Mundie Moms

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

The Young Elites by Marie Lu, Book Review



By: Marie Lu
Published by: Putnam
Released on: October 14th, 2014 - TODAY!
Series: The Young Elites #1
Source: arc from publisher to review
5 Stars - I Loved It
Order Your Copy From: Amazon | B&N | IndieBound
Add it to Goodreads


ABOUT THE BOOK

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.

If I had to do a one worded review I would say this book is AWESOME! I am a huge fan of Marie Lu and her writing. I love the way she quickly engages me into her stories. Her story telling is vivid, her characters are ones I enjoy reading about, and the worlds she create are just as dangerous as they are enticing.  Marie Lu has yet again proved why she's one of my favorite YA authors.

First of all, let's talk characters. Lu is one of the few authors whom I feel has mastered the art of story telling from multiple points of views. Not only does this enhance the reader's ability to quickly become engaged with the story, it allows readers to get to know the characters, understand their motives, and see all sides of the story without hindering the story's fluid plot line. Whether the characters are good or not, I liked understanding where each character stood with all that is going on in The Young Elites's world. Each of their point of views add so much depth to the complex story, as well as to their over all character development. It was interesting to see how certain events of their childhoods drove to make the decisions they did, or believe certain ways. Their beliefs only fueled their stance on the events taking place.

The world building is awesome. Like with her previous series, Lu once again ranks up there with authors who have this ability to create these incredible worlds that fuel the story. Much like the characters, the world plays a huge rule in the story. I loved how vividly detailed her story's world is. It was incredibly easy for me to picture it in my mind as I was reading the book. Bonus, the published book has a map! YES, a MAP! Y'all know how much I love maps in books. 

Lu's writing is flawless. The Young Elites is a book that hooked me from beginning to end. There is adventure, magic, secrecy, betrayal, a hint of romance, plenty of danger and the kind of character chemistry I love. You know the kind that makes you want to turn the pages faster just so you can find out when the two characters finally kiss. YES, there is kissing! Don't worry, there's more to the story than kissing. In fact, the romance in this story is not the main point of the story, and it's great! There is so much going on, and so many other elements to this story. There's good and evil, darkness and a drive I got with all four of the characters, though I didn't necessarily agree with each of their actions. The way in which Lu combined all her elements is perfection. 

I love it when I sit to read a book, and become so engaged with the story that I don't have time to wonder how much longer do I have till the end nor do I want to skip to the end of the book. Don't judge me, you guys know those kind of books I'm talking about. The Young Elites is a book I really enjoyed reading. I'm looking forward to seeing what Marie Lu has in store for her characters next. I need answers after those shocking twists/reveals near the end of the book. Oh, and that ending.... if I could have the sequel now please, that would be great. Thank you! 

MORE ABOUT THE BOOK
Read an excerpt.You can find out more about The Young Elites from my interview with Marie Lu, here, and by visiting series's site here.

Twitter Tuesday

It's back! Twitter Tuesday is a weekly post we started a long time again to help further promote book related announcements some of our favorite authors were tweeting about. Whether it be about their upcoming releases, book tours, giveaway etc. This week I'm sharing a few tweets I've favored over the past two weeks from a variety of authors who have tweeted about upcoming releases, pre-order deals, new book deals, hitting the NY Times best sellers list, and more movie news. 


Both Julie Kagawa @jkagawa & Harlequin Teen @HarlequinTeen have Tweeted about the awesome TALON pre-order pack fans can receive! There's still time to pre-order your copy of Talon by Julie Kagawa & receive all you see pictured above! Go here to find out more info. 


New Leaf Literary @NewLeafLiterary tweeted a link to Epic Reads for fans to read the prologue to Sara Raasch's SNOW LIFE ASHES, which I think will be on this year's epic releases! Check out more about the book here

Becca Fitzpatrick @becfitzpatrick announced that she'll be going on tour for her release of BLACK ICE! Check out her upcoming events here. She's coming to TX!!!!

Katie McGarry @KatieMcGarry tweeted that Rules, Echo & Noah #2, is a full length novel and will be released on December 8th, 2015. You can pre-order it now! She also announced via Twitter that NOWHERE BUT HERE, the 1st book in her new series will debut this coming Spring!!! 

Wendy Higgins @Wendy_Higgins is hosting an awesome giveaway on her blog! Check it out here

Congratulations to both Victoria Schwab @veschwab & C.J. Redwine @cjredwine who Tweeted the exciting news about their new YA book deals! Read more about Victoria's deal here, and C.J.'s here. Also mentioned in that same article are deals with Maggie Stiefvater, Jackson Pearce (whom are doing a book together).

Congratulations to YA/NA/A author Jennifer L. Armentrout, who's Stay With Me hit #11 on the NY Time's e-book best sellers list! Between The Covers @BtwnCoversWM shared that exciting news last week. 



Fickle Fish Films @FickleFishFilms announced some exciting news about Twilight! Stephanie Meyer & LionsGate are teaming up for a Female Filmmaker project!! You can read about the announcement here. I loved a tweet that Margaret Stohl @mstohl shared, she said "Say what you will about Twilight, Stephanie Meyer supports women in film. Her record stands", and she linked to our friends at the Examiner and their article here

Follow us on Twitter via @MundieMoms for our latest news, book related news & events and well, sometimes we might branch out and post other things that have nothing to do with books. haha 

#ReadPink Blog Tour

It's October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
Penguin Random House is hosting a READ PINK tour. You can check out all the information below about it. I'm so thrilled to have both Mundie Moms & our Grown Up Book Reviews blog be apart of this month long tour.  Please take a moment and read through this post to find out more about READ PINK.




