Legend by Marie Lu

Title: Legend (Legend #1)

Author: Marie Lu

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Release Date: November 29, 2011

Source: Purchased

Buy the Book: Amazon / Book Depository / Indigo

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation 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 that 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.

I remember when Marie Lu's Legend came out a few years ago, everyone was raving about it. And as much as the story interested me, the hype was too much and I ended up staying away. But then it was chosen for book bloc and I'm happy to have finally been forced to read Legend, because I loved the story.

Day has been living on the streets since failing his Trials when he was 10 years old. His family has spent the last 5 years thinking Day is dead, but without them knowing, he's been taking care of them. But living on the streets, Day has come to be known as the Republic's most wanted and most dangerous criminal. June has always had everything she's needed growing up in one of the richest sectors of Los Angeles. As a prodigy, June's been groomed to work at the highest levels of government. But when her brother is killed in suspicious conditions, June starts to question everything she's ever been told by the Republic. When her path crosses Day's, June becomes even more convinced something else could be going on. But figuring out what really happened on the night her brother was killed means June has to trust the one person she's been conditioned to think is the enemy. Can June let go of everything she knows? And after being along for so long, will Day be able to trust someone else again?

As much as I had heard about Marie Lu's Legend, I really had no concrete idea what it was about. I knew it was dystopian, but that's pretty much all I had to go on. So when I started reading, I had no expectations or pre-conceived notions about the book. I went in with a completely open mind. And this story wasn't what I would have expected. The world that Marie Lu imagined was so interesting, and I loved finding out more about it. Also, I don't know if I'm alone in this, but the whole time I was reading, I couldn't help but draw parallels between this world and the American Civil War. And even if it was all just in my head, the history nerd in me loved it. But Legend had more than just its world working in its favour. The story in and of itself captivated me. Because of the alternating points of view, I kept flipping the pages because I just wanted to know what would happen next, or even just what was going on. And it kept me guessing. Every time I thought I had part of it figured out, the point of view would switch and I would find myself guessing all over again. And if you keep me guessing the whole way through, then you've got me hooked.

June and Day were both interesting to read about and it was great seeing this world through both of their eyes. Each one came from such a different place. June had always had plenty of everything and access to just about anything…at least whatever the Republic wanted/let her access. Day on the other hand, had been taught to distrust everything and everyone in the Republic from an early age. On the surface, the two could not have been more opposite, but when you dug a little deeper, they actually had a whole lot more in common than I would have originally thought. And maybe for that reason it's why I wanted them to trust each other, and work together because that would make them stronger. What I liked most though, was that their relationship wasn't focused on romance, but more on them trying to find a way to fight back against the Republic. So all that to say that I'm looking forward to seeing how this will evolve in the next books.

I really enjoyed reading Marie Lu's Legend and I'm a little stupid for having waited so long to read it. But now that I have, I can't wait to keep going with this story. On the plus side, since the whole trilogy is out, I won't have to wait to read the next books!