BOOK REVIEW:The Young Elites by Marie Lu

“Be true to yourself. But that's something everyone says and no one means. No one wants you to be yourself. They want you to be the version of yourself that they like.”

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

            Usually I can finish reading a 300-400 pages book within a span of 1-3 days only and sad to say this book did not make the cut. The reasons were simple. First, I don't like this book. Second, I was expecting too much from Marie Lu (being a die hard fan of Legend Trilogy) to deliver another genius piece but she failed and I was very disappointed. Lastly, the plot itself, very weak, shallow and predictable.
          The story started with this dark and tragic life of the main character, Adelina Amouteru, being narrated or describe, in which I found very weak kick to hook the readers. Yes, it was quiet interesting with the plot set back at the Italian history and all those stuffs that the novel started like it was prepared with a cup of Assasins Creed diluted to a liter of Game of Thrones serve to the X-Men people. The problem which I was really irritated was that the transitions and the pacing of the story was so weak and boring. Flashbacks after another flashbacks and so on. Plus, you can really predict that you will not like the characters especially Adelina. 

            So the story continues to roll with these predictable society of Malfettos called The Young Elites with their so stupid and very common powers. I just hate this book and by just remembering the things Ive read while I write this review pisses me off. Miss Lu wrote the story with no other emotions but only pain and grief. Sorry. The novel lacks flavor. 

        The characters were not interesting. From this perfect and weakly establish role of Violetta to this stupid, very boring and forgettable main character Adelina. Enzo was not well defined. Teren was overly defined and pass over the limit of being a normal character. By the way the thought that Miss Lu delivered for Teren, being a malfetto hunter while he is one, was very ironic. Ironic in the sense that he was doing it because of his sexual relationship with the add on character, literally an add on character, the queen.  Raffaele on the other hand was forgettable and unlikable. 

         The twist? Well I will tell you what I felt about the twists. PREDICTABLE. Making the novel very boring. Aside from being predictable, the twists were shallow and stupid. I just hate myself now for wasting my time reading the book and spending a part of my weekly allowance last week to purchase a copy of it. 

          The climax of this book was plainly BAD. Predictable, lacks commitment from the writer and weak, just very weak. 

           If there is a good part in the book well that will ONLY be the epilouge. If you are going to ask me why? The epilouge was promising. It gave hope that this tragic first novel and all the things it stated will be justified and improved soon. 

OVERALL RATING: 5/10

            STORY: 5/10

            CHARACTERS: 3/10

            THE FEELS: 6/ 10

            ENTERTAINMENT: 6/ 10

PLOT: 5/ 10