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SPOILER WARNING!
This article contains heavy discussion of plot details from the newest Unwanteds Quests books. You are at risk of major spoilers if you haven't read up to the newest installment in the series. Be careful!

Samheed was an Unwanted and one of Alex's closest friends. Despite his original resentment for Alex, the two became very close. He was the son of Major Burkesh, and was originally meant to be a Wanted. He was caught bragging about his future in the Quillitary, and was sent to his death as a result.

Personality

Samheed is proud[1] and brave, but hot-headed aggressive, especially in the earlier books. He held a lot of resentment when he was younger, especially towards Aaron, and usually takes a long time to realize his own mistakes or assumptions.

Appearance

Samheed is "quite solid and muscular" from a young age[2], with broad shoulders[3][4], and is taller and heavier than Alex.[5] He has dark hair that he usually keeps short.[6] He has orange eyes and scars around his neck from the thorns weaved through his skin on Warbler. When Kaylee is trying to guess his ancestry, she says Samheed has a "pretty clear Middle Eastern look."[7]

"On the step sat Samheed, his broad shoulders curled over and his chin in his hands."
― The Unwanteds, "Home in the Stone Mansion" (49)
"...the bigger students before the smaller ones. Samheed was first, being quite solid and muscular already for his age."
― The Unwanteds, "School" (86)
"Samheed, who stood several inches taller and weighed several pounds more than Alex, tried not to scoff."
― The Unwanteds, "Samheed's First Secret" (89)
"She studied him, his new golden-orange eyes piercing hers. His dark hair was longer than it had ever been, and the ends curled up a bit around his ears and at his neck."
― The Unwanteds: Island of Fire, "A Ray of Light" (212)
"Lani reached out and rested her arm around his broad shoulders."
― The Unwanteds: Island of Graves, "A New Approach" (46)
"And Samheed has a pretty clear Middle Eastern look."
― The Unwanteds: Island of Dragons, "The Dragon's Triangle" (83)

History

Samheed's father was Major Burkesh of the Quillitary, and Samheed grew up in a Wanted household. He lived in the same neighborhood as Will Blair, and the two were childhood friends before Will was Purged. Samheed was Alex and Aaron's classmate and walked home with the two of them, though they didn't like each other. Samheed had one minor infraction, and was almost Wanted, before Aaron reported him for dramatic boasting.[8]

Relationships

Alex Stowe

Samheed and Alex knew each other back in their days at Quill, having been classmates. The two didn't get along in the beginning of the first book, due to Samheed being incredibly upset about having been reported by Alex's brother, Aaron. After confessing this was the reason why Samheed didn't like Alex, Alex still was open to becoming friends with Samheed. The two become instant friends, playfully fighting and teasing each other often. Samheed deeply trusts Alex, allowing himself to be open when talking to him. In battle, the two are able to work together, having each others back.

Lani Haluki

Lani and Samheed are partners in the books. The two weren’t too friendly in the beginning, and argue often in the first series. Sam is there when Lani is upset about the head mage situation in book two, and correctly guesses that she killed Justine. The two become even closer after their time on Warbler, creating a language out of taps so they could communicate in the dark. They get married five years after the final battle.[9]

Mr. Appleblossom

Samheed is said to have a natural talent for the stage, so it's only natural that he and his theatre instructor would get along. Mr. Appleblossom was the one who killed Samheed's father to protect him, and became a father figure for Samheed. The two were incredibly close.

Meghan Ranger

Will Blair

Will and Samheed were neighbors when living in Quill, and became very close in the first Unwanteds book. Meghan suggests that it's because Will is an outcast, making Samheed seem more likeable[10]. It's later revealed that the two were working together to create a 3-D door back to Quill, though Samheed was unaware that Will was planning to murder Aaron.

Aaron Stowe

Samheed has a special hatred for Aaron.[11] As a kid, Samheed was never all that nice, but Aaron was also the person who reported his infraction, which got Samheed sent to his death. Later, Aaron repeatedly tried to kill those in Artimé. While Samheed understood his redemption, the two never got all that close. In Dragon Curse and Dragon Fire, Samheed is on Aaron's side in the civil war, but distrusts him. Samheed even outrights questions his feelings about Frieda, since the two act so similar as leaders.[12] After being trapped in the library together, the two overcame their differences and became friends.

Other Notable Relationships

Quotes

"I think you're required to tell me since I've been so nice for, like, a whole hour."
― The Unwanteds: Island of Silence, "Throwing Stones" (101)
"I have my pride."
― The Unwanteds: Island of Graves, "An Unsettling Feeling" (14)
"I wish there was a preserve spell for people."
― The Unwanteds: Island of Dragons, "Death Be Not Proud" (400)

Abilities/Weaknesses

Samheed was able to see the not-so-secret hallway as soon as he arrived in Artimé, which isn't common.

Samheed's magic mostly focuses on the stage, but he's good at many different things.

Trivia

  • Samheed's name doesn't have a clear origin. Lisa just made it up! She wanted something with an easy shortened version.[13] Searches for the name come up nonexistent or only Unwanteds-related.
    • The name was inspired by a character from LOST. Lisa wanted something similar.[13]
  • Kaylee and Aaron get married in a Barnes and Noble bonus chapter at the end of Dragon Captives, set five years between the original series and Quests. Samheed and Lani get married on the same day!
  • He dislikes being trapped. It brings back bad memories of his time on Warbler.[14]

Gallery

Fan Artwork

All artwork is used with permission from the artists.

Disclaimer: The wiki works to show artwork that matches how the characters are described in the books, but interpretations may vary from artist to artist.

References

  1. The Unwanteds: Island of Graves, "An Unsettling Feeling" (14)
  2. The Unwanteds, "School" (86)
  3. The Unwanteds, "Home in the Stone Mansion" (49)
  4. The Unwanteds: Island of Graves, "A New Approach" (46)
  5. The Unwanteds, "Samheed's First Secret" (89)
  6. The Unwanteds: Island of Fire, "A Ray of Light" (212)
  7. The Unwanteds: Island of Dragons, "The Dragon's Triangle" (83)
  8. The Unwanteds, "Samheed's First Secret" (91)
  9. # The Unwanteds: Dragon Captives, "The Big Day" (bonus chapter)
  10. The Unwanteds, "School" (76)
  11. The Unwanteds: Island of Dragons, "Strange Company" (48)
  12. The Unwanteds Quests: Dragon Fire, "A Stealthy Invasion" (63-64)
  13. 13.0 13.1 Lisa McMann, December 1st, 2022
  14. The Unwanteds Quests: Dragon Fire, "Trapped" (106)


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