The Young Elites

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of graphic violence, illness and death, emotional abuse, and physical abuse.

Adelina’s illusions grow in size, strength, definition, and impact throughout the novel. As such, the motif of her illusions symbolizes Adelina’s growth as a protagonist while developing the theme of The Journey to Understanding and Fulfilling One’s True Purpose.

Adelina is both horrified and darkly curious about her first illusions, phantoms that cause her father’s death; but she does not fully understand that her emotions cause the illusions until her terror at the execution stake brings on the locust swarm. She fights for control of the illusions in the cavern as the other Elites try distraction, fear, and physical attack as tactics. It is not until Enzo is disappointed in her that her powers start to respond to her commands. Desperation and anger at that moment drive the illusion of massive black wings—a moment of transformation for Adelina from a malfetto girl to a superhuman whose powers are about to soar. After this milestone, her illusions continue to develop with color, clarity, and complexity. Finally, as Raffaele warily predicted, they have the power to cause others to believe they experience real pain and injury.