The description on the cover of the dystopian novel The Unwanteds that reads: “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter,” given by Kirkus Reviews, is an accurate one.  Author Lisa McMann takes us to the dystopian society of Quill, where those with brains and brawn are fostered and given preference and those with creativity and curiosity are discouraged and even “eliminated.” For the past 50 years Quill has systematically been eliminating any 13-year-old that has shown any signs of creativity–whether through drawing, singing, dancing or even storytelling and boasting–in a yearly purge. In turn, those that are subservient and obedient are promoted to “wanted” status and given preferential treatment.  In the beginning of the book we are introduced to Alex, Lani, Megan and Samheed, all of whom have been purged and think they are going to their deaths.

The Unwanteds is an interesting take on the dystopian genre. Bringing in the element of magic makes it more interesting and a little less gruesome and dark when compared to other dystopian novels.  McMann does a wonderful job creating wonderful visions of her dystopian society as well as the magical world of Artime, which contrast one another so vividly. She further enhances this contrast with one of the main characters being an identical twin to one who happened to be a “Wanted,” which is the elite of Quill. This element of the story helps the reader to see both ways of life in these protected societies. Imagination and creativity not only prevail, but abound in this book as well.

The Unwanteds is the first in a three-volume (so far) series, and Mann has set it up nicely for future novels. Her take on a dystopian society was a nice change of pace and it will be interesting to see how she builds on that as well as how she grows as a writer. 

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  Several (11) accounts of verbal threats and ideas of revenge; 3 accounts of death; battle scene between magical and non-magical world with use of guns and knives on one side and magical weapons on the other which results in injuries described in a non-gory way.

Sex/Nudity:  Hand holding and one brief kiss.

Mature Subject Matter:

Societal tradition of “eliminating” children; Revenge; Parental indifference/abandonment.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None