The Unwanteds

The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann

Quill runs a severe classification system between Wanteds and Unwanteds. Wanted individuals follow the rules and do their jobs. Unwanteds show trouble or artistic leanings. When Quillians reach age 13, they attend the Purge. Wanteds become members of society while Unwanteds face the Eliminators. Unknown the to Wanteds, the Unwanteds enter a world of Artime that encourages creativity as a gift and as a weapon. The time is coming when Artime will be revealed.

The Kirkus Review quote on the cover reads, "The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter." Don't be fooled by comparing books. The Unwanteds can stand on it's own in the fantasy genre. Yes, there is magic like Harry Potter and yes, there are teens caught in a battle like Hunger Games. McMann adds talking statues and uncommon creatures. She pits siblings against each other and divides families and friends. She also opens to the doors to new friendships and the new lifestyles found in the colorful world of Artime. The Unwanteds is the first book of McMann's fantasty series. The second novel, Island of Silence, is coming in August of 2012. I am looking forward to hearing more about artistic Artime and colorless Quill.

Simon Jones reads this unabridged recording of The Unwanteds. His characters are distinctive and enjoyable. His natural accent is also enjoyable on the ears. I hope he returns to read McMann's second book.
Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
Series: Book 1, The Unwanteds
Read by Simon Jones
Produced by Simon & Schustler Audio
Number of Discs: 7
Total Time: 480 minutes

The Son of Neptune

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan


The Heroes of Olympus return! In the previous novel, The Lost Hero, a new camper arrived at Camp Half-Blood. The Son of Neptune picks up the other half of the story with the reappearance of our good friend Percy Jackson. Instead of returning to Camp Half-Blood, he is drawn to the Roman camp. His memories are gone, but his new friends help me maintain his grip on reality and even team up on a quest to the Alaska, the edge of the world!

Riordan is very compelling writer. I started listening to The Lightning Thief with the intent to become familiar with the series. I never thought to continue. Yet, here is a review for book two of series two. Riordan's books are excellent reads for tweens, teens, and adults. On a side note, recently watching The Eagle (2011) helped my understanding of Romans and their dedication to the eagle (pictured on the front of the novel).

Joshua Swanson returns as the reader. I appreciated that the selected reader for the series is consistent, but Swanson is not my preferred voice actor. I have grown accustomed to his renditions, but they fall flat for me. You might wonder why I bother to continue to listen rather than read. I began the Olympian series as audiobooks, so I must finish the series as an audiobook. It's consistency.

Reviewed from a library copy.

Audio Book Details...
The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
Series: Book 2, Heroes of Olympus
Read by Joshua Swanson
Produced by Listening Library
Number of Discs: 11
Total Time: 13 hours, 28 minutes