Legend by Marie Lu
Legend
Marie Lu
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: November 29, 2011
Pages: 336
Source: BEA
Rating: 4 stars
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.
Legend by Marie Lu was an interesting read – it started out being a book that I almost didn’t finish, but ended up finishing strong and turning out to quite the read.
Legend was divided into 2 sections. Part 1 was a total flop for me. I was bored until about the last 15-20 pages of it, and even then I wasn’t completely on board. Part 2, now THAT was one heck of a read. I couldn’t put it down, and I loved the twists and turns to plot took. The plot was not simple at all, instead it kept thickening and thickening.
The world was super cool – I always love the worlds in dystopians. I think that was part of what contributed to the slow factor – the world building that had to go on. The whole deal with the Republic was a bit confusing at first, but as things became clearer, it was simply fascinating.
I had issues connecting with the characters. As the book went on, it become a bit easier to connect with them but characters were definitely not my favorite point of the book. I really liked Tess, I thought she was just a total sweetheart. Though, I would have loved to know more about her and why she is on the streets with Day.
As far as dystopians go, Legend by Marie Lu was a pretty good read as long as you don’t mind a very long beginning of about 150 pages in which nothing happens. The other half of the book is brilliant, but it was that first part that held me back from absolutely loving this one. I am super excited to see where Day and June’s story goes in book 2!
Thanks for the warning about the slow start. I've not read any such warnings in all the other reviews for this book. I love dystopians and maybe I'll give this book a try on one of those days when I feel like picking up a leisure reading book. :)
I've heard good stuff about this book and seen alot of reviews as this was just released (i belive)!! I only just read my first dystopian, The Hunger Games, about a month a go and loved it – I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
Glad you liked this book. ;)
Isn't that weird when I book will bore you for part of it and then the next part is so thrilling you can't put it down. This is the main reason I try to finish every book I start, just in case there is a twist and it becomes amazing.
Thanks for the honest review. Sometimes it helps to know what to expect when reading a new author's work.
This is on my TBR list and thanks for the heads up on the slow start. I hate not finishing a book but usually if the firts 100 pages hasn't grabbed me it's really hard to trudge on sometimes. At least I can look forward to this one getting better. :)
Aw I dislike long beginnings! OH well I still want to read this one, especially since you gave me a copy lol.
Thanks for the great review. :)
Great warning – I generally give it a few chapters then give up. If it's worth the last half, I'd buy it!
Ugh, slow start that isn't a good thing for me. I need to get hooked in pretty quickly to stay interested enough to move forward.