Review: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Publication Date: October 7th 2014
Publisher: Putnam Books for Young Readers
Series: The Young Elites #1
Source: Purchased
Rating:
 ★★★★½

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.

Before I talked about my thoughts on The Young Elites, I just wanted to let you know that the summary had failed to spark my interest. However, I was still eager to read this book because (a) this is written by Marie Lu, I loved her Legend series so whatever she writes I will read it, (b) it's a fantasy, (c) the story is about the villain.

So I bought this book as soon as it comes out but told myself to wait because the release date for the second book is just so far away. Yeah, I failed. I was just going to read a few chapters but I was falling into the story the moment I read the first sentence. Marie Lu just has a way to tell the story that makes readers to feel like they're actually there (living the experiences) and I couldn't stop turning the next page. Her choice of words has touched on all my five senses. I admitted, reading a story that the villain is a main character was so hard for my feelings. One minute, I liked Adelina and was totally on board with her, the next I just wanted to kill her. My feelings toward her started to change at the last few chapters (something unexpected happens!!!) and seriously Adelina is a fool. She has messed everything up to the point that I was speechless. And I have no clue how the next book is going to be like with this big mess.

On the other note, the summary sounds like this might have a love triangle. Nope, no love whatsoever. And for the first time, I'm not rooting for anyone. A little bit break down below to the why but it might contain spoilers so read as your own risk.

Teren, is in love with the wrong person and follows her blindly. So this one is out because I don't see he will change his "great" love anytime soon. Enzo, I thought he would be the perfect one but nah I was wrong. Someone who cannot forget the past love and might still live in the past will have no future. Adelina, I think she is not ready for love yet. She needs to work more on herself (first lesson: start to love herself first).

I was surprised because The Young Elites is much darker than Legend but I liked it anyway. So check it out guys =)