Legend by Marie Lu | Book Review

(Legend Trilogy #1)

Published: November 29th 2011

Synopsis (Courtesy of 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.

My Rating: 4.5/5 (Amazing)

Book Information

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Genre(s): Young-adult Utopian/Dystopian fiction

Page Count: 305

Format: Hardcover

ISBN: 039925675X

Okay. Legend. Let’s get started.

IT WAS AWESOME. The plot, the characters, the voice, just drew me in, and I couldn’t stop.

We have two narrators. We have privileged June, the Republic’s prize. And then on the flip side we have Day, a notorious criminal wanted by the Republic. Day, who has escaped death and capture before, is only trying to keep his family safe, especially his brother who’s infected by the plague. June, who got a perfect score on her Trial, is trying to avenge her brother’s death, the only family she had left. Somehow their paths cross and continuous plot twists and excitement kept me hooked.

Legend’s June Iparis & Day, back-to-back.

I loved both narrations. Both characters had a unique voice and personality that compelled me to root for them both, which is important to make up a good story. After all, if I’m not rooting for the main characters, then who am I rooting for? In addition, (*SPOILER*) while the romance between June and Day could be considered rushed by some readers, I think it was well suited and they’re totally worth shipping. ❤

A little in-depth inspection:

Day. I find background story for characters (to a minimum) are crucial to connecting with the characters, and Day’s was no exception.

He was an interesting character, and his deep loyalty to his family was heartbreaking and kept me on the edge of my seat. His desperation was really deep, and his friendship with Tess was very sweet. Also, his character was realistic; smart, but not overdone, great physical abilities, but not invincible, etc. This makes his character more like a person than an invincible superhero.

Then on the flipside we have June Iparis, who, while was 10 times luckier than Day, had no less an interesting background and character.

It seemed she had it all easy; Republic’s favourite, big brother’s safe and loves her, rich & gorgeous, and caught a criminal the Republic was trying to catch for years remarkably fast. She had it all, and she had no specific ‘tragedies’ until her brother died. Before that, the only real incident was because her parents died, however her compassion never came fully because she barely remembered them. There was her brother Metias’s death, which, while sad, was reasonably fast, and though I felt some of June’s pain, she quickly became focused and ready to avenge his death. That was what I really loved about June, because even though I felt like yelling at her when (SPOILER) she betrayed Day and turned him and his family in, she’s able to keep her priorities straight.

I really think she and Day make a great team. June gets insight into the life of the less fortunate, while Day tries to see that all upper-level citizens were not evil.

Both characters went through a lot though, and sometimes I find myself sympathizing with one character, and scolding the other. Then the reverse. The plot takes so many interesting turns without being too off-track that it was simply an amazing read. I could not stop reading the book, and I’m looking forward to more character development and plot twists in the next book (whose review will be coming soon!).

So, are you hungry for Legend? I hope so, ’cause you should be. Stay tuned for more book reviews here at BookSnacks!

-A