reviews
Nov 25, 2011
Im such a sucker for dystopians. I love the energy; the rush I get from them. When I got a hold of an ARC of Legend I was thrilled. Now I know I had a good reason to. This is one of the good ones. A dystopian well worth reading!
We've got two narrators: the notorious criminal, Day, and the noble citizen, though a little rebellious, June.
Day has escaped death before, and he's only trying to survive while taking care of his family, especially his sick brother. June got a perfect More...
We've got two narrators: the notorious criminal, Day, and the noble citizen, though a little rebellious, June.
Day has escaped death before, and he's only trying to survive while taking care of his family, especially his sick brother. June got a perfect More...
23 comments
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(106 people liked it)
Sep 22, 2011
I like an action-packed adventure, don't you? Legend is a lot of fun to read, and follows two teens who are born into opposite sides of a war in a futuristic Los Angeles in the Republic of America.
15-year-old June is an exceptionally gifted prodigy who is being groomed to become a military star. But when her brother is senselessly murdered, she embarks upon a mission to find his killer--and discovers that all signs point towards Day, a notorious criminal who is already wanted by the More...
15-year-old June is an exceptionally gifted prodigy who is being groomed to become a military star. But when her brother is senselessly murdered, she embarks upon a mission to find his killer--and discovers that all signs point towards Day, a notorious criminal who is already wanted by the More...
39 comments
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(75 people liked it)
Dec 27, 2011
Gosh darn it, sweet baby Jesus, where do I begin this review and how do I do it tactfully?
Oh, screw it! No sugar-coating here. Strap on some bubble wrap, people. This ride is gonna get bumpy.
So, the story is told from two alternating points-of-view: one belonging to June (the heroine) and the other belonging to Day (the hero). Problemo numero uno is that both June & Day sound like the same person except that one has lady bits and the other has a package of the masculine v More...
Oh, screw it! No sugar-coating here. Strap on some bubble wrap, people. This ride is gonna get bumpy.
So, the story is told from two alternating points-of-view: one belonging to June (the heroine) and the other belonging to Day (the hero). Problemo numero uno is that both June & Day sound like the same person except that one has lady bits and the other has a package of the masculine v More...
33 comments
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(64 people liked it)
Jan 28, 2012
so i did, i almost gave this book four stars. but then i said to myself, "self - you have to stop giving these YA dystopias your knee-jerk four star ratings just because you like the genre and you like to see teens in peril, you sick twist." and it's true. these things are pure candy for me to read. and i don't even care so much that the majority of them lack that believability factor. i tend to star-rate within this genre based on enjoyability rather than literary value, because i am
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14 comments
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(52 people liked it)
Jul 22, 2011
Are you kidding me!?!? What just happened?!?
This book is ABSOLUTELY UNPUTDOWNABLE!! Yes, I realize that’s not a word, but I have to admit I’m a bit sleep deprived seeing as I stayed up all night reading this FRICKEN AMAZING book!! Okay let me just tell you now, this review is going to be an absolute, incoherent gush-fest. I haven’t felt this pumped about a YA dystopic novel since the The Hunger Games came to town. Mind you, I’ve read some pretty awesome stories since, such as Divergent More...
This book is ABSOLUTELY UNPUTDOWNABLE!! Yes, I realize that’s not a word, but I have to admit I’m a bit sleep deprived seeing as I stayed up all night reading this FRICKEN AMAZING book!! Okay let me just tell you now, this review is going to be an absolute, incoherent gush-fest. I haven’t felt this pumped about a YA dystopic novel since the The Hunger Games came to town. Mind you, I’ve read some pretty awesome stories since, such as Divergent More...
34 comments
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(71 people liked it)
Jan 13, 2012
Okay, hypothetical scenario time. Let’s suppose I had the madness, the power ("You ever tried going mad without power? It's boring! No one listens to you!" - Russ Cargill), and the inclination to pit several recently published YA dystopian novels against each other in a brutal and bloody fight to the death a la The Hunger Games. (Please, just roll with my craziness).
Now let’s suppose one of thesetributes novels is Legend. How, in my mind at least, does it fare in the aren
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Now let’s suppose one of these
35 comments
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(37 people liked it)
Feb 21, 2012
I'm a dystopian book fanatic. I collect them like the Cookie Monster collects his cookies. So when I first heard of Legend earlier this year I knew I had to get a hold of it ASAP. And I wasn't entirely disappointed because Legend features a strong, kick-ass heroine, a disturbing future world, multi-cultural characters, and tons of action.
Legend tells the story of a two remarkable 15-year-olds, Day and June, living on West cost of the United States now known as The Republic. This More...
21 comments
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(19 people liked it)
Jan 27, 2012
I am always afraid to read a book that I’ve been holding my breath for it to come out. Legend is one of those.
