The Young Elites

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Publisher: Putnam

October 2014

ISBN: 978-0-399-16783-6

Pages: 355

Fantasy Romantic YA

Adelina Amouteru survived the blood fever.  The deadly illness swept through her nation a decade ago.  While most of the infected perished the children who survived ended up with strange markings on them.  Adelina was left with a jagged scar where her left eye once was, her black hair turned silver and her lashes went pale. Her cruel father sees her as malfetto, an abomination.  He is also convinced that she is ruining the family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. There are rumors that some of the fever’s survivors have more than just scars.  They are believed to have powerful and mysterious gifts. They are also called the Young Elites, though their identities are kept secret.

Teren Santoro is the Leader of the Inquisition Axis. He also works for the king.  It is his job to seek out the Young Elites and destroy them before they can destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites are dangerous and vengeful.  Though it is Teren that just might possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society.  It is within this secret sect, who also are some of the Young Elites that they seek out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can find them. The Daggers discover someone with powers the like they have never seen when they find Adelina. 

Adelina would like to believe that Teren is the true enemy and that Enzo is on her side.  As each fights a very different and personal battle they will find their lives colliding in unexpected ways.  Though one thing they all agree on is that Adelina abilities don’t belong in this world. There is a vengeful blackness in her heart. She also desires to destroy all who dare cross her.

This proves to be a very addictive book to read.  The characters and world building expand with each word read.  The story takes some very interesting twists and turns that keep the reader turning the pages just to see where this one is headed.  While there is a slight cliffhanger at the end it works very well with the story line and will have readers eagerly awaiting the next book to come out.  The reader really gets to understand Adelina and why she does what she does.  Readers will also want things to work out for Adelina. 

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH