Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu (2011)
YA Fiction | Dystopian
Blurb:
“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.”
–Goodreads
pooled ink Review:
Hmm…
This book was good but I was already beginning to step back from the dystopian political novels and reach out for something different (which turned out to be fantasy). By the time I read Legend I’d already devoured Uglies by Scott Westerfeld, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi, and Divergent by Veronica Roth. I’m not entirely sure if my overall feeling for this book had to do with the fact that my dystopian binge was easing up or if it was just the book itself.
That happens sometimes. A book gets all the rave and yet you sit there a bit sad and confused because you want to feel that excitement and yet for some reason you just…don’t. That’s me with this book.
I have friends that read it and loved it. I read it and wanted to love it but…I dunno, I think we’re better off as just friends.
I think I’m also getting a bit tired of reading books filled with big bad government. I mean, it’s not new. Quit telling me everything I already know. Revealing the fact that governments are greedy secretive corporations is not some big revelation. Honestly it’s one of the only constants throughout history. So quit egging their house and find a new angle. Look, the book publishers pushed this trend to its breaking point and while I once swooned I’m now bored. It’s all about timing, I guess.
But okay yeah, back to this book.
Plenty of action, tense romance, painful betrayals, strained loyalties, tested beliefs, the rich and poor, the safe and hunted, and a boiling cliff-hanger are all jam packed into this riveting novel. Truly this book is good.
Oh I will complain about Day’s ponytail. I just really don’t like guys with ponytails. I had to keep mentally photoshopping Day throughout the whole book because she kept mentioning his stupid ponytail. Few guys can rock it, they exist but they’re rare. But hey, you do you. If you’re a guy and you have a ponytail then you rock that tail like there’s no tomorrow because what matters at the end of the day is if you like it. But Day doesn’t get that privilege because he’s a book character and I’m a grinch (:
If you dig dystopian novels then Legend is the beginning of a trilogy that you’re going to want to sink your teeth into. Thrilling, epic, and infused with dark hope this book is one for the front shelves demanding to be read yanking you down a twisting perilous journey through the Republic.
Cheers.
Originally rated on Goodreads on August 8, 2013
Purchase here: Legend
Meet Marie Lu!
I write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, I was born in 1984. Before becoming a full-time writer, I was an Art Director at a video game company. Now I shuffle around at home and talk to myself a lot. 🙂
I graduated from the University of Southern California in ’06 and currently live in LA, where I spend my time stuck on the freeways.
-Goodreads
pooled ink 
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