The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
My name is Zach. I am a seventh grader, and live in Ketchum, ID. I enjoy playing board games, reading, mountain biking, Nordic and alpine skiing, playing with my family, snowmobiling, and being outside.
The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann takes place in a dystopian world, called Quill, where creativity is banned, and emotion is made to be a weakness. Every year, a ceremony occurs in which all the thirteen year olds’ role in society is determined. You are either a Wanted: the highest honor, Necessary: working class, or Unwanted: sentenced to death.
When identical twins Alex and Aaron are thirteen, Alex becomes Unwanted, and Aaron is Wanted. When Alex goes to die, no one yearns for him, as it is not allowed.
Miraculously, Alex gets saved by an idiosyncratic magician named Mr. Today, who declares them saved. Alex, along with the other Unwanteds, are shown the unimaginable world of Artimé, where magic is taught and creativity is celebrated.
Meanwhile, in Quill, Aaron is climbing the ranks of society, becoming assistant to the High Priest. Tensions rise, and when Alex shows Aaron he is alive, a war ensues between Artimé and Quill. Alex must band together with his friends to save Artime, and magic with it.
This book is so captivating, I couldn’t stop reading it. I would recommend this book for 10-14 year olds, as there is some gore, and drama. Additionally, if you like this book, there are many more books in the series, and a second spin off series to read.
