Legend by Marie Lu

Legend by Lu Marie portrays a vivid description of a futuristic dystopian society where 15 year old June Iparis is being groomed to follow in her brother Metias’ footsteps as an elite officer of the Republic Nation. Her career begins suddenly with the death of her brother in the line of duty. She is tasked with finding and capturing the notorious criminal and prime suspect 15 year old Day Wing.

She goes undercover and enters Day’s world. Soon their lives intertwine and together they discover all is not what it seems to be. Clues from Day and other evidence surrounding Metias’ death begin to surface as Day is brought into custody.

Each becomes a victim of the atrocities committed by the Republic, losing loved ones in the wake of cold blooded murder.

With June as the superior officer, and Day as the prisoner, awaiting execution; they skillfully assume their roles as captor and captured while plotting Day’s escape. If they fail, it will be certain death for both of them.

The embedded theme rebelling against authority, confronting the abuses of power when it hits home, knowing when someone is really telling the truth and risking career and life in search of the truth, discovering the painful truth, standing for truth especially when people’s lives are at stake.

The author, Marie Lu crafts her story extremely well, very descriptive yet direct, as you read, it seems that you can never lose interest in the story line—suspenseful, page turner. She allows the reader to visualize the city’s ruins damaged by years of war, and appears to be some sort of natural disasters. Readers can associate reference to Los Angeles and Northern California—bodies of water where there never use to be, cities are underwater. Marie Lu spell bounds the reader to anticipate what decisions the character will make and outcomes of their actions, and how the end will be. This book is a definite read for reluctant readers for both guys and girls. To top that off it is a movie in the making, and her next sequel Prodigy releases in January 29, 2013. Legend by Marie Lu without a doubt deserves a “5” outstanding read. http://marielu.org/http://marielu.org/