Legend Series by Marie Lu - Reading from 'Legend (Legend #1)' from 8th September 2019

[Aaron]

(view spoiler)[ reading the prodigy still and I think it's gotten better with the addition of having more of the Patriots, also I'm really starting to like the new elector. Nothing bugging me to much right now lol (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

(view spoiler)[ I am around half way done with the second book and right now I'm really liking Anden as a character. Him questioning what good and bad is and how his father ran things seems really genuine and seems like something that would really happen. (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Oh great the let me show you by touching you cliche, God damnit there's one in ever book it seems. I blame Patrick Swazey

[Aaron]

(view spoiler)[ ok this is still for prodigy and it has to do with the Patriots and the truth behind them. Your telling me that June figures out the senators are behind the assassination and they are backing the Patriots and not the colonies. Ok hard to believe but I will let you get away with it, sleep is a time for thought I suppose. But hell no to how the other Patriots realized it. Oh this random runner who has been mentioned once saw a suspicious drive so she thought to take it and give to a hacker who suddenly figures out that Razor was backstabbing them. Um... how did you get this from this drive and what compelled Jordan to even grab the thing? And after when K is telling Day about it she is giving him the back story of how Razor was caught and how he was being a spy inside and it's like I doubt all this would be on this random thumb drive. And again how did Jordan find it, why does it even exist other than for a easy cope out to telling the surprise. ok then deep breaths Aaron deep breaths... AGGGHHHAHAHAHAH (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

Welp finished the second book and this one was better than the first book in my opinion.

[Ryn]

Oh, I thought we were reading one a week.

[Fuzaila]

I read the first book in a night. Whoops. Will be reading all your thoughts and commenting my own as soon as I am sane enough lol

[Aaron]

I had no idea what we were doing so just read at my own pace

[Fuzaila]

Aaron wrote: "Honestly, I think that Day is awesome (Love that name btw) All the crazy stuff he gets into and how well he works at hurting the government I have it hard to believe that he doesn't ever do things ..."

I absolutely LOVE Day too! He is awesome. June is a little too polished and a tad bit arrogant for my taste. I quite suspected he was against the government right from the beginning.

[Ryn]

I like Day much better than June for sure.

[Fuzaila]

Aaron wrote: "Alright, time to go into some heavy stuff from the book about half way threw so if your not there stop reading or major spoiler alerts.

SPOILER ALERT


I like this book so far. There have just bee..."

That's a cool observation. Honestly it didn't bother me all that much. Given that how her observation skills are more like Sherlock Holmes. But it is a bit off to be sure. I think June is more of a Mary Sue. Tbh Day is too. (view spoiler)[ the pendant thingy... I was kinda expecting Tess to give him away one way or other but that was a pretty small clue. She couldn't have known the pendant was such an important thing for Day. She couldn't be sure he actually owned it either... it could have been anything - picked up from the streets, bought from somewhere the day before. But then again, it's June, and Marie Lu is making her seem almost like a Robot, with exceptional skills in every field. I wish we got to know how she became so highly skilled, because most probably every Drake student must receive the kind of training she does. (hide spoiler)]

[Fuzaila]

Ryn wrote: "Well rats... goodreads just ate my comment before I could post it. Ugh.

Finished Part One

Lu is such a master of action-packed work. I can hardly believe I've only read 25% more of the book. So m..."

I actually did catch that part! (view spoiler)[ I knew right away that Day didn't kill Metias because he never thought back to how he might have wounded Metias, just that he remembers the knife hitting his shoulder and that he'd heal easily enough. But I did find it kinda illogical that Day remembers Metias so well, considering he has committed numerous crimes and must have met and tackled a large number of Republican soldiers (hide spoiler)]

[Fuzaila]

Ryn wrote: "Well rats... goodreads just ate my comment before I could post it. Ugh.

Finished Part One

Lu is such a master of action-packed work. I can hardly believe I've only read 25% more of th..."

Also yes! June is a little too perfect. I don't like reading her pov all that much. She is kinda annoying. (view spoiler)[ And I could never summon the emotion to mourn for Metias like I cried for Day's mom. I couldn't even gather June was all that attached to Metias from the first introduction. There wasn't much emotion to her narrative. I couldn't like Metias much even though we saw much of him, but I really felt for Day's mother much more than him. Eden and John too. I like John. (hide spoiler)]

[Fuzaila]

Also, how did you guys like the relationship? (view spoiler)[ I was always rooting for June and Day but I didn't think theirs was a well-fleshed-out relationship. I mean, they seemed more into each other's looks than anything else. Perfect Trial scores. Beautiful eyes. Handsome bodice. WHY do they actually like each other so much to care enough to risk their lives? Why did June agree to help him escape his execution? Why did Day save June in the first place? It felt like a they-were-meant-to-be-together sorta thing right from the beginning, forcing us to root for them even before we got introduced to their characters. (hide spoiler)]

