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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