Read Pink® in Honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Support the Next Chapter in Innovative Research


Penguin Random House Marks Five-Year Partnership Milestone and $125,000
in Donations to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®


What’s black and white and pink all over?  The initiative by Penguin Random House called Read Pink® in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October)!


Today the scientific community has left behind the “one-size-fits-all” breast cancer treatment to emerge with targeted, more effective therapies. As a result, after remaining stagnant for more than 50 years, the death rate from breast cancer has decreased by 30 percent. The Read Pink® initiative by Penguin Random House is proud to be part of this exciting new chapter in the fight against breast cancer, supporting the bold research of The Breast Cancer Foundation® (BCRF), while leveraging its passionate readers to help increase awareness and education about the disease. This literary embrace of a life-saving cause has resulted in nearly 1.5 million best-selling novels shipped with Read Pink seals and information about BCRF across all five years of the promotion.


Penguin Random House is thrilled to partner once again this year with BCRF, as 91 cents of every dollar spent by BCRF is directed towards breast cancer research and awareness programs.


The $25,000 donation that Penguin Random House contributes, regardless of sales, provides vital funds to support the mission of BCRF.


In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Penguin Random House’s Read Pink® editions, we are featuring a few participating authors and what Read Pink® means to them…


Beatriz Williams (2014 Read Pink® Spokesperson), A Hundred Summers
“Every life lost to breast cancer leaves behind a hole that can never be filled again: a wife, a mother, a sister, a friend, an aunt, a grandmother. I’m so grateful for organizations like The Breast Cancer Research Foundation for their efforts to find a cure for this devastating disease, and honored to support breast cancer awareness, detection, and research through Penguin’s READ PINK program in 2014. With your help, we can move closer to the day when breast cancer leaves behind only survivors.”


Karen White, The Time Between
“Since 1989, death rates from breast cancer have been decreasing due to earlier detection and improved treatment because of the efforts of organizations like The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Books have always been an important part of my life, and I am honored that my book will be part of Penguin’s Read Pink program that supports breast cancer awareness and research through reading. It is my greatest hope that through efforts like this we might find a cure within my lifetime.”


Nora Roberts, Sea Swept and The Witness
“To all the moms and daughters, wives and sisters, lovers and friends, Read Pink is here for you and yours. Help support breast cancer awareness and the strong, brave women who fight or will fight this disease and Read Pink in October.”


Catherine Anderson, Perfect Timing
“I am so delighted to be included in the Read Pink campaign again this year with Perfect Timing being featured, along with so many other great books, to raise funds for breast cancer research. I can remember when a diagnosis of breast cancer was often equivalent to a death sentence. Nowadays, the survival rates have increased greatly, and I personally know women who have prevailed over this terrible disease. Sadly, I’ve also known a few women who lost the battle. So I call upon all of you to join ranks with me and countless other women in a war to defeat breast cancer. ‘Read Pink! Buy books bearing the Read Pink logo as gifts for the women you love.’ By standing together as sisters, we have it within our power to make a huge difference!”


Jayne Ann Krentz, Dream Eyes
“This is the time of year when we celebrate the progress that has been made in the battle against breast cancer and acknowledge the work that lies ahead. No, we aren't there yet. There's a long way to go. The greatest weapon we have to fight this disease is research and research costs money. That is why this breast cancer awareness campaign is so important and why I am proud to participate.”


Marie Force, I Want to Hold Your Hand
“I’m so thrilled to be part of the Read Pink effort to help raise awareness and funding for breast cancer research. I hear frequently from romance readers who tell me my books and those of other romance authors have helped them get through breast cancer treatment. I want to hear from fewer of them in the future. I want to hear they took our books on fabulous vacations rather than treatments. Please Read Pink in October to support all the courageous women fighting this disease and to fund critical research. Thank you for Reading Pink!”


Full List of 2014 Participating Authors:
Jojo Moyes, The Last Letter from your Lover
Karen White, The Time Between
Nora Roberts, Sea Swept and The Witness
Jennifer Chiaverini, Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker
Beatriz Williams, A Hundred Summers
Wendy Wax, While We Were Watching Downton Abbey
Catherine Anderson, Perfect Timing
Marie Force, I Want to Hold Your Hand
Janet Chapman, The Heart of a Hero
Lisa Gardner, MacNamara’s Woman
Jayne Ann Krentz, Dream Eyes


Mark your calendars and remember to join in the conversation with @BerkleyRomance and @PenguinGroupUSA on Twitter in October.  Make sure to use the hashtag #ReadPink!


For more information about the Read Pink initiative and to view a complete list of the participating retail outlets, please visit penguin.com/readpink.


Read Pink® Blog Tour Schedule
Please support the blogs taking part in this special, Read Pink® Spotlight Tour!


October 1 – Exclusive guest post with spokesperson Beatriz Williams on LizandLisa.com
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