[Fuzaila]

@Raghad - That's something which has gone unexplained! (view spoiler)[ Raghad wrote: "67%
he got 1500 on his test, why did they say he failed, is it to experiment on him!
[spoilers removed]"

I wonder why DAY. Why was he chosen from the Lake sector to be executed after his test even with a perfect score? Why did they deliberately fail him? It makes me think that there must have been more perfect scorers who might have got executed. June was just lucky she was born into a wealthy family. But it doesn't make sense there either, considering her parents were killed because the government feared the information they knew and suspected they would resort to treason. So WHY DAY? What was so special about his test?

Anyways I think the Trial is stupid. Ten year olds going through multiple physical and MCQ choice questions? And interviews? Besides, as we know how talented June and Day actually are, it just goes to show that the government's test is the perfect assesment of every kid, which I highly doubt was what the author meant to show us. June might have been well-trained, but the author didn't have to go out of her way to show Day is a prodigy too by giving him perfect scores. If Chian was so doubtful during the interview, he wouldn't have relented to give him perfect scores. Also, how did Day give him that scar again? If Chian has a grudge on Day, then surely he must have recognized him to be the same boy who did exceptionally well in his Trials? (hide spoiler)]

[Fuzaila]

Ryn wrote: "I like Day much better than June for sure."

Me too! June is confusing. She doesn't make a clear stand at any time. I don't like how she is so soft for Day either.

[Aaron]

It is hinted at that they tried to kill day because he showed he was rebellious at his trial and they wouldn't want a perfect score rebellious person against them. But then that doesn't make sense because June was just as rebellious and they didn't kill her. I didn't realize this untill now and this is now really bothering me thanks a lot Fuzalia

[Aaron]

Honestly, the first two books the romance between June and Day bothered me. It just felt like it was rushed in a way. Like in the second book when (view spoiler)[ Day said he loved June, I was like no, you just met not even a month ago, she ruined your family, and got you tortured. In the book your relationship hasn't even evolved so I don't see how you can in love with her. I hate it when books make such a unrealistic romance (hide spoiler)]

[Raghad]

Fuzaila wrote: "Also, how did you guys like the relationship? [spoilers removed]"

yeah i think their relationship is a bit forced, they don't even know each other that well, they only spent a few days together, it feels more like attraction to how they look than who they are (view spoiler)[ i think June saved him because she feels guilty about what they did to his mother and brothers (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Raghad]

Aaron wrote: "It is hinted at that they tried to kill day because he showed he was rebellious at his trial and they wouldn't want a perfect score rebellious person against them. But then that doesn't make sense ..."


maybe because June's family work with the government so it would've been hard to hide her score or experiment on her without her family figuring out what they actually do to people who fail, that's why she's the only one to have 1500 that the public know about.

[Aaron]

Champion 1/3 the way through
(view spoiler)[ oh no Frank just died, frenchy, frunch, Frankie's, what was their name again, and were they even a actual character? (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

Raghad wrote: "Fuzaila wrote: "Also, how did you guys like the relationship? [spoilers removed]"

yeah i think their relationship is a bit forced, they don't even know each other that well, they only spent a few ..."

Going to agree with this. Also I'm sure as June figured out how much they had in common, that was probably also an attraction. That whole deal probably should have bothered me but it didn't... probably because teens do tend to be insta-attracted. I seem to recall those days :D

[Ryn]

Raghad wrote: "Aaron wrote: "It is hinted at that they tried to kill day because he showed he was rebellious at his trial and they wouldn't want a perfect score rebellious person against them. But then that doesn..."

I'm not really sure about this... I think it may have been because Day was poor. They talked about most of the kids in the poor sectors failing -- I kind of feel like the government (view spoiler)[just doesn't want to deal with the overflowing poor population so they're trying to get rid of them. I mean I guess they could have held Day up as some shining example, but they probably thought a poor kid from the slum would make them look bad. They've definitely moved into some sort of lower-economic population control or even destruction here (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

To p227

This story is just such a nice easy, engrossing read. Even with its faults, I'm really enjoying it.

I guess my biggest complaint so far we've already touched on. I just can't buy (view spoiler)[ June. Really, almost anything about her. It's not even that I dislike her, she's just almost superhuman and it bugs me. Still, lol.

I'm totally able to believe Thomas killed Metias. But I wish we had more to go on than just "I'm pretty sure that's rifle grease in those pictures on the knife aaand I have superhuman memory and totally recall that Thomas had rifle grease on his face." Honestly, it's worse than her identifying Day through his pendant. When did he have time to do this? Was he told to do it?

