The Unwanteds
Lisa McMann
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Audio
Release Date: September 20, 2011
Unabridged Compact Disk, 7 disks
Narrator: Simon Jones

Rating: 4 stars

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.

The Unwanteds was a really fun book – I quite enjoyed it. I listen to audio books as I walk around campus, to and from class, and whenever I had to stop listening, I just wanted to pick it back up again. I had only read Cryer’s Cross by Lisa McMann, but after this one, I am quite certain I need to read her Wake series soon!

I really enjoyed the narration of The Unwanteds. Simon Jones had so many different voices for the different characters. My particular favorite was Ms Octavia, I loved that she was southern. I thought the narration just made the book so much more interesting, I felt like I was simply in Artime.

I really liked a lot of the characters, but to me, it felt like there was at least one character driving me a bit crazy for a lot of the book. Lani really bothered me for the first half of the book, I thought she was annoying and simply a nusance. She got much better as the book went on. Ms. Octavia was one of my favorite characters of the book, I just loved her. Megan was another really great character.

The plot was a lot of fun – I loved the whole idea. Artsy, creative kids get the short end of the stick way too often, but taking that short end of the stick to the extremes was just super cool. The world was neat, I loved finding out all the details about Artime. I was always finding out something new about the world or some quirky thing that was allowed there.

The Unwanteds was a great read, it was simply just a ton of fun! With its great world and intriguing premise, The Unwanteds is definitely a book you do not want to miss. I love fantasy, and whenever I find more, it is just lovely.