Legend (Legend Trilogy, #1)

by Marie Lu

[rakesandrogues]

In the future, the United States exists only as a myth. There’s a war ravaging two countries: the Republic, which is comprised of what had been the Western United States, and the Colonies. In the Republic, Day, a fifteen-year-old criminal, is on the loose causing havoc for the government and simultaneously helping his family and his poverty-stricken neighbors in the Lake district. In a richer part of town, June is the prodigy – the only one who scored perfect marks in the Republic’s Trials who also can’t help but rebel by playing pranks. What happens when the paths of these two collide? You get Marie Lu’s epic debut novel, LEGEND.

My biggest qualm with this book is the emphasis on the romance between Day and June. I usually do find the appeal between star-crossed lovers, but I honestly felt that there was no chemistry or sexual tension between the two of them. Yeah, they totally had the hots for each other. But just because you find someone attractive, it doesn’t mean you’re suddenly falling in love with them. I would have liked it so much more if Day and June remained friends. They have this understanding about one another and I can definitely sense some camaraderie (if you look past their initial misconceptions, of course). They both respect each other in a way, and despite the differences in their upbringing, they have been both seriously screwed over by the Republic. Is this just a shout out that guys and girls can’t just be friends?

But other than the romance, I really failed to pick out any other problems with LEGEND. However, unlike many other bloggers out there, it just failed to captivate me. The story was good, and the world-building was quite great. I can definitely picture this happening in the future (which is a scary thought). As someone who’s been to Los Angeles only once or twice, it was hard for me to picture if remnants of the city I had visited still exists in Lu’s novel. However, the concept is still quite believable. A civil war set in the future is definitely possible, and the thought of it brings up a million questions buzzing in my head. Lu gives us a glimpse of what could have happened, but fails to give us the entire picture in the first book. She answers just enough questions to get my curiousity piqued, but doesn’t answer them all to make me want to read the next book in the series.

Both protagonists were quite likeable in LEGEND. The book is written in Day and June’s alternating point of views. I do like how June’s character grows so much in this one book alone. At first, she is a rebellious, privileged rich kid but as she learns how the other half lives, she empathizes for the people who did not grow up with all the things she had. I love how June is so fierce. She can protect herself and she isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in no matter what the risks are. On the other hand, I love Day because, like June, he is also fiercely loyal to his family. He isn’t a criminal for the sake of causing havoc. He reminds me of a futuristic Robin Hood who steals from the rich and gives back to the poor. And who doesn’t love to cheer for the underdog? But if I had to pick a favorite character, it would be Metias. Okay, June and Day are quite clever, but Metias is by far superior. He can hack into the government systems. He’s a kick-ass soldier, but also an overprotective older brother.

This book has a legit beginning, middle, and an end, but with enough development to make it a solid first book of a new series. I absolutely hate books that have all development but nothing ever happens. I’m glad to say that LEGEND does not follow this formula. I feel like I’ve actually started and finished a book.

LEGEND is a wonderful debut by author Marie Lu. I thought the romance was a bit unnecessary and I wish that the characters just stuck to friendship. While there was great world-buildling, the novel just lacked that extra oompf to really get me hooked on every page. However, LEGEND truly shines in a YA market that is saturated with dystopians. I strongly recommend this book over others to those who are fans of The Hunger Games series.

Final Verdict: The book is quite cool, so if you like dystopians buy it. The alternating perspectives are printed in two different font colors: black for June’s chapters and gold for Day’s chapters.

Why I’m Biased: This book is way hyped up in the book blogosphere and just about any other book publication out there. I can see why it’s hype-worthy but I’m not jumping on the bandwagon completely.