“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.”

book 1 in the Young Elites series

#7 in YALSA’s Teens’ Top Ten 2015

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Miranda rated it ★★★★ and said, “Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for access to this title. I loved Marie Lu’s Legend series, and I was excited to see her move to something new. For the most part I enjoyed everything about this one. It was a great dystopian read, and I know there is still a big following for this. It was a little darker and harsher than most though as the MC struggles with her self-worth and value as a person. She has a lot of self-loathing and is dealing with it, along with dealing with her hatred for others and how they treat her. This would have been more of a solid 3 star rating for me, but the epilogue was a great addition and has me wanting the next book NOW.”