Lisa McMann

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About Lisa McMann

Lisa McMann lives in Sacramento, California. She is married to fellow writer and musician, Matt McMann, and they have two adult children. Her son is an artist named Kilian McMann and her daughter is an actor, Kennedy McMann.

Lisa was born in Holland, Michigan, and she lived there until 2004, when she moved to Mesa, Arizona with her family. She and her husband moved to midtown Sacramento in 2019. They like to write on their balcony overlooking the park across the street. Her first book, Wake, came out in 2008.

In her spare time, Lisa likes to take walks around the California State Capitol grounds, shop at local stores, and cook. She also likes to watch TV and movies and loves to read fantasy, realistic fiction, memoirs, and books about cooking and wine.

Lisa is the author of over two dozen books for young adults and children. So far she has written in genres including paranormal, realistic, dystopian, and fantasy. Some of her most well-known books are The Unwanteds series for middle grade readers and the Wake trilogy for young adults. She hopes to keep writing books for a long time.

There are 7 books in The Unwanteds series, and a new spinoff series continues the story:
Book 1, THE UNWANTEDS
Book 2, THE UNWANTEDS: Island of Silence
Book 3, THE UNWANTEDS: Island of Fire
Book 4, THE UNWANTEDS: Island of Legends
Book 5, THE UNWANTEDS: Island of Shipwrecks
Book 6, THE UNWANTEDS: Island of Graves
Book 7, THE UNWANTEDS: Island of Dragons

THE UNWANTEDS QUESTS series is happening--seven books in this one, too!
Book 1, THE UNWANTEDS QUESTS: Dragon Captives
Book 2, THE UNWANTEDS QUESTS: Dragon Bones
Book 3, THE UNWANTEDS QUESTS: Dragon Ghosts
Book 4, THE UNWANTEDS QUESTS: Dragon Curse
Book 5, THE UNWANTEDS QUESTS: Dragon Fire
Book 6, THE UNWANTEDS QUESTS: Dragon Slayers (Sept 8, 2020)
Book 7, THE UNWANTEDS QUESTS: Dragon Fury (coming Feb 2021).

Check out the Going Wild trilogy for middle grade readers as well -- all three books are in paperback, hardcover, and ebook.

For older readers, Lisa has written the WAKE trilogy, about a
seventeen-year-old girl named Janie who gets sucked into other people's
dreams. She has two stand-alone young adult thrillers, CRYER'S CROSS and DEAD
TO YOU. And another trilogy, called VISIONS, with books CRASH, BANG, and GASP. Fans of the WAKE trilogy will enjoy this one.

Want the inside scoop? Find Lisa on Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter @lisa_mcmann. Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/McMannFan. Her website is lisamcmann.com

Unwanteds fans should check out the dedicated website at UnwantedsSeries.com.

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Author Updates

Titles By Lisa McMann

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The Unwanteds Aug 30, 2011

by Lisa McMann

( 958 )

$7.99

A riveting middlegrade dystopian novel from New York Times bestselling Wake author Lisa McMann that Kirkus Reviews calls “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.”

Every year in Quill, thirteen-year-olds are sorted into categories: the strong, intelligent Wanteds go to university, and the artistic Unwanteds are sent to their deaths.

Thirteen-year-old Alex tries his hardest to be stoic when his fate is announced as Unwanted, even while leaving behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted. Upon arrival at the destination where he expected to be eliminated, however, Alex discovers a stunning secret--behind the mirage of the "death farm" there is instead a place called Artime.

In Artime, each child is taught to cultivate their creative abilities and learn how to use them magically, weaving spells through paintbrushes and musical instruments. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it's a wondrous transformation.

But it's a rare, unique occurence for twins to be separated between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artime that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate, magical battle.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback , Audio CD , Digital

Dragon Fury (The Unwanteds Quests Book 7) Jan 26, 2021

by Lisa McMann

( 111 )

$10.99

Ten years after Alex and Aaron Stowe brought peace to Quill and Artimé, their younger twin sisters journey beyond Artimé in the sixth novel in the New York Times bestselling sequel series to The Unwanteds, which Kirkus Reviews called “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.”

As the greatest army ever assembled in the seven islands flies to the land of the dragons, everyone’s mind is haunted by the same thought: Thisbe Stowe betrayed them all.

Thisbe struggles to regain the trust of her brother Aaron and the people of Artimé after one crucial mistake forces her to abandon her intricate plan against the Revinir. Aaron is devastated by Thisbe’s actions and refuses to hear her explanation, feeling a sense of responsibility for the wrong she’s done mixed with his own deep regret and fears over his dark history. Complicating things are Thisbe’s conflicted feelings about the Revinir, leaving her wondering if she allowed herself to get too close to the dragon-woman…and if she really is more evil than good after all.

Risking everything they’d fought for since first being declared Unwanted, the people, creatures, and statues of Artimé and their allies make a final desperate attempt to take down the Revinir and bring peace to their world. But is the Revinir too powerful to defeat?

And...will the Artiméans ever find out what’s behind that last secret door?

