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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.
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Creators
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Publisher
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Awards
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Release date
October 7, 2014 -
Formats
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OverDrive Listen audiobook
- ISBN: 9780553396874
- File size: 289940 KB
- Duration: 10:04:02
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Languages
- English
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Levels
- Lexile® Measure: 740
- Text Difficulty: 3-4
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Reviews
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Starred review from August 18, 2014
In this series opener, Lu (the Legend trilogy) pivots from the “coming of age via romance” formula to pry apart the many emotions that pass under the rubric of love. Adelina Amouteru, once-privileged daughter of a merchant, is irrevocably changed by the blood fever, an epidemic that wiped out infected adults and left most child survivors permanently scarred malfettos. A handful also underwent mutations that conferred strange, often lethal powers. All malfettos are persecuted, but these mutant Young Elites are special targets. Harrowingly, Adelina discovers that she is one. Rescued by a masked firebrand from certain death under the government’s Inquisition, she awakens in the custody of Raffaele, a male prostitute, and Enzo, malfetto aspirant to the throne. A beautiful woman surrounded by beautiful men, Adelina nevertheless is not defined by romance. Warped family bonds shape her consciousness and yearning for acceptance, and the men are out to get what they want from her. There’s nothing easy here, for Adelina or readers—there are no safe places where the pressures of betrayal, death threats, and rejection aren’t felt. Ages 12–up. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary Agency. -
Narrators Carla Corvo and Lannon Killea bring a similar intensity to their portrayals of Adelina and Teren. Both are "malfettos," survivors of the blood fever that swept through their kingdom and left them with unique powers. As each wields his or her powers to different ends, the narrators' tones reflect each character's motivations. Corvo deftly portrays the intensity of Adelina's passion and the depths of her anger. Killea's cold, restrained delivery shows Teren's near obsessive self-discipline. The only weakness in characterization is Corvo's occasional lack of distinction between Adelina and supporting characters. E.M.C.
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