Review Detail

The Young Elites is a series best read cold--knowing anything about the plot might elicit expectations that won't be met. Instead, I'd encourage readers to go in and let Adelina guide you through her story. That said, Adelina Amouteru is not the easiest YA heroine to know, and her polarizing characterization will likely inspire debate between readers, even as they continue to turn the pages.

Adelina is cursed by a disease that left her with powers she can't control, and a father who hates her. The kindness of her sister is quickly gone from her life, as Adelina sets out on her own, and finds a group called the Young Elites. The Elites are powerful as well, their abilities leading to fear of all Malfettos throughout the kingdom. As Adelina decides what she wants to be--Elite or independent--conflicts rage around her.

I loved this book for its characters, especially Adelina. Her undeniable anger and fierce passion is so rarely encountered in YA, whether or not readers will agree with her decisions. Seeing characters who aren't demonized for impractical or strange decisions is important for teens, and Adelina's choices will definitely lead to some interesting conversations.

As a group, the Young Elites are a compelling bunch of outsiders, though I'm much less interested in Enzo as a love interest than I am as a leader. Raffaele is even more enchanting, his perspective on Adelina surprising me on every page he shows up. It's in his interactions with Adelina that I see them both more clearly, and their awkward friendship feels honest and true.

The weakest point in the story is definitely Teren. While he is certainly malevolent and unlikeable, it's not his evil actions that leave me wanting, but the lack of compelling motivation behind them. It's hard to believe that Teren would have these specific reasons to hate the Malfettos, without more backstory to support his intense hatred.

Pulling all of these characters together is Marie Lu's signature writing style, punchy and clear and fascinating. Readers familiar with the Legend series may find Adelina more frank and unforgiving a narrator, but I enjoyed the openness of her POV. It was refreshing to feel like I was really getting to know Adelina, even the ugly thoughts she was afraid to think.

Overall, The Young Elites was a strong start to the series, and easily one of the most resonant novels I read in 2016.