome you to the graveyard."

The Admiral is in charge of the Graveyard, where he protects Unwinds until they turn eighteen. Rumors spread that he's only after parts of the Unwinds for himself, but the Admiral is genuine about helping the Unwinds.

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