Fantasy novel by Marie Lu
The Young Elites is a fantasy novel by novelist Marie Lu released on October 7, 2014. It is the first novel in the trilogy. The second book is called "The Rose Society" and was released on October 13, 2015. The third book, "The Midnight Star", was released October 11, 2016.
Plot.
A decade after the blood fever swept through the nation, most survivors—all of whom were children—gained strange markings during their time of illness. Those with visible markings became known as "malfettos". When people close to "malfettos", such as family members, began having strange accidents or deaths, people began to believe that these "malfettos" were bad luck and began treating them as second-class citizens. It is not widely known that the blood fever gifted some of these "malfetto" children with strange abilities—the children with these powers became known as The Young Elites. The Inquisition Axis believes that Young Elites are dangerous and vengeful and will destroy the nation, and thus seek to destroy them before they can do so.
Adelina Amouteru was a survivor of the blood fever and, as a result, her black hair turned silver and she lost her left eye. She grew up with an abusive father who wished to exploit any possible abilities that she may have developed. One night, in an attempt to escape from her father, she accidentally murders him when her powers manifest: she is a Young Elite who can weave illusions that can trick the sense of sight, touch, smell, and sound. She is then caught by The Inquisition Axis, led by a secret "malfetto" named Teren Santoro, and imprisoned. Later, in the middle of her execution, she is rescued by The Dagger Society, a group of Young Elites that seek others like themselves and teach them how to control and use their gifts.
Though it seemed that the Dagger Society have saved her out of kindness at first, the motives of Enzo, the leader of the society, are revealed. Enzo is the former heir of the throne. After his parents’ deaths, his sister removed his title and banished him from the palace for being a "malfetto". She then married a duke, who became king, and started denouncing "malfettos" so Enzo could not regain the throne. Enzo seeks to overthrow the current king and gain control of the kingdom with the help of the Dagger Society. As the story continues, Enzo and Adelina start to develop feelings towards each other.
In the climax, Enzo battles Teren and Adelina attempts to use her power to cause Teren severe pain. She mistakenly attacks Enzo though, and with the distraction, Teren kills him. The Dagger Society expels her and she flees the country on a ship, vowing to create her own army and return.
Reception.
"The Guardian" gave it 3.5 stars.
The book reached number 4 on the New York Times bestseller list.
Sequels.
The second novel in the series is called "The Rose Society" and was released on October 13, 2015. The third and final book, "The Midnight Star", was released on October 11, 2016.
Film adaptation.
On April 14, 2015, it was announced that the studio and producers behind "The Maze Runner" franchise, Fox and Temple Hill Entertainment, had bought the film rights.
References.
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