Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Legend
Marie Lu
Novemeber 29, 2011
Putnam
305 pages

Synopsis: 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.

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Review: Wow! I had no idea what I was getting into when I picked up this book to read. My sister had told me it was really good, but for some reason, I was reluctant to read it. In fact, I've had this one sitting on my shelf since BEA of LAST year. As soon as I started reading, all that reluctance vanished and I was caught up in a sea of emotions. And boy does it make you feel to read this - it's like an emotional roller coaster. Sadness, frustration, confusion, love, anger, pride... yeah, this one is pretty dark, but it has a few good moments too. And those just feel so right, I cannot wait to see if Day and June get more of them in book two. I can guarantee you, I won't take me another year to read that one, and I just happen to be a lucky one in possession of an ARC from this year's BEA! 

Legend: 4.5/5 stars (avg Goodreads user rating: 4.07)
Cover: 3.5/5 (I thought it was a bit boring - but I like book 2's cover a LOT more - I put a preview below)
Audience rating: PG-13 (lots of violence, witnessed deaths, torture) 


Here's a preview of Prodigy(Book 2)'s cover - isn't it pretty?! To-be-released January 2013.