Review: The Young Elites (Audiobook)

Source: eLibrary

The Young Elites by Marie Lu
Series: The Young Elites # 1
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dystopia
Length: 10 hours and 9 minutes
Narrator: Carla Corvo, Lannon Killea
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Buy it: Amazon | Kindle

Description for 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.

My Rating:

My Review:

The description from Goodreads is extensive.  You don't need anything extra from me.  Except perhaps a shorter summary... Here goes.  Adelina is one of the many children marked by a fever, that left adults dead and children marked with a scar.  Those who have been marked are both feared and terrorized by society because they all have remarkable abilities.  After near death, Adelina joins the Dagger Society hoping to use her powers to a greater good.  But there's a darkness in Adelina that many fear...

On the story...
I didn't really like this one.  Don't get me wrong, Ms. Lu did a great job and it is a well-written read but I just didn't like Adelina.  She isn't a likable character as she is filled with anger and bitterness.  And I like unlikable characters at times.  I love Scarlet O'Hara for goodness sake.  But Adelina was not my cup of tea.  I hate being in the heads of angsty teenagers.  I was told that she was dark and there were hints that she  might have touches of evil but it wasn't quite believable in this installment.    There is a dissonance between how she is described and what I noticed as a reader.  Having read the second book, I can honestly say that is resolved later.  But in this one I was left confused.  The world-building wasn't anything special and there wasn't a character that I just loved.

On the audiobook...
The narrators couldn't help me connect to characters that I just didn't care about it.  It wasn't their fault though.  I think this one can be read or listened to without losing any of the experience.

Overall...
I'd say this read isn't very special.