NYT best selling author

Monday, April 04, 2011

The first review for THE UNWANTEDS (my next book!)

*SPOILER ALERT* Don't read this review if you don't want to know what happens.
*FIRST CHAPTER ALERT* Go here to watch/listen to me read it.
NOTE: Publication date is now August 30, 2011.

THE UNWANTEDS
Author: McMann, Lisa

Review Date: April 15, 2011
Publisher:Aladdin
Pages: 400
Price ( Hardcover ): $16.99
Publication Date: September 20, 2011
ISBN ( Hardcover ): 978-1-4424-0768-8
Category: Fiction

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. (Dystopian fantasy. 10-14)

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Ooh I want to read and review this! =D

Landru said...

I believe that this book got a pretty rave review once before, just maybe not so public.

Lisa McMann said...

So true, Mr. Landru! Mwah!

Unknown said...

SOOO excited to read this. I'm a big fan of dystopians AND Lisa McManns, so this is right up my alley. Please let me know if you're doing any ARCs on this any time in the near future (contest, etc.). I would love to get my hands on one. Sounds like a great one!

~Tara

kari said...

This book sounds fantastic. Can't wait!

Lothar said...

I read this book! Just great. Is it a series because the ending finishes the book but there could still be a series.

Lisa McMann said...

It is indeed a series!