Review: The Young Elites by Marie Lu
The Young Elites (The Young Elites #1)
by: Marie Lu
Publication Date: Oct. 7, 2014
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Genre: Fantasy
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Borrowed from Library
Page Count: 355 pages
Order Links: Amazon
My Rating: 4/5 stars
I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.
Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.
Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.
Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.
Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.
It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.
Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.
Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.
Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.
Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.
It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.
When I first picked this one up, I had no idea this book would blow me away the way it did! I was immediately pulled in and I loved the setting in this one! Lu has done a brilliant job of writing fantasy and creating memorable characters and storylines.
I loved the characterization in this one. Adelina has this darkness and anger to her that is absolutely bone chilling. I can't even consider her the heroine of the story. She's more of an anti-heroine. She has been verbally and physically abused by her father for all her life, never knowing true affection like her sister. Having survived the blood plague, she has now been marked as a malfetto. Some malfettos have gained special powers from the plague, and they call themselves the Young Elites. They have formed a society in which they seek out others like them and work to restore the true prince to the throne. The loneliness that Adelina feels is just heartwrenching. Lu does a great job of showing us her layers and we get to see her vulnerability as much as her toughness.
The book alternates between three primary POV's: Adelina's, Enzo's, and Teren's. Multi-POV's can be tricky, but I felt Lu handled them really well. We are mostly with Adelina, as Enzo and Teren's chapters are quite short. I liked getting into their minds though, especially since Teren is viewed as the enemy! There is a lot of action and adventure in this one and a hint of romance too. I had some issues with the romance, as I could never tell if it was genuine or not because of the role someone else played in the past. I want to believe real feelings were involved, as I think Adelina just once needs to feel loved and wanted.
That ending though! OMG. I just.... I was left with my mouth hanging wide open in shock. I did NOT see Lu going in that direction and I'm STILL stunned. This was not at all a predictable read and I am so thankful for that. Not everyone is who they seem to be and the twists and turns are endless! I highly recommend this book to fantasy fans out there. The epilogue does a great job of setting up the next book in the series and I cannot wait to find out where Lu takes Adelina and the others!
5 comments
Honestly nothing about this one really grabbed me, but your review has changed my mind because clearly it is an awesome read! First I shall tackle her other series but then I need to read this one. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the alternating POVs! I am super excited about this one! I loved Lu's other series, so I know I will have to pick this one up as well! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteLovely review!!!
I'm so glad you loved The Young Elites. I have this on my TBR for this month and i'm so excited to start it now!
ReplyDelete- Juhina @ Maji Bookshelf
Yay, glad to see you liked this one too!
ReplyDeleteLu's best yet, amirite?! I loved this book so much. THE ENDING. OMG. I really hope book two is amaaaaaazing and catches us all by surprise. I'm so glad you enjoyed this book, Jess! Excellent review :)
ReplyDeleteAlyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Leave me some comment love! And I will get around to commenting back!
My blog is an award-free blog, however, as I just do not have the time to follow-up.