The Young Elites, Book 1 Marie Lu – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Young Elites, Book 1 Marie Lu

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2017

58%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

X-Men meets Renaissance Italy in this deliberately dark fantasy where the hero becomes the villain—and that's the whole point.

The Young Elites, Book 1 Marie Lu

book

2017

58%

WISE Score

4.8

Amazon

X-Men meets Renaissance Italy in this deliberately dark fantasy where the hero becomes the villain—and that's the whole point.

4.8

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Screenwise Verdict

This is not your feel-good YA fantasy. Marie Lu set out to write a villain origin story, and she delivers—Adelina's journey is dark, morally complex, and intentionally uncomfortable. The writing is strong, the worldbuilding is creative, and the premise (plague survivors gain powers but face persecution) is compelling.

But let's be clear: this is heavy. Reviews consistently flag violence and dark themes. There's no comic relief, no redemption arc to soften the blow. If your teen loved Legend, they need to know this is a different beast entirely.

For the right reader—mature 14+ who's ready to wrestle with questions about power, trauma, and corruption—this is rich, thought-provoking material. For younger or more sensitive readers, it's going to be too much. The 4.8 Amazon rating shows it resonates, but parent reviews are right to caution about age-appropriateness.

Age Fit

Best for mature 14+ readers who are ready for moral complexity and dark themes. This isn't the Legend trilogy—it's deliberately about a protagonist's corruption. Too intense and violent for middle-grade readers, but compelling for high schoolers ready to engage with ambiguity.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

This is explicitly a villain origin story with dark themes throughout. Marie Lu herself describes it as Adelina's journey toward villainy, not redemption. The protagonist is morally complex and makes increasingly dark choices. While this can be valuable for older teens exploring moral ambiguity, it doesn't model kindness or cooperation—it's intentionally about corruption and descent into darkness. The tone is consistently heavy with little humor or lightness.

Imaginative

Strong fantasy worldbuilding with a unique premise: survivors of a deadly plague gain supernatural powers but are feared and persecuted. The X-Men-style concept of powered outcasts is compelling, and Lu creates an original Italian Renaissance-inspired setting. The magic system is creative, tied to emotions and illusions. Invites readers to imagine a world where survival comes with both gifts and curses.

Safe

Significant violence and dark themes throughout. Parent and kid reviews on Common Sense Media specifically flag violence as a concern for younger readers. This isn't a book where a younger sibling could pick it up without encountering mature content. However, it's not gratuitous—the darkness serves the story. No sexual content or graphic gore based on reviews, but the emotional intensity and violence are real concerns for unexpected younger readers.

Enriching

Offers meaningful exploration of moral complexity, consequences of trauma, and the nature of power. The protagonist's descent into villainy provides rich material for discussing how pain and persecution can corrupt, how power changes people, and whether redemption is always possible. Strong writing and complex characterization. However, the relentlessly dark tone means there's less balance or hope to extract lessons from. Good for mature teens ready to grapple with ambiguity.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Flips the script: Marie Lu intentionally writes a villain origin story, which is rare and refreshing for teens tired of perfect protagonists
Complex moral territory: explores how trauma, persecution, and power can corrupt even sympathetic characters
Strong worldbuilding with a unique Italian Renaissance-inspired setting and creative magic system tied to emotions
Well-written with compelling characterization—4.8 Amazon rating shows readers are engaged
Good for teens ready to wrestle with ambiguity and the idea that not every story ends in redemption

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What to Watch For

This is dark, full stop—violence, emotional intensity, and a protagonist who makes increasingly troubling choices
Not middle-grade friendly despite the author's popular Legend series being more accessible
Zero humor or lightness; Marie Lu herself warns this is about descent into villainy
May be emotionally heavy for sensitive readers or those expecting a redemption arc

Conversation Starters

"Adelina makes some really dark choices. At what point would you have made a different decision? Where's the line?"
"The Elites are feared because they're different and powerful. How does that connect to real-world prejudice and how people react to 'others'?"
"Do you think someone who's been badly hurt and persecuted gets a pass for becoming cruel themselves? Where does that logic break down?"
"Marie Lu wrote this as a villain origin story on purpose. Why do you think we're drawn to those stories? What makes a good villain interesting?"

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