The Young Elites - Marie Lu

The Young Elites

Marie Lu

Age Range: 12 and up
Grade Level: 7 and up
Series: A Young Elites Novel (Book 1)
Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers (October 7, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0399167838
ISBN-13: 978-0399167836
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Rating - 

Synopsis:

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

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.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

My Review:

   I was so excited to read The Young Elites when I received a copy at ALA in 2014. The book did not disappoint. The book is so fast - paced, and you never want to put it down. You hate having to come back to real life because all you want to do is read this book.

   The book had started a bit slow but it still grabs you within the first chapter. Adelina is a character that has to learn to grow from a life that has so much pain. You can see the growth in the story. Also, the whole situation between Teren and Enzo was heartbreaking. The end made me horribly upset but the cliffhanger gave me high hopes. I like the fantasy aspect that Lu has in this book. I feel that she could touch more on the other characters backgrounds instead of just Adelina.

   When I read this I had to compare it to her other series Legend. I absolutely love this book at lot more than the Legend series. I felt that I could connect with the characters more. I loved the pace of this book. It was a lot faster I feel. The cliffhanger is what makes me want to read more. Excited to see where the story goes with the rest of the series.

Falling Kingdoms - Morgan Rhodes

Falling Kingdoms

Morgan Rhodes

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Product Details:
Age Range: 12 and up 
Grade Level: 7 and up
Series: Falling Kingdoms (Book 1)
Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Razorbill; 
Reprint edition (March 11, 2014)
Language: English ISBN-10: 1595145850
ISBN-13: 978-1595145857



Rating:







Synopsis:
   Princess Cleo of Mytica confronts violence for the first time in her life when a shocking murder sets her kingdom on a path to collapse. Once a privileged royal, Cleo must now summon the strength to survive in this new world and fight for her rightful place as Queen. The King of Limeros’s son, Magnus, must plan each footstep with shrewd, sharp guile if he is to earn his powerful father’s trust, while his sister, Lucia, discovers a terrifying secret about her heritage that will change everything. Rebellious Jonas lashes out against the forces of oppression that have kept his country cruelly impoverished—and finds himself the leader of a people’s revolution centuries in the making. Witches, if found, are put to death, and Watchers, immortal beings who take the shape of hawks to visit the human world, have been almost entirely forgotten. A vicious power struggle quickly escalates to war, and these four young people collide against each other and the rise of elementia, the magic that can topple kingdoms and crown a ruler in the same day.

Review:
   I have read this book twice. The second time reading this book I noticed things that I hadn't prior. The multiple point of views was actually one of my favorite things about this book. I enjoyed how it gave insight to the other characters. It was a gripping read, kept me on my toes even the second time reading it. It is a fast paced read and I am ready to devour the rest of the series.

  Princess Cleo was an interesting character, very stubborn but strong willed. I liked her character a lot. She did a lot of growing in the first book, it will be interesting to see where the books take her character. I felt that no matter the things that happened around her she was frozen. Of course, she should have spoken up about the wrong things that happened but I can see where she comes from. If I were in her shoes, I'm not sure what I would have done. I probably would have froze in fear. Jonas family did not deserve what happened to them but he can't also wholly blame Cleo for someone else's idiocracy. Her fiance was whole heartedly to blame. My gosh did he bug the crap out of me. I wanted to jump into the book and kill him myself just so i didn't have to read anymore about him.

   Jonas was a character that I felt deeply sorry for. I just didn't like what he did later in the book. I believe that two wrongs don't make a right and I feel he was a little too vengeful without really asking questions. He was more of a "kill first, ask questions later" kind of character. It bugged me at points but I was glad that he was seeing hipocracy surrounding him and wanted to change it. Especially at the end of the book when he knew things took a turn for the worst and sees what he is to do to change it. That made me really happy.

   Magnus... now he was my favorite. Such a tormented soul. The feelings he has were pretty crazy addition to the book but it made for an intriguing storyline. I loved that he knew how his fathers mind work and could hide his true self behind a facade. Certain things were still shown to him by other characters (which was crazy that they toyed him with it). Lucia though could have been a bit nicer about it when she eventually finds out. I can't totally blame her though, because it was a weird thing to know about your own family, and what your brother really felt.

   Some of the things that happened the first time reading it really surprised me. The length the king of Limeros would go to make sure he had the power of all kingdoms. The second time around I noticed his mental incapacity to love. His hunger for power mattered more than anything, even his own family. He was willing to use his own children just to get to the point he is at the end of the book. It'll be interesting to see what he does in the rest of the series. I seriously hope to see him killed, by Cleo. 

    This book was a great adventure. I loved the multiple point of views as well as the action and the magic in the book. Morgan Rhodes knows how to weave the story into a beautiful, adventurous read. I believe it to be like a YA Game of Thrones but more fast paced and bit more enjoyable to read.