[R] Legend, by: Marie Lu

Legend
(Legend #1)
by Marie Lu

5 of 5 stars

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. 

my thoughts

As you have read above... This is a dystopian novel. This is one of those stories about what will happen in the future. United States split up and war is everywhere and yada yada. This book have two different points of view: a boy, Day, and a girl, June.

Let's talk about those two:

1. June Iparis - the Republic special prodigy. Prodigy, as in a special soldier and who score a higher of 1400 points in the Trial; in this case, June score perfect. In her first chapter POV, we noticed that she is a real troublemaker.  She escalated 18 floors of a building, plus escape from her Univeristy ( Drake ) grounds. Her brother, Metias, comes and pick her up after being scowl by her "superiors". We noticed that her brother is her whole world. Their parents died long time ago and he became her guardian and all. We barely know much about Metias, and he is killed. June becomes an agent and her first mission is found and capture his brother killer, which is the most wanted criminal in the Republic, Day.

2. Day (Daniel Altan Wing) - as I said, the most wanted criminal in the Republic. Basically, he is a boy who fail his Trial and whoever fail is send to a Labor Camp. But the truth is that Labor Camps don't exists and they are killed or they experiment with them in the labs, like happened with Day. His family thinks that he is dead, except his older brother John. Their dad is already dead and they live Lake, which is a poor sector. In the first chapter of Day POV, we see that he loves his family and always steal things for them. Sometimes food, or clothes, or even things to pass time. In the same chapter, he is waiting. The Patrol are checking every family to see who have the plague and whoever who have it, their house is marked with a red X in the door and no one who lives in the house can exit. When the Patrol arrive to Day's family house, Day is very nervous. They spend much time inside that he was going to investigate, the door open, people exits and they mark the door, but this time that red X have a line right through it. Strange. Day founds that who have the plague is his younger brother, Eden. Day begins to plan and enter as an incongnito to the near hostipal to steal some medicine to cure his brother. The cure of the plague is very expensive and he thinks that its better steal it. After his plan almost succeed, he is intercept by Metias, June's brother, and Day trying to escape hit him with a knife and escape. Thanks to that action, June thinks that he is the killer of her brother and she is destined to hunt him and kill him.

Now, now, now... What a story, right? As always, their stories must interfere at some point. And they do, but not like she wants, but she cannot do anything about it. Their stories became one, when they meet each other in a street fight. She win and he lose his bet. The story is full of secrets for June and Day.

What about if you give it a try? It is a good one... I totally recommend it!