The Rose Society

"Original and sobering, Adelina is an antihero of nigh-unremitting darkness: an unusual young woman in the mold of such archetypes as Lucifer, Macbeth, and Darth Vader—and even Kissin' Kate Barlow from Holes. (Fantasy. 13 & up)"

Gr 9 Up--"Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, so she destroyed them all." Lu's epic series takes a dark, gritty turn with her latest offering. Adelina, known as the White Wolf, has fled Kenettra with Violetta, her sister, in order to recruit other malfettos (superpowered humans) for revenge upon the Inquisition--the faction that killed her love Enzo and countless other malfettos. Turned out and betrayed by her former comrades, the Daggers, Adelina is determined to form her own army, especially once she stumbles upon the near-mythical malfetto named Magiano. As the leader of the Inquisition, Teren, continues to search for Adelina so he can destroy her, she turns toward a more somber facet of her energy. Her path explodes into a dizzying array of power, murder, and revenge, leaving Adelina to question her true nature. When a malfetto queen conspires to raise Enzo from the dead, Adelina must face, once and for all, her feelings and her desires for power. What sets this novel apart is Adelina's slow spiral into bleak, joyless corruption; Lu doesn't wrap up the narrative with a shiny bow. Teens will be fascinated to watch the main character descend into villainy and revel in it. VERDICT Fans of Sarah Maas's Throne of Glass (Bloomsbury, 2012) and Sabaa Tahir's An Ember in the Ashes (Penguin, 2015) will enjoy the author's latest.--Amanda C. Buschmann, Atascocita Middle School, Humble, TX

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

This intense sequel to The Young Elites begins with Dagger Society outcast Adelina and her equally gifted sister, Violetta, seeking other powerful Elites in the city-state of Merroutas after escaping from Teren and the Inquisition Axis's clutches. After acquiring new allies, Adelina heads back to Estenzia to seek revenge. Adelina has learned the hard way that "not all Elites can be allies," and Raffaele and his Daggers have formed their own alliance with Maeve, the northern queen of Beldain, whose dark Elite power can help them seize the Kenettran throne. Lu constructs a fascinating triangle of opposing forces seeking power, and the ensuing twists and epic battles leave many dead, broken, or forever changed. The novel is much darker than its predecessor, largely because its focus remains on the complex Adelina, more villain than hero. As her Elite strength grows, Adelina struggles to control her illusions, and the escalating whispers of fear in her head fuel her mistrust. "What is so great about being good?" she wonders as revenge becomes not about love or justice, but winning. Ages 12-up. Agent: Kristin Nelson, Nelson Literary Agency. (Oct.)

Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Praise for The Rose Society:
A #1 New York Times bestseller!

"A tightly woven tapestry of a story that ensnares even as it disturbs."—Booklist, starred review

"Lu constructs a fascinating triangle of opposing forces seeking power, and the ensuing twists and epic battles leave many dead, broken, or forever changed."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Original and sobering, Adelina is an antihero of nigh-unremitting darkness: an unusual young woman in the mold of such archetypes as Lucifer, Macbeth, and Darth Vader."—Kirkus Reviews

"Teens will be fascinated to watch the main character descend into villainy and revel in it."—School Library Journal

Praise for The Young Elites
A New York Times bestseller!
Five starred reviews!
A Buzzfeed Best YA Book of 2014!
An Amazon Best Book of 2014 - Teen & Young Adult!
An Amazon Best Book of the Month, October 2014!
Chosen as a YALSA Teens' Top Ten Pick for 2015!

"Lu pivots from the 'coming of age via romance' formula to pry apart the many emotions that pass under the rubric of love... 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."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Readers should prepare to be captivated—and to look forward to a continuation of the Young Elites series."—Booklist, starred review

"A must for fans of...totally immersive fantasies." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A Game of Thrones meets X-Men in this 14th-century fantasy from Marie Lu (the Legend trilogy), in a world where 'fear is power.' ... The overriding epic fantasy will keep readers hooked for book two, which teases to be a game-changer. Bring it on." —Shelf Awareness, starred review

"The taut, tightly packed narrative provides an engaging mix of pulse-quickening fight scenes, heart-stopping near escapes, touching interpersonal interludes, and devastating betrayals." —BCCB, starred review

"Lu weaves her magic across the page as she unfolds the story of Adelina and the Young Elites. Nothing is as it is expected."—VOYA

"Lu seamlessly melds an unforgettable and intoxicating historical fantasy narrative with a strong female protagonist that grapples with an issue experienced by all young adults—acceptance of one's self... Lu's new series will be a surefire hit with old and new fans alike."—School Library Journal

"By permitting her characters some grand failures, she raises the stakes in the best way possible...There is clearly more to know, and I look forward to it. This is a world worth revisiting."—The New York Times Book Review