Book Review: Legend by Marie Lu

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Author: Marie Lu (http://marielu.org/)

Genre(s): Romance/Dystopian

POV: First person with two main characters alternating chapters, present tense

Series or Single: Book One in the Legend Trilogy

 

3.5 Stars

 

Summary:

 

June Iparis, the Republic’s most prized prodigy and first to ever score perfect on her Trials, discovers that her brother was murdered.

Day, the Republic’s most wanted criminal, is the prime suspect. So when June is assigned to capture her brother’s murderer, she is eager to take revenge. But Day is different and definitely not like any other criminal. Before June has the chance to stop everything, Day becomes property of the Republic and is taken away to be executed. June’s suspicions rise after she realizes everything that was hidden from her is revealed, and that her brother’s death wasn’t what she knew of.

 

Review:

 

I finished this book without even noticing I did.

 

Through every well-written chapter, I could tell how much passion the author put into to write this book. Lately, I’ve been on a dystopian craze, reading every series and book I could find, but Legend was definitely by far the best. Highly recommended for ‘Hunger Games’ and ‘Divergent’ fans.

 

I loved how June and Day had a sort of mysterious, yet complex romantic relationship between them. There really is no comparison for these two. But really, if you asked me, I don’t think they would make a very long-lasting couple.

 

Day is the typical, flirty fifteen-year old criminal on the run while June is the clever, calm, and collected military prodigy. Despite them having a steady relationship, I was fascinated by their individual personalities and traits. Day surprised me a lot of times, more than June. He protected his loved ones before himself and is without a doubt, the most self-sacrificing character in the book. Also, I noticed later on that he has sort of a double personality all mashed together. The selfless, kind and passionate side of him can only be seen when he’s around his family or his friends, especially Tess and June. His other side, the cunning, rebellious and naughty side of him often appears when he’s on the run from Republic soldiers or in front of anyone considered his enemies. Either way, he has a catchy habit of calling anyone he meets, ‘cousin’.

 

I think June is an enhanced and improved, different-kind of Tris Prior. (Divergent) She can be unwillingly selfish sometimes, and takes things for granted a lot. The only flaw I’m uncomfortable with is how perfect June is. It could be possible, but how likely is a stunningly beautiful, smart, and honorable military prodigy to be born? I believe that the story could have had a more interesting twist if June wasn’t so attractive or as confident.

 

But do you want to know who my favorite character was?

 

Day’s best friend and partner in crime, Tess.

 

Tess is described with having big adorable eyes and a delicate personality. She was found on the streets of one of the slums sectors by Day as an orphan. Tess can be very fragile at first, and easily jealous at anyone who Day finds interesting. It is later revealed in Prodigy that Tess had matured and began crushing on Day.

 

Enough with the characters now, the waste of chapters is what I really need to talk about.

 

Day being held by the Republic in a cell is what takes up basically almost a quarter, maybe even a half, of the story. Also, I think Day keeps having too many nightmares and June not enough. Another thing I noticed personally was how quick June’s brother died. Usually, authors strive to make character deaths as meaningful as they can, even supporting characters. I couldn’t connect with the way June felt about her loss and it was as if nothing changed in my mind when her brother died. But it wasn’t the fact that he died, it was why and how he died.

 

Nothing in particular really got me pumped, but I can’t say I was disappointed. Many others disagree and thought this was better than the Hunger Games, but that’s just my opinion.

 

So, you might be asking, do I recommend this book or not? For casual dystopian fans, yes, definitely go ahead! For others, you may just like it or you may love it. In short, I was one of the readers who absolutely adored it, but also found quite a few flaws. Not as exciting or thrilling as the Hunger Games, but way worth reading. Sure it was great, but I wish there was something more to it that could’ve made it stand out more.

 

Have you read any books in the Legend Trilogy? Please feel free to share your thoughts below in the comments!