What indeed.

4.5 stars. I AM SPEECHLESS. If there's something I didn't expect, it was to meet a female-lead who could equal Jorg of Ancrath's dark ambition.



Saying that I didn't have great expectations before starting [b:The Rose Society|23846013|The Rose Society (The Young Elites, #2)|Marie Lu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1443368070l/23846013._SY75_.jpg|42990051] would be an understatement. Indeed I was part of the (very) few who weren't convinced by [b:The Young Elites|20821111|The Young Elites (The Young Elites, #1)|Marie Lu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1407318399l/20821111._SY75_.jpg|25217978], mostly because I felt that what I read wasn't what I've been sold : I found the first installment boring, tame, in a word : disappointing. That's why I'm glad to tell you that none of my complaints are still relevant.

➊ The pacing improved grandly : This sequel is an exciting journey whose pacing never wavers, letting you on the edge of your seat all the way. Although [a:Marie Lu|4342215|Marie Lu|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1285032806p2/4342215.jpg] chose to write her story in several POV (which can be a no-no for me, if not handled well), there was NEVER a moment when I wasn't hooked and eager to know what would happen next. No more useless and boring parts : the story was highly compelling through and through.

➋ What a formidable tale of ambition and revenge. Gah. Jorg would be so proud. While the first book only set the (needed, I realize) foundations of Adelina's story, I didn't care for the romance there (I know, I know, I'm such in a minority on this, but Enzo is flat in my opinion)

Spoiler

I STILL DON'T CARE ABOUT HIM, and really, if they are together in book 3, I will be pissed, because the guy is CREEPY and represents only the past

and her relationship with Enzo didn't make much sense to me. Great news! The plot finally focuses on her ascension and no matter how painful some steps were (I sure don't condone all her actions), the events taking place brought so many raw feelings that I can't find in me to complain. Granted, the world-building is still a little sketchy, and there were inconsistencies in some parts, but [a:Marie Lu|4342215|Marie Lu|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1285032806p2/4342215.jpg] managed to make them believable. (Please don't make Magiano suffer too much, though) (I have a soft spot for LOVE this little thief)

➌ Truth is, what can be annoying is also great : this is my second book by [a:Marie Lu|4342215|Marie Lu|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1285032806p2/4342215.jpg], and I can safely say that I don't get her - I can't wrap my head around the direction she takes her stories, and it used to make me lose patience in [b:The Young Elites|20821111|The Young Elites (The Young Elites, #1)|Marie Lu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1407318399l/20821111._SY75_.jpg|25217978], especially during the boring middle. But. Here it definitely played in her favor, because I could never predict what would happen (I still can't). Also, the twists were brilliant. Of course I loved that (I'm worried, though) (I did read [b:Emperor of Thorns|15985373|Emperor of Thorns (The Broken Empire, #3)|Mark Lawrence|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1352546239l/15985373._SY75_.jpg|21528629], you know).



➊ Adelina is a true villain in training : When my boyfriend asked me why I was so happy with Adelina and her Elites (why yes - clapping might have been involved at some point), I told him, "because they're no good". He raised his eyebrows (a little worried, I think), not sure of what to make of my answer (I swear, I'm a nice woman - most of the time). Really, though? I genuinely think that my fascination for unusual and darker characters lies in the large number of books I read. See, had I read 10 books in my whole life, hell, had I read 10 YA Fantasy series in my whole life, even, I would probably not seek this kind of characters out (or maybe - I'll guess we'll never know *smiles slowly*). But there's only so many farmer boys soon-to-be heroes I can take, and in this ocean of one-dimensional super-villains whose goals are often vague as fuck, I thrive on meeting multi-layered and dark characters who twist the tropey rules and make their owns.

After [b:The Young Elites|20821111|The Young Elites (The Young Elites, #1)|Marie Lu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1407318399l/20821111._SY75_.jpg|25217978], I didn't think that Adelina had it in her to become the free female-lead I wanted her to be. I was wrong.



*cackles with glee*

Yes she threatens my boundaries and her decisions make my skin crawl sometimes, but I get her, I really do. I'm not sure what that says about me, though.

➋ Give me some sarcastic and unapologetic male-lead, pretty please : I loved Magiano (I can't be the only one who roots for him, RIGHT?). Where Enzo's passion seemed too similar to Adelina's for me to really care, Magiano adds something different to the story, and if I'm not sure I understand all his reactions yet, he is endearing, mischievous, and he makes me laugh.

[creepy interlude]

Let it be known that his smile brightened my day and that I would defend him like a wolf.



Do. Not. Touch. Magiano. OKAY?

[/creepy interlude]

➌ Every one of these characters - Sergio, Teren, Violetta, Maeve, Raphaele - are fleshed-out, complex, and interesting to follow. None of them is wasted or one-dimensional.

► I closed [b:The Rose Society|23846013|The Rose Society (The Young Elites, #2)|Marie Lu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1443368070l/23846013._SY75_.jpg|42990051] out of breath, worried as hell and intensely satisfied by the daring direction [a:Marie Lu|4342215|Marie Lu|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1285032806p2/4342215.jpg] took. What a great surprise really.

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