Review: The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

Sep 26, 2011 by shanyn

Title: The Unwanteds
Series: The Unwanteds #1
Hardcover, 390 pages
Author: Lisa McMann
Publisher: Aladdin
Publication Date: August 30, 2011
Source: Publisher
Buy: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

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Book Summary from Goodreads.com:
Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths.

Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret—behind the mirage of the “death farm” there is instead a place called Artime.

In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it’s a wondrous transformation.

But it’s a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron’s bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

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Review:
I am a big fan of Lisa McMann – both as an author and as a person. I met her at BBC this year and she was delightful and lovely and so friendly (which was actually kind of weird if you think about the topics of the books she has written – they are kind of dark/creepy at times).

I occasionally read middle grade novels, and definitely do so if it is by an author I have enjoyed in the YA realm – Lauren Oliver is the most recent example of this. So there was no question that I would NOT read The Unwanteds, even if it doesn’t seem like my kind of book.

I loved it. I tried to think of another way to open this paragraph, but that’s really the gist of the whole thing – I loved The Unwanteds. I don’t think the description holds up to the actual content of the book – I thought it was going to be very very middle grade, not much depth at all – but McMann’s imagery brought the whole thing together beautifully. I loved the premise of the story, was fascinated by the world they lived in, and ended up reading it all in nearly one sitting because I was wondering what would happen with Alex and his twin.

I believe that this series has several (seven? eight?) books scheduled to be released, and I really can’t wait. The Unwanteds is a magical, imaginative land with a lot of possibilities. It would be great as a read aloud to a class or other younger child.

Buy: Amazon

Related Posts:

• Waiting on Wednesday: Dead to You by Lisa McMann
• Review: Cryer’s Cross by Lisa McMann
• Review: Fade by Lisa McMann
• Review: Wake by Lisa McMann