Legend

Legend, by Marie Lu, is a post-apocalyptic book that thrills you with its action and mystery. It follows Day and June, both living in the ruins of America; their territory is now known as the Republic. They both have taken the Trial, receiving very different scores. This test basically decides your entire future. It tests you physically and mentally in order to determine if you are capable of defending the government in their war against the Colonies. When June takes the Trial she receives the highest score possible: 1500. She then moves on to train and study at Drake University. While June is in a much higher class, Day, however, is not. June is able to live life without much worry, but Day, he has the opposite. After receiving an extremely low grade, he then goes to the Republic's labor camps, or does he? Even though that's where the government says they go to, Day discovers the truth. When he finds out for himself what really goes on, he rebels against the country, to only fend for himself, and to sneak extra help to his family. He is now one of the Republics most wanted criminals. Very different outcomes, right?

After going on with their normal life (for them) for a little over 5 years, one of Day's family members is infected with the Plague, a life threatening disease that has awful, disturbing symptoms. Being a criminal, Day will do what it takes to make his family better, even if it means risking his life and going against the government. But when Day tries to make a clean get-away after stealing a dose of the scarce antidote, he throws his knife a little to close to a soldiers heart. Even though Day thinks that this is just another soldier he is June's brother. Now, June is determined to hunt Day down, and achieve her goal of getting revenge.

As I was reading Legend I really thought about what the government, or just people in general, have to hide. You may think you know all about a person, but when a dark secret of theirs corrupts, how do you talk to them? Trust them? When they have been so caring and loving for you, you find out it was all just an act. This is a deep thought and many of you might not have or have had this problem, but in Legend it really makes you wonder what people have to hide; specifically the government.

I really liked this book, however I felt there were a few mistakes in the writing. Now I am not a teacher, nor a college graduate, but I felt that they were simple mistakes that anyone could notice, and tell it made a huge difference in the writing. In one sentence it had confused me, it did make sense, but the wording made it difficult to understand. I even talked with two others concluding in an agreement that it was poorly written. Does this sentence confuse you, like it did me? "The pattern makes no sense tonight, though, and I'm too tired to make sense of it." (page 183)

Day and June are both very intelligent. If you have seen any of the Sherlock Holmes movies, they both remind me of Sherlock. Before Sherlock begins a task or plan he specifically goes through his steps, usually having an effect in the end. That is how Day and June are. They also memorize a person's or object's characteristics as soon as they see or hear them. They pay close attention to details that help them discover where they are from, what they look like, their job, and more. I loved reading Legend for this reason and for many others!

When I chose to read Legend I had no idea that it would be so intriguing. With a mind boggling plot, a bit of romance and action, I really enjoyed it. I give Legend an A- for its exciting and questioning story line, but also for its questioning mistakes in the writing.