Legend (Legend, #1) - Marie Lu
Genre: YA dystopian
Publisher: Penguin
Source: ARC from BEA '11
Legend @ Parental Book Reviews
Recommended for: all ages
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The NUMBER ONE thing about dystopian novels, for me, is believability. It's the reason I loved Divergent and the reason I'm nixing Wither and Delirium, based on other trusted reviews. I have to believe that this future is plausible. And not in some slight, "absolute power corrupts absolutely!"-kind of way. Simply put, Marie Lu created a futuristic scenario that seemed believable. Dystopians, though, don't always have to sell me something, and actually, I prefer it if they don't, or make me feel like I'm listening in on a lecture. So maybe it wasn't a symbolic criticism of communist totalitarianism, a la Brave New World, maybe it wasn't an attack on the education system's literacy issues like in Fahrenheit 451, and it wasn't...whatever The Giver was supposed to be. BUT...I can imagine a world like the one presented here, and what's more, I could watch the characters interact, run, fight, and learn with them as they unravel a network of secrets. This was my kind of novel.
And while Legend is one of a handful of dystopians centering around a militaristic society, it was one I could believe. I loved Marie Lu's futuristic Los Angeles - perfectly gritty and captivating at the same time.
Know what else was believable about Legend? The characters. Marie Lu did a fabulous job alternating narratives between Day, the Republic's most wanted criminal, and June, a young military prodigy. Usually I like either a 3rd person narrative, or just one narrator in first-person format. Here, though, it worked fabulously. Both characters were interesting at BOTH times. And I liked how June was portrayed, in a way, like a product of the system, manipulated for so long. Yeah, she sits by while some seriously disturbing things happen around her, but what's more believable - immediately questioning the society you were brought up in and turning against it, or having to learn the truth the hard way?
Won't say that much on Day - I liked him, and I especially like the way Marie chose to portray him. He had spunk and a bit of an attitude, but he never crossed the line into 'bad boy land.' Thus, he was a character I could care about, root for, and follow.
I have to give a quick mention to the villains of Legend. Commander Jameson reminded me a great deal of Dr. Cable from Uglies. Such an evil you-know-what, but dynamic, nonetheless.
Unlike a lot of other readers, I don't require a lot out of villains. I'm comfortable with them being evil-without-a-reason. I don't need to psych all the characters I read. They just need to keep my interest. Commander Jameson, while assuredly evil, was also dynamic and captivating. That's all I need in a good villain.
Legend, right at 300 pages, isn't a particularly long novel, but that's okay! One thing I like about Marie's writing style is her ability to say what needs to be said, quickly, and move on. Hey, not every novel needs to be Divergent-length. Just because it's short doesn't make it any less captivating, or any less skimpy on the details. Everything you need to know is answered, in some way, in the novel. Other things will probably be unearthed more in the sequel, which I cannot wait to have!
So if you consider yourself, AT ALL, to be a fan of dystopian, and if you're like me and getting tired of novels that are ROMANCE-first, dystopian-second, definitely check out Legend!
Rating:
Ahh, it feels so good to give out a 5-star rating again!
Legend @ Amazon
Marie Lu's website
COVER WARS!
US vs. UK/Aus cover. Which do you prefer?
vs.
Genre: YA dystopian
Publisher: Penguin
Source: ARC from BEA '11
Legend @ Parental Book Reviews
Recommended for: all agesWhat 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' 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.
---
The NUMBER ONE thing about dystopian novels, for me, is believability. It's the reason I loved Divergent and the reason I'm nixing Wither and Delirium, based on other trusted reviews. I have to believe that this future is plausible. And not in some slight, "absolute power corrupts absolutely!"-kind of way. Simply put, Marie Lu created a futuristic scenario that seemed believable. Dystopians, though, don't always have to sell me something, and actually, I prefer it if they don't, or make me feel like I'm listening in on a lecture. So maybe it wasn't a symbolic criticism of communist totalitarianism, a la Brave New World, maybe it wasn't an attack on the education system's literacy issues like in Fahrenheit 451, and it wasn't...whatever The Giver was supposed to be. BUT...I can imagine a world like the one presented here, and what's more, I could watch the characters interact, run, fight, and learn with them as they unravel a network of secrets. This was my kind of novel.
And while Legend is one of a handful of dystopians centering around a militaristic society, it was one I could believe. I loved Marie Lu's futuristic Los Angeles - perfectly gritty and captivating at the same time.
Know what else was believable about Legend? The characters. Marie Lu did a fabulous job alternating narratives between Day, the Republic's most wanted criminal, and June, a young military prodigy. Usually I like either a 3rd person narrative, or just one narrator in first-person format. Here, though, it worked fabulously. Both characters were interesting at BOTH times. And I liked how June was portrayed, in a way, like a product of the system, manipulated for so long. Yeah, she sits by while some seriously disturbing things happen around her, but what's more believable - immediately questioning the society you were brought up in and turning against it, or having to learn the truth the hard way?
Won't say that much on Day - I liked him, and I especially like the way Marie chose to portray him. He had spunk and a bit of an attitude, but he never crossed the line into 'bad boy land.' Thus, he was a character I could care about, root for, and follow.
I have to give a quick mention to the villains of Legend. Commander Jameson reminded me a great deal of Dr. Cable from Uglies. Such an evil you-know-what, but dynamic, nonetheless.
Unlike a lot of other readers, I don't require a lot out of villains. I'm comfortable with them being evil-without-a-reason. I don't need to psych all the characters I read. They just need to keep my interest. Commander Jameson, while assuredly evil, was also dynamic and captivating. That's all I need in a good villain.
Legend, right at 300 pages, isn't a particularly long novel, but that's okay! One thing I like about Marie's writing style is her ability to say what needs to be said, quickly, and move on. Hey, not every novel needs to be Divergent-length. Just because it's short doesn't make it any less captivating, or any less skimpy on the details. Everything you need to know is answered, in some way, in the novel. Other things will probably be unearthed more in the sequel, which I cannot wait to have!
So if you consider yourself, AT ALL, to be a fan of dystopian, and if you're like me and getting tired of novels that are ROMANCE-first, dystopian-second, definitely check out Legend!
Rating:
Ahh, it feels so good to give out a 5-star rating again!Legend @ Amazon
Marie Lu's website
COVER WARS!
US vs. UK/Aus cover. Which do you prefer?
vs.
4 shout-outs!:
Ahhh so glad you liked this one! The best dystopian I've read in a while, and I definitely think I like the US cover more. It's just so BOLD. Cannot wait to see what happens in the second book.
Fantastic review! I still need to finish Legend. I ended up having to return it to the library because it was overdue and there was a long waiting list. I look forward to picking it back up again. I did think what I read of it was good but I have a feeling I will still find Divergent to be the better of the two. I am glad there is more focus on the dystopia rather than the romance.
I need to read this soon! Marie Lu is coming to Houston so I would like to get it read before then.
YEEEES!!! This is one my recent favorites as well and I'm so happy to see it getting love here as well :) I sure am glad there are a few more books coming, because there were a heckuva lot of loose ends left to tie up!
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