Review: Elite (Eagle Elite #1) by Rachel Van Dyken

Elite (Eagle Elite Book 1)

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Published July 9th 2013 by Forever

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Synopsis:

For Tracey Rooks, life with her grandparents on a Wyoming farm has always been simple. But after her grandmother's death, Tracey is all her grandfather has. So when Eagle Elite University announces its annual scholarship lottery, Tracey jumps at the opportunity to secure their future and enters. She isn't expecting much-but then she wins. And life as she knows it will never be same . . .

The students at Eagle Elite are unlike any she's ever met . . . and they refuse to make things easy for her. There's Nixon, gorgeous, irresistible, and leader of a group that everyone fears: The Elect. Their rules are simple. 1. Do not touch The Elect. 2. Do not look at The Elect. 3. Do not speak to The Elect. No matter how hard she tries to stay away, The Elect are always around her and it isn't long until she finds out the reason why they keep their friends close and their enemies even closer. She just didn't realize she was the enemy -- until it was too late. 

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Review:

This book was hard to review. I loved the way I read it until the end. The story was great, a little twist on mafia families, and mostly I liked (although I shouldn't) how evil and mean people were. Although it might seem unbelievable, in the school climate that is ruled by The Elite, I could imagine it very well.

So, first things first. Tracey Rooks is arriving at The Eagle Elite Academy. She won a lottery, got a place. Her grandma died a few months back so there's only her grandfather and her left. Tracey's parents died when she was young. Tracey's very excited about experiencing what this top class college is like. Until she runs into the Elect almost immediately. From the get-go they make her life hell, but Tracey shows her smarts and pushes back against all the rules. Her roommate also happens to be sister of Elect leader, Nixon. He's a bad boy, tattooed, lip ring, the full works and with an attitude and temperament to match. His buddy Chase is a little more stomach-able to Trace. He shows kindness when no one looks. Phoenix and Tex hover in the background with mutual disregard.

It soon comes apparent that The four boys come from powerful families, Sicilian Mafia families. Peace has been kept between the families for a while but Traces arrival sparks of a storm that was inevitable. Without her being any wiser she becomes the central pivotal role to either make or break the families apart.

When I finished it I thought Wow. The way the characters all worked together, so connected. And the way the school system worked, I got it. Nixon had the power, it all made sense. Chase and the others all slotted into needed parts.

But, the more I thought on it the more I couldn't believe that an entire powerful clan such as Nixon's would have him - a twenty something year old - in charge of their entire multi-business, multi-million dollar company. I mean, do people on wall street or London stock exchange, the movers and shakers in this world have time to go to school and teach classes and maintain the status quo of a couple hundred college kids?

That's my only gripe. Other than that I liked Trace and Monroe a lot. The book has a great amount of romance, flirting, super gushy moments but also some really nasty mean girl stuff too. Exactly what I wanted to read!!

-CBx

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