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Review: Legend (Marie Lu)

Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Genre: YA Dystopian fiction
Pages: 304
Rating: 4 out of 5
Challenges
FTC Disclosure: I borrowed this from my school library
Summary (from Amazon): Once known as the western coast of the United States, the Republic is now a nation perpetually at war with hits neighbors, the Colonies. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a military prodigy. Obedient, passionate, and committed to her country, she is begin groomed for success in the Republic's highest circles.

Born into the slums of the Republic's Lake Sector, 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. Now, caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June tries desperately 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 to which their country will go to keep its secrets.

Review: I have heard such great reviews of this book so I was really excited to read it. However, it's taken me a week to read it and I don't know if that's because I wasn't liking the book or because I was just having a hectic week. Then I read one non-glowing review and I felt a little better, like maybe it isn't just me. Overall I enjoyed the book by the end and maybe that's because I actually had a long chunk of time to read today. I hadn't had that all week.

  • Plot--I think I needed something to grip me earlier but I don't know what they would be. The idea is a really good one and what I like about dystopian fiction: the people versus the all-controlling government. Medical experimentation and illness, wealthy versus poor. That's all good and it came together well by the second half of the book.
  • Characters--June and Day are both likable characters even if the reader doesn't always agree with their actions. I find that is often true in dystopian fiction: wrong actions are acceptable since they are fighting for a higher truth/right. The evil characters are really evil in this book, killing at will and having no empathy or concern for the down-trodden.
  • Sequel--The author definitely left this one open to a sequel, which really isn't a surprise. Will I read it? Probably, but I won't rush out to read it right away. Well, maybe that's not true. It depends how much time has passed.
Geography Connection

(A plague is important to this book)
Click to see my updated Google Map. Although this book takes place in post-apocolytic United States, the main location is Los Angeles, California.

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