Review: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

"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."

Back in 2014, when I read the Legend Series for the first time, Marie Lu quickly became one of my favorite authors. I was pretty late to the game, and The Young Elites was basically coming out by the time I finished the trilogy. Lo and behold, another year later, I finally managed to read it.

Right away, the story hooked me. The idea that none of the characters were innately good fascinated me. They aren't the typical heroes; The Young Elites are shunned by society because of what they were turned into (something they couldn't control) and because of that, they aren't afraid to do what's needed, even if it is morally compromising. Adelina leads the group for being one of the most fascinating, and rightly so. Most of the book is about her story, and its interesting to see her battle with the darkness inside her, embracing it when she uses her power, and not knowing the results of her embracing the darkness that festers inside her. Her transformation at the end of the book was jaw dropping, and also refreshing, in a world where the female characters are typically seen as the morally good characters.

Another interesting component of the book was the friendship between Adelina and Raffaele, in that it was completely, totally, platonic. There was no one sided liking or such, which basically had me screaming from the mountains, because its an element that is missing from a lot of YA books. Raffaele himself is also an interesting character. Right away, he knew shit would go down if they accepted Adelina into the fold, and when it does go down, he does whats best for the remaining Young Elites. There's not "we can fix this!!!!" talk, which is quite refreshing.

The rest of the characters were equally dynamic. I wanted to punch Teren pretty much THE WHOLE BOOK, and I couldn't really form an opinion on Enzo because every time his name was said, I would think of Ezio from Assassin's Creed 2 (who lets face it, is pretty epic).

Marie Lu continued to impress, giving us this gritty, realistic fantasy world. I'm excited for the sequel, which knowing me, will take me till 2016 to read.