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback , Audio CD

Island of Silence (The Unwanteds Book 2) Sep 4, 2012

by Lisa McMann

( 603 )

$7.99

The second book in the middle-grade dystopian fantasy series that Kirkus Reviews calls “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter,” by New York Times bestselling author Lisa McMann.

Following the life-altering events at the conclusion of The Unwanteds, the stark world of Quill and the magical haven of Artimé are now home to whoever wants to live there, whether they are Wanteds, Unwanteds, or Necessaries.

In Artimé, Alex Stowe and his friends continue to hone their artistic magical spells while welcoming newcomers, wondering how long this peace between Quill and Artimé will last. Alex is stunned when Mr. Today comes to him with a very special request—one Alex questions his readiness for, until circumstances offer a dramatic answer.

And back in Quill, Aaron Stowe, Alex’s twin, faces a very different path. Devastated by his loss of status after Justine’s defeat and seething with rage toward Alex, Aaron is stealthily planning his revenge and return to power.

Alex and Aaron’s separate stories proceed with suspenseful pacing, colliding in a stunning climax that elevates sibling rivalry to epic proportions and leaves the fate of both worlds hanging in the balance.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback , Preloaded Digital Audio Player

Island of Fire (The Unwanteds Book 3) Sep 3, 2013

by Lisa McMann

( 563 )

$7.99

The fate of Artimé is at stake—and an unlikely alliance could redeem it—in book three in the New York Times bestselling Unwanteds series.

The magical world of Artimé is gone. The Unwanteds have no food, no water, and no hope. And everyone is looking to Alex Stowe for answers.

Overwhelmed and feeling totally helpless, Alex knows it’s up to him to find a way to restore Artimé, rescue his captive friends, and free Megan from her voice-stealing necklace of thorns—three impossible tasks. But could help lie with the silent, orange-eyed newcomers?

Meanwhile, in the stark land of Quill, Alex’s twin brother Aaron continues to build his army, preparing for the ultimate showdown with the Unwanteds. But a shocking twist reveals that Alex and Aaron share a common enemy more dangerous than either could have imagined...

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback , Audio CD

Island of Legends (The Unwanteds Book 4) Sep 2, 2014

by Lisa McMann

( 537 )

$7.99

Uncover adventure and dangerous secrets in book four of the New York Times bestselling Unwanteds series, which Kirkus Reviews called “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.”

As Alex grows more confident in his role as the mage of Artimé, he expands his skills and brings his first creature to life—with results that are both painful and wonderful. A team from Artimé heads out to rescue Sky and Crow’s mother from underwater Pirate Island and discovers there are more creatures than they ever imagined in the ocean surrounding the islands—and not all of them are friendly.

Meanwhile in Quill, Aaron faces threats to his leadership as Gondoleery hones her rediscovered magical abilities and Eva and Liam form a secret alliance against him. But Aaron’s distracted with a discovery of his own—a hidden jungle that holds a dangerous secret. His time there yields a startling truth about himself, and a potential opportunity to increase his power…

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback

Island of Graves (The Unwanteds Book 6) Sep 15, 2015

by Lisa McMann

( 451 )

$7.99

On the brink of war, the fates of both Artimé and Quill are at stake in book six of the New York Times bestselling Unwanteds series, which Kirkus Reviews called “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.”

Alex and Aaron Stowe are at a crossroads.

Everything Aaron has worked so hard to build in Quill has crumbled. Fallen from the height of power and influence and left for dead in a foreign place, Aaron has lost everything, and now he must humbly beg for food from those who saved his life.

In Artimé, Alex chooses his people over his brother and abandons his search for Aaron, closing the door on that relationship forever. The Artimeans need his focus now more than ever as they face the terrifying power of a new enemy who has taken control of Quill—the notoriously evil Gondoleery Rattrapp.

Desperate to stop her, Alex embarks on a risky mission to enlist help from an unlikely ally, and along the way he’s determined to rescue a lone sailor from monstrous beasts with mysterious origins—a sailor who just might show Alex a different world. As he prepares for an epic war with all of Quill and Artime hanging in the balance, Alex must place his faith in a reckless plan...and hope that he and all of his friends make it through alive.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback

Island of Shipwrecks (The Unwanteds Book 5) Feb 3, 2015

by Lisa McMann

( 472 )

$7.99

A risky decision endangers both Artimé and Quill in book five of the New York Times bestselling Unwanteds series, which Kirkus Reviews called “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.”

Alex and his friends from Artimé are stranded on a newly discovered island after barely surviving a storm that destroys their ship. And it turns out they’re not alone…

Back in Quill, Aaron’s power base grows as he aligns himself with an unlikely ally. Together, the two enact a drastic, risky plan to finally conquer Artimé—a plan that could ultimately leave everyone in both Artimé and Quill in far more danger than Aaron realizes.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Library Binding , Paperback

Island of Dragons (The Unwanteds Book 7) Apr 12, 2016

by Lisa McMann

( 506 )

$7.99

Twins Alex and Aaron Stowe are put to the ultimate test to fulfill their destinies and save both Quill and Artimé from the deadliest enemy the cities have ever faced in the thrilling conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Unwanteds series, which Kirkus Reviews called “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.”

