For readers who fell in love with Harry Potter, The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann offers an entirely new kind of magical adventureāone that blends creativity, rebellion, and a battle between conformity and self-expression. While both series feature young protagonists discovering hidden worlds, The Unwanteds reimagines the idea of a magical education by tying it directly to artistic expression. Instead of wands and spells, this world thrives on creativity as a means of survival, making it a fresh and exciting read for anyone who loved the themes of discovery and self-empowerment in Harry Potter.
Unlike the wizarding world of Harry Potter, where magical ability is a birthright, The Unwanteds presents a dystopian society where creativity is seen as a crime. In the land of Quill, children are sorted at the age of thirteen into two groups: the Wanteds, who are strong and obedient enough to serve the government, and the Unwanteds, who are too creative and, therefore, sentenced to be eliminated. However, what they believe to be their execution turns out to be their salvation. Instead of death, the Unwanteds are whisked away to ArtimeĢ, a secret world where art, music, and imagination are transformed into powerful forms of magic.
This world-building element makes The Unwanteds stand out as a fantasy series that does more than just introduce magicāit makes a statement about the power of creativity. While Harry Potter embraces the idea of magic as something to be studied and wielded, The Unwanteds turns it into a tool for rebellion, self-expression, and transformation. This unique spin offers readers a chance to see magic not as a set of rules to be learned but as an extension of their own creative potential.
Like Harry Potter, Alex Stowe grows up believing he is nothing special, only to discover that he has a much greater destiny ahead of him. However, where Harryās struggles stem from an external antagonistāVoldemortāAlexās biggest challenge is breaking free from the mindset of oppression instilled in him by his upbringing. He starts his journey believing that being an Unwanted is a curse, only to realize that it is actually a gift.
His journey is less about discovering a hidden magical world and more about unlearning everything he was taught about himself. His twin brother, Aaron, is deemed a Wanted and remains in Quill, making Alexās story deeply personal. His growth is not just about mastering magic but about confronting the emotional weight of being cast aside, learning to trust in his own abilities, and ultimately standing up against the system that tried to erase him. This emotional depth makes his character arc one of the most compelling aspects of the series.
One of the most beloved aspects of Harry Potter is the way it emphasizes friendship and found family, and The Unwanteds captures this same spirit. ArtimeĢ is a haven for those who have been discarded, a place where outcasts come together to create something beautiful and powerful. The relationships between the characters feel authentic, filled with the same kind of warmth, humor, and occasional conflict that made the friendships in Harry Potter so memorable.
However, what sets The Unwanteds apart is how it emphasizes individuality within these friendships. Each character finds their own way to contribute, whether through visual arts, music, acting, or other creative talents, reinforcing the idea that magic is an extension of self-expression. This approach makes every friendship feel layered and dynamic, as the charactersā strengths are not just magical abilities but reflections of their personalities and passions.
While Harry Potter features a battle between good and evil, The Unwanteds presents a different kind of struggle: one between creativity and suppression. The world of Quill is built on strict order and obedience, while ArtimeĢ thrives on freedom and imagination. This contrast makes the stakes feel deeply personalānot just for Alex, but for everyone who has ever felt like they didnāt belong.
As the series progresses, the tension between these two worlds escalates into an all-out war, forcing the characters to fight for their right to exist as they are. This conflict resonates on a deeper level because it reflects real-world struggles against conformity and oppression. It isnāt just about defeating an enemy; itās about proving that creativity has value, that art and expression are forms of power, and that being different is not something to fear.
What makes Harry Potter so special is its ability to make readers feel like magic could exist just beyond the edges of their everyday lives. The Unwanteds takes this a step further by showing that magic isnāt just something youāre born withāitās something you create. By turning art, music, and storytelling into a source of magic, it sends a powerful message to young readers: imagination is a force that can change the world.
For those looking for a series that captures the heart, wonder, and excitement of Harry Potter while offering a fresh, thought-provoking take on magic, The Unwanteds is the perfect next adventure. It is a story that celebrates creativity as the ultimate source of power, reminding readers that what makes them different is what makes them extraordinary.