The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Publish: 2014
Pages:355
Format:Book
Rating:4
Summary

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

Want action? Want romance? Want to yell at all the characters in the book? If you answered yes to all these questions then this book is for you.  Marie Lu has created a world full of imperfect people with abilities to change the world. The only thing that lingers is, is the change for the good or the bad? I love the majority of the characters and their awesome abilities. The book can pull you right in like you’re there with the characters watching everything.

 

Killed her father, ran away, ratted out by sister, caught and thrown into prison, saved by a handsome guy, tossed into training, sneaking out, traitor, fighting to save sister, and fighter all describe what happens to Adelina. Now lets talk about this sister relationship. Adelina was RATTED OUT by her sister Violetta! How could her own sister do that to her?? And then have to turn around and save her. What the heck! Then Violetta tells Adelina that she was the reason she never experienced her powers around her father because she had the power to take hers away! Talk about family drama! But at the end of the book Adelina realizes that she needs Violetta more then she will ever know. I’m certain these two will mend their relationship and stand by one another.

Enzo, Enzo , Enzo you stole my heart. One of the many dream guys that I have. Compassionate, sweet, nice, caring, strong, minded, stern, and patient are qualities that he has. Trying to teach Adelina how to use her powers to help him and the rest of the elites over throw the queen and king, so Enzo can retake his throne. He falls for Adelina. In his eyes she is beautiful and faithful. I really wished that Adelina told Enzo that she needed his help in saving her sister instead of going behind his back.

I do not like Raffaele. I’m sorry to those who do. He comes off to nice and the way he acts throws me off. He takes Adelina under his wing showing her all the ins and outs. I feel like he is using her to gain understanding of her powers to use her later on for his advantage. He wants Enzo to kill her before her powers become out of control. But this is not the first time Raffaele insists Enzo to kill one of the elites. It just has me curious.

There were a few scenes where the rest of the elites show off their powers, but I wish there were more interactions with them showing off their powers in a more unique way.

Check out Goodreads and Amazon for more information about The Young Elites.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, I was born in 1984. Before becoming a full-time writer, I was an Art Director at a video game company. Now I shuffle around at home and talk to myself a lot. 🙂
I graduated from the University of Southern California in ’06 and currently live in LA, where I spend my time stuck on the freeways.

 

Mystical by Michael Weekly

Author: Michael Weekly
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
Publish Date: December 8, 2015
Format: Paperback
Pages: 380
Rating: 5 Stars
Summary: When Eliza Rose found out she was a witch, she thought she’d be casting spells…

However, it turns out Eliza is on her way to becoming a mystical assassin. But first she has to start college with her best friend Dawn Roberts and her feline familiar Jared. If you think college is stressful, try finding your best friend being seduced—nearly to death—by a venomous fairy. Something is horribly wrong, and Eliza must find out what it is.

Knowing who’s who in the Mystical world can be a burden—or save her life…

Murderous mermaids, seductive fairies, and manipulative elves are terrifying enough, but pure witches can become corrupt…and they’re the most dangerous creatures of all. Eliza struggles to discover the source of this chaos, but is repeatedly attacked—and saved by a shadowy figure. On a very personal note, Eliza must learn whether corruption is beginning to claim her mother.

Her strongest ally might be handsome, enigmatic Donovan—but he is hiding a shocking secret…

Donovan wants nothing to do with his old gang—not after the things they’d made him do.
But when he meets Eliza, he’s both frustrated by her amateur skills and impressed by her emerging strength, and he feels compelled to help her grow into the assassin she’s meant to be.

Every answer has a price, and there are beings born to corrupt the pure.

Eliza fights to master her skills before it’s too late, while Donovan must determine whether Eliza can be saved…or if she must die to keep her out of the hands of those who would use her powers to reign over all of Mystical.

MY REVIEW

First off thank you Michael Weekly for giving the chance to read Mystical. I enjoyed going on the journey with Eliza and the other characters.  I had several likes about this book and just one dislike about it. Okay, so here we go. Just one question,

This book is packed with a lot of information. so you need to keep up with what’s going on to understand. I really enjoyed reading this unique, dark,mysterious,suspenseful,and witty book. Each character has their own mystery for example Donovan. Who is he and where does he come from? Eliza reminds me of myself, except for the whining. Sorry, but she is just too whiny sometimes. Other than that she’s fun and crazy. I never knew what she was going to do next.  Michael made her weapon very creative in my opinion by making it a little pen, and with a click, it becomes a weapon.  This story is full of creatures, darkness, and magic that will affect Eliza in multiple ways.  Oh and let’s not forget Jared who tells Eliza how it is with his sarcastic remarks.

I love romance and even though this book genre was Fantasy I wish there was a little more romance between Eliza and Donovan. Donovan is my favorite character from Mystical, and the author gives me the starting of what can be a relationship between the two. If Donovan does not care for Eliza in that way then why is he always around her. I hope the author will enhance Eliza and Donovans relationship in his next books.

If you’re interested in finding out more about Mystical you can find it on AMAZON. Also, add it on your GOODREADS.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Weekly is a professional writer known for his ability to construct detailed, believable worlds and then to inject them with captivating stories and relatable characters. His big break came three years ago when he started writing on a site called Wattpad. Prior to that, he had written mainly as a hobby and as an exercise in relaxation and meditation, using writing as an escape out of the world and into his own mind.

Writing in the genres of Urban Fantasy, Dystopian YA, and NA, Michael is the author of Mystical, which has earned a ton of positive feedback. Mystical was picked up by Limitless Publishing in 2015, and since then, Michael has been working on additional entries to the series.

When he is not writing, Michael also enjoys playing video games such as League of Legends and World of Warcraft. He enjoys being a shopaholic and a professional foodie. He lives in Virginia with his imaginary fury companion CoCo, where the two live happily.

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