Review: The Rose Society by Marie Lu

Title: The Rose Society
Author: Marie Lu
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Penguin Books UK
Published: October 15th 2015
Page Number: 448
Rating: 5/5

Summary:

Adelina Amouteru's heart is set on revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she and her sister flee Kenettra to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers who nearly killed her.

But Adelina is no heroine. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends at the Dagger Society want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good, when her very existence depends on darkness?

 

REVIEW

 

At this point of time what I'd most like to do is buy unlimited copies of this book and The Young Elites and hand them out to every person that passes me on the street, because the world is seriously missing out on one of the best YA series I have ever read.

 

After The Young Elites, I wasn't so sure if Marie Lu could get any darker but she certainly did. Adelina is without a doubt one of the most darkest character's you'll ever read in any book, give or take. Her powers know no boundaries and I'm actually scared to see where Marie will take them in the final book of the series, The Midnight Star. I'm honestly not prepared and I don't think I ever will be.

 

With one of my favourite character's being killed off in the Young Elites, I wasn't prepared to let Adelina back into my heart. But I couldn't not let her in, if you get what I mean. She may be an antagonist but it's impossible to not love her. She captures you attention full span and never lets go, you need to know what she's going to do next. You're anticipating it. But I didn't just fall in love with Adelina during this book, I'm pretty sure I grew in love with every darn character. And yes, that does mean Teren as well.

 

One of the new characters, Magiano really helps take the storyline to new places. The Rose Society is dark action to it's maximum capacity with sizzling romantic tension and a shit ton of OTP's to boot. There's just something about Marie Lu's world building and writing that keeps me reading. And just like The Young Elites, I ended up reading this book late way into the night.

 

I regret nothing. And neither will you if you pick this series up. Honestly do yourself a favour.

 

 

Buy the book (Wordery) | Buy the Book (Book Depository)

 

 

 

🎧: Just Like Fire by P!nk

 

 

 

Monthly Reading Wrap Up | July 2015

July has been a very good reading month for me so far. I've had a few days off from reading just to watch my TV Shows and Movies, I've also taken a few days off due to suffering with a severe headache that made me lose concentration. However, I have found 2 of my favourite books of the year this month, which is a massive bonus.

Fallen Too Far by Abbi Glines - 4 Stars

This was an incredibly quick, cute, steamy read. The characters were great, Blaire really had me rooting for her and I was pleasantly surprised by what happened, drama or not!

Never Too Far by Abbi Glines - 4 Stars

Never Too Far was a good sequel, but I did sometimes get a little bored. However, Abbi Glines does write great romance. So swoon worthy!

The Young Elites by Marie Lu - 5 Stars

Okay. This book was freaking epic! Adelina is a character that despite being an antagonist you completely root for her. She's twisted, dark and creepy, yet one fierce bitch! I honestly could not believe all those droppings of plot twists, left, right and centre. Too good. TOO GOOD!

Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider - 3.5 Stars

This book started off so well. I was hooked! The characters were great, relatable and completely lovable, however, things started to go down hill after 250 pages. It became a little predictable and the romance moved a little too quickly for my liking.

One by Sarah Crossan - 5 Stars

Oh, how beautiful this book was. A book written in verse about conjoined twins. So beautiful, so poetic. It was heart-breaking, yet inspirational. A truly phenomenal story or family, love and loss. I always find myself wanting to go back and re-read it.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz - 4 Stars

A LGBT book that I can completely recommend. It follows to Mexican characters in the 1980's, who befriend each other and find out the secrets of the universe. It's intelligently written with wit and drama. I simply adored it!

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater - 2 Stars / DNF'd

The Prologue and Chapter 1 were great, but everything fell flat from there. If you like slow moving stories then you may like it, but it just wasn't my cup of tea.

Remix by Non Pratt - 2 Stars

I didn't like this book at all! The characters were generic, childish and acted like spoilt brats. The book, despite being set in a music festival included hardly any music. It was more 98% getting drunk and having sex & 2% music. Also everyone likes to cheat on each other.

Sweet Filthy Boy by Christina Lauren - 3 Stars

This story had me split. Some chapters I LOVED, but others I HATED! The 2 authors have completely different writing tenses and it all became mumbo jumbo. It's Generic New Adult at its slightly average taste.




What books did you read this month?
Let me know in the comments.

Review: The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Title: The Young Elites
Author: Marie Lu
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publisher: Penguin UK
Published: February 5th 2015
Page Number: 368
Rating: 5/5

Summary:

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever, marked by a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Branded as a Malfetto - an abomination - she is cast out from all she has ever known and loved.

Adelina finds sanctuary with other Malfettos and discovers that the disease has left her with more than just a scar - she has a mysterious and powerful gift.

She is a Young Elite.

But Adelina's ability is stronger than any Young Elite before her. And unless she can control the vengeful darkness growing in her heart Adelina could be a danger to them all.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

 

REVIEW

 

 

This book could have easily been a dislike for me, since I wasn't a big fan of Marie Lu's debut novel, Legend. However, The Young Elites ended up becoming not only my second favourite book of the year, but also my all time favourite Fantasy novel.

I've always mentioned that I'm not the biggest fans of protagonists who are hero's. And one of the reasons that attracted me to The Young Elites was the fact that Adelina isn't a protagonist, but an antagonist. She's a good character who's powers come from darkness.

Marie Lu's writing has always captured my attention. It's not like any other authors I've read, it's beautiful and poetic, completely engaging and enthralling; something you can't take your eyes off even for a split second. And if I am being honest, I weren't one hundred percent sure it was going to work for The Young Elites, but it completely did. The time setting mixed with the characters and the city they lived in was enhanced by Marie's writing. I wasn't reading a book, I was reading a book and watching a movie at the exact same time.

The characters were fresh and exciting, completely compelling. Adelina was dark, twisted and creepy, but there was also this side to her that wanted everyone to like her. She wanted to be properly liked for the first time by people who didn't see her scar as something to fear.

“No one wants you to be yourself. They want you to be the version of yourself that they like.”

 

The book also followed two other characters that played a huge part in the novel: Raffaele and Teren. Teren is the hypocritical enemy, who everyone wants dead. He's vicious and will do anything to end the lives of all Malfetto's. And honestly? I LOVED his character. I think he's a little misunderstood, but I know his actions come from his own hatred. He doesn't like who he is and wants to be released from all his sins. And I understood that.

 

Raffaele was a character that entranced you and made you fall in love. Literally. His special power allowed him to capture the hearts of those around them, made them fall in love with him. And I'm pretty sure it doesn't end at fictional characters, because I fell for his charm and wit like everyone else.

 

There were so many plot twists that came unexpectedly and each and every one had me silent. I hadn't predicted them like I do when reading most novels and that proves just how great Marie Lu is. She knows how to twist and turn the story and weaves it into something completely different, new; something completely brilliant. And that ending had me on my knees begging for a copy of The Rose Society (Book 2), because there is know way I can't not know what happens. It's a must for me!

 

 

 

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