Legend by Marie Lu

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.

I have no idea why I put off reading this for so long. Once I started reading Legend, I couldn’t stop. Marie Lu kept me under her spell until the very last page, and even then I couldn’t help but want more of the story. Legend is unlike any dystopian book that I’ve read before. It has action and romance, which coexist flawlessly.Though I know that writing is a difficult task, Lu made it seem effortless. Her prose is smooth, and always leaves you hanging on the edge of your seat.

June is one of my current favorite book characters. She was independent, smart, and totally kick-butt. Though June is basically a genius, I loved that she didn’t go around flaunting it. Yes, she used her smarts to get where she wanted to go- but she never flaunted her intelligence. She was a genuine character, and I couldn’t help but love her. From Day’s first chapter, I was enthralled with him. He’s this really interesting, badass crusader and I completely succumbed to his appeal. Though both characters have pretty intense emotional and familial issues, Day’s issues were more in the moment and therefore I think they were written better. That being said, it was still easy to empathize with June’s situation.

The world building in Legend was incredible. Legend is the kind of book that needs really intense, detailed world building in order to work- and Marie Lu is an excellent world-builder. Though the world that Legend is set in has the opportunity to get kind of confusing, I never once got confused regarding what was going on.

Marie Lu is a fantastic writer. I honestly can’t believe I put off reading Legend for as long as I did, and I regret putting it off. Legend is a one of a kind novel that isn’t easily forgotten. The writing is beautiful, the characters are magnificent, and the story is one like you have never read before. I can’t recommend Legend enough.

FTC- Received for review.