Legend by Marie Lu

June Iparis is the Republic's golden girl, bound to graduate from high school at age fifteen and headed towards a bright career in the military until an incident takes the life of her older brother, Metias. Now she's dead set on bringing Day--the Republic's most wanted criminal--to justice and she'll do whatever it takes to avenge her brother. But Day isn't the criminal that the Republic makes him out to be and when circumstances bring the two of them together, they'll uncover a few of the Republic's secrets and then? Everything changes.

I've been excited about Legend for quite some time now (due in large part to Brodie over at Eleusinian Mysteries) and I started reading Legend a little unsure of what to expect. By now, I really should know to trust bloggers with similar tastes; it's really a rare day when I don't enjoy a book that they did. Having said that, I will tell you that I enjoyed Legend immensely and if you've been sitting on the fence about it, I'm going to nudge you towards reading it. Why? Well, let's see if my review can't help convince you, eh?

Think of Day as Robin Hood; he's kind, he's cunning, and his motives are his own--but definitely not bad. The Republic sees him as the enemy and the Colonies see him as a potentially important member--if he'd ever accept their offers, which he hasn't. On the other hand, June is like Sherlock Holmes; she's almost too smart for her own good and states everything like it's common sense. June is also highly observant and I'd say that her heart--and morals--are in the right place. Together, they're even more interesting than they are when apart and I really can't wait to see where the next book will take their relationship.

I'm secretly cursing Marie Lu right now because I really liked Metias' character! Seriously, I was devastated when he was killed off--even though I knew that it was coming. I certainly didn't hate Thomas at first either but as the story advances, you'll see why my opinion of him changed. I'm also not so secretly hoping that we get to see more of Anden in the next book too! I am completely guilty of crushing on him--just a little--after that brief scene with him in it.

If you're potentially concerned by the fact that the points of view alternate between June and Day, I'm letting you know now that it's really not an issue. Everything flows together really nicely and the plot continues to thicken, all the way until the end of Legend. Should you read Legend? Yes! I also happen to think that fans of Divergent by Veronica Roth will really enjoy Legend. So what are you waiting for? Go pick up a copy! ;)

Overall Rating: ★★★★★

Legend by Marie Lu

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile, an imprint of Penguin Group

Release Date: November 29, 2011

Edition: Hardcover

* Purchased on my own.

Waiting On Wednesday (16)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Legend by Marie Lu

Summary via 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.
Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

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Why am I looking forward to Legend by Marie Lu? Where do I even begin!? It's a dystopian set in Los Angeles in the future! In case you didn't already know, I live about twenty minutes from Los Angeles (without traffic) so Legend hits pretty close to home; also, by now I'm sure that you know that I'm obsessed with dystopians! Then you've got Brodie from Eleusinian Mysteries posting her review of it which has totally made me want to read it even more. And that, is the short non-repetitive version of why I want to read Legend. :P

Legend by Marie Lu is published by Putnam Juvenile, a part of Penguin Group (Young Readers), and its expected publication date is November 29, 2011.

So, what are you waiting on this week? :D