Mini Review: Legend and Prodigy by Marie Lu

Legend

Author: Marie Lu
Series: Legend #1
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Genre: YA Dystopian
Format: Hardcover, 320 pages
Release Date: November 29, 2011
Source: Personal Library, Bought
Rating: 5 Stars
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Synopsis from 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.
 

My Review:

I love this series so much. I think I like it even better than the Divergent series. June is a military prodigy of the Republic (the government that now controls the western half of the United States). I absolutely love her character. June is smart, analytical, and agile. She is so badass, but really it was her sharp intellect that made me love her. June misses no detail, nothing is ever overlooked. She is able to reason her way through almost any problem and is truly a force to be reckoned with.

Day is amazing. He is so inherently good. Sure, he’s the Republic’s most notorious criminal, but he truly wants what is best for the people and doesn’t want anybody to get hurt. I swoon hardcore over Day. He can scale buildings, run on rooftops. It’s like this guy came straight of the game Assassin’s Creed. The dynamic between him and June is amazing. What June lacks, Day makes up for and vice versa. 

“Each day means a new 24 hours. Each day means everything’s possible again. You live in the moment, you die in the moment, you take it all one day at a time.” –Day

  
This story is so exciting and thrilling. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. There were so many secrets that we had to uncover throughout the novel. Both Day and June develop in this book but June is the one who really makes a huge transformation. She begins to see the world completely differently and I loved that. This series can’t be missed. If you haven’t started yet, you should definitely pick it up! 

Prodigy

Author: Marie Lu
Series: Legend #2
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Genre: YA Dystopian
Format: Hardcover, 371 pages
Release Date: January 29, 2013
Source: Personal Library, Bought
Rating: 5 Stars
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Synopsis from Goodreads:

Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots - a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?

My Review:

The sequel to Legend is intense. So many crazy things happen in this book and even crazier things are revealed. The world-building is absolutely phenomenal. Marie Lu effortlessly tells us about the world without making it seem like a history lesson. Learning about the history of the Republic and the Colonies was so interesting. A lot more information is revealed to us in this book than the last and I loved it.

The romance was a bit frustrating in this book. Day and June have a few pretty nasty fights, but they just got together and have both been through a lot so it’s understandable. They are still amazing together though. You can just feel the electricity in the room when they are together. I love them so much. And they work so well together. They are seriously perfect for each other. 

“I want to fall into the purity that is Day, soaking in his simple honesty, his heart that sits open and beating on his sleeve.” –June

  
Both June and Day are dealing with their own personal grief in this book, but both use that grief to overcome obstacles and push forward in their mission. There’s a lot of action and mystery in this book and I couldn’t stop turning the pages, even though this was my second time reading and I knew what happened. The ending is heartbreaking. I have been dying to get my hands on Champion for a year now and it’s finally happening next week! I can’t wait to see how this is all going to end! Happy reading all!

Have you guys read this series? Do you love it as much as I do? Have you preordered your copy of Champion yet?