Champion (Legend, #3)
by Marie Lu
Dystopia, Young Adult, Romance
Release Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website
by Marie Lu
Dystopia, Young Adult, Romance
Release Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Author's Website
SYNOPSISHe is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion?
June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position.
But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.
With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.
REVIEW
“Sometimes, the sun sets earlier. Days don’t last forever, you know. But I’ll fight as hard as I can. I can promise you that.”
Oh, Marie Lu, I would undoubtedly trust you with the lives of my future child's, my own, and my future husband's. Holy shit. How does one even talk about this bewildering, yet upsetting book?
Out of all the other series enders released this year, Champion proved to be the best because it breaks my heart and patches it all back again. This was actually the the best book out of the three. You want to know why? Because this book has everything that will keep anyone, and I mean anyone hooked because of it's diversity; it's got action, romance, politics, and great characterization. Bravo, Marie Lu!
Plot: The plot. Oh my God, the plot. I have many things to say but one word seems to stand out: engrossing. Everything about it lures me in and Champion was gladly taped to my fingers the whole time! Having seen the Colonies, I needed more of their post-apocalyptic world, and that was what was given to me by Marie Lu. She gave me Antartica, the cool sims-like part of their world and it was awesomesauce! Also, the mix of politics, romance, and action was impressive. It was all inter connected. The problem with politics has been brought up which gave rise to the rekindling of the romance between our two protagonists which also gave rise to the nail biting action! It was all perfectly blended together like a frappé from Starbucks, complete with toppings (word choice of Mari Lu) that further adorn the said drink.
Writing: As expected, at this part of the review, Marie Lu didn't (couldn't) disappoint. DUH. It's Marie Lu we're talking about here, how could she mess up with the writing?
The book is told from both their POVs and, if you see this as one way to bring the book down, then I strongly disagree with your opinion because what the two POVs did was it made the book better! It was like seeing an event from a split screen which makes the action twice the more exciting! Though, I have to say that at times we already know what would be happening in the next chapter because of the POV of the other character, but that's fine! Who would want to go to a war blindfolded right?
Pace: This book wasn't so different from the first two in pace because they contain action which couldn't be written in such slow pace, but somehow, this book's pace, and I say this almost reluctantly, was slower (at first) than the first two which made me think that this would be a tedious read, but that made the end more meaningful to me. (THE ENDING GAAAAAH)
Junebug: I LOVE HER. I wrote too many "I LOVE HER"s at the first draft that I had to lower it down to one. GAAAAH, I JUST LOVE HER, I said that already haven't I? Now onto the reasons why I love her. Her development all throughout the series was extraordinary! From the bratty little sister to Metias, she became this loving, independent, strong, self-confident woman! She used to do anything to get what she wanted even if it meant a death of a person. And now, she chose to go through with her selfless promise that she'll let go of Day if that means that he'll live. She even thought that it's be better because without her in his life, he wouldn't be hurt by her. He wouldn't remember the death of his mom often because June was the reason she was dead in the first place. Okay, too much spoilers.
Overall: This is the proper way on how you should end a book and a series. The ending is the perfect epitome of an ending that's sad but full of hope. Looking back, I really pictured a more macabre and gruesome ending, and I'm glad that mu assumption was wrong because what I couldn't put into words, Marie Lu did. That was a perfect series ender.
RATING
Out of all the other series enders released this year, Champion proved to be the best because it breaks my heart and patches it all back again. This was actually the the best book out of the three. You want to know why? Because this book has everything that will keep anyone, and I mean anyone hooked because of it's diversity; it's got action, romance, politics, and great characterization. Bravo, Marie Lu!
Plot: The plot. Oh my God, the plot. I have many things to say but one word seems to stand out: engrossing. Everything about it lures me in and Champion was gladly taped to my fingers the whole time! Having seen the Colonies, I needed more of their post-apocalyptic world, and that was what was given to me by Marie Lu. She gave me Antartica, the cool sims-like part of their world and it was awesomesauce! Also, the mix of politics, romance, and action was impressive. It was all inter connected. The problem with politics has been brought up which gave rise to the rekindling of the romance between our two protagonists which also gave rise to the nail biting action! It was all perfectly blended together like a frappé from Starbucks, complete with toppings (word choice of Mari Lu) that further adorn the said drink.
Writing: As expected, at this part of the review, Marie Lu didn't (couldn't) disappoint. DUH. It's Marie Lu we're talking about here, how could she mess up with the writing?
The book is told from both their POVs and, if you see this as one way to bring the book down, then I strongly disagree with your opinion because what the two POVs did was it made the book better! It was like seeing an event from a split screen which makes the action twice the more exciting! Though, I have to say that at times we already know what would be happening in the next chapter because of the POV of the other character, but that's fine! Who would want to go to a war blindfolded right?
Pace: This book wasn't so different from the first two in pace because they contain action which couldn't be written in such slow pace, but somehow, this book's pace, and I say this almost reluctantly, was slower (at first) than the first two which made me think that this would be a tedious read, but that made the end more meaningful to me. (THE ENDING GAAAAAH)
Junebug: I LOVE HER. I wrote too many "I LOVE HER"s at the first draft that I had to lower it down to one. GAAAAH, I JUST LOVE HER, I said that already haven't I? Now onto the reasons why I love her. Her development all throughout the series was extraordinary! From the bratty little sister to Metias, she became this loving, independent, strong, self-confident woman! She used to do anything to get what she wanted even if it meant a death of a person. And now, she chose to go through with her selfless promise that she'll let go of Day if that means that he'll live. She even thought that it's be better because without her in his life, he wouldn't be hurt by her. He wouldn't remember the death of his mom often because June was the reason she was dead in the first place. Okay, too much spoilers.
Overall: This is the proper way on how you should end a book and a series. The ending is the perfect epitome of an ending that's sad but full of hope. Looking back, I really pictured a more macabre and gruesome ending, and I'm glad that mu assumption was wrong because what I couldn't put into words, Marie Lu did. That was a perfect series ender.
RATING
THAT FRIGGIN ENDING. You're right, this is how you end a series! :D I was looking forward to your thoughts about Day (me being absolutely biased over him) then I realized how much you loved June. Great review, Elyssa.
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