Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Summary/Cover Image from Publisher's Website:

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.

Review:

Ever since I first heard about this book, I've been dying to read it. It sounded amazing...just my kind of book and much, much more, and just as it turns out, Legend by Marie Lu was just the book for me! Addicting, interesting, and suspenseful, there wasn't a moment where this book didn't have me on the edge of my seat, dying to know what would happen next to June, Day, and all their friends and foes.

Everything begins the day June's brother Metias leaves one night to go on a mission for the government of the Republic, and doesn't return alive. Metias, the government says, has been killed by Day, the most elusive and mysterious criminal in country. No one knows what Day looks like or how old he is. They don't even know what drives him to commit these crimes. However, June is determined to find out. With the help of the government, June sets out to find Day once and for all. What happens, though, when Day isn't what she expected? More importantly, what happens when June finds out the people she trusted the most may be the ones lying to her? Only time and more pages can tell in this one of a kind read!

Legend tells the story of June and Day in alternating perspectives. With this, I was truly able to get right into their minds from the start. I saw that while June was a bit hotheaded and quick to act, there was an amazing girl below her tough exterior, one that would go to the end of the world to take care of the people she loves the most. Much of the same went for Day, as I as to learn as well. What I liked most about their characters, though, was seeing them come together as one. At first, they didn't like or trust each other all that well, but as the tables kept turning back and forth and the secrets came pouring out, they became as thick of thieves, and I couldn't imagine it any other way. With their characters also came some great side characters. Some of the ones I loved the most came from Day's family, and even though I never really got to see a lot of them on the pages, they were still my favorites. I also enjoyed the addition of Tess, Day's sidekick throughout the book. 

The plot in this also played a big part in making this read something special, in my opinion. I really enjoyed how thoroughly Marie Lu created the world in this one, because not only did it make it easy to imagine from the start, but it also added some a great edge to the book overall. Another aspect I enjoyed was the wide variety of twist and turns that constantly appeared throughout. I never was really sure what to expect next, but I knew one thing sure: whatever did occur next would probably change everything once again and rock my world.

In all, Legend by Marie Lu is yet another fabulous addition to the YA Dystopian trend...I can only hope the sequel is just as good, if not better!

Grade: A-

Legend (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads) is now out!

Source: Publisher- thanks Penguin!