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The Young Elites (The Young Elites, #1)

Marie Lu

Start date: November 1, 2015

Finish date: November 16, 2015

Discussion: Desafio 2015

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Desafio 2015

Red Rising
By cc · 61 posts · 53 views

last updated Feb 24, 2016 02:38AM

Romance Paranormal | Angelfall
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last updated Feb 23, 2016 02:14AM

What Members Thought

Jun 27, 2019 Angela rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: horror-dark, fae-witches-magic-dragons, p-apocalyptic-apocalyptic-dystopia

“Some hate us, think us outlaws to hang at the gallows.
Some fear us, think demons to burn at the stake,
Some worship us, think us children of the gods.
But all know us.”

description

“The only way to clamp down on my energy is to erase my emotions, and so I fold them each away, one by one. My sorrow turns to anger, then to ice-cold fury. My soul curls in one itself in defense. I am gone. I am truly gone.
I am not sorry.” ...more

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Feb 18, 2022 inês rated it liked it · review of another edition

“Sorry, always sorry. What in the world can you buy with an apology?”

This book used to be quite popular in my early years as a bookworm, so I was aware that this specific book was 'one of a kind', since Adelina, the main character, was known to be a villain, or someone that grew to avoid being some sort of hero. Marie Lu's writing isn't new to me either, since I read Legend years, years ago.

Maybe because of that, I was waiting for darker, further feel into Adelina's descend to her power a “Sorry, always sorry. What in the world can you buy with an apology?”

This book used to be quite popular in my early years as a bookworm, so I was aware that this specific book was 'one of a kind', since Adelina, the main character, was known to be a villain, or someone that grew to avoid being some sort of hero. Marie Lu's writing isn't new to me either, since I read Legend years, years ago.

Maybe because of that, I was waiting for darker, further feel into Adelina's descend to her power and role as a possible antagonist. Her character was built, fleshed out well, and her relationship with Violetta intrigued me. I kept expecting more and more hate, more madness, but probably because this is a first book, Lu only built all the basis for chaos.

The men were all incredibly boring. Enzo, whom I enjoyed for a while because... hello? blood red hair? how cool is that?, ended up becoming as bland as a door. Teren was a different type of one dimensional:I can name a grand total of 2 personality traits that he had. It's funny, I realize now, a big chunk of their passions or stories/pasts revolved around women, either with love or obsession. It happens that none of the women were Adelina.

Did I want it to be her? Not exactly. It's just that the relationships in the book as a whole were not... nurtured - aside from the sisterhood between our main characters. So much of the past and outside is told to you, but there's a rift in the present, when action takes place. Tell, why would I buy that Enzo and Adelina had any chemistry? Why would I care that Teren has his reasons when he doesn't spark any curiosity? They didn't measure to what each of their roles could've been.

Raffaele was the only character that fascinated me: perhaps because of his gift and relationship status with the main character, or maybe because of his usually "calm" demeanour. He reminded me of Julius in Red Queen, he's the wise pillar of the story. I'm afraid he won't be that important from now on with that ending introducing us a new character, so I'm sad to see him go.

As for the technical aspects, the storytelling was well executed and not confusing, although I still find Lu's writing a bit emotionless/cold. Like the word says, it's mostly that: technical, dressed with a few philosophical quotes here and there, and some mantras/sentences to add lore and ambience. Maybe if I was younger, I'd enjoy them more.

Meh, it's a solid three stars. Would probably be 2.5 if goodreads allowed half stars. ...more

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