Legend by Marie Lu

November 29, 2011, Putnam Juvenile, 336 pages

$12.23 (Amazon.com)

Procurement

ARC received from publisher.

My Grade

Plot: 5

Setting: 5

Writing: 5

Originality: 5

Characters: 5

Romance: 5

Overall: 30/30! Amazing!

Title/Cover Bonus: 5

Overall

Action packed dystopia of a corrupted government uncovered by two strong willed teens who overcome it all together in both body and soul.

Summary (Goodreads)

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths – until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

First Line

My mother thinks I’m dead.

 

Most Memorable Scene

June’s first day undercover walking through the town.

Plot

I’m a HUGE dystopian fan so this book had me from the get go. If you’ve read the summary then you know that the basis of the book is centered around a murder mystery. What is actually uncovered through the rest of the book is full of action and emotion. So much emotion for both main characters.

Setting

The Republic is a facinating place. June’s first day undercover was one of my favorite scenes. It sort of reminded me of the setting in Mockingjay, the 3rd Hunger Games book.

Writing

Again, I’m also a huge fan of multiple points of view when it comes to YA characters, specifically a boy and a girl. Having access to their inner thoughts helps the reader really associate and get to know the character on a personal level. Marie Lu did an amazing job at portraying both June and Day.

Originality

While having a diseased government is not a new thing for a dystopia plot, the characters of this book are what make it stand out from other dystopians. June and Day’s story overlaps like none other that I’ve read. It’s beautifully crafted and I can’t wait for book 2!

Characters

June is amazing. At 15 she is years beyond where she needs to be. I wanted to be her when I was growing up: the swift, physically amazing, sharp as a tack, detective like woman weapon. Yes, she is a weapon, finely tuned and weilded by only the best: herself. She is the ultimate kick ass heroine.

Day is just about as amazing as June, only instead of being trained by the government he comes about his awesomeness naturally: the will to survive. He overcomes so much to be the man he is and the man he ultimately becomes with June’s help.

Romance

Um, yeah. I love a dystopia that not only creates a world I’d love to hate to live in but also weaves in the delicate threads of first love. These two do not have it easy and they most certainly are not meant to be a couple by any means but some how they defeat great odds to not only survive but to also discover devastating details about their government and still find the energy to put forth to fall in love. Amazing.

Title/Cover Bonus

The cover I LOVE! The title isn’t amazing but it works.

Ending

Eh, I read this a while ago so I’m not recalling the ending and I don’t have the book with me. Obviously it wasn’t a cliffhanger or ultimately shocking (I hope) or I’d remember. I’ll come back tonight to edit this!

Series

This is only book one of the series but I don’t know much more than that at the moment.