New to the series
Begin with The Unwanteds. Move to Dragon Captives only after finishing Island of Dragons.
Book Series · 14 Books
The Unwanteds Books
In order from The Unwanteds to Dragon Fury.
Two separately numbered seven-book fantasy series about creative children resisting authoritarian rule and defending the magical refuge of Artimé.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read The Unwanteds Books
Read The Unwanteds books #1–7 first, followed by The Unwanteds Quests #1–7. Quests begins ten years later with the next generation, so the page shows two sequences that each restart at book one—not one official #1–14 series.
Sources: Official series guidance.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The opening premise says thirteen-year-olds judged Unwanted are sent to their deaths. The series includes authoritarian rule, magical battles, injuries, deaths, sibling conflict, and war, balanced by creativity, friendship, humor, and resistance to oppression.
Where to start
Where Should My Child Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$958
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011
The Unwanteds
By Lisa McMann
In a world where creativity means death, Alex discovers a hidden realm that could change everything.
416 pages· 68,020 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
4.0/7 Bookroo
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In Quill, thirteen-year-olds are divided: the Wanted thrive, the Unwanted perish. Alex, deemed Unwanted, faces his fate but uncovers Artime, a magical haven for creativity. As he embraces this new world, his bond with his twin, Aaron, a Wanted, is tested. With Artime's survival at stake, the brothers are drawn into a magical conflict that could tear them apart. Can Alex protect his newfound home, or will brotherly ties lead to its downfall?
In reading order
The Unwanteds Series
7 books · Published 2011–2016
#1
Sale price
$958
The Unwanteds
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2011
In a world where creativity means death, Alex discovers a hidden realm that could change everything.
#2
Sale price
$958
Island of Silence
Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2012
Twin brothers clash as peace teeters between magical realms.
#3
Sale price
$958
Island of Fire
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2013
A vanished world, a desperate quest, and a hidden enemy threaten everything.
#4
Sale price
$958
Island of Legends
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2014
A young mage faces an attack, a treacherous twin, and a perilous rescue mission.
#5
Sale price
$958
Island of Shipwrecks
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015
A storm strands Alex on a mysterious island, while Aaron's risky plan threatens Artimé and Quill.
#6
Sale price
$958
Island of Graves
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015
Two brothers face a new enemy as war looms, testing loyalty and survival.
#7
Sale price
$958
Island of Dragons
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016
Twins face a deadly enemy to save their worlds in a final epic battle.
Companion series
The Unwanteds Quests Series
7 books · Published 2017–2021
#1
Sale price
$1999
Dragon Captives
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2017
Twin sisters with wild magic defy danger to rescue enslaved dragons.
#2
Sale price
$899
Dragon Bones
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018
Twins face perilous trials as they uncover dark secrets and battle ancient forces.
#3
Sale price
$1899
Dragon Ghosts
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019
Twins face war and dark history, risking everything for family and home.
#4
Sale price
$1899
Dragon Curse
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2019
Sisters face peril and sacrifice to save their magical world from destruction.
#5
Sale price
$1899
Dragon Fire
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2020
Artimé is at war, and Fifer faces a choice that could alter her fate forever.
#6
Sale price
$899
Dragon Slayers
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2020
Twins trapped by dragons must choose sides in a battle of good and evil.
#7
Sale price
$1899
Dragon Fury
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2021
A betrayal shatters trust as a desperate battle against a powerful foe looms. Can peace be restored?
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Unwanteds series?
There are 14 books in the main Unwanteds story so far, organized into 2 series. It begins with The Unwanteds in 2011, and the newest published main-story book is Dragon Fury from 2021.
What order should you read the Unwanteds books in?
Start with The Unwanteds and follow the story arcs in the order shown above. Book numbering restarts at #1 within each arc.
What ages are the Unwanteds books best for?
The series is best for ages 8–13, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Unwanteds book is the longest?
Dragon Ghosts (Book #3) is the longest book in the series at 94,854 words (523 pages).
Which Unwanteds book is the shortest?
The Unwanteds (Book #1) is the shortest at 68,020 words (416 pages).
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring The Unwanteds to life.
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