4.5 out of 5: LEGEND By Marie Lu

Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu

Summary:

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.

Review:

I've waited to read Legend for almost a year now. And boy was it worth the wait! This book had the exact plot I was looking for: a point-of-view from someone who thinks they're the protagonist, and another point-of-view from someone who is the antagonist of the first character. Although, Day and June both turn out to be 'Team Good,' it was interesting to have a book start off with 2 characters who both think they're doing the right thing, while in the other person's eyes, they are the enemy.

Day is basically the guy everyone wants to be, the mysterious hero who would literally jump off a building to save his family. While June has a better life in "one of the Republic's wealthiest districts," she is so morally centered and this makes her a great fifteen-year-old to read about. So, naturally when Day and June meet, they make a cute and awesome couple.

I think the only thing missing from this book was a big surprise element. Certain things were surprising, but if you thought about it hard enough, you could guess/see where is was going. Another thing I found odd was that June had described to have some Asian heritage, yet, somehow his hair was still blonde. Even at the end of the book the change in gene colouring was never explained.

Legend is still a great dystopian setting book, and is truly worth reading.

Find Legend on: Goodreads | Amazon