The Unwanteds Series: The Unwanteds #1 Published by Simon and Schuster on July 10, 2012
Genres: Juvenile Fiction / Action & Adventure / General, Juvenile Fiction / Dystopian, Juvenile Fiction / Family / Siblings, Juvenile Fiction / Fantasy & Magic, JUVENILE FICTION / General, Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / Friendship
Pages: 390
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Goodreads
Reading Challenges: 2024 Audiobook challenge, Beat the backlistA riveting middlegrade dystopian novel from New York Times bestselling Wake author Lisa McMann that Kirkus Reviews calls “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.”
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.
Review:
The Unwanteds is being billed as Harry Potter meets Hunger Games, and I usually cringe when I see this kind of hype cause it rarely, at least for me, lives up to it. I was wrong in this case. We have two types of kids: those who are wanted and those who are unwanted and the unwanted are sent off to be killed, never to be seen again. Now that would make. For a concise story, if that was true. In reality, what is been told is once again not true. Dystopian themes are vital in this middle-grade tale. We have two worlds, one Dystopian and one Magical. You have a set of boys who are brothers; one is wanted, and the other is unwanted. What plays out between these, the dystopian stiffing world of Quill, and the creativity and engaging time makes for a very engaging middle-grade read. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook version.
About Lisa McMann
Lisa McMann lives in Tempe, Arizona. She is married to fellow writer, Matt McMann, and they have two adult children. Her son is artist Kilian McMann, and her daughter is actor Kennedy McMann.
Lisa was born in Holland, Michigan, and she lived there until 2004, when she moved to Arizona with her family. She also spends parts of the year in Sacramento, CA, and Vancouver, BC, Canada. Her first book, Wake, came out in 2008.
In her spare time, Lisa likes to take walks and cook. She also likes to watch TV and movies and loves to read fantasy, realistic fiction, memoirs, and books about cooking and wine.
Lisa is the author of over two dozen books for young adults and children. Some of her most well-known books are The Unwanteds series for middle grade readers and the Wake trilogy for young adults
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