Marie Lu, bestselling author of the hit book series Legend is back this fall with The Young Elites, a new fantasy series that’s being hailed as “X-Men meets Assassin’s Creed.” The new series is the story of Adelina Amouteru, a survivor of a deadly illness that decimated her people. The survivors, few and far between, were left with strange markings: Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her father hates her for what she’s become, but she might be much more than just a disfigured survivor. Adelina and the others are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Some hate us, think us outlaws to hang at the gallows.
Some fear us, think us demons to burn at the stake.
Some worship us, think us children of the gods.
But all know us.
— Unknown source on the Young Elites

Legend was an instant hit, praised as the latest entry in “the race to find the next Harry Potter.” CBS Films quickly snatched up the rights to the series, and it looks like The Young Elites will have just as much buzz.

Marie Lu said of this new series, “THE YOUNG ELITES is an origin story of a villain, and Adelina is essentially Darth Vader or Magneto as a teenage girl. I really wanted to explore what might turn a person to the dark side. Also, writing someone with twisted thoughts is pretty fun.” Check out and exclusive look at the first chapter here!