Book Review: The Unwanteds

The Unwanteds
Author: Lisa McMann
Pages: 390 pgs
Reading Level: MG
Release Date: August 30th 2011
Review Source: Aladdin - Simon & Schuster
Available: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Borders

Summarry: (from goodreads) 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.

Harry Potter has set the standard for youth books. Some books like The Percy Jackson Series have made a name for themselves and have found fame in this young adult novel era. The Unwanteds, I find is a nice refreshing novel that drew me in, to a fantastic new world of magic and creativity.

In a colorless world where only the strong survive, we find a young Alex Stowe being torn away from his twin brother Aaron. Being creative and artistic, Alex is sentenced to die by his government, Quill. Along with the other Unwanted, Alex goes to the Death Farm where they are taken to be eliminated. They are surprised however to find a magician named Mr. Today, who turns out to be a savior. The kids and the reader are introduced to a world full of magic and fantasy.