The Young Elites

By: Marie Lu

Narrated by: Carla Corvo, Lannon Killea

Length: 10 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of The Young Elites by Marie Lu, read by Carla Corvo and Lannon Killea.

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 rumoured 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.

©2016 Marie Lu (P)2016 Penguin Audio

A Guide to break down a YA Protagonist in One Book

The surmise is basically similar to X-Men. But in this case, some sort of disease left children with extraordinary powers. The people of Adelina's country, however, see these children as cursed and have actively hunted them down.

But to be honest, it isn't the plot or the summary that attracted me to this book.

If you've read a LOT of YA novels and you find yourself unable to relate to the heroes and heroines who rise above the pain and prejudice directed at them their whole life, then I believe this book is for you.

The main draw of this book is Adelina and how her story progresses throughout the novel. She starts off the way a lot of YA characters start out. Being in a world wherein she's a hated minority, she still has people she cares about and still longs for a deep and lasting connection with people. Halfway into the book though, we find out just how unique Adelina is from other YA protagonists..

So if you want an exploration into the hows and whys someone (especially a YA heroine) could make very morally ambiguous choices, then give this YA book a try.

Unlikable mc

The story is not bad and i could not understand why i still did not like it, so i actually Got almost to the end of the second book until i realized that the reason why i could not like the story is that i Really dislike the MC. Horrible personality, mean, enjoying others pain, powerhungry and trying to Seem empathetic by being Sorry for doing whatever psychotic thing she just did. I actually started rooting for the “bad” people. Maybe she redeems herself in the end as the story hints at all the time - i dont know, since i gave up.