Throw Back Thursday: Marie Lu's "Legend"

Legend

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.

My Thoughts:

I had bought this book when it first came out and read it within a week.  Unfortunately, back then I never thought of writing my own reviews.  So now, here I am many years later finally giving the due credit to this amazing book, which took off and became a world wide sought after Young Adult series.  

One would never know that this was a debut novel for Marie Lu unless told otherwise.  Lu's writing is magnificent.  She sets a very nice mood and backdrop for the reader right away.  In a dystopian world, June and Day are living entirely opposite lifestyles.  While June is a soldier, fighting for what her government believes in, Day is a commoner, fighting for his freedoms, partially due to Day being the Republic's most wanted criminal.

June on the other hand, is perfect pick from the crop.  A prodigy, she is the best of the best and does what her commander tells her to do with no questions asked. I was less than thrilled with June's day job and personality in the beginning of this story, mostly because I'm more of Day than a June.  However, I decided to give June more of a chance with an open mind and I'm glad I did, because everyone has their own story, and you simply need to take the time to hear it, to try and understand why they are the way they are. 

The story here Lu creates has such a unique feel.  I felt like I was watching a movie while reading, with such vivid fighting scenes.  Legend is full of action and I most definitely love that aspect.  I feel that when an author is writing a dystopian, action is a must and Lu expertly executes what is desired by her readers.  With surprising twists and an unexpected romance, Legend is a perfect for debut for Marie Lu and a perfect beginning to an amazing trilogy.  Now, I must re-read Prodigy and Champion. Reviews to come!

The Rose Society ~ The Young Elites 2

The Rose Society

Marie Lu

My Thoughts:

I listened to The Young Elites on audio book at work and while driving and it was my first Marie Lu book at all.  While I did have 1 or 2 things I remember not liking about the first book, I ultimately loved the plot and the character arcs portrayed in this series.  With a character as unique as Adelina Amouteru, I had to keep reading to find out what was in store for her next in The Rose Society...and...

It was amazeballs. Seriously.  It picked up mostly where the first left off with Adelina and her sister Violetta beginning their journey to help free the malfeto's from Queen Julieta's reign and Teren's fear fest. Adelina and Violetta must battle the inquisitors and their own demons in order to free themselves and the malfettos that are literally dying to be free as well.

With so many new characters in The Rose Society, the story grew more intense and intertwined.  The Beldish Queen, whom, I really didn't care for at all, plays a very important role in showing us what a good queen can look like, therefore possibly giving Adelina a bit of an example to follow. However, as we all know, Adelina is no way a good character.  She is not our normal heroine and doesn't really try to be.  Which makes The Rose Society all the more intriguing.  Raffaele rejoins us with the other daggers and a big part of me hopes that some type of reconciliation will occur with them and Adelina, but is that too much to hope for at this point?

And then there is Magiano.  Ahhh Magiano.  This book couldn't have been as good as it was without Magiano.  The ruggedly handsome thief is mysterious and charming and gives Adelina a run for her money.  He is the perfect character to contrast Adelina and I hope to read much more of him in the next installment. With surprises left and right in this chapter of The Young Elites series, I couldn't stop listening to this audio book.  I have to know what is going to happen next and share "My Thoughts" with you guys again!

I was more than pleased to say the least with The Rose Society and I am counting the days until I have The Midnight Star in my hands!  I highly recommend this read to everyone!

Goodreads Review:

Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, and she destroyed them all.

Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she flees Kenettra with her sister to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers who nearly killed her.

But Adelina is no heroine. Her powers, fed only by fear and hate, have started to grow beyond her control. She does not trust her newfound Elite friends. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends, Raffaele and the Dagger Society, want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good when her very existence depends on darkness?

Bestselling author Marie Lu delivers another heart-pounding adventure in this exhilarating sequel to The Young Elites. 

The Young Elites

by Marie Lu 

Goodreads Summary:

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt. 

My Feelings:

I listened to this on an audio book and I was very glad I did or it might not have held my attention in the beginning.  

Though I felt that Lu, did a good job of catching the readers up with what is going on in Adelina's world, it just wasn't very interesting to me.  I have mixed feelings on Adelina as well.  

Part of me felt it was a brave thing to do, to give the protagonist a deformity, it would definitely stand her character apart from others and help readers to connect on more of real level, but part of me felt like that branded her character in a negative way, because most other protagonists are perfect by reputation.  Adelina was not a very stable character but I hope to see her become more stable in books 2 and 3.  She has had a rough childhood and is just coming into her own.  However, it's still a little annoying to read about a girl who can't make up her mind, about anything.  

I thoroughly enjoyed some of the terminology in this book.  Malfetto's isn't a term I've ever heard before and it was a refreshing term to calling mutants, well, mutants.  Lu, has a way with words, that's for sure. 

The other protagonist Enzo, is a dream to have as a character to focus on.  Your heart is drawn to him and you only want to see him happy and prosperous. 

Teren, the antagonist however, is not one to be desired.  What a ruthless character with no real justification as to why he is the way he is, at least not one that I understood to well.  A Malfetto himself, he has turned on his own in order to complete a personal agenda.  I don't like him at all, though Lu wrote him rather well also.  I really felt like I knew him and at many times I wanted to jump right in and smack him through the pages.  

Many unexpected things happen and with this, The Young Elites has drawn me in.  The ending is one to make you ready and go buy The Rose Society, like right now.  I plan to.  Thank goodness The Midnight Star is due out soon, so I won't have to wait long for that one either.  I do recommend this read for those who love fantasy.  

 *Duh, duh duh duh!***

JusticeReads to the rescue!