My fave book trilogy

I've only read this book one time in 7th grade, and since I'm a high school junior I forgot a lot of detail. I will be re reading this book soon and updating my review but I remember enjoying this book a lot so I recommend it!!

I read this book as a kid and I think I only got so far before not finishing it. So this summer I decided to give it a second shot and actually attempt to finish the series.

Adelina is a survivor of the blood fever, a disease that ravaged the world and left the survivors with special marks and powers. Adelina never knew what hers was, until she accidentally kills her father with the power of illusions and somehow finds herself in the hands of the Young Elites, a group of malfettos trying to take back what is rightfully theirs. How far will Adelina go, and how much will she discover about herself?

The world-building of this story was pretty simplistic and easy to pick up and understand from what is told. It has mystical creatures and easily defined boundaries and power systems. I did really like the magic system and how malfettos are connected to each other with these threads, but also how they connect to the gods themselves. It helped make a lot of connections in the story that I appreciated a lot.

The characters I would say were okay. I really liked seeing the slow process of Adelina's corruption and how she ends up in this spot in the first place, and it really demonstrates her as a morally grey character who is willing to do what is best for her, even with her powers slowly but surely corrupting her. I loved Enzo and Raffaele, and Teren had such an interesting complex that reminds me a lot of Eli from Vicious. Everyone else was kind of unforgettable sadly.

As for the plot, it's pretty basic. Rebel groups fights "bad guys," big final fight, something happens that makes them reconsider everything they know, and cliffhanger set up for next book. But I'm definitely excited to meet these new characters and how it will set up for the rest of the series.

Young Elites is a fast read and good for anyone looking to get their foot in the door of a dark fantasy.