If you’re in the mood for a dystopian book that combines action, intrigue, and a hint of romance, then "Legend" by Marie Lu is the perfect book.
Set in a dark and divided future, where the United States has turned into two warring nations, “Legend” follows two fierce protagonists: June, a prodigy from the wealthy Republic, and Day, a notorious criminal from the slums. Their worlds collide as they uncover secrets that could change everything they know about their society.
With vivid descriptions and a fast-paced plot, Marie Lu's storytelling pulls you into a world filled with suspense and unexpected twists. You'll find yourself rooting for both characters as they navigate danger, betrayal, and harsh realities while searching for their true destinies.
If you’re ready to embark on this thrilling journey and experience the unexpected, grab a copy of "Legend."
Book Details and Content
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Title | |
My rating | 3.75/5 stars |
Author | Marie Lu |
Publisher | November 29, 2011 by Putnam Juvenile |
Series | |
Other Books in the Series | |
Genre | Fiction, YA, Dystopia, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance |
Violence | Moderate |
Romance | 3 |
Drug/Alcohol use | there are minor references to drug and alcohol use, but they are not central to the story. Some scenes involve: Use of alcohol to disinfect wounds. Brief mentions of drugs, gambling, and crime in the slums, but without much detail. Bars where people drink, though the main characters do not engage in recreational drug or alcohol use. *note* These elements highlight the world's harshness but are not a major focus of the plot. |
Spiritual Content | None |
Language | Mild |
Tropes | Enemies-to-Lovers Dystopian Society The Chosen One Opposite Worlds Rebellion Against Authority Tragic Backstory Political Intrigue Cat-and-Mouse Chase |
Themes | Social Inequality: The gap between rich and poor. Corruption of Power: How those in charge can misuse power. Loyalty vs. Betrayal: Choosing between loyalty to friends or doing what’s right. Rebellion and Resistance: Fighting against unfair rules and authority. Survival and Sacrifice: Doing what it takes to survive, even if it means giving up something important. Justice and Morality: What is right and wrong in a broken society. Love and Trust: Building relationships and trusting others despite challenges. Loss and Grief: Coping with the pain of losing loved ones. |
Awards and Recognition |
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Types of Readers | Legend by Marie Lu is perfect for high schoolers who enjoy stories about young characters in challenging situations. Fans of dystopian fiction will appreciate the oppressive government themes, while those who like enemies-to-lovers romance will enjoy the tension between June and Day. Overall, it’s a great choice for anyone who likes a mix of action, romance, and social commentary! |
What is Legend About?
Legend by Marie Lu is set in a future dystopian society where the United States has split into warring nations. The story follows two teenagers from opposite backgrounds: June, a brilliant military student from a wealthy family, and Day, the most wanted criminal living in the slums.
When June's brother is murdered, she’s assigned to track down Day, who is blamed for the crime. However, as June gets closer to capturing him, she learns that the government is hiding terrible secrets. Together, they uncover the truth about corruption, betrayal, and the true enemy they must fight against.
The book looks at themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the desire for freedom in a world full of unfairness, getting readers to think about authority and the sacrifices needed for justice. In the end.
My Spoiler-free review
I regret not reading it when it first came out, especially since I was hooked on Divergent and The Hunger Games back then. I think I would have rated it higher at that time because dystopian stories were my favorite, and I likely would have been just as captivated by June and Day's relationship as I was with the other series.
However, my perspective has changed over the years. I've since read dystopian books that I believe surpass The Hunger Games and Divergent, which makes me more critical now. Even though I still enjoyed this book, I can't help but compare it to other works that set a higher bar for me. That said, reading it brought back some nostalgic feelings, and I regret not picking it up sooner, especially knowing it was written by a person of color.
There were things I liked about the book. The investigation into June’s brother’s murder stood out right away. But I struggled to connect with June at first—she felt bratty and entitled, which made it hard for me to care about her. Still, her loyalty to her brother and the love she showed for him softened my view as the story went on.
