The Midnight Star, the finale to Marie Lu's dark and gripping Young Elites Trilogy. I wanted to like this book, I really did. I went into it with an open mind and well, unfortunately it just wasn't the book for me.
I've kind of struggled with this series. I've always really wanted to like it, but there's just such a big gap between me and the characters that I find it hard to actually become invested in the story. If I were to order my liking of the books, I'd say The Rose Society (book 2), The Young Elites (Book 1) and then the Midnight Star.
This book had so much potential. I guess I went into it hoping for too much. I saw an open potential with Enzo, and how he had been brought back to life-- and his tie to Adelina. The way they both fight for command through the bond and how he's all powerful and whatnot. I was expecting a lot, a big plot line from that. Instead? Instead all that came from that was a wasted plot line, thrown to the side for other stories that I personally thought to be far less interesting.
"You are a light. And when you shine, you shine bright."
A lot of the story was all ADELINA and then some side characters. My issue with this is that for me, the side characters were all so much more interesting. Teren, for instance. I thought we had a lot more to see from his character, a lot more development. And while his character did develop in a bit of an interesting way, we barely got to see him at all in this book, much less anything going on his mind. I would've liked to see a lot more of Teren and Enzo in this book, especially considering they were some of the big characters from the beginning. I believe if this book concentrated a little less on Adelina, I would've found it far more interesting. Or maybe it just needed to be longer. The Midnight Star was so short. Especially considering that it's the finale in a grand series. It needed much more time, falling into the trilogy category of being all too rushed at the end.
"Someday, when I am nothing but dust and wind, what tale will they tell about me?"
Anyway, I just leave this series feeling rather disappointed, especially with the last book. There was so much potential, and I just feel like that potential was thrown away in the rushed ending.
All in all, I would give the midnight star 5/10 stars. I'll give the book this, the ending was great. Poetic. Marie Lu has a way with her endings that leave you thinking about them for a while. But that's really all I have to say that's good for this book. The rest of it was just meh for me, I codling' bring myself to care less.
Well, sorry for the negative review. Here's the synopsis:
There was once a time when darkness shrouded the world, and the darkness had a queen.
Adelina Amouteru is done suffering. She’s turned her back on those who have betrayed her and achieved the ultimate revenge: victory. Her reign as the White Wolf has been a triumphant one, but with each conquest her cruelty only grows. The darkness within her has begun to spiral out of control, threatening to destroy all she’s gained.
When a new danger appears, Adelina’s forced to revisit old wounds, putting not only herself at risk, but every Elite. In order to preserve her empire, Adelina and her Roses must join the Daggers on a perilous quest—though this uneasy alliance may prove to be the real danger.
One final thought (SPOILERS):
UGH! I just hate how the Enzo storyline was so wasted. Like what was the point of bringing him back to life? He really felt like he had no significance in the plot at all, except to really hinder everything. sorry, that's all I really have to say.
Thanks for reading,
-Anj