After reading Marie Lu's short horror story (The Girl Without a Face) in Slasher Girls and Monster Boys, I was anxious to read more from her. Although the first half of The Young Elites was quite dull, the main character Adelina Amouteru was fascinating to read about. For a YA fantasy character, she was fairly complex, struggling with both sides of her psyche: the good and the evil. 
 Did I think this novel was groundbreaking? Well, no - but I did love how Lu incorporated diverse characters, decent world-building, and a unique plot. 
 The latter half of The Young Elites was insanely better than the first, full of action and intrigue and, of course, interesting input from Adelina. I'm anxious to start The Rose Society soon!