Day, on the other hand, grabbed my attention from the start. His struggles and determination drew me in, and I found myself more invested in him. The world-building was also interesting, with enough original details to keep me hooked, even though some parts felt familiar.
While parts of the plot became a bit predictable, my favorite part was the relationships. Day’s bond with his family and June’s connection with her brother added depth and emotion that gave the story more heart. These relationships were what kept me engaged the most.
My Overall Thoughts
While I found the book to be an engaging read, my feelings were a mix of nostalgia and critical reflection, having read many other dystopian novels since its release. Here's what I liked and disliked about Legend.
What I Liked:
- Intriguing Murder Investigation: One of the first things that grabbed my attention was the investigation surrounding the murder of June's brother. It provided a strong foundation for the plot and added a sense of mystery that I wasn’t expecting. June’s determination to uncover the truth while dealing with the complexities of loyalty and justice added a layer of suspense that kept me turning the pages. This investigative aspect grounded the story in a way that I appreciated, especially within a dystopian world where other storylines can sometimes feel too focused on grand-scale events.
- Day’s Character: Day was, without a doubt, the standout character for me. His backstory, struggles, and sheer determination made him someone I cared about immediately. His experiences growing up in the slums, constantly battling against an oppressive government, made him a compelling protagonist. I found myself rooting for him throughout the book. The way he cared for his family, despite all the hardships he faced, made him relatable and gave the story its emotional core. His moral compass, in contrast to the cruelty of the world around him, was something I admired.
- Emotional Connections: My favorite part of Legend was the relationships between the characters, especially Day’s connection to his family and June’s bond with her brother. Day’s love for his family, particularly his younger brother, tugged at my heartstrings, and his willingness to sacrifice everything for them was moving. Similarly, June’s grief over her brother’s death and the memories of their bond were powerful. These emotional ties gave the characters more dimension and added depth to the story, making it more than just a typical dystopian novel.
What I Disliked:
- June’s Initial Characterization: While June grew on me as the story progressed, I initially found her difficult to like. She came across as bratty, entitled, and disconnected from the struggles of people like Day. Her privileged background and arrogance made it hard to connect with her at first, and I found myself more invested in Day’s journey. However, as her character developed and we saw her love and loyalty for her brother, I began to warm up to her. But even by the end, I didn’t feel as emotionally connected to her as I did with Day.
- Predictability in the Plot: Although I enjoyed the overall storyline, I found certain aspects of the plot to be somewhat predictable. The twists, while enjoyable, didn’t completely catch me off guard, and I often found myself anticipating what would happen next. This predictability took away some of the excitement, as I was hoping for more surprising or complex developments, especially in a dystopian setting that has the potential for shocking revelations.
- Familiar Dystopian Tropes: While the world-building had its unique elements, certain dystopian tropes felt a little too familiar. The oppressive government, the divide between rich and poor, and the “rebel against the system” theme, while well done, didn’t offer much that felt completely new. I think part of my more critical view comes from reading other dystopian books that have pushed these ideas further or explored them in more innovative ways. It reminded me a lot of other popular series like The Hunger Games and Divergent, but without the same level of freshness those books had when they first came out.
Would I recommend it as a Christian?
I would say Yes! As a Christian reader, I think that reading different kinds of stories can be valuable, and "Legend" by Marie Lu is one of them. The book doesn’t focus much on religious themes, but it does touch on important ideas like sacrifice, loyalty, fairness, and the search for justice, which are meaningful in Christian culture.
The characters in the story show a strong willingness to stand up for their beliefs and the people they care about. This raises important questions about what it means to care for others and give up things for them. These ideas can lead to important discussions about being selfless and committed, which matches Christian values well.
Day and June face tough choices that make readers think about fairness, forgiveness, and what is best for everyone. These challenges encourage readers to think deeply and connect with their feelings, leading to greater understanding and compassion.
