The Unwanteds Series
by Lisa McMann

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"My award-winning, bestselling fantasy series, THE UNWANTEDS, is about a society where 13-year-olds are sorted into groups. The kids who obey the strict no-creativity rules of Quill are considered Wanted, and they get to go to university. The kids who have been caught doing something creative are considered Unwanted, and they are sent to their deaths. Follow 13-year-old twins Aaron and Alex as they are forced down opposite paths." - Lisa McMann

Review
The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter in this middle-grade departure from McMann's string of paranormal mysteries with romance for young adults.

On the day of Purge in totalitarian Quill, which is run by the High Priest Justine, 13-year-olds learn if they are deemed Wanted to attend the university, Necessary to tend the land or Unwanted and purged by execution. Without a good-bye from his Wanted identical brother Aaron, Alex Stowe and the other Unwanteds travel to the Death Farm. Instead of death, they meet the lush and magical world of Artimè, kept secret from Justine by mage Marcus Today. In a third-person narration characterized by even pacing and whimsical inventions, Alex and his peers learn that their creativity threatened Justine's power. Surrounded by talking blackboards, transporting tubes and such fantastical creatures as an octagator (with the head of an alligator and body of an octopus) for instructors, the teens hone their drawing, music and acting skills while also wielding paintbrushes for invisibility spells and iambic pentameter to stun attackers during Magical Warrior Training, in preparation for battle against the Quillitary. As the youths explore fear, responsibility and free thinking, their spells may be used sooner than they think when Alex's twin bond is tested and rivals vie for Aaron's new position in Justine's government.

Blending elements from two popular genres, this is sure to be a double hit. - KIRKUS, April 15, 2011

Published by the Alladin imprint of Simon & Schuster in hardcover and paperback editions as well as other formats.


Unwanteds Cover Art Book 1: The Unwanteds (2011) For Sale

When Alex finds out he is Unwanted, he expects to die. That is the way of the people of Quill. Each year, all the thirteen-year-olds are labeled as Wanted, Necessary, or Unwanted. Wanteds get more schooling and train to join the Quillitary. Necessaries keep the farms running. Unwanteds are set for elimination.

It's hard for Alex to leave behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted, but he makes peace with his fate-until he discovers that instead of a "death farm," what awaits him is a magical place called Artimé. There, Alex and his fellow Unwanteds are encouraged to cultivate their creative abilities and use them magically. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it's a wondrous transformation.

But it's a rare, unique occurrence for twins to be divided between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artimé that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate magical battle.

Unwanteds Cover Art Book 2: The Unwanteds: Island of Silence (2012) For Sale

Following the life-altering events at the conclusion of The Unwanteds, the stark world of Quill and the magical haven of Artimé are now home to whoever wants to live there, whether they are Wanteds, Unwanteds, or Necessaries.

In Artimé, Alex Stowe and his friends continue to hone their artistic magical spells while welcoming newcomers, wondering how long this peace between Quill and Artimé will last. Alex is stunned when Mr. Today comes to him with a very special request-one Alex questions his readiness for, until circumstances offer a dramatic answer.

And back in Quill, Aaron Stowe, Alex's twin, faces a very different path. Devastated by his loss of status after Justine's defeat and seething with rage toward Alex, Aaron is stealthily planning his revenge and return to power.

Alex and Aaron's separate stories proceed with suspenseful pacing, colliding in a stunning climax that elevates sibling rivalry to epic proportions and leaves the fate of both worlds hanging in the balance.

Unwanteds Cover Art Book 3: The Unwanteds: Island of Fire (2013) For Sale

The fate of Artimé is at stake-and an unlikely alliance could redeem it-in book three in the New York Times bestselling Unwanteds series.

The magical world of Artimé is gone. The Unwanteds have no food, no water, and no hope. And everyone is looking to Alex Stowe for answers.

Overwhelmed and feeling totally helpless, Alex knows it's up to him to find a way to restore Artimé, rescue his captive friends, and free Megan from her voice-stealing necklace of thorns-three impossible tasks. But could help lie with the silent, orange-eyed newcomers?

Meanwhile, in the stark land of Quill, Alex's twin brother Aaron continues to build his army, preparing for the ultimate showdown with the Unwanteds. But a shocking twist reveals that Alex and Aaron share a common enemy more dangerous than either could have imagined...

Unwanteds Cover Art Book 4: The Unwanteds: Island of Legends (2014) For Sale

Uncover adventure and dangerous secrets in book four of the New York Times bestselling Unwanteds series, which Kirkus Reviews called "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter."

When hundreds of lights appear across the sea during Artimé's first annual masquerade ball, the party is over. Artimé is under attack, and Alex, the magical world's young mage, must prove he can handle his newfound leadership.

Alex receives no help from Aaron, his scheming twin brother. Instead of rallying Quill to help defend their island, Aaron disappears and happens upon a dangerous secret hidden in the jungle-one with the potential to give him the power he desperately desires.