I really want to know how they're going to blow the lid off this. Day getting a perfect score and being packed off to die in a labor camp... Well, I suppose it's not any more wrong than anything else the government is doing but...

I don't know, I guess I really want to know why the government has turned from "basically benevolent, trying to control the people and somewhat incompetent" into straight-up malevolent. There's usually a reason for this. Some of it is control, but it doesn't seem like all of it is here. I think there's more to the story and I hope she doesn't take three books to dole it all out to us in snippets.

I like things to make sense (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

2/3 the way done with champion
(view spoiler)[ Ever here of spatial awareness, or something like that? June is following Jamerson on foot only like a block or two behind her, she goes around a corner and disappears, you then start to get shot at not a minute later and figure the shooter must be on the 4-5 floor. Then somehow they make it down to the ground floor again and right in front of you in not a minute. There must be a second shooter and she hid in the alley because there is so physical way she could move that fast. (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

Fin

Lu certainly knows how to tell a story.

I discovered that she started writing this at fourteen, which could explain some of the issues we've seen with love v. attraction (I did mention that teens often insta-attract. New hormones and all.) And with June's character overall. But she still did a great job.

I was of course disappointed that (view spoiler)[ John didn't make it. I wish authors didn't decide MCs have to lose EVERYONE they care about in order to tell a good story. JK Rowling was really mean about this by the way. Just sayin'.

Not 100% sure the whole escape would have actually worked, especially with Day out of commission, but it was pretty fun to read, and I definitely enjoyed it. (hide spoiler)]

I'll start Prodigy on Sunday. I'll be interested to find out more about how the Republic is really handling their prodigies and why.

[Aaron]

Yah Ryn
(view spoiler)[ I feel if this was a real execution ran by the military there would have been more guards posted and they wouldn't have made it out. But this is a dystopian YA novel where's the fun in that (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

Aaron wrote: "Yah Ryn
[spoilers removed]"

Right? I can give it props for fun.

[Aaron]

85% done with Champion
(view spoiler)[ Ok, while I guessed that June was the cause for the mutated plague and honestly it makes sense the way they figure it out bothers me. Like no science done doesn't take long to figure out, it just happens automatically (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

87% done with Champion
(view spoiler)[ ok Day with the bomb in your boot how did you know they would work and not blow your foot off. And how did you know they were gonna put you in front of glass so you could kick it instead of like a open top. This seems to lucky (hide spoiler)]

[Aaron]

I just finished the series, and that ending though... hit me right in the feels

[Fuzaila]

I have started now. It's okay so far.

10% (view spoiler)[ Okay so umm, that's a completely unexpected twist? The Electoral's dead and now Day and June are recruited by this important guy (omg I've already forgotten his name) to kill Aden, aka the new Electoral Prime? I'm curious with where this all is headed. I'm also kinda liking June's perspective this time. She always gives all those detailed observations on EVERYTHING (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

Getting ready to start it today

[Ryn]

To p 88

Quite pleased that Lu didn't start this off with anything really being a given. (view spoiler)[ Day's joining the Patriots, Tess has a thing for Day (and who wouldn't, really), June isn't a wanted criminal ... YET... and she's already having mixed emotions about everything: the Republic, the new Elector, Day... opens the book up to a host of possibilities. (hide spoiler)] It'll be interesting to see where Lu decides to take this, and with Rebel due to come out next month, we're reading these at a great time.

[Ryn]

Fuzaila wrote: "I have started now. It's okay so far.

10% [spoilers removed]"

I'm hoping (view spoiler)[June will be better written this time. She's not completely annoying me like she was last story... YET... so thinking positively :D (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

To 186

I do think this is probably a stronger book than its predecessor. So many twists :D (view spoiler)[ I particularly like that June and Day are not a foregone conclusion although part of me wishes Lu hadn't involved Tess in this little love triangle. I like Tess :/ So unless she ends up with Day, I kind of wish Lu had picked someone else. VERY interested to see where this line with the new Elector goes. Is he really wanting change? I wish June would press him a little more for what kind of change he's really hoping for; otherwise, the risk is that he's just talk. He's never actually said what he wants to change or what he thinks the Republic should look like. But seriously, how they were at school together and no one even knew, that's a little nuts. (hide spoiler)]

[Fuzaila]

At 25% (view spoiler)[ Okay so really, all those tactics Day and Kaede pulled to get into that ship went right over my head. Also, I have a feeling that June would develop a soft corner for Anden. That would suck. (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

Fuzaila wrote: "At 25% [spoilers removed]"

But what if (view spoiler)[ Anden is a really nice guy actually? Do you think he is, or is he just being a politician? I can't decide. Then Tess could have Day because truthfully they fit together a lot better anyway.

