The Legend Series by Marie Lu
I was not able to review Legend, Prodigy, and Champion all individually, but now having been able to read the series as a whole, I believe I am more than qualified to review this crazily-written rollercoaster created by Marie Lu.
In a world plagued by an infection disease invading the poor sectors while the Republic ravels in its disease-ridden sectors, June and Day, both born on opposite sides of society, cross paths after the death of June's brother, Metias.
I remember the day I finished this book, because it was the same day I started it. By reading the novel in less than 24 hours, I felt myself immersed into Lu's world of Trials, endless heartbreak, unjustified deaths, and unbelievable plot twists. It was nothing but shock around every single page because it all just too addicting I could not stop.
Initially surprised by the dual-point-of-view set up in Legend, and the rest of the novels, I felt it gave the reader easier ways to connect with both characters and read from each perspective. However, sometimes I caught myself lost sometimes, not knowing for sure whether who I was reading was Day or June because of the similar writing styles.
The world Lu has created, being that of a futuristic and dystopian United States, renamed the Republic, including conflicting nations such as The Colonies and The Patriots have further interested me into today and what-could-be-tomorrow's American culture.
Although it may be a bit too "young adult" for some readers *coughs* John my fellow critic *coughs*, I could not help but fall in love with June and Day, and have my rapidly-beating heart ripped out by the time the novel ended. A truly heart-wrenching experience, this novel was truly a Legend.
After a heart-rambling ending, what follows is more tragedy and turmoil among the relationship that is June and Day. In an attempt to assassinate the newly-elected Elector, they manipulate both the Patriots, Colonies, and the Republic in order to see a light that may or may not longer be there.
This series was always a love story; and that's why this story is so popular. The four-way love rectangle between Day, June, Tess, and Anden not only creates conflict between them all, but also strengthens their core backstories and character development. Not only did I find myself rooting for different relationships at different times, but fell in love with them all for different justifiable reasons.
There were a few times I got lost in the turmoil, unsure of who was a traitor and who wasn't, but ultimately it almost did not matter due to the strong perspectives laid down by Lu. Day and June brought me back through their thought out character developments.
The best theme that was brought out from this novel and all of the other novels of the series, was the importance of family. June to Metias, and Day to his parents and his brothers, especially Eden brought out the best of each other's characters and showed what love, (not just love between two people but of family) can do to people.
A sequel that does not at all disappoint, I bow down to Prodigy.
After months of separation between Day and June, the Republic reunites them once again for the final battle against the invading Colonies at the expense of taking a toll on their already-rickety relationship.
Not only was I sad because of the characters themselves, but because it was finally ending. I could not deny that this has truly been a rewarding experience. It was hard to say goodbye to these character I had been following for nearly a year.
Both Day and June have been strong-willed characters from the start. Both have great instincts, and both are for the greater good. But this time around, I was glad to see them vulnerable and unsure of what to do for a split second. These few moments of vulnerability showed the versatility of both these characters and Lu's writing abilities.
Day's love for Eden had me wishing for my own brother. Whether it be an older brother who looked out for me even at the expense of himself, or loving a younger brother so much that I'd sacrifice my life for him. It was a touching, and very important part of the book, and I'm so very thankful for having experienced that.
This novel also expressed that villains are not what they seem. Both Day and June, initially, may have been seen as a villains in the beginning of the series, but each have their own reasons for doing what they were doing. Thomas, a more notable villain did not see how wrong were his actions. He believed that all he was enacting were what he was trained to do: all of the Republic, until the bitter end. This could also be said for both Anden and Tess, both villains threatening the relationship between Day and June. And this character development is what brings dimensions to all the characters in the Legend universe.
The ending. I almost do not want to take about it. It honestly broke my heart, unexpected, unforeseeable, unpredictable. But very, very satisfying. It's been a great ride. Thank you so much Marie Lu, the real Champion among us all. And I will now say farewell to the Legend universe; hopefully in preparation for another chapter awaiting us all. :)