I had high hopes and I am glad to say that my expectations have been met.
I was really eager to meet Day.
I’ve heard a lot of good things about him and I was pretty much intrigued, for lack of a better word.
Even though in the last half of the book he was more or less absent, I got to care more for him and to understand him better (compared to June).
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11 comments
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(16 people liked it)
Dec 12, 2011
On the verge of four stars
June and Day stand on opposite sides of things – she is the government's most favoured prodigy; he is the government's most wanted criminal. When their paths cross, secrets are revealed, alliances shift, one of them has to question everything …
With YA dystopias swamping the market right now, I think it's definitely safe to say that it's worth giving Marie Lu's Legend a try. It is fast-paced, action-packed and utterly captivating - the pages just fly More...
June and Day stand on opposite sides of things – she is the government's most favoured prodigy; he is the government's most wanted criminal. When their paths cross, secrets are revealed, alliances shift, one of them has to question everything …
With YA dystopias swamping the market right now, I think it's definitely safe to say that it's worth giving Marie Lu's Legend a try. It is fast-paced, action-packed and utterly captivating - the pages just fly More...
9 comments
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(16 people liked it)
Feb 18, 2012
I don't honestly know what made me pick up "Legend" recently and start it while I have so many other books I wanted to get to first. I was in the mood for something like this, I guess.
From the synopsis I learned that this book was going to be about a little rich girl named June, and a poor bad-boy named Day. At first they have the wrong idea about each other based on where they come from, but eventually overcome those prejudices. They must decide if they can trust More...
From the synopsis I learned that this book was going to be about a little rich girl named June, and a poor bad-boy named Day. At first they have the wrong idea about each other based on where they come from, but eventually overcome those prejudices. They must decide if they can trust More...
16 comments
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(41 people liked it)
Jan 25, 2012
First and foremost: I had an awesome time reading Legend. Which is, after all, why I love to read (to bask in the awesomeness). It was unputdownable (I felt increasing anticipation throughout), immensely enjoyable, completely absorbing and just plain GOOD.
I loved the blend of action with the dystopian society. I appreciated how there were dark and sinister things being hinted at, yet it was never melodramatic or crazily climatic.
I did not anticipate how much I would car More...
I loved the blend of action with the dystopian society. I appreciated how there were dark and sinister things being hinted at, yet it was never melodramatic or crazily climatic.
I did not anticipate how much I would car More...
28 comments
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(26 people liked it)
Feb 07, 2012
Oh. My. Gosh.
Review: http://yarebookreviews.blogspot.com/2012...
If you like forbidden love mixed with alot of action and are obssesed with dystopian, you'll love this book. I literary felt like I was in the story because of the details. Marie Lu, you are a genious, I hope you know that. This book is written with such detail that if it were to be made into a movie, which I believe it's going to be.. since the movie rights have been sold, it would be perfeeeect. I have to a More...
Review: http://yarebookreviews.blogspot.com/2012...
If you like forbidden love mixed with alot of action and are obssesed with dystopian, you'll love this book. I literary felt like I was in the story because of the details. Marie Lu, you are a genious, I hope you know that. This book is written with such detail that if it were to be made into a movie, which I believe it's going to be.. since the movie rights have been sold, it would be perfeeeect. I have to a More...
0 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Feb 21, 2012
I do my college applications at Barnes & Noble.
For some reason, I'm just so much more productive there than at home. Maybe it's the smell of coffee and all the freshly printed pages, or maybe it's the sound of other people typing away on their laptops.
Whatever, that doesn't matter.
I'm just more productive there.
Okay, so after writing a prose piece for New York University's film program, I decided it was time for me to take a break.
More...
For some reason, I'm just so much more productive there than at home. Maybe it's the smell of coffee and all the freshly printed pages, or maybe it's the sound of other people typing away on their laptops.
Whatever, that doesn't matter.
I'm just more productive there.
Okay, so after writing a prose piece for New York University's film program, I decided it was time for me to take a break.
More...
0 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Feb 16, 2012
Legend is dystopian novel dually narrated by June and Day, both fifteen year old prodigies living in opposite circles in this (once again, unexplained) dystopian society. Day comes from the LA slums, his family infected by the plague with no cure and no food to eat. He's gone off on his own, creating trouble for officers by breaking into high-security facilities, stealing supplies and money, and thus becoming the Republic's most wanted criminal. (Yes, really.) June comes from a wealthy family wh
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Feb 03, 2012
I probably stared at a blank page for some minutes before I could come up with the words to describe how incredible this book is. The truth is that there are no words! But I’ll try to describe its awesomeness anyways.
I’ll start with our badass heroes. And I really do mean scale-a-building, gun-wielding, kick-your-face-in, defy-a-nation badass heroes. Day is the most wanted criminal in The Republic. He has set fire to police stations, robbed a bank, and exploding some military jets a More...
