Book Review: Island of Graves (The Unwanteds #6)

I’ve now read six books in the Unwanteds series, with just one remaining. It’s been quite a journey, with its ups and downs. I’d have to say that Island of Graves is one of the ups for several reasons. First, we get a redemption story involving a character who had strayed so far and committed so much evil, but who is now leaving that old life behind. Second, we see further growth in Alex, the head mage of Artimé, who nearly makes some terrible mistakes, both morally and in his responsibility toward his friends.

At the end of the previous book, Aaron was kidnapped by pirates and left for dead on the Island of Shipwrecks, where three scientists live. The scientists already knew of Aaron because Alex and the other Artimeans had been shipwrecked there previously. They resolved to help Aaron change, setting firm boundaries with him. Aaron was arrogant and demanding, but through tough love, they taught him respect, manners, and how to cook for himself and others. More importantly, they helped him shift his focus from himself to others.

The biggest threat in this book is Gondoleery, who has taken over Quill as high priest. She is incredibly dangerous and seems to have no moral compass. She possesses elemental magic involving ice and fire and kills Quillians, particularly Necessaries, for even the slightest mistakes or failures to meet her expectations. Alex and the Artimeans recognize the threat she poses and resolve to do something about it rather than wait for Artimé to be attacked again.

I mentioned that Alex nearly makes terrible mistakes. One of them is a moral mistake in his leadership: deciding to assassinate Gondoleery. From a Christian and Catholic perspective, I found his decision troubling. Although lawful self-defense can be justified, that does not mean every use of force is morally acceptable. This brings to mind the Church’s teaching on just war:

All citizens and all governments are obliged to work for the avoidance of war. However, “as long as the danger of war persists and there is no international authority with the necessary competence and power, governments cannot be denied the right of lawful self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed.” (CCC, no. 2308)

Another near-mistake occurs during the initial attack on Gondoleery, when Alex’s aim is off and he nearly kills his friends instead. He recognizes both the danger he has put them in and the moral problem with his plan, and he backs down. I appreciated this because the ends do not justify the means. Gondoleery must be stopped, but not through evil means. And so the rest of the book is really about finding the right way to stop her.

I enjoyed this book much more than the previous one. All things considered, we are approaching the climax of the series, and this book turned out to be quite an enjoyable read. I would particularly recommend it for the redemption story of one of its characters, but also for the courage and sense of duty demonstrated by Alex and the Artimeans.