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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
2.5 STARS
I liked it. I really did. The world building was awesome and there wasn't a dull moment in the entire book.
...but...
I didn't really connect with the protagonist; I understood her actions, but most of the time I thought she was all over the place. I just didn't get her. And I was not happy with the ending, frankly.
I liked it. I really did. The world building was awesome and there wasn't a dull moment in the entire book.
...but...
I didn't really connect with the protagonist; I understood her actions, but most of the time I thought she was all over the place. I just didn't get her. And I was not happy with the ending, frankly.
I almost didn't read this because of the opening page (reading about quarantining during a pandemic did not sit well with me...) but I'm glad I did because I really enjoyed the storyline and the darkness that came with it. I don't think I've read a book in which the main character is a little bit more on the dark/evil side rather than good, so following Adelina was an unexpected, but pleasant change of pace. I must say I am so annoyed by the Daggers and their judgmental ways, but I can't say I fully side with Adelina so I hope the other books give a little bit more clarity on who is in the right versus wrong.
DNF at 63%. Just can’t do it anymore. There must be an audience for this book, but I am not it.
I loved LEGEND. So, naturally, I was excited for Lu's next series.
The Good:
- The idea is compelling. Who doesn't want to get super powers after you're sick?
- The heroine sounds badass!
The Bad:
- The heroine is not badass. She's just... confused and a little disturbing and oddly shallow. I don't enjoy reading her.
- I'm at page 143 and I just can't go on. I usually give up after about 50 pages if a novel isn't grabbing me, but I kept going because, you know, this is the author of Legend! But that novel was exciting. This is not. It's too bogged down with set up. Sure, the first 30 pages are intriguing and there's action, and then... the heroine hangs out at the place the Young Elites are keeping her and that's it, because of course they won't tell her their secrets yet (this is such a well-worn trope it's become an annoying cliche for me).
- Not much happens. It seems like stuff is happening in the background, but our heroine is mostly unaware of it, so there's no significant conflict or tension in her story.
- Randomly this book will jump narrators. Suddenly one chapter follows Enzo. Then the Inquisition guy. But then we follow the heroine for so long that I forget there are supposed to be other POVs, and when they return I'm like, "What? We're following this guy again?" It's the exact opposite of Legend, where there was a balance between the two leads carrying the story. The Young Elites feels disjointed in its attempt to follow more than the main character.
In Conclusion:
I've had this book for 3 weeks and I haven't gotten farther than page 143, a sign I'm truly bored with it. Not much has happened. I'm sorry for comparing this so much to Legend, but it's hard not to - that book was so great that it makes this book seem so bad in comparison. My suggestion? If you liked Legend, don't read this book. You'll be disappointed. However, The Young Elites reads like a lot of other slower-paced dystopian fantasy, and if that's your thing, you may love this new series.
The Good:
- The idea is compelling. Who doesn't want to get super powers after you're sick?
- The heroine sounds badass!
The Bad:
- The heroine is not badass. She's just... confused and a little disturbing and oddly shallow. I don't enjoy reading her.
- I'm at page 143 and I just can't go on. I usually give up after about 50 pages if a novel isn't grabbing me, but I kept going because, you know, this is the author of Legend! But that novel was exciting. This is not. It's too bogged down with set up. Sure, the first 30 pages are intriguing and there's action, and then... the heroine hangs out at the place the Young Elites are keeping her and that's it, because of course they won't tell her their secrets yet (this is such a well-worn trope it's become an annoying cliche for me).
- Not much happens. It seems like stuff is happening in the background, but our heroine is mostly unaware of it, so there's no significant conflict or tension in her story.
- Randomly this book will jump narrators. Suddenly one chapter follows Enzo. Then the Inquisition guy. But then we follow the heroine for so long that I forget there are supposed to be other POVs, and when they return I'm like, "What? We're following this guy again?" It's the exact opposite of Legend, where there was a balance between the two leads carrying the story. The Young Elites feels disjointed in its attempt to follow more than the main character.
In Conclusion:
I've had this book for 3 weeks and I haven't gotten farther than page 143, a sign I'm truly bored with it. Not much has happened. I'm sorry for comparing this so much to Legend, but it's hard not to - that book was so great that it makes this book seem so bad in comparison. My suggestion? If you liked Legend, don't read this book. You'll be disappointed. However, The Young Elites reads like a lot of other slower-paced dystopian fantasy, and if that's your thing, you may love this new series.
Wow, I have to say that this book shocked me, in a good way for sure. The characters were so great, and I loved the fact that pretty much all of the main characters were sort of morally grey. It brought such potential to the story, and I think this potential was successfully fulfilled. The story was great and shocking and fun, and there was never a moment when I thought that I didn't want to read it. To sum up, this was such a great read and I can't wait until the end of the month when I will be getting the sequel. 4.75/ 5 stars because the ending of the book killed my feelings and I'm still a little bit bitter.
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think I would have enjoyed this more if I had read it as a teen. The story and the main character’s development were interesting, but I just didn’t feel connected to the characters or the plot. On top of that, the romance didn’t work for me—I didn’t buy it. His feelings seemed to come out of nowhere, which made it hard to be invested. Because of that, I don’t see myself continuing the series.
It got so much better than I decided to give it 4 stars. Maybe 3.5, because it did take quite a long time to really come into its own. I think I'm going to try to write more of a review at a later date.
adventurous
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A