Legend Review

Date Published: November 29, 2011

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Number of Pages: 305

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

First Thoughts:

I've wanted to read this book for a while now, the concept piped my interest but there always seemed to be something else I needed to read but yes! I have finally gotten the chance to read this book and I'm glad I did. And if you're looking for the next "Hunger Games" this isn't it. I fair warn you now that once you start to unravel the very fabric of this world it isn't going to be pretty...though I felt this book had a few issues in terms of romance I did find it a fun and enjoyable read. This is one that I will definitely want to continue...there's just so much more left to unveil about this world and its inhabitants.

Plot:

In terms of the plot I found that it had all the elements of a traditional plot and really there wasn't anything unique in this aspect of the book. You have the traditional pair of young teens who come from two different worlds and somehow in one way or another two cross paths and Wham! There's one of your biggest conflicts...yeah though I'm getting tired of the same romance couple. I am glad that this book offered more than just the romance. The big story behind their government and all the hidden quirks and mysteries is enough for me to keep on reading this series. I also thought this book has a lot to offer, there's such a deepness to this world that I feel by the end of this series it might just teach me a thing or two. All of the twisted plots, sub-plots and characters will all converge into one and at some point or another this series will dig deep within the reader and reveal something about them, though it didn't happen in this book I believe it'll happen in the ones to come, to me this world, it's so real, so close to how some of us think that if we continue on the path were on...well this could really happen in hundreds of years from now of course. But like I said though the romance wasn't all that great to me I did enjoy the overall plot and story this book had to offer.

Characters:

Some of the characters were really great like Day, I loved how the author created him and created his own POV, it really shone a light into his part of the world. And as for June, she was good and well created but I just didn't connect as well with her than I did with Day...part of it I think was just how she acted, she kind of pissed me off in some areas of the book but there's something else about her that I didn't particularly like, don't know what that is but maybe I'll figure is out later down the road. Now as for some of the other more minor characters, I felt the author did a good job on creating them and placing them at just the right moments within the story. She created them to not only add more tension but to add some emotion too, not the bawling your eyes out kind but the kind where you get a stray tear here and there...so overall the characters were created with their own great imagery and roles just some outshone some of the others.

Transformation of the Character:

As far as transformations went there were a few, not going to list the characters that did I think it would pretty much spoil one of the good things about this book. But I will say that they were well placed and believable, though at times I kind of wonder if that character really waited long enough to think about a particular action but it was good to see the end result none the same. There are still some major transformations needed in this story and I found some of them making subtle changes even within this book but I believe given more action, conflict and emotion these characters are bound to change in some way or another.

Description:

I loved the description of this world; I really could see all the imagery presented to the reader, some good and some not so pretty. This author didn't always gloss over the imagery just to spare the reader, she at times just told you how it is and showed you the dark images and at times showed you the little silver of light in the world (those were my favorite). Some of the scenes were really simple but told so much, with some of the knowledge that everyone has and add on a simple scene to go along with it can really add texture to the story and I enjoyed it. As far as amount of description there was a fair amount but nothing too overwhelming, she seemed to know when to stick to simple and as little as possible to help set the pace of the story but she also knew when to dive a little deeper and give the reader just a little more push to better imagine the world and scene. So overall I was pleased with the description and I liked how the author chose to use all of its advantages throughout the story.

Style:

I liked this author's style, she chose to do two POV's one from June's and one from Day's. She chose at just the right moment to switch over, to leave the reader in suspense of what could happen and to leave the reader digest what just happened and allow the reader to see into the senses of the other main character. As far as the writing itself I didn't find it tedious or weird in any way, it was simple and elegant at times and she really seemed to have a great grasp on the world she created for her characters and didn't slip up on the world itself or the story to go along with it. So I was overall pleased with this author's style of writing.

Quote of the Book:

"“Each day means a new twenty-four hours. Each day means everything's possible again. You live in the moment, you die in the moment, you take it all one day at a time." He looks toward the railway car's open door, where streaks of dark water blanket the world. "You try to walk in the light.”

Goodreads Summary:

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

 From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

 Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

Last Thoughts:

I would recommend this to dystopian readers and to anyone who likes kind of dark books (Not particularly scary, just dark). I wouldn't recommend this if you’re reading it for the romance, like I mentioned earlier this isn't the best aspect of the book. I really enjoyed the concept and can't wait to continue to explore this world and find out the secrets that started to build up in this book. I enjoyed the inspirational like writing and the style this author chose to use and can't wait to see what else this author has in store for her readers. And when this series is done and over with I still can't wait to see what other stories she has building up in her world. So overall I enjoyed this book and with a few flaws found it to be an easy and enjoyable read.

My Rating: