Review: Legend

Legend (Legend #1)
by Marie Lu
Paperback
262 pages
Published November 29th 2011
by Razorbill

Summary from Goodreads:

The United States is gone, along with its flooded coasts. North America's two warring nations, the western Republic and the eastern Colonies, have reached a breaking point. In the midst of this broken continent and dark new world are two teenagers who will go down in history.... 

Born into the slums of Los Angeles, fifteen-year old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. A mysterious boy with no recorded image or fingerprints. A boy who should no longer exist. A boy who watches over his family until one evening, when the plague patrols mark his family's door with an X--the sign of plague infection. A death sentence for any family too poor to afford the antidote. Desperate, Day has no choice; he must steal it. 

Born to an elite family in Los Angeles' wealthy Ruby sector, fifteen-year old June is the Republic's most promising prodigy. A superintelligent girl destined for great things in the country's highest military circles. Obedient, passionate, and committed to her country--until the day her brother Metias is murdered while on patrol during a break-in at the plague hospital. 

Only one person could be responsible. 

Day. 

And now it's June's mission to hunt him down. 

The truth they'll uncover will become legend. 

Thoughts:
Legend is such a crazy ride from the start to the finish. It is chock full of non stop action, military intrigue and political agenda that is somewhat reminiscent of the era of Sylvester Stallone's movie Judge Dredd. Too bad it came out after Divergent and The Hunger Games or else it would certainly be ground breaking stuff. Yes it is hard to find an original YA read without comparing it to the other books that is in the same genre.

We have June; the prodigal genius who attained a perfect score during her Trials. An event that is compulsory to every child who reached 10 years old. And then we have Day; the young rebel with a cause who failed his Trials. Thankfully, for once we are spared from the tribulations of instant love or any love triangle.

Likes
I love both of the main characters and their interactions with each other and eventhough I have an inkling of what's really going on and who really did kill June's older brother earlier on, the story is pretty engrossing in itself. And since according to the writer the story is based on Les Miserables there are certainly a lot of heartbreaking moments and characters dying here and there.

Dislikes
The Trials remind me a lot of Divergent, Matched and even The Hunger Games. It seems that these books can't get away from having a mandatory exams or some sort of ritual that the character has to go through when they reached a certain age.

The ending just blows my mind and I'm left wondering what will happened next. This is certainly one of the better dystopian out there.

Recommend for: fans of dystopian and kick-ass chicks
Verdict: 4 stars

Available on: Amazon