Legend by Marie Lu
In a world in the distant future the US has somehow disbanded and a new government has been put in place. Children are tested on their abilities at the age 10-if they fail they are sent to labor camps, if they pass they go on for further education /job assignments. Legend follows the story of Day, a rebel who wreaks havoc against the Republic and June a prodigy girl from the upper class. When June’s brother is murdered, Day is the prime suspect. June is then assigned to avenge her brother by finally bringing Day into custody. Once June is fully into her investigation, she starts to uncover truths about the Republic that she can hardly stand to believe.
The Story
As a whole the book was pretty entertaining. The reveals in the book are pretty predictable, but it was still a decent read. I probably would have enjoyed this a little bit more if I was younger as it seemed a little juvenile, even as a YA. The maturity level of the characters was a little low, which is to be expected from 15 year olds. However, in the society presented I would have expected the children to mature a little faster.
The World Building
Our book takes place in a futuristic LA that has been divided into sectors. The world building is decidedly minimal. There is obviously a history to the downfall of what is the current United States, unfortunately we don’t really get much on that. What we know is probably the only parts that are relevant to the book, but still, it would have added a lot more depth if we had the hypothetical background…but it’s only book one, so maybe it’s revealed in the later books. What we do get are little snippets like finding a quarter from 1995 (? I think that’s the year at least) and having it be incredibly significant that it stay hidden from the Republic, that it would be incriminating to have that token proving some sort of history. Thus showing us that the population is vastly lied and controlled by a totalitarian government. Gone are the days of a 2 term limit presidency as there is a man who keeps renewing his leadership of the country, and a son that aims to also take over when his father retires, promoting a monarchy-esque rule.
We are given little information about what the Republic stands for, and what their enemies the Patriots are after. But like I said before…maybe their motives will be a revealed later.
The Characters
I liked both Day & June’s characters. They both had their convictions and beliefs that drove them. Day is sort of an enigma since he isn’t really with the Patriots but still causes problems for the Republic, seemingly only to be a rebel. It’s never really quite clear what his end result expectations are to be-aside from being a futuristic Robin Hood.
My only real issue was that considering the circumstances, both June and Day spent an awful lot of time **Spoiler**thinking about kissing each other. I mean, they both have the weight of their personal missions on their shoulders, but they just can’t not think about each other’s lips and being in each other’s arms. I’m on the run from the government, trying to get a cure for my brother, and here I am completely self-absorbed. It seemed out of character for both of them since they both started out so focused. **End spoiler**
However, it was a quick easy story that was entertaining from start to an exciting finish.
