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.
I received this book from Penguin for free in exchange for an honest review and read-along with BookBusters. All opinions are my own.
3 of 5 stars (Please read my rating system further below).
As a huge fan of Marie Lu's previous series, the Legend Trilogy, I had super high expectations going into this book. I was especially interested in The Young Elites because I wanted to see if Marie Lu would write it in the format of what I call the "typical dystopian/fantasy book". The usual norm is that we have our protagonist, who joins a rebel group, then is either trained or mentored in a way by a specific individual. Then the protagonist either falls in love with that individual, or becomes best friends with he/she. I was sad to find out that The Young Elites did fall into the category which I call "typical dystopian/fantasy books". I had discovered this about 100 pages into The Young Elites, and still had high hopes for it because I have indeed read books that fell into the "typical dystopian/fantasy books" category yet I still found them absolutely fantastic. Unfortunately, The Young Elites definitely fell flat for me, considering how great the Legend Trilogy. I wouldn't consider The Young Elites to be a disappointment of a book, but I would rather categorize it as not too shabby. It wasn't spectacular, but it wasn't a complete let down either.
My rating system: (I do use half stars.)
5 - I do not use the 5 star. Not because a book might not be worthy, but because a book is never perfect.
4 - I loved it! There weren't too many flaws, and I had no trouble getting through it. (A 4 star rating is the highest rating I've ever given a book.)
3 - I enjoyed the book, but there we're flaws that made me enjoy it less.
2 - I finished the book, but there were too many flaws for me to enjoy it.
1 - I could not finish the book, and I probably did not finish it....
Reviewer:
Grace
