Book Review: The Young Elites (The Young Elites #1) by Marie Lu

Title: The Young Elites (The Young Elites #1)
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Penguin Group
Release Date: October 7th 2014
Pages: 336
Format: eBook
Source: Bought
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

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.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

Why didn't I read The Young Elites last year? WHAT ON EARTH WAS I DOING? AND WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME ABOUT THE FABULOUSNESS OF THIS BOOK? I mean here I am reading other fantasy books and this one slips right past by me like if I was nothing more than a blip on my radar. I can't even with myself right now.

I have never read a story where the main character is such an enigma to me. Half the time I felt sympathy towards Adelina and the other times I wanted to run far away from her and never look back but then I would want to hug her and she's just got so much going on. (btw totally Team Adelina, Teren and Enzo can move along) But I think that's what I liked about The Young Elites, a few of the characters weren't exactly good nor bad, they are stuck somewhere in between and as I reader I liked that. I liked not knowing what they were going to do, I liked not knowing who was friend or foe. I LIKED EVERYTHING OKAY except for someone dying who I didn't think would die and I want to cry again because damn it that character was growing on me.

Also, I love romance like any other girl but holy hell can Marie Lu write an action scene like nobody's business. The way she described those fighting scenes had me wanting to put my tennis shoes on and go kick some butt, seriously.

As a fan of Marie Lu's previous series, I can full full-heartedly say I'm looking forward to her next books in this series, they are going to be epic, I just know it and I'm still completely mind blown with what Marie Lu has created. I'm very picky on my fantasy and this is one book where I was in awe and I need the second book, NEEEEEEED.