**REVIEW** Legend by Marie Lu

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.
Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

Release Date: November 29, 2011

Published By: Putnam Juvenile

Review Copy: Hardcover, 305

Review

  I love dystopian novels and the only thing that can make a dystopian better is a kick ass chick main character.  This one has that and Day.  No not night and day but Day the rebel guy that is kind of a Robin Hood type deal.  Takes from the rich gives to the poor but mostly he's looking out for his family that believes he is dead.  Though most dystopians follow basically the same story line and many people are now picking books apart for that, I feel that it is the characters and unique twists that really make them great.  Legend was really one of the dystopians that followed the guidelines but there was something about it that has me addicted and completely and hopelessly in need of more.

  June is the Republics star pupil and a handful of trouble.  She is determined to do what it takes to be the best but frequently finds herself in trouble because of her need to go above and beyond.  The only thing that matters more to he than being the best is her brother Metais.  So when he is slain on a street and the blame Day for his murder there is only one thin on Junes mind.  Revenge.  Then there is Day, who just wants to keep his family safe an healthy.  So when his extraction of the plague cure goes wrong and he has to fight his way out of a hospital it's no surprise that he comes face to face with Metais.  Problem is he's the last one to see him alive and he is now being hunted and is hurried to save his brother.  When June's and Day's path's cross their fates become more intertwined than either of them could have ever imagined.

  June and Day are both very strong and determined characters.  The strongest and most admirable trait that the two of them share is their intelligence.  They use their head and think things through in everything they do.  Basically they would be matched in everything if June didn't have all of the inside information fed to her from the Republic.  Though the intelligence is most admirable their kick ass combat skills stand out as well.  Days skills come from being out on the street and caring for Tess, where June has been raised with hers.  I loved that these two opposing characters had so much in common yet were so different.

  If you have read an of my previous reviews you would find that I am a huge fan of books that are written from multiple points of view.  To me it just gives you more information and more insight into what is going on in the book.  Ms. Lu did a phenomenal with alternating and keeping their voices clear.  Because as much as I love alternating points of view if it's a mess and you don't know who you're reading it kind of destroys the book.  The fact that the writing was in different colours for each of the characters was actually lost to me until I was almost done the book.  I was that absorbed.

  The world created nearly 100 years in the future is wonderful.  Well the world isn't amazing but the way it is written is.  The Republic is at war with the Colonies and plague and death is a fact of life for the every day people.  Did I mention that both these places Republic and Colonies are the United States divided.  Yes, it's like the revolution and there is an all out power struggle.  In this book you mostly get everything that is going on in the Republic and I hope that in the next book we see more of the Colonies and their reasoning for everything.

  Marie Lu did a wonderful job with this debut novel.  It is well written and easy to loose yourself in right from the start.  I'm so glad that I have the next book in my hands so that I don't have to wait for the release.  If Prodigy keeps up with Legend in pacing and action I will be a happy girl.  If it exceeds Legend...  Well I'm not sure it can but I still hold out hope it will be at least as good!

Quotes

My mother used to hope that I would rise up from my humble roots.  Become someone successful, or even famous.I'm famous all right, but I don't think it's what she had in mind.- Day

I will trick you and deceive you, lie, cheat and steal to find you, tempt you out of your hiding place and chase you until you have nowhere else to run.  I make you this promise: your life is mine.- June

Then I stop myself.  Metias had told me never to judge the poor like that.  Well, he's a better person than I am, I think bitterly.- June

Now normally I have more quotes.  I got involved with this one and forgot to post-it pages and make notes.... There should be more.