Book Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Legend by Marie Lu
(Legend, #1)
Release Date: November 29, 2011
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile; 305 pages

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' 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.

Wow. That sums up LEGEND by Marie Lu best. I was completely blown away by this book and then I sat here asking myself, why the hell did I wait so long to read this?! You’re probably making a face right now, saying ‘it hasn’t even been out for three months’ – yeah, I know. But I like to read books right as they come out and I’d heard good things about this but for some reason or another, I never picked it up. But gosh, am I glad I finally did.

LEGEND is told from the Republic’s number one most wanted criminal, Day and the Republic’s one prodigy who scored the only perfect 1500 on her Trial test, June. They appear to be polar opposites of one another but…are they really? Their worlds are brought together in the most horrific way and things only get more interesting, more dangerous and yes, more heartbreaking.

Day failed his Trial and escaped the ‘Labor Camps’ that all kids who fail go to. He was declared dead at this ‘Labor Camp’ so obviously he’s no longer in the Republic’s system. They don’t know his true identity so tell me how can you have someone as your most wanted without knowing what he looks like? A very dependable Republic right there, if you ask me. He’s been on the run, stealing from the rich, robbing a bank in 10 seconds, and causing all sorts of destruction for the Republic’s military for five years now. The reason he sticks around the Los Angeles area is so he can protect and watch his family from afar.

June is the opposite. She’s the only person, ever, to score a perfect 1500 on her Trial, she grew up in a rich family and one would think she’s had a lot of opportunities handed to her. She lost both of her parents at such a young age but she had her older brother, Metias and her brother’s friend, Thomas. Regardless of her parent’s death, she still seems to have a perfect childhood and even a bright future, in the Republic’s eyes, and hers. It isn’t until a horrible tragedy strikes that she is assigned Day as her mission. Their worlds come colliding together and things never are the same after that…

From the beginning of this book, I kept sitting there going “Please tell me this is a joke. Please tell me that really didn’t happen” because I wanted so badly for it not to be true. And it never went away, all throughout the book. You will be on the edge of your seat, struggling to ever put this book down for anything. I stayed up until 4 AM one day just because I couldn't stop reading, but then the words started gettling blurry and knew it was time for some sleep.

I know I love a lot of books, and I do - I won't deny that but this seriously just blew me away. I usually like a book with lots of romance, you know? But this didn't have much at all but you know what? I didn't feel like I was missing out on anything, at all. In fact, I think it would've taken away from the story if there had been more thrown in there somewhere. I also love the fact that each chapter was different colors, so if you weren't paying attention to whose chapter it was in the beginning you would know by the font color. First time I've seen that and I really loved it (not to mention, it was different font, as well). All around amazing book and I am eager for the next one.

I recommend this to anyone who are fans of dystopian/post-apocolyptic books. Fans of the Hunger Games, Divergent, Wither, etc - you'll want to try this one out. I definitely find it up there with the Hunger Games and Divergent. I am very excited about meeting Marie Lu on Thursday, February 16th as part of the Breathless Reads tour!

*highlight to view spoiler* First spoiler I want to talk about it Metias. Gah. I kept wishing and praying that he really wasn't dead. I was the same as June, just thinking this was all some sick joke and he was still alive. He is seriously one of the best older brothers I've ever heard of and to see his life ended so suddenly, and completely unnecessary way it broke my heart in to pieces. And the fac that his best friend is the one who killed him...it makes me sick. Poor Day to the fall for it...but really, he didn't, did he? No, his mother and his brother John, did. Gosh. I don't think my hearts broken so badly while reading a book as it did with LEGEND. I knew John was going to sacrifice himself for Day but gosh, it didn't hurt less knowing it. Broke my damn heart. *spoiler*