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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
If you are expecting a book with a courageous and honorable hero, turn back. This is not it. This is about an anti-hero whose thoughts and actions would make you scared and cringe and uncomfortable. I don't recommend it for younger readers. Again, this book is DARK AND TWISTED.
Anyway...
This book is just so beautifully done. Diving into this, I knew what to expect and I knew I would automatically love it. The plot gives off this X-Men vibe wherein a group of individuals, after an incident, obtains powers and they are called 'Elites'. As in most stories, we go through the protagonist's journey of discovering and honing her power. There's both an external and internal conflict, which I really applaud [a:Marie Lu|4342215|Marie Lu|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1285032806p2/4342215.jpg] for. I mean, the external conflict (government who seeks out and aims to eliminate 'Elites' - and Elites way of fighting back) was typical. But the way she presented the internal conflict is just so wonderfully done. It turns out, Adelina (the protagonist) draws her power from fear and hatred - and this causes the internal struggle to succumb to the darkness in exchange for the power. Not only that, she is a very broken character, having some inner demons brought about by her past, and continuously, by the decisions she make. She's an anti-hero... a villain in the making.
I loved the way Marie Lu went into details to explain how the powers are materialized (some books would just say WHAT the magic wielder has conjured, rather than the HOW).
All in all, I am emotionally pained reading this yet I love every minute of it. There were moments I felt I cannot breathe. I cringed and I gaped and I am in awe. The ending just opened so many possibilities for the story to grow. I can't wait to read the next one!!
There's just a teeny-tiny bit of thing that bothers me. I wonder why if the chapter's from Adelina's POV, it's written in first-person, while if it's a chapter from others, it's in third-person. I'm not sure if there's a particular reason for it. I would have wanted everything to be consistent. Just my preference, I guess. Nevertheless, this does not even qualify as a reason for me to lower my ratings.
Anyway...
This book is just so beautifully done. Diving into this, I knew what to expect and I knew I would automatically love it. The plot gives off this X-Men vibe wherein a group of individuals, after an incident, obtains powers and they are called 'Elites'. As in most stories, we go through the protagonist's journey of discovering and honing her power. There's both an external and internal conflict, which I really applaud [a:Marie Lu|4342215|Marie Lu|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1285032806p2/4342215.jpg] for. I mean, the external conflict (government who seeks out and aims to eliminate 'Elites' - and Elites way of fighting back) was typical. But the way she presented the internal conflict is just so wonderfully done. It turns out, Adelina (the protagonist) draws her power from fear and hatred - and this causes the internal struggle to succumb to the darkness in exchange for the power. Not only that, she is a very broken character, having some inner demons brought about by her past, and continuously, by the decisions she make. She's an anti-hero... a villain in the making.
I loved the way Marie Lu went into details to explain how the powers are materialized (some books would just say WHAT the magic wielder has conjured, rather than the HOW).
All in all, I am emotionally pained reading this yet I love every minute of it. There were moments I felt I cannot breathe. I cringed and I gaped and I am in awe
Spoiler
OMG! ENZO!! I swear, bring him back!! I fear this is starting to turn into Calaena Sardothien all over again... like she is down a dark path and everyone (people she considers friends) turning against her and killing her love is not helping bring her back to light... guess it's all Violetta's task to help Adelina keep that tiny bit of humanity in her intactThere's just a teeny-tiny bit of thing that bothers me. I wonder why if the chapter's from Adelina's POV, it's written in first-person, while if it's a chapter from others, it's in third-person. I'm not sure if there's a particular reason for it. I would have wanted everything to be consistent. Just my preference, I guess. Nevertheless, this does not even qualify as a reason for me to lower my ratings.
THIS WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! I forgot at how amazing Marie Lu is, and she writes such complex and intriguing characters!!!!! i loved the story line and i really loved all the characters. especially adelina and raffaele!!!!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This series explores what makes someone good or evil and how easy it is for one moment to make or break someone. Definitely dark fantasy and I'm not entire sure I would stay this is YA. Be prepared for dark themes and a non traditional protagonist.
Leí este libro porque estaba cansada de que todo el mundo hablara de él, creo que peque por dejarme llevar por los demás. No me gusto, asi de simple. La historia me pareció poco interesante y hasta aburrida. Para mi los personajes no tenían fuerza, ni siquiera un propósito claro y decente, solo lo mas banal y sosos. No me parecio real. En conclusión me dejó tan mala impresión que no creo que lea mas libros de la autora. Fin, jamás, nunca, terrible.