The Young Elites by Marie Lu

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Series: The Young Elites — Book 1

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4.5/5

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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.

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At first I wasn’t so sure about this book. The main character, Adelina, seemed really weird — I didn’t know what to make of her and her situation. Despite this I kept reading, trusting Marie Lu after reading her first series, Legend, and was soon drawn to Adelina and how different she was from most female main characters. What intrigued me most was her relationship with her dark side. It’s so wonderfully complicated and I loved it…I’ll just leave that there.

The group — the Young Elites — were also so intriguing both in their capabilities and how they went about surviving when people wanted to destroy them. It had a surprising influence on how the book ended. I say this because I can usually predict how the end of a book will go, but I couldn’t do that for this one.

The whole book was well-written, and the concept and world-building was so different from most books I’ve read in this genre. Of course, there are lots of books with powerful characters, but none have been created in this way. It was refreshing and a lot of fun to read. I definitely recommend reading this book — and while you’re at it, read her other series, Legend, too!

To find out more about Marie Lu, visit her website, twitter, or facebook.