Official Review: The Young Elite by Marie Lu

[briellanoelle]

 In the 1300's the blood fever has struck in a land called Kennetra. Those who were sick cried blood tears as their hair and eyes turned colors and strange markings ran across their skin leaving most branded. Those were lived through the fever were young while elders died. However, those who survived were scarred and left to be called malfettos. Unwanted and feared by many they were considered outcasts and abominations, ruining their families’ names. Among these malfettos were survivors who were given extraordinary powers unseen in this world. Summoning fire, controlling winds and speaking to animals. These children seek out others like them with gifts and have formed the Young Elite. 
     Adelina Amouteru has survived the blood fever and is left with a scar where her left eye used to be, and hair and lashes that have taken the shade of silver. Her younger sister, who also survived, is still pure. After Adelina tries to run away from her cruel father she witnesses her own dark magic and the power to control illusions, making phantoms appear out of the ground and making others see things that aren't really there. When she is about to be hung for the murder of her father the Young Elite rescue Adelina and begin the task of initiating her as a member of the society. 
  I have read another series by Marie Lu's called Legend and after finding out she had written another novel I was more than excited to read it. I researched all I could and after I received it as a gift, I dove right into the world of Kennetra and immediately fell in love. What surprises me throughout the novel is how Lu introduces the character Adelina as one who is both loved and hated at the same time. Adelina, like most people contains a darkness and sin that will later on in life make a major impact on her decisions. She is a character that I had a hard time figuring out whether she was the protagonist or the antagonist because of her dark personality but I believe this trait simply added to the books quality. Lu alternates some chapters giving a look into the minds of some of the other characters and their pasts. Enzo, the leader of the Young Elite is a character that I originally was skeptical about but kept wanting to know more about his past and how it intertwined with another character Teren. Teren is originally thought of as an antagonist who wants to hunt down the Young Elite and any other malfettos with gifts but after learning why I looked at him differently. 
     Overall the plot to the book was brilliant. Marie Lu was able to easily create this world filled with gods and angels as well as magic while creating a balance between light and dark. What I loved most about the story was the detail in the writing and how she illustrated the emotions running through each character. There were times when I wanted to cry over how heartbreaking moments were and scream at someone for acting the way they did. In the end I was left wanting more. 
     I would rate this book 4.7 out of 5 because I went into his with high expectations and was not disappointed. I know for a fact when the sequel to this book comes out I will be the first in line ready to buy it. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is into novels about magic, tragedy and overcoming dark pasts as well as anyone who has read Marie Lu's other books. 

[gali]

Duplicated topic

The Young Elite