Elites of Eden is a dystopian young‑adult novel written by American author and internet personality Joey Graceffa. Published on October 3, 2017 by Atria/Keywords Press—an imprint of Simon & Schuster—the book serves as the sequel to Children of Eden and precedes Rebels of Eden in the series.
Plot
The narrative follows two protagonists living in a highly stratified society known as Eden, which is enclosed within a protective bubble that shields its inhabitants from the harsh conditions outside.
- Yarrow, an “elite” daughter of a powerful woman, attends the exclusive Oaks boarding school. She embodies privilege and entitlement until she encounters Lark, a new student whose presence challenges Yarrow’s worldview.
- Rowan is an illegal second child—her very existence is forbidden in Eden’s rigid caste system. After her family is betrayed and murdered by governmental forces, Rowan discovers an underground sanctuary that safeguards the last living tree on Earth. There she befriends Lachlan, a courageous figure who aids her survival.
When both girls become entangled in a larger conspiracy involving memory manipulation and societal control, their intersecting fates threaten to upend Eden’s hierarchical order.
Themes
The novel explores themes common to dystopian literature, including authoritarian governance, class division, identity formation, and the moral complexities of rebellion. It also incorporates elements of romance and adventure typical of contemporary young‑adult fiction.
Reception
Critical response was mixed:
- Common Sense Media awarded three out of five stars, noting that while younger teens might enjoy the fast‑paced plot, the story’s melodramatic tendencies could be off‑putting for older readers.
- Kirkus Reviews offered a more favorable assessment, suggesting that Elites of Eden improves upon its predecessor and subverts conventional YA love‑triangle tropes, though it cautioned that the opening chapters feature unlikable characters that may hinder early engagement.
- School Library Journal described the work as “melodramatic,” reflecting a generally lukewarm appraisal.
Publication Details
- Author: Joey Graceffa
- Cover Artist: Kristi Neilson
- Language: English
- Genres: Science‑fiction, fantasy, dystopian young‑adult fiction
- Publisher: Atria/Keywords Press (Simon & Schuster)
- ISBN: 978‑1501174537
Series Placement
Elites of Eden is the second installment in Graceffa’s “Children of Eden” series, continuing the storyline established in Children of Eden and setting up events that lead into the third book, Rebels of Eden.