Series Sunday: Legend Trilogy by Marie Lu

Titles: Legend, Prodigy, Champion
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Putnam
Series: Legend
Review: 5 Stars

As promised, here's my series review of the Legend trilogy by Marie Lu! For ages, I've been poked and prodded to read these books. I've heard they're amazing, spectacular, etc. My school had a book fair right after Champion came out and bought all three books. So, once the library had the books all ready, I picked up Legend. It sat in a stack for a while, but eventually I picked it up and loved it! Right before winter break, I picked up Prodigy. It sat in that same stack for a VERY long time. Finally, after school got back in, I gobbled Prodigy up! I went to the library the next day and was like I NEED CHAMPION NOW!!!!! Champion was down the hatch in 24 hours. If you look back at my (very spoilery) review of it, you can see how well that went over.

The story is dual POV between June and Day. June is kick-butt. She's been training as a soldier all her life and is the only person to have scored a perfect score on this special test they take that determines what they do with their lives. At the beginning of the story, June's brother dies and she has to face the fact that she's lost the last of her family. June has incredible resilience and the rest of the characters should seriously trust her judgement more. I swear, if they had just done even half the things she suggested, the characters wouldn't be in nearly as much trouble as they were. Day is stubborn as all get out. He also happens to be a criminal and the possible murderer of June's brother (he's not). Day has a bajillion secrets, but then again, so does June. He is smarter than he gives himself credit for, and has a loving family, even if they don't know if he's alive. Also, he's younger brother Eden, easily the cutest character in the books. Day and June both go through some horrible things. Some of which, play into a very drastic decision June makes at the end of Champion.

The one major problem I found in the book were plot holes. One of them being the plague. For most of the books, it's a major factor and kills a ton of people. If you trace the character's problems to its origin, it's the plague. So, at the end of the novel, why is it not followed up on. Readers never truly know what happened with it. Also, Day and June's relationship itself. Even though we do get a bit, I feel like the readers don't get quite enough closure. Even still, with these to aspects, the books rocked! The action was intense and constant. There was definitely romance. The writing was to the point. Also, the fonts were in different colors! SO COOL! The series was fun, a quick read, and utterly broke me emotions at the end! A full five stars!

Author Bio:

I write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, I was born in 1984. I like food, fighter jets, afternoon tea, happy people, electronics, the interwebz, cupcakes, pianos, bright colors, rain, Christmas lights, sketches, animation, dogs, farmers' markets, video games, and of course, books. I suck at working out. I also get lost very easily, but am a halfway decent driver. At least, I like to think so. :)

I left Beijing for the States in 1989 and went off to college at the University of Southern California. California weather sweet-talked me into sticking around, so I'm currently in Pasadena with my boyfriend, two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and a chihuahua mix. In my past life, I was an art director in the video game industry, but now I write full-time.

You Can Find Her At:

deviantArt Gallery

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Synopsis:

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 Juneis 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.

You Can Find it At:
IndieBound
B&N
Amazon