Rummanah Aasi
   Once again I was swept away with high recommendations and hype over a book. In this case the book is Marie Lu's Legend. I know many people who really enjoyed or loved this book, but I thought the book was just okay and really didn't offer anything new or exciting since the last YA dystopian book published. 

Description (from Goodreads): 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.

Review: Legend is your usual concoction of YA dystopian tropes along with a dash of forbidden romance, some adventure and intrigue. Just avoid my big mistake in reading the inner panel of the book where the virtually the entire plot is written out and spoiled for you.
 Our heroine is named June, an exceptionally gifted prodigy who is being groomed to become a military star a la Ender in Enders Game by Orson Scott Card. When her brother is mysteriously and senselessly murdered, she embarks on a mission to find his killer. All signs point to one person, a boy named Day, a notrious criminal who is already wanted by the Republic. 
  While I thought both both June and Day were likable characters, I didn't really find anything that would set them apart from the other numerous YA dystopian characters that I've met. Sure, they had moments that made me smile and root for them, but ultimately I thought their cat and mouse chase as well as their insta-romance happened just a little too conveniently for me. I actually wanted to learn more about the big mystery behind why the government is so interested in Day's brother. While there are some great action scenes in the book and the pace moves rather quickly, I grew bored with the book since the plot was incredibly predictable. There is absolutely no fun in seeing where the plot goes where you already know what will happen before the characters do. Legend reads like a first book since there really aren't enough answers found and the world building is very weak.
  Though Legend is probably one of the better YA dystopians released and it does have its entertaining moments, I wanted something with a bit more depth and originality. Since I didn't feel compelled to see where these characters go in the story, I don't plan on continuing with the series. I would, however, recommend this series to readers who are looking for another series to tie them over to the film release of Catching Fire.


Rating: 3 stars

Words of Caution: There is some language and violence. Recommended for Grades 8 and up.

If you like this book try: Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu, Article 5 by Kristen Summons, Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Roar by Emma Clayton
10 Responses
  1. Jenny Says:

    There's an inner panel of the book that basically spoils the entire story? That's no good. Normally spoilers don't bother me all that much, but I just yesterday was on Goodreads and someone typed in huge capital letters a massive spoiler for the book I was about to read and that was definitely irritating. The first line of their review was the spoiler, right there for everyone to see. Awesome. I wonder if your reaction would have been any different had you not read that panel first?


  2. Hi Rummanah. I'm back! I still haven't read this book. Partly because I'm not drawn to dystopia and partly because of reasons in your review. It doesn't seem to stand out from others in the genre. It sounds fun enough but I don't know if it's interesting enough to tempt me. Although I did meet Marie Lu at BEA and she was super nice. Kind of makes me want to read the books.


  3. I know this is a series that I have been wanting to check out because of the reviews. I am sorry it wasn't as great for you. I will have to look into it one of these days, but I am kind of waiting because I hear it has awful cliffhangers :(


  4. Ouch! You are not enjoying your books much lately! At least not your YA books! I can't think of anything to recommend. The last one you read I liked you gave 1 star so I'm not recommending ANYTHING! I haven't read this one yet, but it's pretty high on my list. So sorry it wasn't what you were expecting! Or wanting.

    Heather


  5. Candace Says:

    I liked this book but after the hype I felt it wasn't really anything special. It was good, but didn't blow my mind. So I get what your saying. I do have the second one and hope to read it soon.


  6. I remember I have this book on my bookshelves I haven't gone in finishing this book yet hope I still have my bookmark on the page that I haven't finished yet.


  7. The plot of this one is pretty predictable but I enjoyed it because it was a fast-paced dystopian and I liked both MC's. I'm not a huge fan of the genre to begin with and don't deal well with the slow-paced ones.


  8. Anonymous Says:

    I bought this one last year when it was on sale for like 2.99...and I have not read it yet. I keep pushing it back and pushing it back, Im seeing tons of 3's so Ill prob hold off a little longer. Nice review Rummanah...;)


  9. Lauren Says:

    Aww, sorry this one didn't work out for you. I read this ages ago, and I do think if I'd read it after all of the other dystopians that have come out since it's publication I might have been harder on it. But I will say Prodigy is a much better story than Legend. The sequel definitely outclasses book one. If you ever do change your mind and come back to the series, I hope you'll enjoy that one. Thanks for your honesty!


  10. I agree, June and Day are both entirely forgettable, and I just can't get over how much this world reminds me of North Korea, especially in book 2. It annoyed me so much that I put it on hold and never went back to it. But most people seem to have liked it even more than Legend.
    I guess neither of us will be continuing this one.


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