By Quentin Monasterial
Courier Columnist/Reporter
If you are a fan of fantasy, adventure, and anti-heroism, then this book is for you.
In the novel Young Elites by Marie Lu, readers are immersed into a fantastical world. The novel takes place in a country called Kenettra. At the time, a plague had recently terrorized the entire world and killed thousands. The children that survived are left with scars and are labeled by society as “marked,” as malfettos.
Unfortunately, these melfettos are left with marks. Sometimes, they are gruesome and resemble scars, whereas others enhance their beauty. They are all, however, unique to each malfetto. One mark that some malfettos are left with is a special ability. These ones are called Elites.
The main character, Adelina Ameterou, is an Elite.
The book introduces Adelina as a teenaged girl—a melfetto—who is forced to deal with the stigma surrounding people like her. Her mark is her silver hair and a scarred eye. Even her own father doesn’t let her forget her alleged monstrous nature. Her sister, on the other hand, is her father’s favorite.
From here on out, as Adelina’s abilities begin to manifest and she realizes that she is an Elite, her life undergoes a drastic change. She is forced to flee home. But eventually she encounters other Elites like her. But not just any Elites; these ones seek to change the way malfettos are treated. Inspired by their cause, Adelina joins them.
This novel is probably unlike any one I’ve ever read because the main character is an anti-hero. Lu’s depiction of Adelina is very, very different from many other protagonists in other novels I’ve read. Sometimes, you’d think that you’re reading from the perspective of the villain.
But despite this, Adelina is probably one of my favorite characters because I relate to her on a very personal level and I enjoy her narration. Many times, villains are misunderstood, and I feel that Lu does a fantastic job of shining light on that fact.
This novel is filled with action and adventure. Its potential for even more thrill is like a ripe apple waiting to be bitten into; I can’t wait to see where Lu will be taking us in this series.
There is romance (like many young adult novels), but not at the expense of the novel’s quality. The romance wasn’t too loud or so ridiculous as to cause me to roll my eyes constantly. It was sweet and heartfelt.
The thing I enjoyed most about this novel is its unpredictability. By the time I reached the end of the novel, I was still trying to wrap my head around what happened. I couldn’t believe that Lu was willing to do what she did!
All in all, if you are looking for a novel that cares very little about conventionality and predictability, then I highly recommend you pick up this novel.
