The Young Elites

Author: Marie Lu
Series: The Young Elites #1
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Release Date: October 7, 2014

Summary: 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.

Review: This book reminded me a little of The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken with the whole blood fever, children emerging with new gifts sort of thing. But that's about where all the similarities end.
This is my first experience with Lu's work and let me tell you, I am now going to read all of her other works. This novel was fascinating, unsettling, and awesome!! I really enjoyed Adelina's character. She was incredibly dark, and although she has the potential to be incredibly beautiful, after the blood fever hit she was left physically marred and missing her left eye. I really enjoyed this concept and the fact that she isn't 'perfect' and that she does have these crazy eerie thoughts and imaginings going on inside her head. Really upped the creep factor for this book.

I'm one that enjoys a love story (sometimes love triangle) along with all the adventure and mystery. With The Young Elites I was a little dismayed with the romance in this book. Mostly the fact that there was very little, and the romance the book did contain was . . . like . . . weird.

The novel was above average, but not mind-blowing good. I will most likely be reading the second book, The Rose Society, mainly because of the horrendous act that took place towards the end. Overall, a unique, and intriguing piece of work.