What’s It About: Legend takes place in a future United States which is now called the Republic which is in a perpetual warring civil war with other parts of the nation and plagues run rampant. The story is told through the alternating perspectives of June & Day — two teens who live incredibly different lives. June lives the military life in which she is on the fast track to the Republic’s army due to her perfect scores and her brother’s high rank. Day, coming from the poor sector, is one of the most wanted criminals in the Republic and lives a life in a constant state of running from the Republic and playing tricks on them. When a horrible crime is committed that shakes June’s world, she gets put on point to track down Day who is presumed to be responsible. But what happens when motives may not be what they seem and enemies unknowingly become allies?
Legend by Marie Lu is a smartly written cat and mouse game that is adventure filled and full of surprises as the reader awaits the moment when both Day and June will figure out the true identity of each other. The tension of the relationship leaves you often not being able to breathe because you keep thinking, “IS THIS THE MOMENT? Who’s going to find out first??” It’s beyond gripping. I really enjoyed the characters of Day and June – what’s not to like about a misunderstood rebel who really has a heart of gold or a smartass, daring girl who sleuths around with the big boys to hunt down criminals…like Nancy Drew but with kickass weapons and a defiant attitude? Ok, really, love you Nance but watch your back because June could have the criminal tied up and a full confession before you even find a clue.
I think the biggest problem I had with the book was that sometimes June and Day reminded me TOO much of each other and, despite the alternating perspectives, I would find that their personalities were blending together for me. But mostly I loved them even if they totally don’t seem like they are 15 year olds. But then again, who knows how much you’d have to grow up in a world like THAT. My other gripe would be that I felt like we didn’t get to know much about WHY the world is the way it is..which I know we’ll probably learn more about in the second book but I wanted a LITTLE bit more than we were given.
Final Thought: Legend by Marie Lu is a fabulous addition to the YA dystopian canon and would highly recommend those who have just gotten into The Hunger Games. It’s full of adventure and a few surprises and twists that will leave you reeling not to mention some fabulous romantical tension, shocking betrayal, a messed up government & a future world that makes you thank your lucky stars that you don’t really live in it. It’s a great book for both teen girls and teen boys and I’d highly recommend it to reluctant male teens. I was reading it at the same time as my 13 year old nephew and he devoured it and just couldn’t stop talking about how good it was!
Anna says
I ADORE THIS BOOK! But oooh I totally get what you mean about Day & June being so similar. How nice is it when you read a review and you're like "Oh, I totally hadn't thought of that!"
Magan @ Rather Be Reading says
Crap, Jamie! I want to read this so badly right now but I have to read our next book report book first. Oh, I just need more timeeeee to read.
lisa :) says
I've seen this book around but never really took the time to read a lot of reviews. It does sound really intriguing though, I'll have to check it out! Great review!
Megan Monell says
I haven't read this yet, but it's definitely on my TBR list. Great review and I'm glad you liked it. I can't wait to read it.
Jamie says
RIGHT?! I often do that reading other people's reviews and then I'm like WHY did I never see that? Funny..just seeing you comment on this reminds me that I was *going* to link to yours and a few others reviews for this but I never put it in my review. FAIL.
Jamie says
I know! I think that daily when I stare at my shelves or hear people talk about great books! I NEED MORE TIIIIIME. Or just less time doing things I don't want to be doing (work) and more time doign things I love.
Hope you get to it soon!
Jamie says
Thanks for reading my review! You should definitely check it out..I think it's only going to get better with the next book! I have high hopes that it won't have the second book syndrome!
Jamie says
You'll have to let me know what you think! And thanks for reading my review..hope you can get to it soon!
aLmYbNeNr says
A cat and mouse game – I like that description!
Kate says
I loved this book! When I saw Marie Lu at a book signing she said that June was originally a boy! I thought that was interesting…..
A Backwards Story says
I agree with all of your points, dear! They do sound similar in voice, though I think CROSSED would be the winner in a duel on that front.
I enjoyed this book so much, and loved that each POV was in a different color! I was SO bummed I couldn't go to the signing!
Laura Armstrong says
Great review! I loved this book. I think I even liked how similar the two of 'em are, since the subject actually came up between them, recognizing how odd that is, something like "I wonder if you would be where I am if our situations had been reversed?" I ran into someone who was a mirror image of me on first acquaintance and I tell ya, EERIE!!
Good point about some background Why?!
Daisy says
I had heard great things about this book before, but I've never been really convinced to pick this one up before now! I mean, romantical tension and surprises and shocking betrayals COUNT ME IN! It sounds like it has all the feelings 🙂
Thanks for the review!
Jac says
Thanks for the great review! You have me wondering if I couldn't convince my husband to read this with me! He liked The Hunger Games, and I think this sounds like one he'd like even more!
-Jac @ For Love and Books
Mar says
I really need to read this book NOW! It's lying on my night stand already 😀
Jenny says
Argh! Another good review for this one. I need to get to it already!
Lily Child says
I really ought to give this one a try! 🙂
Christa @ Hooked on Books says
It can be frustrating lately seeing so many books compared to The Hunger Games when they really don't have too much in common. However I think you're totally right and Legend is a great pick for those who are just getting into the Hunger Games
April (BooksandWine) says
Man, I am going to have to read Legend SOOON. Like, I hate/love my towering TBR cuz there's great books I'm excited about but if something isn't a number one priority it gets pushed aside.
Also? I really love dual POVs.
FABR Steph says
I would still like to read Legend. I passed it up as I had such a huge TBR pile, but I should give it a read. Thanks for your great review.
-FABR Steph
Alexa @ Alexa Loves Books says
Ah Legend. This is definitely worthy of a review. Random story – I got to meet Marie Lu and I think she’s so awesome. I saw her again at BEA and she remembered me, which is pretty cool.
Alyssa Susanna says
Yay for Legend! I read and loved this book! I gave it four stars. I loved the double story throughout the book, but I found the climax and end predictable. Not that predictability is always a bad thing. I didn’t mind as much as I usually wouls. I think that despite the fact that this book is another dystopia, I like this one more than, for example, Matched/Crossed by Ally Condie, Delirium/Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver, XVI/Truth by Julia Karr, Birthmarked/Prized by Caragh O’Brien, and so on. I like Day, and I like June. Can’t wait to read Prodigy!!!!! 😀 Great review!
Emmah says
I’m still trying to decide whether I should read this book series or not! It sounds kind of interesting and it’s in the ebook library I use through the closest “big” city public library to me, so I might.
Danielle says
I’ve actually had this book on my shelf for months and for some reason haven’t picked it up yet, but this definitely makes me wanna hurry up and read it!
Jamie says
It’s such a great series! I have to read the last one though still!
Kristin @ Simply Bookish Things says
Absolutely adore this book, love all of Marie Lu’s books! Can’t wait to read her new book The Young Elites! EEKK
Jamie says
AHH THE YOUNG ELITES IS AMAZING. I love it even MORE than this series!
Kristin @ Simply Bookish Things says
Really? can’t wait to read it! 😀