Review: The Young Elites

The Young Elites by Marie Lu
Published by Putnam Juvenile on December 16, 2014
Genres: Young Adult-Science Fiction/Dsytopian
Source: Bought
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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.

I first discovered Ms. Marie Lu with her capturing Legend trilogy. From there, I found her to be one of my top list authors. When I heard she was writing another series, I thought for sure I needed to get my hands on this book. Would it compare to her previous books? Would I swoon over them? Let me just say that the admiration I have for her is still there.

The Young Elites was such a captivating novel that pulled me every such way and allowed my emotions to run free. From the beginning to end, this book was all that I could think about. I wanted to live, eat, and breathe this book. And as weird as it sounds, I finished it in two days. Amazing right! But I guess that is what happens when you stumble on such a book that proves to be so worth to spend every second reading.

The plot was solid, the story line was solid, and everything was solid for me. I felt in a way I was reading a book about the Black Plague in a sense even though it was called “Blood Fever.” Every chapter proved to make me curious as to what could possibly happen next. Marie Lu continues with the multiple perspectives and this I feel works for her. I know that there are other authors who can pull it off and I commend everyone that attempts this. It is hard to do but I feel that it gives the story so much more as well as the reader.

The story follows three characters: Adelina, Teren, and Enzo. Adelina and Enzo are just characters I love, while Teren can go burn in hell. Read the story and you will understand. Adelina has a big responsibility in front of her as well as a power that most people do not know if they can trust or fear it. She grows so much in this book but I feel that there is something lingering inside of her that we have not seen but I feel that by the end Marie Lu will show us her true colors. Enzo, oh my goodness. I want to hug him but slap him as well. But a good slap. I know weird. However, he, just Adelina, is hiding something and the relationship he has with Adelina is something I am iffy on. Teren, well he does not know where he is right now but I feel that he reminds me a little about Hitler in the sense of hating people even though he is just like them. I know another weird comparison but I feel that once you read it, you might understand my weird logic.

Going to the emotions, oh my goodness, this book made me cry. However, I was looking for a book to wrench my heart out of my chest and this one succeeded. I need the second book now because I feel that there is something that will fix my heart but you never know.

Marie Lu is such a talented author who has changed my reading life. I am looking forward to the next book in this marvelous series and I ask that all readers check this book out. A brilliant masterpiece, Marie Lu has soared to the top as an elite.

Happy Reading!