The Elites by Natasha Ngan
RATING: ***
GENRE: YA Fantasy
‘There is a rumour that the Elites don’t bleed.’
Hundreds of years into the future, wars, riots, resource crises and rising sea-levels have destroyed the old civilisations. Only one city has survived: Neo-Babel, a city full of cultures – and racial tension.
Fifteen-year-old Silver is an Elite, a citizen of Neo-Babel chosen to guard the city due to her superior DNA. She’d never dream of leaving – but then she fails to prevent the assassination of Neo Babel’s president, setting off a chain of events more shocking and devastating than she could ever have imagined. Forced to flee the city with her best friend Butterfly (a boy with genetically-enhanced wings), Silver will have to fight to find her family, uncover the truth about Neo-Babel and come to terms with her complicated feelings for Butterfly.
Packed full of adventure, romance, exoticism and the power of friendship, The Elites is a highly compelling and beautifully written novel from a supremely talented debut author.
MY THOUGHTS:
The Elites follows Silver who is determined as an Elite due to her superior DNA. Likewise, her friend Butterfly is also an Elite. When on a mission to protect the President, Silver fails, leading to the assassination of the president. This causing some dangerous consequences and forces Butterfly and Silver to flee to a place they have never ventured before and find out the truth about their city, and their feelings for each other.
The Elites follows Silver who is determined as an Elite due to her superior DNA. Likewise, her friend Butterfly is also an Elite. When on a mission to protect the President, Silver fails, leading to the assassination of the president. This causing some dangerous consequences and forces Butterfly and Silver to flee to a place they have never ventured before and find out the truth about their city, and their feelings for each other.
The starts to this novel was very effective and successful in enticing me in. It had a spooky feel and really set the standard for this novel.
"As the boy stands in the corner of the small, shadowy room, his whole body trembling, he think, If only I could be an Elite. Clenching and unclenching his hands, he tries to stop the shaking. An Elite wouldn't feel anything, he thinks. Then: But I will feel it all."
The first part of the book is really good. Though the setting of the city is fairly dull and slightly unrealistic, the pace is quick and the characters are developed well. The scene regarding the assassination is a favourite of mine. I creates a great deal of tension and depicts the sense of confusion Silver experiences.
However, as the story progresses, I found myself losing interest. The very promising relationship between Silver and Butterfly became flat and emotionless which disappointed me. I felt the once strong plot line became lost when my excitement and interest was interrupted by many side characters which I did not believe added much to book.
Overall, a book with a great beginning and a very promising plot line, yet lets itself down towards the end.
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