Prodigy - Review

Prodigy by Marie Lu

Legend book two

Available now

www.penguin.co.uk 

What's it about?

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long. 

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

Other titles in the series
Life before Legend - Book 0.5
Legend - Book one
My review

Prodigy was just as fast paced and action packed as it's predecessor, Legend, I really enjoyed it.

It picks up nine days from where we left off and jumps straight into the story and is full of plenty of info and character development to sink your teeth into. If you were a fan of Legend then you'll enjoy Prodigy.

As we delve deeper into the plot we learn a lot more about the Republic, the Patriots and the Colonies, how everything started and how America has come to become how it is now. June and Days relationship takes lots of twists and turns and some old characters make reappearances keeping the book going and going right until the heartbreaking end. As you can see, I'm trying to not say too much so I can avoid spoilers from either books, but I can tell you it was an enjoyable read, you won't be disappointed.

While I understand the end, I certainly hope things can go different for our protagonists and I really have no idea what's going to happen with the war between the Republic and the Patriots, everything's been so left to reader interpretation at this point that I can't make any predictions except that book three, I'm sure, will be full of surprises.

My thoughts on the cover

As far as covers go, this one is kind of plain though I think the text suits the book and I do like the picture and the shade of blue.

Favourite quotes

'I straighten and reach up to his shirt. My hands touch the skin of his shoulders. I try to keep my breathing even, my mind sharp and calculated. But as I help him pull off the shirt and reveal his bare arms and chest, I can feel the corners of my logic growing fuzzy.'

'She manages to raise a curious eyebrow at my short reply, which I take as a good sign. At least she's awake now. I lean closer to her and put my lips next to her ear. My breath stirs soft wisps of her hair. "The first time I saw you, when you stepped into the Skiz ring against Kaede, I thought you were the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. I could've watched you forever. The first time I kissed you..." That memory overpowers me now, taking me by surprise. I remember every last detail of it.'

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Prodigy - Extract

On 29th January 2013 Prodigy by Marie Lu will be released. It's the sequel to the fantastic Legend, you can see my review for Legend HERE if you'd like to find out more.
And today I'm really excited to share an extract from Prodigy and the book trailer with you!

Prodigy extract

Legend - Review

Legend by Marie Lu

Legend book one.

Available now

http://www.penguin.co.uk/

What's it about?

The United States is gone, along with its flooded coasts. North America's two warring nations, the western Republic and the eastern Colonies, have reached a breaking point. In the midst of this broken continent and dark new world are two teenagers who will go down in history....
Born into the slums of Los Angeles, fifteen-year old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. A mysterious boy with no recorded image or fingerprints. A boy who should no longer exist. A boy who watches over his family until one evening, when the plague patrols mark his family's door with an X--the sign of plague infection. A death sentence for any family too poor to afford the antidote. Desperate, Day has no choice; he must steal it.
Born to an elite family in Los Angeles' wealthy Ruby sector, fifteen-year old June is the Republic's most promising prodigy. A superintelligent girl destined for great things in the country's highest military circles. Obedient, passionate, and committed to her country--until the day her brother Metias is murdered while on patrol during a break-in at the plague hospital.
Only one person could be responsible.
Day.
And now it's June's mission to hunt him down.
The truth they'll uncover will become legend.

My review

I really liked this book, it's written well, moves at a good pace and I liked that it was told from both June and Day's perspectives so I got an insight into both worlds, as the way they both live is completely opposite, yet they have simlair character traits, they're both great, strong characters. There were lots of parts of this book that could've been dragged out and I'm so glad they weren't, it was straight to the point and to the action so I was never bored, my only complaint is that I thought the characters should've been older than 15, even though I know they would be more mature because of what they've both been through in their lives I still felt they were to mature for 15 year olds. But other than that I really loved it, there plenty of twists, some I guessed, some I didn't and a fabulous ending. It was all just so well written and tied up nicely at the end but gives me an idea of what will happen next which has left me thirsting for the next one!
I loed both the main characters of June and Day, Day because he's strong and brave, he tries to only take care of himself but I can't help caring for others and will help at risk to himself. And June, well she's bad ass! She's clever and quick thinking, together they make a great team! There were also a couple of smaller characters that I liked, Tess and Kaede, both for different reasons!
So, all in all a great start to what I hope will be an awesome series, I can't wait for the next one!

My thoughts on the cover
I love this cover (so much more than the US one!) It's really dark and the girl looks strong, I love the city scape in the backgroud and the dusky sunlight and the 'R' symbol in the corner. It's just a great cover!

Sorry, no favourite quotes for this one as I read an ARC copy and don't have a final copy to compare it with.

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