Thursday, September 8, 2011

Review of LEGEND by Marie Lu

LEGEND, by Marie Lu, get four out of five pentacles.





I was worried when I first started this book. Worried that the dystopian world wouldn't be convincingly built. Worried that the dual first person narrative wouldn't allow for enough characterization of both pov characters. Hell, I was worried I wouldn't be able to read the gold font the ARC used for Day's narration.

But I needn't have been. LEGEND was not only a fun adventure, but I could see the world clearly and more or less comprehend out how it got that way, which matters a lot to me for suspension of disbelief.

Most importantly, unlike some books that employ alternating first person povs, I was never unsure of whose head I was in, gold font or no. Though June and Day are very similar in their characterization, it was revealed to us in very different ways. Both characters, June in particular, grow and change through the book, which always helps me empathize with a character.

While I don't think LEGEND will be the next Hunger Games, I think it will satisfy fans of that series, and Divergent. Day is a hero worthy of every girl's affection (Day is his awesome street rebel name, of course), and June is a tough yet fragile heroine whose flaws only make her more likable.

So here's the real question:

If you were an outlaw from the Republic, what would your outlaw name be? Enter it below until Saturday the 17th to win an ARC copy of LEGEND! (US only at this time, sorry, Jade!) Winner will be drawn randomly and announced Monday the 19th.

You don't have to follow or tweet, just play along. Hmm, I'm going to need some time to think of a good handle (I just accidentally type "hzndle" and thought about keeping it. Time for some strong breakfast tea).

Good luck!

12 comments:

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Oh, man, everywhere I go I see this book. I've been dying to read it, so it's KILLING me!! LOL. :-)

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Oops, I got so excited I forgot to leave my outlaw name! Ha ha ha. I would be Pearl. I have no idea why!

Lola Sharp said...

I'd just keep my name and maybe add ebola...Lola Ebola. (it'd make a great skater derby name, right? ;)

Count me in. That's a book I've had my eye on.

Have a lovely weekend,
Lola

Sara {Rhapsody and Chaos} said...

I loved this book!! I keep wondering if I'm getting over the dystopian craze, and the awesomesauce books keep reeling me in. Hmmmm... My name would be... Dise. Short for Saradise, but Dise just sounds cooler.

No need to enter me :)

Cynthia Lee said...

Mine would be Fatal Hellbent. How's that for cheeseball? Sound like someone from a grindhouse movie.

Emy Shin said...

I agree with you -- LEGEND's world is one I can understand more than I do most dystopian novels. I can actually believe that it could get that way. And I agree about the PoV! June's voice is very distinctive, and I was sold on LEGEND based on the strength of her characterization alone.

Krispy said...

Ahhh, I keep hearing so much about this book! I have no idea what my outlaw name would be. Usually I let Alz come up with the clever names for me. That's how I became Krispy the Bold and Brave. Thanks for the giveaway!

Jenna Cooper said...

Hmmm...I think mine would be Bird. Since it'd be like I flew from the Republic, and the meaning of my name is "small bird" it's like I could still keep part of me.

Alexandra Shostak said...

I think my outlaw name would be Fatal Feminist. ;)

Love the review--the concerns you expressed at the beginning were many that I often have with dystopian books and dual POV narratives. I'm so glad to hear that this book is good. :)

Shannon Messenger said...

Ha--we really ARE on the same wave length. I was thinking pretty much exactly the same things and felt the same surprise and relief when I loved the book.

Now the real question is: are you as sad to give away your ARC as I am to give away mine? ;)

And duh--my outlaw name would HAVE to be: The Messenger.

linda said...

Ooh I've heard so much about this book! Thanks for the giveaway. Too bad I'm terrible at naming things! I guess I'd shorten my Twitter handle to Wist. Kind of breathy and mysterious-sounding, I guess?

Tere Kirkland said...

Ooh, you all have such awesome outlaw names! I think the most important part of an outlaw name is that you don't forget where you came from, so I'd be Tizzy, since my Dad always used to call me Lizzy—my middle name is Elizabeth.

Now we just need to come up with a secret code to overthrow the Republic. ;)