Young Elites Review

Title:The Young Elites

Author: Marie Lu

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.

Being burned at the stake for a crime she didn't mean to commit wasn't the ideal way Adelina wanted to go. At the moment Adelina knows she is going to die, a boy appears and uses unnatural abilities to save her. He rescues her and brings her back to the hideout of the Daggers. Daggers are a group of Young Elites, people who survived the blood fever and developed unnatural powers. Adelina thinks this is where she belongs and for the first time feels accepted. That is until she is found by the lead Inqusition and made an offer. He has her sister and will kill her if Adelina doesn't give him information about the Daggers. Now faced with no other option, Adelina must betray a group of trained killers to save the only family she has left.

This was my first Marie Lu book, and it didn't disappoint. She made up this amazing world with characters that were so detailed and real. Though, I will admit, if I hadn't listened to this book, I wouldn't have gotten any of the names right. This book tugs at your heat strings and keeps you on the edge of your seat the entire time with some of the biggest OMG twists ever. You get a sense of what you think is going to happen to have it completely tossed around. I spent the entire book wondering what side was right and if the main character was in her right mind, which is something I love about a character. Not knowing which way they might go. At times it feels like you are reading from the makings of a villain’s point of view. Though you still want to cheer for her.

Going into this book, I really didn't know anything about it. As a matter of fact, I thought it was something like Percy Jackson. I didn't know what gave me that thought, but I thought The Young Elites was going to be about a group of people fighting an evil. The Young Elites aren't good, yet they aren't evil. Yes they are fighting for what they think is right, but they aren't saints. They murder and let others be murdered when they can help. Nothing is just black and white in this book. Marie Lu makes a fictional world feel unbelievably real. This book is going to stick with me for awhile.

This book is 5 out of 5 stars for me. It is great for a YA fantasy fan. If you are looking for a quick read, or something to get you out of a slump, I would recommend this book.