Champion (Legend #3)
Marie Lu
dystopia
He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion?
June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position.
But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.
Click here to read my reviews of Legend and Prodigy.
I totally FLEW through this book. Everything was just so fascinating, the stakes were so high.. there were politics, negotiations, love, loss, sad times and fun times.
Day continues to be awesome. You just can't help but love him, and admire his loyalty despite everything he'd been through, and his determination to never give up. June is alright- she's very real, and that unfortunately means she's very flawed. Naturally, this made me want to read about Day all the time. However, she displayed really remarkable emotional intelligence in Champion, and was constantly there for everyone.
Like I said about Prodigy, all the usual literary cliches for last-books-in-the-series were here, something that greatly pissed me off. I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THIS ENDING. I won't spoil it, but it just wasn't probable, overally disappointing and unnecessary. I also felt that I wanted more information about the Republic for closure- we were told what we needed to know but I like Anden as a leader and wanted to experience within the story the happy ending for the country.
What can I say? I loved it and was practically in tears to finish such a wonderful series but I can't not dock off a star for that ending.
Prodigy (Legend #2)
Marie Lu
Dystopia
June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector. It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.
But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?
You can read my review of Legend here.
After Legend's promising start, I had high hopes for Prodigy. I'll say I really enjoyed reading it- I was totally sucked in. However, it didn't totally blow my mind with it's originality like the first installment.
The whole joining-the-rebellion-only-to-find-out-the-rebellion-is-corrupt-too is a staple in the genre. (By corrupt I just mean not the utopia the heroes imagined) The best-friend-and-constant-companion-turned-love-interest is also something we see in every other YA read. Also, I-didn't-tell-you-so-as-not-to-hurt-you. Also, trust issues. You know the drill.
So yeah, all our favorite overdone cliches were there. Despite all that, there were lots of twist and surprises that kept me hooked. Tess experiences growing up, and she gets some well-deserved attention in Prodigy. June, I learned, IS ACTUALLY 15 despite sounding 30 in her head. Day and June both utilize their smarts and strengths in this novel, making it a fun read. Anden being profoundly different from what everyone expects serves as a nice little moral hidden here, too.
I also liked the problem solving skills that our MCs show off. Instead of the typical 100 pages of everyone being mad at each other and doing stupid things because of a misunderstanding, Day and June talk things out after they fight and take leaps of faith for each other. They both earned my respect and saved the pages of the book for the real interesting stuff. If in the previous book I wasn't all over the relationship, I'm totally rooting for it now.
As for the ending - I rolled my eyes and grunted in annoyance but I am salivating for Champion. Rating: 5 stars
Happy reading!
Love,
Esty
Legend
Marie Lu
Dystopia
From different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths...
Until June's brother is murdered, and Day becomes the prime suspect.
In a shocking turn of events, the two uncover what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths to which their country will go to keep its secrets.
Years ago, I had borrowed my friend's ARC of Legend, then with a black temporary cover and no colored fonts. I remember being like, I don't know what this is, but DAMN it's good.
I have only recently gotten a hold of this series for myself, and since it's been so long and I didn't remember much of the plot I've decided to review it despite being a reread.
Legend is just awesome. Truly. The concept is one I've looked for in dystopia since the start of the genre - society divided based on intelligence. I've since seen it only in Pawn by Aimee Carter. It is done in the world of Legend masterfully, and you can't help but root for Day.
As for June- she grew on me, but it took awhile. Before she rebels against the Republic I couldn't help but hate her for her ignorance despite being so smart. Granted though, she is 16 and has been sheltered her whole life, so when she starts to change and develop she becomes really likable.
The romance - ehhhhhh. I was not feeling the sparks. There just isn't enough reason in approximately the week they've known each other to like each other all that much.
Aside from the above, all I can say is READ THIS BOOK. Dystopia has been an annoying, overdone genre since after The Hunger Games, but Legend is one of the few that hasn't disappointed me. Rating:
Happy weekend! First of the school year for me. What will you be reading?
Love,
Esty
