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The Young Elites by Marie Lu- 4.75/5 stars

The Young Elites was a trilogy I put higher on my tbr list due to the hype on my bookstagram circle, and I am glad that I did. This was certainly a worthy read!

The Blurb:
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.

The Legend Trilogy by Marie Lu is one of my favorite reads, so I very was excited going into this. I am so so glad it did not disappoint. 

I absolutely loved the main character Adelina, and as she turns darker and darker I have the feeling I am going to love her even more in the next books (yes, I am a bit strange like that! hehe)
This girl has been through hell and back. She spend her whole life being abused by her father feeling unloved and worthless. Although she did not grow up with some strange ability the physical markings she bares are enough to give her a rather difficult life. People hate her, call her an abomination... 
It is not until she tries to run away, is captured and then ends up with the Daggers that she starts to believe in herself, in the power she has in her. The only problem is, the power she has is dark, it's dangerous, and through out the book it causes her to be stronger but it also causes her pain. She is not the hero in this story, and she is not the villain either. She is human. She is greedy and wicked as well as lovely and kind.

Teren is a rather interesting character. He is a villain, but isn't at the same time. People come out of traumatic events differently, and so did he. But his past is not mine to share here and spoil it all for you. I am looking forward to learning more about him and seeing where the author takes him.

This might sound a little strange to you, but as of now, both these characters remind me a little of the Darkling. It may all change in the next book... but for now... 

The next main character worthy of our time and mention is Enzo, the leader of the Daggers. He is the hero in our story, even if things don't end as expected (which in my opinion made the book all the better. Who is tired of predictable tales with me?). Enzo is not a saint, he can't kill as easily as one breaths, but he is noble and powerful, his moves are never without reason.
His romance with Adelina is cryptic, he appears to care for her, but he also appears to be using her. 

All in all a great read! My only reasoning to not giving it 5 stars is that some characters felt a little underdeveloped, specially our boy Enzo. We get a few lines towards the end on his past with Teren but never a look into who he is apart from the titles he bears. 

Anyway folks, I gotta go read The Rose Society now! see yah 😊


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