Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Legend by Marie Lu is a book that I wanted to read as soon as I heard about it. Unfortunately, it hadn't been released, and as my library didn't have it on order I couldn't go ahead and put a hold on it. Eventually, I pretty much forgot about it until I was walking through the YA section of the library looking for another book and saw it on the new releases shelf, just waiting for me to come and grab it!

Legend by Marie Lu

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.

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This book was very, very cool. The society is as dystopian as they come, but I thought it was unique, something that's hard to come by in a popular genre. On one hand you have June, who has everything a girl could want: wealth, a good home, smarts, admiration and every opportunity. But on the other hand you have Day, a criminal boy from the slums, where life is precious because it is scarce and illness and poverty plague the citizens.

The two of them are just about as different as day and night. June is the only person in the Republic's history to have a perfect score on the Trial, the test that decides whether your life will be filled with prosperity and wealth or pain and poverty. Day is the youngest and most wanted criminal in the Republic. They'd never have a reason to meet...until June's brother is murdered, Day is the only suspect, and June is determined to hunt him down and make him pay.

I loved this book. I liked June, but I LOVED Day. He's determined to keep his family safe at any cost, and he's a sucker for people in trouble. He risks his life daily by taking care of Tess, and he risks it even more to rescue June, not knowing she's trying to get him arrested and killed.

Neither he or June is really as tough on the inside as they appear to others (Let's keep in mind that June is a fifteen-year-old high-ranked military official and--I say again--Day is a fifteen-year-old who's the MOST WANTED CRIMINAL IN THE REPUBLIC), but they are strong. That's probably a good thing, too, because as they discover all the secrets the Republic is hiding from them, it's going to change the world as they see it. And it will take that strength to make the choices necessary in order to break free from the grasp of the Republic.

I give this book <*><*><*><*><*>

(:D)

~Mag