The Young Elites (Review)

The Young Elites: The Young Elites | Marie Lu

Published by: Penguin, October 7th 2014

Genre: YA, High Fantasy 

Pages: 355

Format: Paperback

Source: Purchased

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. 

Crazy, crazy, crazy good.

The villain story I have always wanted. The female main character I always dreamed of. The unique world I've been looking for. AND THE ANGST I SECRETLY THRIVE ON. 

(But that ending? Why???? I do not like the direction of this series, please do not do this to my poor heart!!) 

Characters ★★★★★

Setting/world-building ★★★★★

Writing ★★★★★

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Reading round up (82)

Reading round up is a weekly journal where I record my daily reading progress, my thoughts on each book as I read it, and any books I've acquired during the week. 

Sorry for the day late update, folks. Totally thought I'd posted this!!

29th June

I'm reading Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, which I think I'm enjoying but I'm not 100%. I like Cal, and Maven, and Mare's fine. But I'm not sure about everything else. Today I read 23%, bringing me to 48%.

30th June

Today I read 28% of Red Queen, and I REALLY LIKE IT.

1st July

I finished Red Queen (25% read) and THE ENDING RUINED THE WHOLE BOOK. There's a 75% chance I won't read the next book now.

2nd July

I read 9% of Invasion of The Tearling by Erika Johansen and I am really disappointed by the fact she's dumped a dystopian story in the middle of a high fantasy series. My interest in this went from 70% to 1% so it's pretty likely I'll DNF. Which is pretty sad snce I love the tone of the fantasy scenes.

BUT I started The Young Elites by Marie Lu (88 pages) and it's perf. Perf, perf, perf. Did I mention it's perfect???

3rd July

I read 114 pages and I LOVE ENZO PLEASE HELP ME GOD. 

4th July

I read 106 pages of The Young Elites and holy hell everything hurts and things are going to go to shit SO FAST. Don't keep secrets, kids!!!

5th July

Today I finished The Young Elites and W H Y Y Y Y Y Y ? ? ?

I also picked up Graceling by Kristin Cashore again (21 pages read) because I'm in the mood for more high fantasy. I stalled at page 47 with this one last March, so I'm hoping to finally read it now!

Books finished this week: 2
Books DNF'd this week: 0

For review:

HUNTER!!!! MERCEDES LACKEY!!!!! HELLA!!!!

And I got Lair of Dreams to kick me into reading The Diviners.

Bought:

I probably don't have to explain this. One of the best books I've ever read.

The Stars Never Rise (4 STARS)

Red Queen (3 STARS)

Book Fashion Friday (14)

Book Fashion Friday is a weekly feature in which I post clothes inspired by YA books covers.

So this week's BFF is inspired by Champion by Marie Lu, a book I treasure. I was so sad to see this series end, but happy it ended with Day and June on good terms, with the promise of a good future. I'm still emotional about it, though.

THE BOOK:

THE FASHION:

$450 from Promgirl.

Instead of going to a cream dress with black and red accents which, let's face it, is a near-impossible dress to find, I went with this. I like how the black and red of the dress reflect the stencil of the rose on fire, and also how the texture of the bodice has a similar texture to the spray paint.

~Saruuh