As the story goes on, Day and June grow a lot as characters. Their changes show the importance of understanding and kindness, which are key parts of many Christian teachings.
However, readers should remember that the book includes dark themes, such as violence, betrayal, and a critical view of authority figures. While these aspects help show the harsh realities of a dystopian world, they might lead to different opinions among Christian readers, especially regarding how to deal with unfairness and suffering.
Even though this book is not Christian fiction and is more geared toward a broader audience. The concepts of loyalty, sacrifice, and the search for truth can provide valuable insights. It's a book that can stimulate discussions about faith and moral choices in an imperfect world, making it a worthwhile read.
Detailed Summary
In the future, America is divided into two parts: The Republic controls the western side, while the Colonies rule the east. In the Republic, children must take a test called the Trial when they turn 10. This test checks how well they read, write, and speak, and their physical abilities. Depending on their scores, children are placed into different futures. Those who do well enjoy a life of luxury, while those who score poorly face grim outcomes in labor camps or end up on the streets.
In Los Angeles, a city in the Republic, 15-year-old Day failed the Trial at age 10. He managed to escape a terrible fate and now lives on the streets with 13-year-old Tess. Many diseases spread in the poorer areas, and Day finds out that his younger brother has caught a dangerous virus. To help him, Day breaks into a hospital to steal medicine but has to quickly escape from the authorities. During his getaway, he accidentally injures Captain Metias by throwing a knife and loses an important pendant that belonged to his father.
June is the only person in the Republic to get a perfect score on the Trial. She lives with her older brother, Metias, and lost her parents when she was young. June wants to join the military to catch the notorious criminal, Day. When she learns that Day killed her brother during a hospital break-in, her pursuit becomes personal. Determined to avenge Metias, June sets out to find Day.
While going undercover, June unexpectedly meets Day and Tess. She spends some time with them without realizing that the charming boy is Day. Meanwhile, Day and Tess are searching for enough money to buy medicine for Day's brother, but the medicines are costly and hard to obtain.
As June ingrains deeper into Day’s world, her perspective shifts. She witnesses firsthand the struggles of those living in poverty and recognizes the injustices enforced by the Republic’s strict class system. Meanwhile, June's skills as a soldier sharpen as she covertly gathers information about Day, which fuels her determination for revenge.
As June ingrains deeper into Day’s world, her perspective shifts. She witnesses firsthand the struggles of those living in poverty and recognizes the injustices enforced by the Republic’s strict class system. Meanwhile, June's skills as a soldier sharpen as she covertly gathers information about Day, which fuels her determination for revenge.
The two are trying to raise money to buy medicine for Day’s sick brother. As June and Day spend time together, they start to like each other, but when Day touches a necklace he wears, June realizes he’s the person she’s been hunting. Conflicted, June decides to turn him in, choosing loyalty to the Republic over her feelings for Day.
After Day is captured, his mother is killed in a raid. Feeling betrayed, Day faces execution, but June starts to question everything she’s believed. She investigates further and uncovers secrets: children who fail the Republic’s tests are killed, the poor are used for dangerous experiments, and her brother’s death was ordered by the Republic. June realizes Day passed his Trial with a perfect score, making him a hidden threat to the government.
Determined to help Day, June joins a rebel group called the Patriots and breaks him out of prison. But escaping comes at a high price—Day’s older brother is killed, and his younger brother, still sick, is taken by the Republic. Now on the run, June and Day decide to search for Day’s brother and Tess, beginning a dangerous journey eastward.
Conclusion
Despite some of the predictable elements and my mixed feelings about June, Legend was an enjoyable read that brought back a sense of nostalgia for the dystopian stories I loved in the past.
The investigation into June’s brother’s murder and Day’s character stood out to me, and the emotional connections between the characters were what kept me invested.
While my perspective has evolved over the years, and I’ve encountered other dystopian books that set a higher standard, Legend still has its charm. I only wish I had read it sooner when the dystopian craze was at its peak, as I think it would have resonated even more with me during that time.