Elite (Eagle Elite #1) - Review

Elite (Eagle Elite #1)

By: Rachel Van Dyken

Published: April 14, 2013

322 pages

Source: Personal Kindle Library

(Goodreads / Amazon)

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Summary:

When I won the annual Eagle Elite College Scholarship lottery, I was thrilled. After all, my grandma had just died and I wanted to take care of my aging grandpa -- he couldn't be a farmer in Wyoming forever. And graduating from Eagle Elite meant opportunity.

But I wasn't counting on meeting Nixon.

Nor was I counting on the rules of the Elect.

1. Do not touch The Elect.
2. Do not look at The Elect.
3. Do not speak to The Elect.

And worst of all? Don't discover the secret they hide, because in the end, you may just realize... it's about you.

*This is a New Adult Book, blood, violence, cursing, sexual references, and drug use. Not recommended for those under 17.*

MY REVIEW:
*SQUEAL*  I LOVED this story!  It has a very Romeo/Juliet-esque, Godfather vibe and it rocked my socks off!  Seriously.

Trace has been raised on a ranch by her grandparents in Wyoming since she was six years old and as a promise to her grandmother on her death bed, she enters a lottery for a chance to win the one and only spot open to "normal" people available once a year at going to the most prestigious college in the world.  As luck would have it she wins the lottery and is introduced to a world of uber wealthy, elite status people.

On her first day at the college she is introduced to three of the Elite's at the school, super attractive and powerful guys.  However, nice is not a word that would describe these guys.  Their intent is to intimidate and control. One of these three is Nixon who seems to be the ring leader of the group.  His demeanor demands respect and the majority of the students and teachers at the school seem afraid or him or in awe of him, or both.

Determined to make something of herself so she can take care of her grandfather she realizes that this school even with all it's rules will be her ticket to achieving that goal.  Trace isn't one to be told what to do though.

Talk about a lot of secrets!  Nixon and his friends are very vague and secretive and Trace is confused by them from day one.  Loyalty abounds in this book too.  Loyalty to family and friends.  What would you do or sacrifice to protect the ones you care about, and to keep promises made, even promises made by your family?

Favorite Quotes:
...didn't kiss as if it was something to pass the time.  He kissed as if there was nothing in the world he'd rather be doing.  He kissed like I was his oxygen, and I knew in that moment there was no way I was ever letting him go...

"...it's the emotional wounds that hurt the most." ... "I'd rather he beat me.  Cuts heal, bruises fade - but broken hearts?  They carry scars for a lifetime."

"I need you like I need my heart to pump blood through my body, like I need air to breathe, like we need gravity." ..."...you are my gravity.  Being with you makes me feel centered and whole, and I'm too screwed up to convince you to want any different.  I'm too selfish to push you into someone else's arms when I know mine may be the worst ones for you to be in."

Final Rating - 5 stars!