Review: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

The Young Elites (The Young Elites, #1)The Young Elites
(The Young Elites #1)
by Marie Lu
YA Fantasy
Hardcover355 Pages
October 7th 2014 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Summary

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.

  

My Review

I have been thinking about how to express my feelings after reading The Young Elites. The writing was superb, the characters fully fleshed out, the plot intriguing and exciting with plenty of twists (there are a few things I'm still reeling from). The story definitely held my interest. There was also a lot of grit. Poor and repulsive circumstances that were too much for me and other parts that made me really sad.

I really liked the main character, Adelina. I wanted so much for her. I wanted her to fight for herself and to be independent. At the same time, I understood who she was based on her history and circumstances. I also really liked, or at least understood, the other members of the Dagger Society. I wanted them to make different choices in a few parts because I saw how what they did really influenced Adelina and how she was at such a crossroads to who she would become and what choices she would make. I still feel like shouting at some of the characters.

Obviously this was an emotional and actually kind of depressing story. There is huge potential here for the series and Adelina. I can glimpse what future she might have and who she'll become and I think she'll be a very strong force to be reckoned with. For me, there were just some things that were too repulsive personally and other things that weren't balanced enough by the good things, and so I won't be continuing the series. Having said that, I think many of you YA lovers will really love this one if you can handle the darkness and other content. It definitely was a page-turner.

Content: There was quite a bit of violence, abuse, prostitution, an affair, and gay aspects.

Source: Library


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