In a dystopian universe where a deadly virus plagues the earth, children are tested at age thirteen on intelligence and physique. Day is a criminal. He failed his test, but somehow survived the execution process. So now he steals what he can for his family, quickly becoming one of the Republic of America’s most wanted criminals. After hearing that one of his family members got infected with the virus, Day steals a cure from a nearby hospital, killing a high ranking officer in the process.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the social pyramid, June is the republic’s prodigy, the only child in the entire country to earn a perfect score on her test. Being trained to become a military star, she is aware of the threat that Day poses on the nation. After losing her brother in a conflict with Day, she swears that she will hunt him down and serve vengeance for her brother.
In an epic chase between the hunter and the hunted, Day and June learn more about the world that they live in, discovering hidden truths about the government. Ultimately, they team up to fight back against the government they once thought was on their side.
Legend is fast paced and full of action packed scenes that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The author does an amazing job of worldbuilding, writing beautifully descriptive visuals of the world that quite literally allow you to imagine the world it’s set in. Additionally, Lu does an amazing job of balancing out the different points of view, as the book is told through the eyes of both Day and June. The characters are all unique and are complex and you get to watch them make decisions as they struggle to do the “right” thing. Many of the side characters also have these moments of uncertainty, so it’s interesting to also see their mindset, coming from different backgrounds than our main characters.
The one thing that stood out to me were the action scenes. Marie Lu is an amazingly gifted action writer, with fluid fighting sequences that leave you wanting more. Her pacing is spot on, giving us some slower moments, before hitting you again with a beautifully written action scene. Although following a pretty popular dystopian story line, Marie Lu manages to make Legend stand out with her stunning world build, well written characters, and overall, beautiful writing.
Review Written by Lindsey, 9th Grade