Review of Legend by Marie Lu

 ★★★★★

Legend
By: Marie Lu
Review by: Kaede

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages: 305
Star Rating: ★★★★★/ Go out and buy it now.

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.

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 Huh. Well I'll be damned. I'll be damned.

It's not like I hate dystopians, nor do I shiver at the idea and walk the other way when I hear of one. But in all honesty: There's just too much.

Okay, yeah. I understand that The Hunger Games is the best thing that's happen in your life for some of you guys, but in return, please understand that it's not like that for everyone. The hype that is The Hunger Games, but don't get me wrong — I like the series too, is what evidently led to the overflow and ambush of dozens of new dystopian releases month after month. Even now, they still just keep on coming.

My point is that with so many books that cover the same one particular subgenre, ideas are bound to clash. In no way am I stating that any author's work is nothing more than just a copy of another's, but I'm stating the fact that more often than not, many dystopian books tend to just seem the same to me. World on the brink of destruction. Only one girl can save them all. Must fall in love with off-limits hot guy first, though. What else is new?

But no. Legend doesn't follow that curriculum. Sure, it's still borders on the line of girl meets boy, girl loses boy, girl gets boy back, but it does it well. No stupid damsel in distress, no ridiculously hot guy that just wouldn't exist in the real world, and no overused plot — or at least to the extent where it doesn't feel like it.

I certainly adored June and her spirit. She was the fierce and strong, but not invincible, heroine that I was craving. And plus, I'm all for reading about a kick-ass girl.

And Day. He gets extra points for just being Day. No jerk of a bad boy here, just Day. The Day who puts on a facade and is willing to take the pain for the sake of his family.

Sure, the character's motives are sometimes questionable, but they have a reason behind them that just won't let you hate them. And, as always, I love a good sibling bond. Even if one of them doesn't live past the first quarter of this book. It's all good.

It's all good.

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Review also found at: Goodreads