On her site, the author explains that The Young Elites is the beginning of an origin story for a villainess, which, I have to admit, is a pretty neat idea. But personally? I think it could have been so much better. There’s a splendid fantasy world, lots of adventure, and an ending that will tempt even the most jaded of teens into checking out the sequel.

As she struggles with her own insecurities and fears-fears that fuel her abilities, and could lead to more death-she finds that the ambitious lead Inquisitor, Teren Santoro, has discovered her whereabouts, and is now threatening to kill Violetta, the sister she left behind, if she does not agree to spy on the Daggers for him.įirst, the good: there’s a lot of impressive stuff in here. She accepts his invitation, but is dismayed to find that many of the Daggers don’t trust her, and actually fear her for her power. There, Enzo offers her a chance to join the gang and hone her abilities. On the day of her scheduled execution, Adelina suddenly finds herself rescued by Enzo, and relocated to the Daggers’ hideout. When her untrained powers inadvertently bring about her abusive father’s unsavory (but well-deserved) demise, the malfetto-hating Inquisition Axis arrests her and sentences her to death.Įnter the Dagger Society, a group of Young Elites lead by the mysterious youth, Enzo Valenciano. For young Adelina Amouteru, her power is the ability to create illusions so powerful they can drive people to distraction, or even bring about death. These young survivors call themselves the Young Elite everyone else calls them malfettos, the cursed. In a fantasized version of Renaissance Italy, those who survive the dreaded blood fever find themselves gifted with magical powers.

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