Brief Synopsis
“The Unwanteds” is a middle-grade fantasy novel by Lisa McMann, and the first in an ongoing series. After a yearly Purge, in which the more artistic teens of Quill are sent to their deaths, Alex Stowe believes his life is over. However, he meets an eccentric magician who tells him that all is not what it seems…
Content Warnings: Death, Intense Action (PG-13)
What Do I Think?
“The Unwanteds” is a book with many ideas that, at a basic level, just isn’t entirely sure how to implement them all. At its base level, it is about the dichotomy of free will versus rigid structure, and it handles that idea very well: the contrast between the freewheeling Artimé and the morose Quill is obvious and creates an excellent backdrop for the story to take place. Aside from this, however, “The Unwanteds” goes in so many directions it can be difficult to pick up or care about them all.
First, there are the characters. There are many. The beginning of the book sets up a conflict between the two twin brothers, Alex and Aaron Stowe – one whom represents Artimé’s perspective, and the other representing Quill. Excellent! There’s a solid conflict, and for the first few chapters it seems very obvious who our main characters are.
Then the novel unexpectedly shifts perspective, until by the end of it we’ve focused on nearly six different characters. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing – stories with multiple POVs can be fantastic! – but the problem is that it isn’t what the book sets itself up as in the beginning, and there just isn’t enough space to properly focus on them all. This results in several characters’ arcs being concluded in ways that feel rushed (for example, one character is simply killed off-page, and the story quickly moves on as if it isn’t a big deal).
The magic system, too, is one that feels like it needs a lot of fleshing out. On the one hand, there seems to be some rigid structure: some spells require specific words or phrases, and yet others just…happen. It can make it hard to understand when a pivotal moment happens, and difficult to relate when characters complain about supposed limits to their magic.
Now, I know this review has taken on a bit of a negative tone, but I did genuinely enjoy “The Unwanteds.” The plot is tight and moves quickly, and while there are times where the magic system is confusing, the characters and their desires are anything but. At no point does it feel like the plot is handwaving big moments between the characters, from the alliances forged to the friendships shattered. That proves to be the novel’s saving grace, as by the end of the story you are fully engaged.
Does “The Unwanteds” have some problems? Absolutely. However, overall it is an enjoyable read that very clearly is setting up a much larger narrative. If you like fantasy stories with a large cast and an interesting magic system, there is a lot to love here.
Jacob Ryckman 