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The Unwanteds Audiobook
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(3.01) - 3,281 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A 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.
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"The Kirkus reviews really described this book best when they said it was "the Hunger Games meets Harry Potter." But it's also so much more than that, and so much better for it. In the land of Quill, when children turn 13 they are split into three categories: the wanted who go on to university and the military, the necessaries who become garbage collectors, cooks, mechanics and such, and the unwanteds who are sent off to their death. This book follows Alex Stowe after he is proclaimed an unwanted, and his brother Aaron who is a wanted. Alex and the other unwanteds discover what has really been happening to all the others that have supposedly been sent to die: they have secretly been sent to a magical sanctuary where they learn arts and expressing emotion. The Unwanteds focuses on loss and friendship and what it really means to be part of a community and to care about people. I really loved this book and would recommend it basically to anyone. Lisa McMann has created a world that you want to believe exists, where people are safe. She has created a world where people can express themselves and be exactly who they are, where this is not only accepted, but encouraged. I think every kid who has gone through middle or high school wishes that they could be in Artime where differences are praised instead of belittled. This book teaches its readers that are gifts not only make us different and special, they make us important and valuable. People need to share their gifts in order to make their community stronger. It is a story masterfully woven."
— Diana (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Imagination runs wild in this creative adventure.”
— Brandon Mull, #1 New York Times bestselling author -
“Fantasy readers will be drawn to this plot…Don’t expect this to stay long on your library shelves.”
— Library Media Connection -
“McMann has created a world of magical whimsy.”
— School Library Journal -
“The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter…Blending elements from two popular genres, this is sure to be a double hit.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Reading Lisa McMann’s The Unwanteds was like discovering a brilliant, lost children’s classic—except it’s never going to be lost, because readers will never, ever forget the magic they'll experience in its pages.”
— James A. Owen, author of Here, There Be Dragons
The Unwanteds Listener Reviews
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" LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! like it says on the cover, the HUNGER GAMES meets HARRY POTTER in a stunning way. "
— Rachel, 2/10/2014 -
" Not bad. A fun little book, perhaps a little out there, and I don't think the cover blurb is a whole lot of accurate. But a good kid's story. "
— Graham, 2/3/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this book! Good character development and a fast-paced plot and the magical world of Artime created by Mr. Today reminds me of a good-guy Wizard of Oz! Great for the middle school age group. "
— Ann, 2/1/2014 -
" Love! I have another favorite series. <3 can't wait till book two. "
— Rochy, 1/14/2014 -
" My 6th grade niece loaned me the book. She had loved it, and I enjoyed reading what she had liked so much. I did prefer it to Hunger Games. Even though kids end up fighting in this dystopia too, at least they use creative, art-based weaponry that most often has only a temporary, stunning effect. "
— Paula, 1/12/2014 -
" awesome creative and unforgetible "
— Ethan, 1/7/2014 -
" I loved it. It was action packed and adventurous. "
— Anna, 12/14/2013 -
" I was intrigued by the premise and enjoyed it initially, but the meandering plot, syrupy aspects, convenient but illogical plot contrivances wore on me. Still, it's a gentle-ish fantasy for middle grade readers. "
— Brenda, 12/10/2013 -
" Fantastic! Any middle grade student would love this - especially boys! "
— Laura, 11/16/2013 -
" Pre-read this book for Landon, and I really enjoyed it. Book 1 of what is to be a 7 book series. I have book 2 on hold at the library. It is described as Harry Potter meets Hunger Games, and that seems pretty accurate. "
— Jennifer, 11/8/2013 -
" I loved this book. It really was a mix of Hunger Games and Harry Potter. Easy read, but very interesting plot. If you're a fan of Harry Potter and/or Hunger Games, I would recommend it. "
— Gabbie, 11/1/2013 -
" I found this book creative. It was full of magic and reminded me a lot of Harry Potter in it's own way. It was a pretty sort read but still good. I found it interesting how the author created violence without death. I found it a great read for any age to comprehend and full of excitement. "
— Matthew, 10/15/2013 -
" Interesting dystopia concept of separating young teens into wanteds and unwanteds. Characters take unexpected actions. Begs for sequel. "
— Joan, 8/25/2013 -
" Absolutely fantastic book - a must read!! "
— Jayne, 3/25/2013 -
" Hunger Games/Harry Potter-lite. Not bad but not great. "
— Trevor, 1/12/2013 -
" It it sort of like a mellowed down Hunger Games in a Harry Potter world. It was lamely unsatisfying, and was dull and lifeless. Oddly, I finished it. P.S. what kind of bad guy (High Priest Justine) dies in the first book??? "
— Sir, 6/3/2012 -
" Dystopian fantasy. Grand adventure. "
— Martha, 1/9/2012 -
" I really enjoyed this read. A quick start, an intriguing plot. I got caught up quickly and was captured by the characters and story. Good recommendation for students. "
— Kandyce, 12/19/2011 -
" This book was like a vacation for me at a time when I really needed one. It was so much fun to read and I wanted to just melt into the pages and live within that magical island. I can't wait to get my hands on the second one in the series! "
— Shay, 10/14/2011 -
" Excellent book. I'm ready to read book two to find out what happens. Recommend to everyone. "
— Betty, 8/30/2011
About Lisa McMann
Lisa McMann is the New York Times bestselling author of the middle grade dystopian fantasy series The Unwanteds, the YA paranormal Wake trilogy, and several other series and books for kids and teens. Check out Lisa’s website at LisaMcMann.com or learn more about The Unwanteds Series at UnwantedsSeries.com.
About Simon Jones
Simon Jones is an English actor and award-winning audiobook narrator. Besides winning many AudioFile Earphones Awards for narration, he has won the prestigious Audie Award for best narration, including for top prize of Audiobook of the Year. He was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine and as “Narrator of the Year” in 2005 by Publishers Weekly. As an actor, he has been featured in numerous Broadway productions and has appeared in the films The Devil’s Own, Twelve Monkeys, For Love or Money, Green Card, Brazil, Monty Python’s Meaning of Life, and Miracle on 34th Street remake. His television appearances include a role in The Cosby Mysteries and Murder She Wrote. He studied at Cambridge University and the legendary Cambridge Footlights Dramatic Club.