The Unwanteds Audiobook

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.

Download and start listening now!

"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)