Apparently I'm being recalcitrant lately because I don't want to ship whoever the author is telling me to ship >.< (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

To 282

Okay so whose brilliant idea was it to make sure both the (view spoiler)[ Republic AND the Patriots hate our guts and want to kill us. Oh and by the way, we made this very stupid decision while June is sick with what is probably a strain of plague so I'd say they're in hot water.

And I am disappointed that Lu is handling Tess by making her into a jealous brat. She grew up a little too fast, but I like her and I think she'd make a better companion for Day long-term anyway.

And I'm stupid but I really want to like Anden. He's probably going to turn out horrible and I'll feel like an idiot but... (hide spoiler)]

[Evelyn]

Ryn wrote: "Fuzaila wrote: "At 25% [spoilers removed]"

lol i'm sorry I'm commenting :} ,(view spoiler)[ but you are the first person i've seen who doesn't ship Day and June. I do love Tess though :)(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

Evelyn wrote: "Ryn wrote: "Fuzaila wrote: "At 25% [spoilers removed]"

lol i'm sorry I'm commenting :} ,[spoilers removed]"

Well I didn't (view spoiler)[ like June much in the first book. I'm not necessarily against them, but I'm not rooting for them at all costs. I'd be okay if they didn't work out and were happy with other people (hide spoiler)]

[Fuzaila]

Evelyn wrote: "Ryn wrote: "Fuzaila wrote: "At 25% [spoilers removed]"

lol i'm sorry I'm commenting :} ,[spoilers removed]"

Haha, actually I don't ship them either 😂

[Ryn]

Fuzaila wrote: "Evelyn wrote: "Ryn wrote: "Fuzaila wrote: "At 25% [spoilers removed]"

lol i'm sorry I'm commenting :} ,[spoilers removed]"

Haha, actually I don't ship them either 😂"

hahahahahaha

[Fuzaila]

At 60% of Prodigy now (view spoiler)[ Honestly, I think I oike Day-June better than Day-Tess. And what's up with Tess trying to mess up Day about June? I don't remember her being this snarky and jealous. And I don't think she's all that sweet either. Anyway, I can sense the oncoming storm between June and Day. I'm glad Day wrenched back from kissing Tess tho. I can't stop picturing them as siblings tbh.

Also, Anden. Ugh.. so confusing. You were right Ryn. That guy seems to be really a good person. But I doubt anybody's going to believe that. Certainly not Day after what what he saw of Sam in that railcar (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

Fuzaila wrote: "At 60% of Prodigy now Honestly, I think I oike Day-June better than Day-Tess. And what's up with Tess trying to mess up Day about June? I don't remember her being this snarky and jealous. And I do..."

Yeah, that's why I said I don't like how (view spoiler)[ Lu is handling Tess in this story. Making it hard to stay sympathetic to her when she's being a jerk, but I also feel like the whole thing came out of nowhere. In Legend, she only felt about twelve... definitely like a little sister. It's just this complete 180 which I might could buy except now she's being snarky and jealous to boot. Which I suppose technically I could also buy but considering how much they rave about how sweet she is... I don't know, I just wish Lu had handled it a bit differently (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

Fin

Wait, WHAT??? ARGH!! (view spoiler)[ I CANNOT LIKE THIS ENDING!

Day should have told her the bleeding truth. Just... wow.

I liked his speech though. (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

PS Is it just me or is anyone else slightly annoyed that (view spoiler)[ Day basically had to carry June around for the ENTIRE book? (hide spoiler)]

[Fuzaila]

Ryn wrote: "Fin

Wait, WHAT??? ARGH!! I CANNOT LIKE THIS ENDING!

Day should have told her the bleeding truth. Just... wow.

I liked his speech though."

Ikr!!! (view spoiler)[ DAY CAN'T DIE FIRST OF ALL
And what did he mean by go for it,? He should have simply told her the truth because now she has assumed every other thing. I know june will get together with Anden if she joins the Princeps. I don't want that to happen. Goody yes I ship Day and June now. (hide spoiler)]

[Fuzaila]

Ryn wrote: "PS Is it just me or is anyone else slightly annoyed that [spoilers removed]"

Yep. Me too. Maybe Lu just decided to act on our complaints of June being too perfect lol so now she has to be carried around. Also it's never revealed what the illness was. (view spoiler)[And he has superhuman strength, mind you. Climbing ten stories like a cat? After that freaking jet accident?? Hmmph. How am I supposed to buy that?? (hide spoiler)]

[Ryn]

Fuzaila wrote: "Ryn wrote: "PS Is it just me or is anyone else slightly annoyed that [spoilers removed]"

Yep. Me too. Maybe Lu just decided to act on our complaints of June being too perfect lol so now she has to..."

Yes, and that DROVE ME NUTS. Especially since illness is such a prominent part of these books.