Prodigy by Marie Lu

SPOILER ALERT!!

This is the SECOND book in a trilogy.

Read Legend by Marie Lu before reading this review!

  Release Date: January 29, 2013

 Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots - a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?

Amazingly, I think I'm finally done throwing my temper tantrum and am ready to review another trilogy. Especially since the final book in this particular trilogy just came out TODAY. So now I feel a burning desire to get you all hooked on Marie Lu, too.

 

This may have been the best *second book* I've ever read.

Honestly.

And you all know I have serious problems when it comes THOSE.

I'm not sure what it is about June and Day, but I just can't get enough of them. They are not only awesome characters alone, but they are even better together. When I finished the first book in the series, Legend (review HERE), I felt much the same thing I always do when I finish a really awesome book that I know is going to be a series.....DREAD. It's sounds silly but I always cringe when I think about a continuation of a really great story. I have been let down so many times. And if it's not the second book that bombs, it's the final book (which I promise you is much more catastrophic. But we won't get started on that...again.) I have to tell you that Marie Lu absolutely knows what she's doing when it comes to a series. Instead of June and Day severely disappointing me with general stupidity and drama like other *cough* unnamed couples do in the "means to an end" (second) book--wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles!--there was none of that to be found! They were just as crazy and adventurous and easy to love as they were when I first met them. Hallelujah.

I love when I find a story that I never want to end. One that still surprises me with twists and turns that I never saw coming. One where the characters are real and I root for them and hurt for them--sometimes at the same time. This is that book. This is THAT series. If you read on, even when I told you not to, I hope you are glad you did. I hope you want to read these books. Because they WANT to be read, they NEED to be read. And yes, I did cave and buy them because THEY ARE WORTH EVERY PENNY. Now if I can practice self control and save Champion (the final book) for my trip this weekend... Will power! I can do this!

 ... Oh, pray for me. LOL

 Happy Reading!

Legend by Marie Lu

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.

I keep talking about how sick I am of Dystopian novels, yet here I am....reviewing another one. The ironic thing about this book is how many times I'd pass it at the bookstore or online, read the blurb and NOT buy it. (Exact number of times is undetermined, but it was A LOT!!) Then I started hearing little whispers about how amazing this book was.... and I STILL didn't buy it. I did, however, borrow it from a friend. AND NOW I'M WISHING I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT IT.

I think my "hang up" about this book (other than it being Dystopian) was the ages of the main characters. I know they are still considered "young adult" but fifteen just seemed too young for them to be saving the world and all that jazz. Yes, this is me now eating my words.... Chomp, chomp, gag, chomp,swallow, gag.

Ha.

Honestly, the last thing on my mind when I was reading this book was the fact that they were both fifteen years old. June and Day were both very mature, well-developed characters, and they acted older than their number-of-years. I loved reading the book from both June's perspective--she was, for lack of a more appropriate word, bad@$$-- and also from Day's perspective. It was hard to hate Day for what he was doing, so I gave up trying. His heart was in the right place, even if he went about it in a highly criminal way. :)

I loved this book. Get it from the library, borrow it from a friend, or for heaven's sakes, JUST BUY IT!! You'll be glad you did.

Happy Reading!