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stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
5.0
Update July 29th: Changing my rating to 5 stars because this is one of my favorites of the year and so worth it.
So. Tell me, little wolf. Do you want to punish those who have wronged you?
4.5
Character-driven fantasy is something I never knew existed, and now I'm in love.
The young elites is a dark, gritty book that keeps you engaged the whole way through.
In short, this book follows a young girl struggling with her madness and darkness and has to either fight it or succumb to it.
It reminded me of [b:The Immortal Rules|10215349|The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden, #1)|Julie Kagawa|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323357921s/10215349.jpg|15114912], with its dark undertone, kick-ass heroine and exciting plot.
Lu's writing is luscious and captivating. I didn't expect this from the author of Legend, which was all about the action and read like a movie script.
For a book with very little romance this has a very sensual and enticing tone.
The small details matter, the electricity in the air when Raffaele is in a scene (so much love for him); tender kisses; even the joy and power Adelina feels when terrorizing people with her magic.
The novel builds and builds; the anticipation quickly growing. There is no climax to this story. The whole book was a climax! The pacing is close to perfection, and I was never bored.
My one and only problem is with the fantasy world, which is a little blurry. The setting is only quickly described in rare instances. I wish to know more about the outside, since that map immediately got me interested.
A fantasy book with world-building which leaves more to be desired would normally break the whole story for me, but the heart-stopping battle scenes and magic-wielding made up for it.
And then there's so much to love here. The plot keeps you at the edge of your seat, with pacing close to perfection and clever twists.
The first half you're lulled into safety. Despite everything Adelina goes through, it can't possibly get any worse, right? You wave it off with a lazy hand.
You've read a good amount of YA fantasy and know the drill by now. No matter how much blood or how many tears are shed, the most important characters will get through it.
Wrong. Right when these characters have hit rock bottom, Marie Lu runs back and kicks them in the stomach one last time.
You know me, I live for antiheroes and multilayered characters. Perhaps my favorite thing about the book is the main character Adelina. This girl has been torn apart so many times, and is damaged beyond repair. Everyone has betrayed and left her.
Adelina is lost and desperate at the beginning of this book, but goes through surprising character development. At the end, she's not the blushing, helpless little girl anymore; she's a woman who is aware of her strengths and weaknesses, and knows that her power is dangerous, but this badass can control it now. And she is pissed off.
The darkness bows to me, eager for my embrace. I close my eye, open my heart to the feeling, and soak in the delight of vengeance.
Adelina Amouteru is both the hero and villain of this story, and that's what makes it so amazing.
There are no happily ever afters here. There's only rage and revenge.
And it's bloody spectacular.
So. Tell me, little wolf. Do you want to punish those who have wronged you?
4.5
Character-driven fantasy is something I never knew existed, and now I'm in love.
The young elites is a dark, gritty book that keeps you engaged the whole way through.
In short, this book follows a young girl struggling with her madness and darkness and has to either fight it or succumb to it.
It reminded me of [b:The Immortal Rules|10215349|The Immortal Rules (Blood of Eden, #1)|Julie Kagawa|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1323357921s/10215349.jpg|15114912], with its dark undertone, kick-ass heroine and exciting plot.
Lu's writing is luscious and captivating. I didn't expect this from the author of Legend, which was all about the action and read like a movie script.
For a book with very little romance this has a very sensual and enticing tone.
The small details matter, the electricity in the air when Raffaele is in a scene (so much love for him); tender kisses; even the joy and power Adelina feels when terrorizing people with her magic.
The novel builds and builds; the anticipation quickly growing. There is no climax to this story. The whole book was a climax! The pacing is close to perfection, and I was never bored.
My one and only problem is with the fantasy world, which is a little blurry. The setting is only quickly described in rare instances. I wish to know more about the outside, since that map immediately got me interested.
A fantasy book with world-building which leaves more to be desired would normally break the whole story for me, but the heart-stopping battle scenes and magic-wielding made up for it.
And then there's so much to love here. The plot keeps you at the edge of your seat, with pacing close to perfection and clever twists.
The first half you're lulled into safety. Despite everything Adelina goes through, it can't possibly get any worse, right? You wave it off with a lazy hand.
You've read a good amount of YA fantasy and know the drill by now. No matter how much blood or how many tears are shed, the most important characters will get through it.
Wrong. Right when these characters have hit rock bottom, Marie Lu runs back and kicks them in the stomach one last time.
You know me, I live for antiheroes and multilayered characters. Perhaps my favorite thing about the book is the main character Adelina. This girl has been torn apart so many times, and is damaged beyond repair. Everyone has betrayed and left her.
Adelina is lost and desperate at the beginning of this book, but goes through surprising character development. At the end, she's not the blushing, helpless little girl anymore; she's a woman who is aware of her strengths and weaknesses, and knows that her power is dangerous, but this badass can control it now. And she is pissed off.
The darkness bows to me, eager for my embrace. I close my eye, open my heart to the feeling, and soak in the delight of vengeance.
Adelina Amouteru is both the hero and villain of this story, and that's what makes it so amazing.
There are no happily ever afters here. There's only rage and revenge.
And it's bloody spectacular.
lymadebell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
carleighdipasquale's review against another edition
4.0
*4.5 stars*
I really loved this book! Marie Lu has such a simple yet interesting writing style. It was was quite fascinating to read from the point of view of an anti hero and the concept of this story was intriguing! Though I did have some problems with the characters sometimes, I thought this novel was a well executed and finely developed introduction to a great new fantasy series!
I really loved this book! Marie Lu has such a simple yet interesting writing style. It was was quite fascinating to read from the point of view of an anti hero and the concept of this story was intriguing! Though I did have some problems with the characters sometimes, I thought this novel was a well executed and finely developed introduction to a great new fantasy series!
kissylou_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
harleyrae's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It was different than what I was expecting but such an engaging read nonetheless. I really like how this story is different than most YA books. It makes it difficult to see the line between good and evil.
Can't wait to continue on soon!
Can't wait to continue on soon!
lyla_a's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0