I wanted to like this series. I loved the idea of it and enjoyed the first book or two, but as I read on, my excitement decreased. There didn't seem to be any plot, all the annoying characters were the ones that got focused on, and I kept wondering where we were going with all this.

The mangas are slightly better, at least there are cool visuals to go along with the non-story, but I still didn't find them to be all that good.

I haven't read the last one, I'm waiting until the buzz dies down a bit, and also to see if I feel like bothering. I probably will, since I can't stand unfinished storylines.

So can anyone offer something to redeem the series in my eyes? I wanted to like it, it just didn't do it for me.

Also, can anyone suggest something similar for me to read that might be better written?

I had the same experience with that series.  I liked the concept for the first couple books, but they weren't well written and they were alll over the place with shaky plots, so I quit reading them. 

As for suggestions... the Gone series by Michael Grant maybe?  And the Gallagher Girls series by Ally Carter is pretty different but it has lots of interesting characters and I liked it a lot.