The epic fantasy The Young Elites by Marie Lu powers its way into our recommended books of 2014.
I had The Young Elites on my Nook for a few weeks, having too much to do to be able to open it the day it was released. Having read the entire Legend series, however, I knew it was a book I wanted to read. As time approached for an 8-hour road trip, after which I would be seeing Marie Lu, I made a plan of action: despite having the book on my Nook and buying a copy to be signed, The Young Elites became the first book I ever listened to on audio book. And it was an experience I will never forget.
The book is told from the point of view of an abused girl in a world following an epidemic called “the blood fever”. While most adults that caught the disease died, many of the children survived, but with deformities that left them unwanted. Some of these deformed children developed powers and were called “The Young Elites”. As the book starts, Adelina Amouteru has had enough of her abusive father and will do whatever it takes to get away.
Through her adventures, Adelina joins a group of Elites set on fighting back against the leaders that regard them as abominations. But in a series of events, Adelina is left unsure of what to do or who she should trust—including herself. Deemed “a villain’s story”, we get to see what it takes for a person to truly break.
While the story is primarily told from Adelina’s point of view, we also get flashes into the minds of others, both friend and foe. It gives the readers just enough information to keep you on the edge of your seat, knowing twists and turns that Adelina may never discover. It was a tale of fear and confusion, surprises and heartache, which left me literally staring in shock.
Though I have some predictions, I cannot wait to see where Marie Lu goes with the rest of Adelina’s story. If you like a story of twists and turns, you will certainly love getting lost in the world of The Young Elites.
To find out more about The Young Elites, check it out on Goodreads or its official website.
