Review: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Posted July 28, 2015 by Lisa Mandina in / 18 Comments

I was able to get an ARC of this book through a trade with Emily at Falling for YA.  It was one that I was very excited to read.  Although so far I’ve only read Legend by Marie Lu, I really liked that one so much, that I just had to get ahold of this one.  Unfortunately I wasn’t as blown away this time.  By the end of the book I was definitely drawn in enough that I’ll have to read the next book to see what happens though. 

This is a fantasy story set in a world ten year after a horrible disease/plague has either killed or left with major scars.  The types of scars usually include things like hair colors, but can also be things such as losing an eye.  And some of the children who survived not only have strange markings, but also may have powers.  These children are called malfettos, and the king and queen want to rid the world of them.  They may not all have powers, but those that do could be a serious threat to the king and queen.  You see the prince is one, and he wants revenge on his sister who kept him from becoming king due to his new deformity/power.  His name is Enzo, and he is one with the strange powers.  In fact he calls himself and those he has gathered for his revenge, The Young Elites.  Adelina is truly the main character though.  She lost an eye and her hair turned silver.  She has a younger sister who seemed to have survived with no markings or any changes.  And so their father has always treated her younger sister, Violetta, much better.  Until one day Adelina hears a plan of her father’s that she wants no part of, and so she tries to run away. But when her father catches her, her powers manifest and she kills him.  But in doing so, she is caught by the king and queen’s Inquisitors and taken to be killed.  There she meets Teren, the head Inquisitor.  Teren is a malfetto himself, but his power is more well hidden. And he does the queen’s bidding, as he is in love with her, and thinks she is in love with him. 

When the Young Elites save Adelina from her execution, she is taken back to their hideout where they will try to train her and see if she can be of use in their plans.  But she will not know if she is really being accepted, or if she must only do what is in her own, as well as her sister’s best interest for themselves. 

The powers were definitely interesting.  The story itself had great detail and description.  I just don’t know how I feel about the love story, seems almost forced to me unfortunately.  And really, I just don’t know if I like Adelina that much, or even her sister towards the end of the book.  But there is enough left hanging, and characters that I do like, that I need to know what will happen next.

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18 responses to “Review: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

  1. It's too bad this book didn't blow you away. I've never read any of Marie Lu's books, but I have several. Hopefully you'll feel differently after reading the next book.

  2. Anonymous

    I've read and loved The Young Elites, but I haven't read any of Marie Lu's other books. I know there are mixed opinions about this book, but personally I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the sequel later this year. 🙂

    Julie @ Books and Insomnia

  3. I like that the story had detail and good description; not sure if I'd be happy with a 'hanging' ending. It's a shame you weren't sure of Adelina or her sister towards the end.

    • The ending was hanging, but I'm okay, especially knowing that the next book comes out soon. And I liked them better towards the end than I had in the beginning. Thanks for visiting!

  4. I'm almost next in the queue list for the audio book at the library when your review reminded me I should read Legend first 🙂 I just requested Legend. I'm the 6th in the waiting list! so that is about a week wait. In the meantime… I still have to finish and Ember in the Ashes and maybe I can start reading Maze Runner Series in preparation for the Movie release. 🙂

    • Well, you don't have to read it first, they're different series and have nothing to do with each other, so you're good whichever way you go. 🙂 Loved An Ember in the Ashes, hope you are as well! And I loved the Maze Runner series, the 2nd movie is one I"m looking forward to, I really liked that book!

    • Well, I was listening to it on audio when I went and did my walking at the park, but I haven't been walking because of the horrible heat here the past few weeks, so haven't listened in a while. Need to get back to that. 🙂

  5. I had those same kind of feelings as well and so I won't be finishing this one. I just didn't like lots of choices and such even though the setting and writing were both really good.

    • It's one that I might read on, some day, if I ever have any extra time and nothing I want to read more. Agreed, great writing and idea, I just didn't care for some of the characters. Thanks for visiting!

  6. Ah, it's a shame you have some mixed feelings on this book, but I am glad you found it to be okay. It does have a dystopian feel to it so I am not sure what I would think. But I like the sound of the action in it, just a shame about the main character and forced romance.

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