Unputdownable and Compelling: Legend by Marie Lu

Legend (Legend, #1)
by Marie Lu

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Dystopia

Release Date: November 29, 2011

Publisher: Putnam Juvenila

Source: Bought/Own Copy

Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website

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.

Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.  

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Review:

“Each day means a new twenty-four 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.”

The feeling of apprehensiveness was creeping up on me while I was contemplating whether to buy this book or not. I was really hesitant because people (and the reviews on the cover) carry the message that this book has a great amount of correspondence with Hunger Games—and it is a well-known fact that I am not a big fan of Hunger Games—, but I kept my mind open. And thank God because it was love at first word. 

I am at loss for words because there's just so much to say that I can't verbalize. Right now, I am sitting in stunned silence because of the beauty of this book. And that means so much considering I talk almost every minute of waking. Wow, just wow.

With the influx of YA novels this past few years, only a handful tend to impress me. And Legend is amongst that handful because Marie Lu's debut novel is nothing if not ambitious. We are presented with a book that has complicated love story, a distant war, and attempts of execution. The twists and turns of this book were not expected and Legend really does deserve an award for the most unforeseen plot twists! And that's coming from a person who, by reading one too many novels, has mastered the twists and turns of the YA genre. 

Legend tells the story of two 15-year-olds, Day and June, who couldn't be more different, living on The Republic or known as the West side of US. Day, the Republic's most wanted criminal, also a kid form the poor sectors struggles to keep his family together because of his status. June, on the other hand, has grown up in one of the wealthiest sectors and has a bright future ahead of her. Their paths cross after June's brother, a soldier of the Republic, is found dead during a break-in attempt by Day at a hospital. Now, June is hellbent on getting revenge for his brother and The Republic uses her thirst for justice and is having her track Day. However, as more secrets are revealed, her world tilts off it's axis and she finds herself shifting from one allegiance to another.  

The plot was incredible! It was fast-paced, and nothing was ever just a filler. At the very first chapter, Lu gets right to the point and introduces June Iparis as The Republic's Prodigy and Day as The Republic's most wanted criminal. At the beginning of the book, Metias, June's brother, dies and the interesting parts go on from there. Now you might think that the build-up would, sooner rather than later, be boring. But I am telling you right now that it did not! While writing this paragraph, there's a phrase on my mind that sums up this whole paragraph: Everything just keeps getting better and better. And better did it get.

Now onto Day, or Daniel Altan Wing (Don't even get me started on how good he looks and how his hair feels when I run my fingers through it) He's like the modern day Aladdin because he steals from the rich and give them to the less to his side of town. He steals goodies for the poor, will do everything and I mean everything for his family. (Isn't that heartwarming?) He's such a sweet, caring, optimistic, and charismatic guy. I could go on and on, but I chose not to because this review might hold the record for Longest Book Review of All Time indefinitely. 

As for June, I really loved her character. She's the mirror image of Day—only born richer. What made me say that? She's selfless and she will do anything to bring his brother justice. I really like the way Lu portrays us girls because in some books they take care of us as though we're spineless, though a little bit of pampering's nice too, I really like reading books with strong female heroins because it makes me feel badass. I really understand where she comes from. She didn't question The Republic and their motives because that's what she grew up with. That's how she sees The Republic, honest and wants the best for their people. But as secrets unfold, she became the warrior that I saw her to be. She sucked it up and went with the flow. When life gives you lemons you ought to make lemonade right? 

With a novel this complex and intriguing, only one stays constant: the writing. Lu's writing is one of the best! She doesn't make it too long to eventually get tired and mark it as DNF, and not too short to make it seem as though it's a novella. She uses the right complexity of words that won't get you running for your dictionary most of the time, and uses just the right amount of descriptive words to make your surroundings match those of the book's. I really felt like I was a June or Day when they were fighting and it was a nice experience since I don't come out of the house that much often. Thank you Marie Lu for making me feel like I can scale a 10-storey building! Haha.

To sum up, Legend was a breath of fresh air! A novel standing out from those cliché ones that don't even surprise me. If you're still stubborn and won't read Legend even if I put it on a pedestal, then it's your loss because Legend is Legendary.

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