Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Overall Thoughts: 

Legend is a wonderfully written, captivating book. It has everything a dystopian thriller could dream of: heart racing action, intriguing plot, and awesome characters! However, being an insanely quick read at 305 pages, it lacked in world building and relationship development between our two main characters, June and Day. 

Told in alternate point of views, June and Day's voices were realistic and raw with emotions that leaped off the pages. If you're looking for a quick, engaging start to a dystopian series, look no further! Legend awaits you.

Genre: YA dystopia with a dash of romance
Links: Goodreads | Amazon
Pages: 305

For a more in-depth review, please continue reading below.  

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Book: Legend by Marie Lu
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages: 305
Source: Bought
Links: Goodreads | Amazon

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 a book that totally went under my radar. I didn't find the cover to be that eye catching, but after seeing all the hype and excitement for the upcoming sequel, Prodigy, I just knew I had to get my hands on this book!

Was I disappointed? Just a bit. Did I enjoy it? Heck to the yes!

WHAT I LIKED:

• The plot kept me on my toes! This calls for a, "YAY!"
• When I'm reading a book, nothing satisfies me more than a plot keeping me on my toes. (That and well written steamy romance, but that's not the point here.) This story right here has everything from intriguing mysteries the government hides to absolutely surprising twists that left my mouth agape.

• This book made me FEEL.
• Already in the beginning, I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. I used to think it wasn't possible for me to feel emotional from a character's death that I hardly knew, but obviously Legend is an exception! 

•  Me gusta the action scenes. A LOT.
• It is a very rare occasion when I'm thoroughly engaged in the action scenes. I tend to get bored easily.
• However, Lu conducts a nice blend of action scenes throughout the novel which kept me breathless and dying to know what would happen next! To all the authors who struggle with writing action scenes, take note of Legend! Lu left me a very pleased reader at the end.

• Is it possible to love a heroine this much?
• June was one of the best characters I've ever had a pleasure to meet. Quick on her feet and not a total dim-wit, I loved reading about this girl. 
• I think what I really enjoyed the most about her was her calculating, deductive thinking and her precise, dexterous moves in battle. She's too cool for me, man.

• Relationship between Day and June? Win.
• What I really enjoyed about the relationship between these two is that they're like two peas in a pod. Equally cunning and fast on their feet, they're the perfect match for each other! I also loved the conversations between the two when they were together.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:

•  Despite being a captivating, quick read, one downfall of this would have to be it was too quick of a read.
• Personally, I could have used a bit more world building to see how everything got to be in Legend. It felt just a bit vague when I was reading this book, but seeing how Prodigy is a near 100 pages longer than Legend, I can only hope that Lu elaborates more on this in the next book.
• Relationship between Day and June? Fail.
• Sure, these two are fit each other like two jigsaw puzzle pieces, but the book was so short that it hardly allowed any more development between the two other than a strong, physical attraction to each other.
• Not that the strong attraction to each other is bad, it would have been nice to see a bit more progression between the two.

 
Legend was pretty awesome. It's got amazing potential to what seems to be a great series. I personally think if Lu works more on elaborating the world building and relationship development, this series has got a really good chance of being the next big hit!