The Young Elites (The Young Elites #1) by Marie Lu

Published: October 7th 2014 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Magic

Pages: Hardcover, 355 pages

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:

There are two reasons I decided to read this book, but not buy it. First, it was buy Marie Lu who wrote the Legend series, and since I liked the series and read it twice, I knew I liked her ideas and writing. At the same time, even though I liked the series, it wasn’t one that I would buy again, and I got the same feeling from this book before I even read it.

The second reason was based off of Goodreads. As I write this review, the average rating of this book is 3.95. As a general rule, one that has saved me many times, I don’t buy books unless they have 4 stars or above on that site. Usually the rule works out, and I think it also saved me in this case.

I have a weird thing for suffering people in books. I don’t know if it is because my life problems usually going on at the time pale in comparison to what characters in the book go through, or if I just have this weird sympathy, or something, but I tend to enjoy books that have a suffering character.

But this didn’t have what I wanted. Adelina has this deep feelings of vengeance, and the book and other characters go on and on about how she has a thirst for blood, how vicious she is. The part I don’t like is, despite everyone saying so, it is rare we see Adelina’s rage. If I remember right, I saw her rage only four times, and every time it was used to save herself or other people. It isn’t just simply rage.

And the ending! What?! Does anyone know what happened or where the plot is going? I don’t, and this is not the good way. I usually like a good lead off- here is the main plot of the next book, thank you. But no, no resolution, just a little bit of a promise at the end, about where the book might go, but not the plot.

Just the logic behind some of the reasoning and characters don’t make since or sit right with me. Something just doesn’t play out correctly, or they act different than they should have.

I’m not really sure about this book. I’m mixed, and I know I haven’t said anything good about the book, but it is an interesting read. If you see it in the library and don’t have much else to read, it would be a good one to pick up. ★★★.5

Oh, and a Happy Birthday to J.K. Rowling, and her wonderful character, Harry Potter.