The Unwanteds

  

Another disappointing book, I'm afraid. Again, I don't think my opinion will hurt Lisa McMann, because The Unwanteds is a New York Times bestselling series of seven volumes and is evidently extremely popular! I borrowed it because I liked the premise: in the land of Quill, creative children are designated 'Unwanted' and 'purged' at the age of thirteen. However, instead of being chucked into a lake of boiling oil as they anticipate, they find themselves transported into a magical, colourful land where they can refine and explore their creative skills in safety. But a showdown is coming...

The Unwanteds is aimed at readers of 8-14, but that doesn't excuse the broad brush plot strokes, the liberal use of adverbs at every opportunity, and the thin characters. The cover blurb describes the series as 'The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter,' which is a stunning elevator pitch, and was no doubt irresistible to publishing executives. But unfortunately, for me, The Unwanteds never progresses far beyond the formulaic.