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elmarie_bassage's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Beautiful descriptive writing. Compelling characters. Fun YA dystopia.
serendipity_viv's review against another edition
4.0
Originally published on www.serendipityreviews.co.uk
I feel like I’ve been waiting to read this book for such a long time. Natasha Ngan has been on my radar for quite some time and I was intrigued about this YA fantasy novel that dealt with such adult topics as politics, class segregation and rebellion. I was impressed with how the author managed to make a political situation, so action packed and fast paced.
The author has created an intricate and highly detailed world which must have taken a long time to evolve. The world felt real, yet you knew it was really imaginary – if that makes sense. The writing is beautiful – such a strong descriptive voice that breathes life into this world. I could easily imagine what this world would look like.
The book is told in third person, but from three different viewpoints in short tightly packed chapters. There were a couple of times where I found myself getting slightly confused as to whose viewpoint I was reading, especially as the first part of the story is mainly Silver’s, but I soon worked this out. The story shows the contrasting lives between the Elite and the children living in the slums of Neo-Babel, which really works well.
I loved the relationship between Butterfly and Silver. They had known each other all their lives and were only just beginning to realise how they felt. As the romance gently blossomed, it was good to see that it didn’t take centre stage to the main plot revolving around finding out why Silver’s parents disappeared and where they went. In fact, it made an interesting minor plot line.
On the whole a beautifully written debut with stunning imagery and an action packed ending.
I feel like I’ve been waiting to read this book for such a long time. Natasha Ngan has been on my radar for quite some time and I was intrigued about this YA fantasy novel that dealt with such adult topics as politics, class segregation and rebellion. I was impressed with how the author managed to make a political situation, so action packed and fast paced.
The author has created an intricate and highly detailed world which must have taken a long time to evolve. The world felt real, yet you knew it was really imaginary – if that makes sense. The writing is beautiful – such a strong descriptive voice that breathes life into this world. I could easily imagine what this world would look like.
The book is told in third person, but from three different viewpoints in short tightly packed chapters. There were a couple of times where I found myself getting slightly confused as to whose viewpoint I was reading, especially as the first part of the story is mainly Silver’s, but I soon worked this out. The story shows the contrasting lives between the Elite and the children living in the slums of Neo-Babel, which really works well.
I loved the relationship between Butterfly and Silver. They had known each other all their lives and were only just beginning to realise how they felt. As the romance gently blossomed, it was good to see that it didn’t take centre stage to the main plot revolving around finding out why Silver’s parents disappeared and where they went. In fact, it made an interesting minor plot line.
On the whole a beautifully written debut with stunning imagery and an action packed ending.
olikamer_01's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this book up at Aldi not thinking much about it because it was like €1.50, but I really enjoyed it, got me into fiction books and got me back into reading after about a year break.
veronica245's review against another edition
I tried, I really did! But this just didn't engross me, usually dystopians get me right away but this it's dragged and dragged and I found myself skipping parts and pages. At 50% I thought to myself, why are you still reading this?!. And then I was done.
grace_cr1's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.25
This book is not worth the paper its printed on. If I could give a lower rating I would
escapeebee's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this! Loved the characters and the atmosphere. Review to come.
niratuer's review against another edition
2.0
I'm sad. I expected so much more from this book, and as usual, many YA novels such as this one tend to disappoint.
Like, LOOK at that beautiful cover...I was expecting some badass female assassin and her badass assassin boyfriend.
In this book, the problem was that there was no exposition! (as strange as it is, YA's tend to have too much.) I kept questioning why as I read through. Why did she do that? Why is that like that? There was no history to Neo-Babel, no explanation on how the Elites blood was better than common blood, and why Reds were discriminated. Also, there was no explanation as to how Silver became an Elite if she is a Red. In the book there is the saying that a Red's blood is lower than common people's blood, but an Elite's blood is higher than common people's. That is a contradiction???
Nothing is said of how Silver was accepted into Elite status, and none of the fighting scenes show any of her talent, or Butterfly's, or Ember's, who seems to be the best.
Again, with the blood, there is no sense to the quote 'The rumor that Elite's don't bleed.' There is nothing to back up that fact. Elites just seem like normal people who walk around with stun guns. And none of their so called 'missions' are explained. Also, the writing seemed very simplistic, as if it were aimed at a younger audience?
Ugh. I'm getting frustrated. Stuff this book.
Like, LOOK at that beautiful cover...I was expecting some badass female assassin and her badass assassin boyfriend.
In this book, the problem was that there was no exposition! (as strange as it is, YA's tend to have too much.) I kept questioning why as I read through. Why did she do that? Why is that like that? There was no history to Neo-Babel, no explanation on how the Elites blood was better than common blood, and why Reds were discriminated. Also, there was no explanation as to how Silver became an Elite if she is a Red. In the book there is the saying that a Red's blood is lower than common people's blood, but an Elite's blood is higher than common people's. That is a contradiction???
Nothing is said of how Silver was accepted into Elite status, and none of the fighting scenes show any of her talent, or Butterfly's, or Ember's, who seems to be the best.
Again, with the blood, there is no sense to the quote 'The rumor that Elite's don't bleed.' There is nothing to back up that fact. Elites just seem like normal people who walk around with stun guns. And none of their so called 'missions' are explained. Also, the writing seemed very simplistic, as if it were aimed at a younger audience?
Ugh. I'm getting frustrated. Stuff this book.
bookw0rmz's review against another edition
1.0
If I could put 0 star as a rating, I would. I couldn't finish it, it's poorly written, utterly predictable and I did not find it engaging in the slightest.
becki's review
Ugh. It has taken me a week to read 100 pages. This book is going on hold for now so I can do it justice later.
mj_james_writes's review
4.0
The Elites is a post apocalyptic novel about the city Neo-Babel. After a huge world war Neo-Babel is the only city left standing. The city was a social experiment before the end of the world, where all cultures came and lived together. As such, The Elites is full of a culturally diverse cast of characters.
Silver is an elite, someone chosen for their genetic superiority and bread from a young age to be skilled soldiers. Her best friend is Butterfly, a boy who had wings grafted into his back.
I enjoyed The Elites. The concept of the novel is not unique, but it was something that felt fresh. It was engaging, had good writing, a good plot, and realistic characters. It was a solid good novel.
However, I could see where it could have been amazing. With some tweaks of the dialogue, a more detailed background, and more culture thrown in the book would have been a solid excellent novel. Having read Ngan's latest book (The Girls of Paper and Fire) I know how she has grown as an author. While The Elites is a good novel, it is not the same excellence as her latest work.
With that being said, The Elites was still a very enjoyable read.
Silver is an elite, someone chosen for their genetic superiority and bread from a young age to be skilled soldiers. Her best friend is Butterfly, a boy who had wings grafted into his back.
I enjoyed The Elites. The concept of the novel is not unique, but it was something that felt fresh. It was engaging, had good writing, a good plot, and realistic characters. It was a solid good novel.
However, I could see where it could have been amazing. With some tweaks of the dialogue, a more detailed background, and more culture thrown in the book would have been a solid excellent novel. Having read Ngan's latest book (The Girls of Paper and Fire) I know how she has grown as an author. While The Elites is a good novel, it is not the same excellence as her latest work.
With that being said, The Elites was still a very enjoyable read.