A review by val_theburrowofstories
The Young Elites by Marie Lu

adventurous dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 
  • This book feels perfect for readers who are just starting with books and want to experience some of that dystopia era of books in 2014.
  • In this story, years ago a fever affected kids changing their physical appearance, but a handful of them ended up with supernatural powers. Our main character is 16yo Adelina Amouteru who survived the fever but with a big scar in her face because she lost her eye and her hair color changed to white. Adelina will soon discover she belongs to one of the powerful Young Elites and this book is about how she learns to control it with a new group of friends and how they can change things in their Kingdom.
  • Personally, I feel like this year I read so many fmc from popular books who were just stupid and/or the stereotype of "I'm not like other girls but I hope he picks me and saves me because I can't do it myself", I really dislike those characters. But Adelina was not like that! She has darkness inside of her (because of childhood trauma) and she is learning to control her powers to change things for people like her, she's smart, she always has a plan, she is ambitious, she fights back, she doesn't take shit from anyone, she wants power! I really like her and want to see where she ends up.
  • Probably the only thing I didn't like was Enzo falling for her. It didn't make sense to me: he doesn't know her, there's no chemistry or connection there, she's just the new girl, somehow Adelina reminds him of this other girl but in personality and physical appearance they're very different??? So, yeah.. Honestly, if it wasn't for this stereotypical believe that every YA must have a boy-girl romance, I think in terms on romance, chemistry and connection it would've been way more interesting to see Enzo involved with his second hand, Raffaele, or with this other boy who is his childhood friend and now enemy, Teren. It would've been so good that way, but that's asking too much from a 2014 YA book.
  • Overall, I loved to see Adelina’s journey. I did not expect that ending at all and it had me intrigued for the next book. I really liked this book, 4.5 ⭐ for me.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings