June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position.
But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.
I am not going to lie. This book was such a disappointment
compared to the first two books, which you can read the first one here and the
second one here.
Okay, despite the fact that there was a substantial plot
line, after reading and finishing the trilogy, it just really felt like the
storyline should have ended with the 2nd book, but of course with a
few tweaks at the end. It just felt like the author was struggling to think of
a good plot line to tie the story of June and Day together and just wrote
anything in order to make it a trilogy.
I really hate the fact that the author eradicated the strong
ambience that June used to ooze out of her and made her just a regular,
practically boring person. She hardly used her logic and rationality, which is
what used to define her in the previous books.
Day was also very weak, but that was understandable. But I
just think that there wasn’t, again, anything substantial with Day. There was hardly
any character development, despite the fact that it was the final book in the
series.
Overall, this was not a good book, the plot line was weak
and I was disappointed with this final book.
June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.
It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.
But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?
In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.
Heyyyyy bookfreaks! It's been a very long time! But fear not, I am back to blogging! I hope everyone's been well! Anyway, on to the post that you actually want to read about!
I found this book amazing! Just truly amazing.
My thoughts about the character has not changed much from the first book (see Legend review here) only just I fell a little bit more in love with Day as the book progressed. He has certainly had a difficult life but I love the hope he still hangs at trying to find his little brother, the only part of his former life. You desperately route for him the whole way! And what makes him even more special is that he still sees the funny side to life. Yes he has lost everything and yes there are times when he is at his lowest (I literally just wanted to reach inside the book and hug him!) but he still manages to keep his charisma which is one of the things that makes him lovable to the readers (I hope) and and one of the things that keeps Day himself going.
The other thing is June. Again I totally loved this character, even more so in this book. We get to see the more vulnerable side to June where she lets her guard down on numerous times. We feel her anguish at losing her brother, her guilt at causing Day pain and her longing for his embrace whilst also longing to go back to her former life. Ahhh, I just enjoyed reading her. However, whilst June has let go of numerous walls that were previously seen in book 1, she still can't manage to sum up her feelings for Day and what she actually feels for him.
In terms of relationships, wellllll I knew there was going to be a love square between Day and June, Day and Tess and June and Anden.
Day thinks of Tess more as a sister he never had. But there are some parts of the book where he sees her in other light. Tess is totally in love with him and is jealous of how Day sees June. There are numerous times where she reminds Day that June is the cause of his pain. This relationship is not going to move anyway from one of friendship. Yes both have shared precious moments together trying to survive in the slums, but Day just doesn't see her in that way as he does with June (although Tess is right to say Day can't be in love with someone who he has only known for about 2 months....I think and that both are from different parts of the world).
Anden and June....ahhhh, man this is another relationship that I love. It's different from what June has with Day. Whilst with Day, its never easy, a constant rollercoaster, with Anden June feels like he can be herself without feeling guilty. They share similar interests and have a similar background. We can tell that June's feelings still lie with Day but she still feels something for Anden....something mystical.
This book has a lot of action, twists and drama and I loved every minute of it. The plot flowed from chapter to another and the ending was just as shocking. Man, does Day have it tough (that's all I'm saying).
What I loved reading about was the introduction of the Colonies. Like Day, you also felt slightly disappointed that the Colonies wasn't this glorious, magical and peaceful place where residents have it easy. It was just like the Republic, only it has certain celebrations that the Republic did not. Such as birthdays and Christmas ( I know!! Both Day and June hadn't heard of such things before!).
I also like learning about the geography of the whole world and where country was at. For example I liked how Marie made Africa one of the richest and progressive countries in the world.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and its a must for all you YA dystopian fans!
Notable quote/passage:
“He pauses when he finishes undoing the last button, then closes his eyes. I can see the pain slashed across his face, and the sight tears at me. The Republic's most wanted criminal is just a boy, sitting before me, suddenly vulnerable, laying all his weaknesses out for me to see.”
Pages: 305 Published: November 2011, by Putnam Juvenile
Series: Legend book #1
Genre: YA, dystopian
Stars: 4.5/5 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.
Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.
