The Young Elites

by Marie Lu
published:  G.P. Putnam's Son for Young Readers, 2014
pages: 355

Adelina was a normal girl once, but now she is malfetto.  She may have survived the blood fever when she was younger, but that didn't mean she wasn't effected by it.  Aside from scars, many of the fever's survivors are said to have special powers and call themselves the Young Elites.  Adelina doesn't want the lot she's been handed, but she has only this choice, learn to control it or let it control her.

WHAT THE HECK.

I was sorely tempted to leave that as my full review because holy cow this book threw me for a loop.  I loved that there wasn't any real stability in this story. Everything was constantly in danger of falling apart from numerous different threats-- betrayal, friendship, family, love, secrets, all of these are potential cornerstones in the downfall of our main characters.  There so much to unpack about the characters and where their loyalties lie.

Adelina (beautiful name) is thrown into the world of the Young Elites.  She is just as secretive as the rest of the characters, but in a more desperate way.  Her character growth in this novel is stunning.  Adelina goes from being a terrified and distraught child to a strong-willed and frighteningly powerful Young Elite.  She is definitely our antihero, as are most of the Young Elites.  It's a complicated narrative, where no side is the "right side" and each character has to decide for themselves where they stand.

The powers that some of the characters have are incredible, not your run of the mill flying or invisibility.  There's quite a bit of manipulation of nature and the elements.  It's all very interesting and sometimes scary.  When people compare it to X-men, they are definitely on the right track.  These people with powers are amazing and they have to make a choice on how to use their powers.

Marie Lu knocks it out of the park with this beginning to her knew series.  I cannot wait until the sequel comes out! (Which was YESTERDAY everybody!)  I cannot wait to follow Adelina further into her story and see where high jinks and adventure take her.

Stars: 5/5

Praise:

"By permitting her characters some grand failures, she raises the stakes in the best way possible... There is clearly more to know, and I look forward to it.  This is a world worth revisiting."
     --The New York Times Book Review

"Lu pivots from the 'coming of age via romance' formula to pry apart the many emotions that pass under the rubric of love... There's nothing easy here, for Adelina or readers -- there are no safe places where the pressures of betrayal, death threats, and rejection aren't felt."
     --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Lu weaves her magic across the page as she unfolds the story of Adelina and the Young Elites.  Nothing is as it is expected."
     --VOYA

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