I’ll start with our badass heroes. And I really do mean scale-a-building, gun-wielding, kick-your-face-in, defy-a-nation badass heroes. Day is the most wanted criminal in The Republic. He has set fire to police stations, robbed a bank, and exploding some military jets a More...
0 comments
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(4 people liked it)
Jun 28, 2011
Out of all the YA dystopian novels I've read so far this year, Legend is my favorite. The writing, the plot, the setting, and the characters were all great! It had a nice balance of action and development and even a bit romance. I was never underwhelmed by the story. The action had me on the edge of my seat. Some parts were pretty intense, and there were shocking revelations and heartbreaking moments throughout the book. I was left feeling anxious at times because I didn't know what to expect ne
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20 comments
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(25 people liked it)
Jan 09, 2012
A little while ago I was cleaning all the dust and papers and shit out from under my bed, and I found a plastic box full of last year's Christmas presents and decs.
You all know how it is. You start off tidying up but then you find something you forgot you had like a Katie Morag book or a recorder and you spend like a half an hour just fucking around with it and by the time you get back down to business, you can't be bothered cleaning any more and it all gets kicked right back under More...
You all know how it is. You start off tidying up but then you find something you forgot you had like a Katie Morag book or a recorder and you spend like a half an hour just fucking around with it and by the time you get back down to business, you can't be bothered cleaning any more and it all gets kicked right back under More...
16 comments
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(27 people liked it)
Jan 25, 2012
This review is also posted on my blog, In The Good Books.
June is the Republic's military prodigy, and Day is the Republic's most wanted criminal. His latest crime resulted in the death of June's brother, and June makes it her personal mission to track down the criminal that has eluded the military for years. They're from very opposite sides of the tracks, but on meeting, they'll discover that they aren't so different after all.
I'm a sucker for the 'good' criminal, the Rob More...
June is the Republic's military prodigy, and Day is the Republic's most wanted criminal. His latest crime resulted in the death of June's brother, and June makes it her personal mission to track down the criminal that has eluded the military for years. They're from very opposite sides of the tracks, but on meeting, they'll discover that they aren't so different after all.
I'm a sucker for the 'good' criminal, the Rob More...
2 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Jan 13, 2012
The two main characters carried this novel for me. They were both kick-ass, strong, smart and so alike in many different ways. I would have to share my favourite quote with you " But... sometimes it feels like we're the same person born into two different worlds". (said by June to Day)Yes, June's very priviliged and rich, while Day is hardly getting by every day but their choices and decisions are always made with their family's best interest. They both care so much about their family
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0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Feb 01, 2012
I recommend Legend.
*****
IN COLD BLOOD.
Legend lived up to its name… well, almost. I have minor issues but a good dystopian novel such as this can eliminate even the smallest of problems. It is cold and ruthless. With a more-than-capable heroine and a legendary hero, I was smacked down by Marie Lu with her cryptic story.
June is a prodigy but at such a young age (she’s fifteen), she’s still vulnerable to a beautiful boy and the unknown thrills he br More...
*****
IN COLD BLOOD.
Legend lived up to its name… well, almost. I have minor issues but a good dystopian novel such as this can eliminate even the smallest of problems. It is cold and ruthless. With a more-than-capable heroine and a legendary hero, I was smacked down by Marie Lu with her cryptic story.
June is a prodigy but at such a young age (she’s fifteen), she’s still vulnerable to a beautiful boy and the unknown thrills he br More...
2 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Dec 29, 2011
Part of me really wanted to give this a four-star review, but as much as I liked Day and June, the plot just seemed like such a mash-up of Divergent and Incarceron</> that I just couldn't. That said, I can see this being a huge hit with readers come November (when it's published).
This time we're in a dystopian/post-some type of apocalypse Los Angeles. Day is a rebel of sorts - not allied to the Patriots, just causing trouble all on his own. He's paired up with Tess, another lo More...
This time we're in a dystopian/post-some type of apocalypse Los Angeles. Day is a rebel of sorts - not allied to the Patriots, just causing trouble all on his own. He's paired up with Tess, another lo More...
0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Jan 20, 2012
Rating Clarification : 3.5
A very fast enjoyable read.
Can't help myself but to put this into the same category as Divergent.
Not only in genre as a dystopian novel but also as in how it has made me feel.
I am not in dire mood to read the next book, it actually ended in a way that leaves a very few alternate conclusions. Which is why I like this book that much more and why I can easily wait another year to read what will happen next.
Can't guarantee that More...
A very fast enjoyable read.
Can't help myself but to put this into the same category as Divergent.
Not only in genre as a dystopian novel but also as in how it has made me feel.
I am not in dire mood to read the next book, it actually ended in a way that leaves a very few alternate conclusions. Which is why I like this book that much more and why I can easily wait another year to read what will happen next.
