Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages 336
Source: Personal Ebook


Agent June Iparis is the only person to have scored a perfect 1500 on the trials. The Republic believes that they must use her intelligent mind to further their cause. June is observant, calculating and rebellious. The Republic strives to keep her in check. When Day, the most wanted criminal escapes once again, the Republic graduates June early and assigns her on the case. June's brother and only family member has just been killed, apparently at the hands of Day and now the two 15 year olds are pitted against one another. June knows that Day has never killed before, usually stealing from the rich and giving to the poor but this time her brother is dead and June vows to give Day what he deserves. She will do anything and everything to bring him in.

 Day is the notorious Republic criminal, displayed on every jumbotron, but never presented correctly. The Republic has no idea who Day really is, the only person not to have fingerprints listed in the system and the only person to escape the Republic's scrupulous system . Day comes from the destitute, plague-ridden sector, his home has recently been marked with a red "x" demonstrating that someone in the household has been diagnosed with the plague. Day is living on the streets, his mother believes he's dead but Day keeps a close eye on his family. It's now or never, Day must find a way to cure whoever is sick. Agent June Iparis may be the mastermind of the Republic but deep down she is a girl missing her deceased parents and brother. She grew up in the wealthy sector, but wealth will never bring back her family. She's lonely, and beginning to question her world.

 Legend has received a lot of buzz, and it deserves all the praise it has received. Marie Lu created a captivating, original, and fascinating read. Readers who are looking for a page turner, need to look no further. Legend has all the makings of a great story, addicting characters, creative world building, perfect pacing and non-stop action. Two main characters, equally likable and working against each other force readers not to choose one over the other. I quickly began to enjoy the story, and had no clue which direction Lu was going to take her characters. I couldn't choose between Day or June, both had realistic mindsets, and I had to sit back and enjoy the ride. I was at the mercy of Lu, hoping that both characters would have favorable outcomes. Legend is not just another Young Adult Dystopian novel, Legend is authentic and compelling. Legend is the first book in the trilogy and I will eagerly wait for book two to be released in the fall of 2012. This one comes highly recommended.