The Young Elites (The Young Elites #1)
Summary:
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. (Summary and cover courtesy of goodreads.com)
Review:
I’ll be honest, I still have very mixed feelings about this one. Adelina is certainly not your run-of-the-mill heroine (or anti-hero even). She has her own code of what is right mixed with a darkness that no one seems quite able to explain. The level of darkness is to the point that I had to stop, get up and walk around at a few different points in the book.
On the one hand, that makes me love Adelina as a character, but on the other it makes me struggle to read the book at the same time. There are aspects that are completely relatable, while others repulsive, but that’s part of the point. I absolutely adore Enzo – he consistently wanting to know more about him. And the ending? I’ll just leave it at the comment of: there were a few sentences I had to reread to make sure I didn’t misunderstand what happened.
P.S. I am extremely intrigued by the sneak peak we get of the sequel in the epilogue so I think this will be a series I continue!
Warning: Contained repeated violence.
Rating: 3 stars!
Who should read it? Dystopian and fantasy cross-over fans who are willing to try something a little darker than usual.
Want to read the whole series?
The Rose Society (The Young Elites #2)
The Midnight Star (The Young Elites #3)