Can't guarantee that More...
0 comments
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(3 people liked it)
May 24, 2011
Day and June are two characters whose names I will never ever forget for as long as I live. After failing his Trial, Day has become a fugitive, constantly disrupting the peace of the Republic. He was separated from his family, forced to keep his identity hidden and forced to live out in the streets and survive on his own at a very young age. He lived with Tess, a 13-year old girl orphan that he found in the streets. I considered it very sweet and brotherly of him to take care of a child and make
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9 comments
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(9 people liked it)
Jan 24, 2012
I don’t know whether or not I should be delighted or dejected at having read what I consider to be a 5 star worthy book. I’m overjoyed at having invested my time and money so wisely, as Legend is filled with so much win that it’s very pages practically bleed awesomeness. And yet I’m left with this nagging suspicion that none of the predecessors will live up to this installments glory. I hope that I am wrong, as I am already wringing my hands together in anticipation of what will happen next.
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0 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Dec 21, 2011
Lovely cover, 5-star Amazon reviews, starred review from Kirkus...I was looking forward to Legend, this month's hot YA dystopian novel. I pushed myself through the first half, flinching at several instances of awkward exposition, sudden seemingly random deep attention to describing one or another character's outfit, etc. By the middle mark I'd melted a little for the male hero, a half-Mongolian, half-Caucasian, extremely agile 15-yr-old street rebel fighting the system while tenderly caring for
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2 comments
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(2 people liked it)
Jan 22, 2012
In the interest of full discloser, I tell you now that I love dystopian novels, but instead of that making me bias in their favor, I tend to be tougher on them. Therefore it actually makes me somewhat angry when I invest in a favorite genre read and have it bomb... Fortunately this was not a concern with LEGEND (4 ½ stars)!
Marie Lu does an engaging job world building here. LEGEND is one of the those reads that grabs the reader right from the start and never lets go. With a fascina More...
Marie Lu does an engaging job world building here. LEGEND is one of the those reads that grabs the reader right from the start and never lets go. With a fascina More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Dec 08, 2011
First off, I LOVE this book. Now as to why:
- the pacing is consistently fast and quick-footed light
- the characters are fantastic for the first book and likable. It's so difficult when you get hugely annoyed by any of the main characters which happens in ALOT of YA books out there, but I hugely enjoyed June, Day, and Tess. Especially Day who breaks the mold for the badass boy (will shut my mouth now to prevent any spoilers!)
- the twists and turns that you don't expect, som More...
- the pacing is consistently fast and quick-footed light
- the characters are fantastic for the first book and likable. It's so difficult when you get hugely annoyed by any of the main characters which happens in ALOT of YA books out there, but I hugely enjoyed June, Day, and Tess. Especially Day who breaks the mold for the badass boy (will shut my mouth now to prevent any spoilers!)
- the twists and turns that you don't expect, som More...
Aug 17, 2011
This is a GREAT story. It's a dystopian novel about a girl, June, who follows the governments orders without ever thinking about them. Well she meets Day, who the government would love to kill, and her life changes.
There's a lot of death and this book got me because the deaths are all very sudden. You aren't eased into the death or given a warning, which I think is different than other books.
I wasn't confused throughout the book, except a little when they talked about t More...
There's a lot of death and this book got me because the deaths are all very sudden. You aren't eased into the death or given a warning, which I think is different than other books.
I wasn't confused throughout the book, except a little when they talked about t More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Feb 06, 2012
4.5 out of 5 - “You’re brilliant,” he says. “But you’re a fool to stay with someone like me.” I close my eyes at the touch of his hand. “Then we’re both fools.”
This is the second dystopian book I’ve read this week that has completely surpassed my expectations and I have to say, Legend is a powerful, addictive and fast paced novel, that is action packed with an explosive storyline and a love story that will leave you begging for more.
June and Day are both 15 years old who bot More...
This is the second dystopian book I’ve read this week that has completely surpassed my expectations and I have to say, Legend is a powerful, addictive and fast paced novel, that is action packed with an explosive storyline and a love story that will leave you begging for more.
June and Day are both 15 years old who bot More...
0 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Feb 22, 2012
I thought a bit about this one and it came very close to being a 4 star read for me. While I feel a little ambivalent about dropping it down to a 3 when in many ways I like it, it's still not as good as many 4 star books.
We have here another Young Adult (YA) Dystopian <spoiler> star-crossed love story/slash adventure. The twist here is that our "star-crossed lovers" start out as enemies</spoiler> post apocalyptic adventure. The book has some big shoes to fill as More...
We have here another Young Adult (YA) Dystopian <spoiler> star-crossed love story/slash adventure. The twist here is that our "star-crossed lovers" start out as enemies</spoiler> post apocalyptic adventure. The book has some big shoes to fill as More...
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(3 people liked it)
