About: The Young Elites is a fiction novel written by Marie Lu. It was published on 10/7/2014 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 355 pages. The genres are fantasy, young adult, dystopia, romance, and magic. The Young Elites is a series of 3 books: book 1 is called The Young Elites, book 2 is called The Rose Society, and book 3 is called The Midnight Star (currently on Edelweiss available for request). The author was a Flash Artist for Disney Interactive Studios before becoming a full-time writer.
My Experience: I started reading The Young Elites on 9/10/16 and finished it on 9/11/16. This book started out by grabbing my attention and keeping me wanting to know what happens next. As the story goes on and the repetitions of the father in every chapter, I find myself having to push forward rather than read on because I want to. I do enjoy other parts of the book, but the repetitions lose my interest. I understand the emotional abuse Adelina experienced at the hands of her father and how it’s causing her to become insane and even a psycho but I still feel irritated. The training drags and the story building drags as well. Andelina is the main character and she doesn’t come across as clever. When the enemy hunt for her and found her, she doesn’t deny who she is. I’m surprised that she doesn’t put up a fight right away. I could guess immediately what she will do because if she doesn’t, the story will end. It seems Enzo plays a big role in this book and yet his POV is not included. The plot in this book is good. Teren is well played and as well as the other Elites. I like the Epilogue and quotes starting of each chapter. I like how the title is weaved into the story. The love seems predetermined, it was not a surprise when it happened. Well, maybe not love but attraction?
Andelina’s response to an apology. I feel exactly this every time someone says sorry to me. It doesn’t change what happened one bit. I personally don’t like apology, the ones I received are a knee jerk reaction. Thank you Marie Lu for putting this sentence into the book. I will reply this sentence whenever someone say sorry to me 🙂
Sorry, always sorry. What in the world can you buy with an apology? p.285
Pro: elites power, quotes from the story instead of from some classic books, enemy’s POV, a big show of Andelina’s power
Con: bringing up about her father in every chapter is really annoying, the same way of pulling out her power is repetitive, Raffaele is good with clients, but why no actual scenes?
I rate it 4 stars!
Grab yourself a copy here: Book Depository
***Disclaimer: I borrowed this book from my local public library and my opinions are honest.
xoxo,
Jasmine
In your review, it almost sounded like you disliked the book more than you liked it. Just wondering what is the main reason you rated it 4 stars? Like what did you like MOST about the book?
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That’s a good question Megan. I still like the Adelina character because I understand what makes her angry and the things that goes through her mind only make you want to read on. Her character is very well created and to have an unstable main character lead the story is a new interesting twist. One scene does lead to the next, I’m just off by a few minor setbacks.
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Ahh, I see! I have been debating buying this book and starting the series… I’m just unsure about it still. Do you think it’s worth a purchase? Or should I just wait till my library gets it?
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Read from the library first. Sorry you have missed the Amazon deal where TeacherofYA posted on her blog that Amazon were having the sale $1.99 each for book 1 & 2. You can buy when it gets that cheap. TeacherofYA rated 5 stars for both books. I like this series more than The Raven Cycle. This series plot & characters make sense, The Raven Cycle, only the characters make sense.
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Dang. Sucks I missed them while they were on sale. I’ll just wait till they go back on sale or get them from the library. Thanks so much!
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Oops, my reply intended for The Rose Society. I didn’t realize you comment on book 1.
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Yes, but I’m interested in all the books, so that’s ok! 😉
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In this book 1, I like the world building and the characters building. Plot & characters are great. I understand what is happening even get to know the villain’s thought process. The actions were good. There were intense moments.
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Awesome. Thank you, Jasmine! 🙂
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Very good review!!!! I kind of liked the fact that her father was a constant reminder of the previous life and how much he rules her life even after his death but that only my opinion!! 😊
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A well worth opinion 😊 I am reading book 2. Are you?
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Actually I have already read it but I’m not going to spoiler you !!😊
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Oh! I will look for your review after I finish it. I read 50% of it already 😊
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It’s really dark!!!
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Do you plan on continuing to read the series, Jasmine? I love books that I can’t put down, but sometimes I feel like I’m reading for the sake of reading, instead of enjoying the book itself.
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Yes. I am reading book 2 right now called The Rose Society. This series is interesting so far. I do like books that keeps me wanting to know what happens next. This series is almost to that level. The Winner’s series, have you read it? I couldn’t put those books down when I was reading it.
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I haven’t read them yet, but I am waiting for The Winner’s Curse to come in from the library! 🙂 I can’t wait to get into these addictive series.
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Yeah, Adelina is a sympathetic character…but the darkness inside her makes her scary to watch. I can’t wait to see what you think of The Rose Society!
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I see you give it a 5 stars but don’t you find it annoying how she brings up her father all the time?
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I do…Adelina is very complex. She was warped by her father so much that she would do anything for his love…though it causes her madness.
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I loved the Legend trilogy by Marie Lu so I’m excited to try this!
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I haven’t read Legend series yet. But I thought to start on this series since the third book is available for request on Edelweiss. You should start too!
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