Wednesday 28 January 2015

The Young Elites

The Young Elites by Marie Lu- GUEST REVIEW



“Does your heart clench with each thought? That my friend, is love. And love enslaves us all, for you cannot have love without fear.” 


Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever that swept through her nation and left some 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. 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.

The Young Elites is told from a multitude of perspectives. It is told from our main character, Adelina's pov, a young consort Raffaele, who is a part of the young elites, the Inquisitor, Teren, who is after Adelina, and Enzo, the leader of The Young Elites. 

From the things I've heard, I wasn't sure if I would love this or hate this. But when my friend Richard fell in love with it, I knew I had to pick it up fast. 

What I highly enjoyed was how Marie Lu went so much darker and sexier. Marie took a turn on her characters in this book and made them so dark. Nothing and no one is just good or bad. You are both in this world. Adelina has her own dark, cruel thoughts. She's not a hero. She's broken, selfish, but there is still good in her. I loved that we got a heroine and an anti-hero. 

“Everyone has darkness inside them, however hidden.”


As Adelina trains to hone the use her power, she becomes stronger, more ruthless, and she doesn't let people walk over her anymore. It makes reading her character so exciting because you never know what she will do. She spent her whole life with pent up anger towards her father and finally when she decides to flee, she kills him. But that comes with haunting consequences. 

“I am Adelina Amouteru. I belong to no one. On this night, I swear to you that I will rise above everything you’ve ever taught me. I will become a force that this world has never known. I will come into such power that none will dare hurt me again.”


I also love how she gets strength and joy from peoples fear, and her own. 

The Young Elite crew is what really fascinated me. The characters are so complex and the powers they possess are very intriguing. If you were a fan of the romance in the Legend trilogy then you will fall head over heels with the romance in this. The scenes between Enzo and Adelina are compelling, and sexy, because they have so much chemistry. But, the main thing that I loved was that I shipped her with multiple people. In the world Marie has created, being with the same sex isn't frowned upon. A male can escort a male, and vice versa with women, and no one gives a shit. It was a really refreshing thing to read about, because that's how society should react.  

Amazing this, heartbreaking that. That is all I heard about this book when it wasn't being bashed on, and I was even more intrigued to read it. I. Should. Have. Listened. The ending of this novel tore me to shreds and I honestly don't know how to move on from it. It was so unexpected and heart breaking. [spoilers removed]

Overall this book was really enjoyable and it seriously is the perfect fantasy. The world is complex, but not confusing, the characters are all dark but still loveable, and the plot thickens every step of the way. Fans of the Grisha trilogy will love this. In all honesty if you love the Darkling then you will love every character in The Young Elites. I recommend this book to EVERYONE. I need the sequel now. 

The Rose Society is set to release October 5th, 2015.


5 Stars

Tuesday 27 January 2015

Clipped Wings

Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting- GUEST REVIEW



I have been having quite a bit of luck in the new adult genre lately and this keeps the streak going. 

Clipped Wings is about a guy who has found a comfort and future in tattooing and he expresses his life and story through the tattoos on his skin. His aunt that works across the street hires a new girl named, Tenley, and Hayden takes an interest in her from one sighting. But he doesn't know that Tenley has just as much as a shitty past as him. So when Tenley ask him to ink her skin with a very complicated and dark tattoo, he doesn't really know what is in store for their relationship. This follows them through their journey of finding a safe haven in each other and coming to grips with their demons. 

What really drew me into this book was the aspect of tattoos and piercings. Once I find out a book revolves around that I am instantly interested. I love the complexity of this new adult. It honestly isn't like the others that I've read. It has really dark and gritty topics about death and murders. The way tattoos are weaved into the story makes it so much more unique because the main characters try to decipher each other through each other's tattoos. 

The topics in Clipped Wings are honestly so weighted with grief and heartbreak that I got choked up reading about them. If your not good with A LOT of death and the topic of a double murder, then maybe wait to take this book on. I wouldn't say not read it because the book is insanely beautiful and deep. 

The characters really make the book. I would have to say my favourite character is Hayden, if not for just him being amazing, then it's because of his love for cupcakes. It's so cute just seeing him get really crazy about cupcakes and once you read the book you will understand the background of that love. I had a very big soft spot for Hayden because he has been through some tough things in his teen years and he had to express his feelings through tattoos and piercings. I loved that he had a very tough, hard looking exterior but what's inside is what truly counts. He is nothing like what I expected. You'll instantly love him. I guarantee. 

Tenley was a surprising twist in this book. I was expecting a whiny, typical new adult female but what I got was a very conflicted, and strong female. Tenley has a unique past. Not in the sense that it's good but it isn't anything I've read before. I have read a shitload of new adults where the female has been "in love" before and something happens to that guy, but I have never witnessed a character in a new adult go through [spoilers removed] the traumatizing situation that Tenley went through. For someone who has all these demons plus night terrors she still pushed through life with an open eye but at times she is still reserved. I admire this woman to no ends.  

The writing has that easy flowing style that you definitely read through so fast. It flows really well and it's choopy like other new adults. Once a scene arrives we don't leave that scene until it's fully fleshed out and it ends on a good note to where nothing is left for guessing. Does that make sense? I hope it does. 

Now so far this probably sounds like a five star review but the ending is where I decided to finally give it four stars. Don't get me wrong the ending was good but I wasn't expecting it. Clipped Wings does have a sequel called Inked Armor which I am going to pick up, but it's technically unfinished as of now. Which was why I couldn't give it five stars. I'm sure I will enjoy the sequel a lot more because it will all be wrapped up nicely....I'm hoping. 

Solid New Adult & I recommend this to everybody. The writing is fast and the characters are addicting. It's also really funny and heart breaking at times. But what new adult doesn't get a little bumpy. 

4 STARS




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