Title: The Young Elites
Series: The Young Elites (Book 1)
Author: Marie Lu
Published: October 7, 2014
Pages: 353
Format: ARC
Source: Giveaway
Summary (Goodreads):
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.
___________
Wow this book! This is the first story of Marie’s that I have read where I didn’t know anything about the characters beforehand (in Legend I had known an earlier version of Day which made me very fond of the series). Marie had been slightly brutal in the Legend series but this is a whole new level of brutal.
Adelina is a tortured girl; unloved, unwanted, used, and powerful. There is a darkness inside of her that is frightening, something you don’t find in many main character. As a character-driven reader I wanted so much for Adelina. I wanted her to be loved, to find happiness, to belong. I believe that Marie’s ability to make me root for a character with such darkness inside is a testament to Marie’s skills as a writer.
The Young Elites is gorgeous. The world these characters live in is cruel and unkind to malfettos but when it comes to the descriptions, the style of dress, scenery, and characters (ehem the boys), it is stunning. This is a fantasy world I would love to see drawn out in artwork and movies. A gorgeous fantasy world filled with cruelty and unrest and teeming with stories to be told.
If you love dark stories, stunning scenes, and beautiful action this is a series to watch.
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