Even in the midst of battle Alex hasn't forgotten his promise to rescue his new friend Sky's mother from the volatile Pirates Island, a rocky volcano that randomly spits fire and sinks beneath the ocean's surface with little warning. Once the rescue team is on the way, friendships are tested and the stakes are high. Ultimately the team discovers there are more creatures than they ever imagined in the waters surrounding their island chain-and not all of them are friendly.

Adventure, danger, legendary creatures, exotic beasts, and the most unusual island so far rise up to challenge Alex and his friends from Artimé in this thrilling continuation of Lisa McMann's The Unwanted series

Unwanteds Cover Art Book 5: The Unwanteds: Island of Shipwrecks (2015) For Sale

A risky decision endangers both Artimé and Quill in book five of the New York Times bestselling Unwanteds series, which Kirkus Reviews called "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter."

Alex and his friends from Artimé are stranded on a newly discovered island after barely surviving a storm that destroys their ship. And it turns out they're not alone.

Back in Quill, Aaron's power base grows as he aligns himself with an unlikely ally. Together, the two enact a drastic, risky plan to finally conquer Artimé-a plan that could ultimately leave everyone in both Artimé and Quill in far more danger than Aaron realizes.

Unwanteds Cover Art Book 6: The Unwanteds: Island of Graves (2015) For Sale

On the brink of war, the fates of both Artimé and Quill are at stake in book six of the New York Times bestselling Unwanteds series, which Kirkus Reviews called "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter."

Alex and Aaron Stowe are at a crossroads.

Everything Aaron has worked so hard to build in Quill has crumbled. Fallen from the height of power and influence and left for dead in a foreign place, Aaron has lost everything, and now he must humbly beg for food from those who saved his life.

In Artimé, Alex chooses his people over his brother and abandons his search for Aaron, closing the door on that relationship forever. The Artimeans need his focus now more than ever as they face the terrifying power of a new enemy who has taken control of Quill-the notoriously evil Gondoleery Rattrapp.

Unwanteds Cover Art Book 7: The Unwanteds: Island of Dragons (2016) For Sale

Twins Alex and Aaron Stowe are put to the ultimate test to fulfill their destinies and save both Quill and Artimé from the deadliest enemy the cities have ever faced in the thrilling conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Unwanteds series, which Kirkus Reviews called "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter."

Head mage Alexander Stowe and his friends successfully fended off the latest threat to their magical world of Artimé with the help of a surprise ally. United at last, they're exploring exciting new territory. But old enemies have secretly been plotting against them, and danger strikes when they're most vulnerable.

Now Alex must lead his people in a final epic battle, one they can't hope to win alone. Loyalties will be tested, and powerful new abilities will emerge on both sides of the war that could change everything.

Will Artimé finally know peace or will all that Alex and his people have fought for be destroyed forever?

THE UNWANTEDS QUESTS



Unwanteds Cover Art Book 1: The Unwanteds Quests: Dragon Captives (2017) For Sale

Ten years after Alex and Aaron Stowe brought peace to Quill and Artimé, their younger twin sisters journey beyond the islands in this first novel of a new sequel series to The Unwanteds, which Kirkus Reviews called "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter."

Identical twins Fifer and Thisbe Stowe have amazing yet uncontrollable magical abilities. They're naturally more gifted than even their brother, Alex, the head mage of Artimé, could hope to be. But when they accidentally use their magic in the jungle of Artimé to strike down a beloved creature, Alex is furious, and threatens to lock them away until they can learn to control their power.

The threat is soon forgotten, though, when Hux, the ice blue dragon, comes to Artimé bearing the horrible news that his siblings have been enslaved by the notoriously evil Revinir, ruler of the dragon land.

Seeking a chance to right their wrong and escape their brother's wrath, Thisbe, Fifer, and their friend Seth sneak away to rescue the dragons from grave peril. Will their untrained abilities be enough to save the dragons-and themselves-when they come face-to-face with the Revinir?

Unwanteds Cover Art Book 2: The Unwanteds Quests: Dragon Bones (2018) For Sale

Ten years after Alex and Aaron Stowe brought peace to Quill and Artimé, their younger twin sisters journey beyond Artimé in the second novel in the New York Times bestselling sequel series to The Unwanteds, which Kirkus Reviews called "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter."

The Artiméans have suffered some devastating blows.

After years of peace, the recent daring adventure of twins Thisbe and Fifer Stowe have brought about dire consequences. Thisbe has been captured, Fifer is injured, and Sky is lost at sea. The twins' older brother Alex, head mage of Artimé, is paralyzed with fear of losing anyone else he loves. Fifer must convince him to finally trust her to help in the battle ahead now that their true enemy has been revealed.

Meanwhile Thisbe is trapped underground in the catacombs, where the ancient dragon rulers are buried. Along with fellow prisoners, Thisbe's job is to transport dragon bones from her crypt to the extracting room, where others extract the magical properties dormant in the bones. When it appears no one is coming back to rescue her, Thisbe must train in secret, trying to learn how to control her fiery magic and use it to escape. As her situation becomes more grave, she might even have to align herself with the ultimate evil.

Unfortunately it's a risk she has to take.