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.
Legend is one of the novels that rode the crest of the YA dystopia wave, along with commercial successes like The Hunger Games and Divergent. I am honestly quite glad I'm reading it years after the hype, because although Legend brings its own interpretation to the genre, the general plot structure is extremely similar to the genre staples.
The main characters are super-amazing-special June, and gorgeous-very-special Day. One is a soldier trained by an authoritarian government, the other a rebel trying to annoy said government. As always, the stakes are the lives of family members, violence galore, and there is a mysterious plague.
Legend ticks all the boxes necessary for a young-adult dystopian story: the teen protagonists are amazing fighting machines, beating several adult soldiers as par de course; there are conspiracies, corrupt and evil people in power, and the extent of their horribleness is slowly revealed. It's fast-paced, and the alternating narration of June and Day works well. It all works, but I'm not particularly convinced Legend brings anything new to the table.
-- Trigger warnings: on-page death of family members, torture, strong violence.