Head mage Alexander Stowe and his friends successfully fended off the latest threat to their magical world of Artimé with the help of a surprise ally. United at last, they’re exploring exciting new territory. But old enemies have secretly been plotting against them, and danger strikes when they’re most vulnerable.

Now Alex must lead his people in a final epic battle, one they can’t hope to win alone. Loyalties will be tested, and powerful new abilities will emerge on both sides of the war that could change everything.

Will Artimé finally know peace or will all that Alex and his people have fought for be destroyed forever?

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback

Dragon Slayers (The Unwanteds Quests Book 6) Sep 8, 2020

by Lisa McMann

( 297 )

$10.99

Ten years after Alex and Aaron Stowe brought peace to Quill and Artimé, their younger twin sisters journey beyond Artimé in the sixth novel in the New York Times bestselling sequel series to The Unwanteds, which Kirkus Reviews called “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.”

The Revinir is getting desperate.

Following her dramatic abduction of Fifer and Thisbe, the dragon woman traps the twins in an isolated, crumbling palace and surrounds them with four killer dragons in an attempt to coerce them to join her side. Hope finally arrives when Dev sneaks into the castle and the threesome reunites, hatching a plan against the Revinir so devious, so horrifying, that it just might work. But when it comes time to act, Thisbe struggles to confront her deepest fears about her inner levels of good and evil and, to her own dismay, questions if she’s really been on the right side all along.

In Artimé, Rohan and Queen Maiven join forces with Aaron, Florence, and the others to discover the truth of what happened to the twins. But when Fifer sends a devastating message that challenges everything they believe in, Rohan attempts to handle the situation on his own...with disastrous results.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback

Dragon Fire (The Unwanteds Quests Book 5) Feb 4, 2020

by Lisa McMann

( 327 )

$10.99

Ten years after Alex and Aaron Stowe brought peace to Quill and Artimé, their younger twin sisters journey beyond Artimé in the fifth novel in the New York Times bestselling sequel series to The Unwanteds, which Kirkus Reviews called “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.”

Artimé is at war.

Led by the reckless new head mage, Frieda Stubbs, and swayed by her stoking their fear of the Revinir’s return, the people of Artimé have turned against the Stowe family. Aaron and his allies are captured while Fifer is left exposed to mortal danger.

Thisbe and the team of black-eyed children from Grimere journey to Artimé to help, leaving Dev behind to fend for himself against the increasingly powerful Revinir. Thisbe grapples with guilt and worry from multiple directions as her relationship with Fifer continues its downward spiral.

When things are at their bleakest and everything is on the line, Fifer is forced to make a decision that could change her destiny forever.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback , Audio CD

Dragon Curse (The Unwanteds Quests Book 4) Sep 3, 2019

by Lisa McMann

( 357 )

$7.99

Ten years after Alex and Aaron Stowe brought peace to Quill and Artimé, their younger twin sisters journey beyond Artimé in the fourth novel in the New York Times bestselling sequel series to The Unwanteds, which Kirkus Reviews called “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.”

At last, after harrowing battles and devastating losses, the three Stowe siblings are reunited. Back in Artimé, however, their joy at finding one another is short lived. Fifer loses her leadership position and struggles to find her place and purpose, while Thisbe is relentless in her determination to return to the land of the dragons and help Rohan rescue the other black-eyed children. Aaron fails to ward off increasing opposition from a resentful Frieda Stubbs and the dissenters, leading to a shocking and dangerous turn.

Meanwhile the Revinir pursues Thisbe and Drock all the way to the seven islands, putting the people of Artimé in peril. To save them, Thisbe makes an unthinkable sacrifice that leaves Fifer, Aaron, and the others to face political eruption and destruction in the formerly peaceful magical world.

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback , Audio CD

Dragon Captives (The Unwanteds Quests Book 1) Feb 7, 2017

by Lisa McMann

( 320 )

$7.99

Ten years after Alex and Aaron Stowe brought peace to Quill and Artimé, their younger twin sisters journey beyond the islands in this New York Times bestselling first novel of a new sequel series to The Unwanteds, which Kirkus Reviews called “The Hunger Games meets Harry Potter.”

Identical twins Fifer and Thisbe Stowe have amazing yet uncontrollable magical abilities. They’re naturally more gifted than even their brother, Alex, the head mage of Artimé, could hope to be. But when they accidentally use their magic in the jungle of Artimé to strike down a beloved creature, Alex is furious, and threatens to lock them away until they can learn to control their power.

The threat is soon forgotten, though, when Hux, the ice blue dragon, comes to Artimé bearing the horrible news that his siblings have been enslaved by the notoriously evil Revinir, ruler of the dragon land.

Seeking a chance to right their wrong and escape their brother’s wrath, Thisbe, Fifer, and their friend Seth sneak away to rescue the dragons from grave peril. Will their untrained abilities be enough to save the dragons—and themselves—when they come face-to-face with the Revinir?

Other Formats: Audible Audiobook , Hardcover , Paperback

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