Author- Marie Lu
Series- Legend Trilogy/Series
Published- 2011
Page Count- 295 (UK Paperback)
Publishing House- Penguin Books
Rating- 4/5 Stars
About the Author
Marie Lu (born Xiwei Lu) is an American young adult author. She is best known for the Legend trilogy, novels set in a dystopian and militarized future. The novels form the basis of a film to be produced by Lionsgate.
Taken from Marie's Wikipedia Page.
Plot
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbours. 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.
Taken from Goodreads.
Opinions
After reading two three star books in a row, I was fully expecting this to be another let down. Truth be told, I knew next to nothing about this series before reading it. I knew that it was considered to be a YA Classic and that I had bought them as a box set from the Works for a bout £5 a few years ago.
I think going into it not knowing much and having not seen as much hype around them as other books meant that I actually enjoyed them more than I thought I would. I ended up being pleasantly surprised by how much I liked this book. I didn't love it and wouldn't consider it a favourite, but I enjoyed my time reading it. So much so that I've started the second book already. I don't remember the last time I binged a series.
I've found it very easy to read. It falls into that writing style that is easy to fly through yet still remains enjoyable. The characters were interesting too. One thing I will say is that they are both fifteen and to me they read as much older. Maybe it's because I'm nearly twenty, but I find it hard to see characters as that young. I've noticed that a lot of books where characters are said to be fourteen-fifteen, to me they'll read as my age. I must be getting old.
I enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book. I really wanted to find out what happened to Metias. I didn't believe that Day had killed him as I didn't get that vibe from him. It was interesting to see June's journey from loyal soldier to renegade. She had to most intriguing character arc of all the characters. Day didn't have quite the same arc, but he was still a solid character. I found June's relationship with Thomas a bit strange and it made me uncomfortable at times.
Something I didn't mind as much as I normally would was the romance element. It was obvious, as is the tendency with YA, that the characters would fall in love. It did become a bit cliche the way they were describing each other. I let it slide as when you're fifteen, things are a bit cliched. I found their relationship to be really compelling and actually believable for once. I look forward to seeing what happens to them in the other books.
I don't have anything to say that is overtly negative. I didn't give it five stars as it didn't blow me away and is nowhere near being a favourite of mine. I think this is a series I am going to fly through and then part ways with. It was fun, but it isn't one I'll treasure forever. It's just a good, solid series.
Carenza :) x
