The Young Elites (Book 1)

Summary from Goodreads:

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.

The Rose Society ( Book 2)

Summary From Goodreads:

Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, and she destroyed them all.
Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she flees Kenettra with her sister to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers who nearly killed her.

But Adelina is no heroine. Her powers, fed only by fear and hate, have started to grow beyond her control. She does not trust her newfound Elite friends. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends, Raffaele and the Dagger Society, want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good when her very existence depends on darkness?

The Midnight Star (Book 3)

Summary from Goodreads:

There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.

Adelina Amouteru is done suffering. She’s turned her back on those who have betrayed her and achieved the ultimate revenge: victory. Her reign as the White Wolf has been a triumphant one, but with each conquest her cruelty only grows. The darkness within her has begun to spiral out of control, threatening to destroy all she’s gained.

When a new danger appears, Adelina’s forced to revisit old wounds, putting not only herself at risk, but every Elite. In order to preserve her empire, Adelina and her Roses must join the Daggers on a perilous quest—though this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger.

Confession:

This review has been sitting in my drafts for a for a long time now, because I’m having a really hard time sorting out my feelings about this series.  I loved, absolutely loved the first book.  Adelina was such an interesting and tragic character at the beginning, who totally lost her way by the end of the book.  It was fascinating to watch her change into the power hungry and driven girl, but still have so many doubts and insecurities. I also loved Enzo and Raffaele, two very strong male characters that truly wanted to help Adelina but really fail her in the end.

The second book was nearly as good as the first, but something was missing, perhaps Enzo? I still found it interesting though and continued to be amazed at how destructive Adelina was to both herself and her allies as well as her enemies.  Raffaele still wanted to help her, but even his friendship could not outlast her determination to destroy it all. Magiano was a good solid character, who beyond all belief had affection for Adelina and I think was a good influence on her.  But I still wanted Enzo back, really back. The last scene in this book was heartbreaking with Adelina all alone and miserable.

So even though I was a little disappointed with book two, I had high hopes for book three. Again something was just missing.  I didn’t feel anything for any of the characters by the end, and the many deaths of even some of the main characters evoked no emotion.  I just didn’t care.  I will say that the little folktale about the two lovers who were turned into stars, was a really nice touch and I liked the part where Magiano leaves to search for her star.

I still really like the major concept of this series and some of the abilities she came up with for the Elites were very different and intriguing.  Her writing as always was beautiful and I did like the series, I guess I just wasn’t satisfied by the last book.  I wanted more, but I’m not sure what that more is.  I will continue to read Marie Lu’s books as I loved her Legend trilogy and I very much enjoy her writing style.

Leave a comment, what did you think of the series overall?  Did any of you feel disappointed by the last book?