Now, I thought I would not like ‘Legend’ and it
would just be another book trying to make it big in the YA dystopian genre. BUT
OH NO! I loved this book! It was truly AH-MAZ-ING!
In terms of the characters, I really, really, really like both June and
Day. I thought (and here is my stereotypical assumptions) that I wouldn’t like
Day, just because he has a pony tail! I know a pony tail! Well you could be
thinking, ‘what on earth does a pony tail have to do with liking a character?’
I actually get put off from reading about romance, if the guy I am picturing is
not good looking and a guy having a pony tail is one of the no no. Butttttt, I
will say, I didn’t even think about his pony tail whilst reading this book. His
personality was soooo much bigger and made me fall in love with him! YES. I’ll
admit it; this is the first time I’m in love with a guy who has a pony
tail.....even though he is not real.
I really liked June; she definitely fits that extremely clever, hard
rock, kick arse female characters that are slipping in everywhere. She has lost
everyone she cares for and has put all her faith in the Elector and his
society. This makes it very hard for her to believe in anything else. The place
that she lives in has given her everything, more than she can imagine but she
still feels lonely and wants, no craves, for something new and thrilling. She
has to go through a lot of things and challenges; but she does it with a quite
determination. She manages to maintain her focus, despite being hurt, which is
what makes her even more admiral. And she is only 15!
As I said before, I have fallen in love with Day. He, like June, has
lost a lot of people he cared about (especially towards the end....why Marie,
why would you do that to him. I nearly felt like crying and giving up hope for
him to find any sort of happiness!). He has been on the run since the age of
10. He knows how to survive, fight and steal and of course to do that one needs
to be very smart, which indeed he is. He embodies all the abilities that June
has and maybe even more. I loved it that aside from his cunningness, cocky
personality and his awesome surviving skills, the readers got to see the more
vulnerable and softer side to him. The reason why he does what he does every
day and the reason why he is still living in the same place that agents want
him dead......is none other than his family.
There are of course other characters like Tess, who is Day’s side kick,
in some ways. Thomas, who is best friends with June’s older brother, follows
the Elector’s rules whole heartedly and likes June. There is also the Elector’s
Son, Anden, who from the brief appearance, is somewhat down to earth and good
looking and achieveing the affect of making June blush (I smell a possible love
square here in the second book EEIKEEEE!). All these individual make the book
what it is.
The romance between June and Day is book-clenching good (I made that
impression up and I think I’m going to start using it since I do it a lot to
books that contains romance which make me sweat....yeah book-clenching). Obviously
it’s even hot that at first they do not know the other’s real identity and just
admire the other person’s skills and looks. But it becomes even sizzling when
they do finally know who they are and they STILL can’t keep away from each
other....oh it’s definitely forbidden love in their world. Enemies that have
fallen in love.
The plot is oh-so-good. Aside from the corrupt government, the actual
story is brilliant. I’m not giving any spoilers away, but what Day has gone
through and the whole poor sector in general is disgusting. But it’s what made
the book realistic and heart wrenching. Marie wasn’t afraid to go into details
about the sort of treatment poor people have received in this book and it could
possibly have indirect meanings to what poor countries are experiencing now in
the real world. Marie shows through Day’s experiences and perception and also
June realisation, that rich and bigger countries think they can use the poor
countries for their own benefit. Which is very relevant in today’s world.
Ultimately, “Legend” is not really a book about an individual standing
up against a repressive society, but really about the emotions and study of
grief, family and conformism. I definitely recommend this book for all book
lovers! I can’t wait for ‘Patriot’ which is coming out in 2013, where, if not a
love square, then a love triangle will blossom!
Notables quotes/passages:
“John glances at me. “We’re not going to make it.” Between us, Day has faded into a semi-conscious state. If the brothers continue on and I run back to fight the soldiers, I’ll probably only take down a few before they overwhelm me. They’ll still reach John and Day.
John stops walking, and I feel Day’s weight shift over to me. “What—” I begin to say, until I see John pull the blindfold off of Day’s neck. Then he turns around. My eyes widen. I know what he’s going to do. “No, stay with us.“You need more time,” John says. “They want an execution? They’ll get one.” He starts running away from us. Back down the hall.”
Title: Champion
