By Marie Lu
For all of you fans of the Hunger
Games series, Legend will be sure to entice. As for me, I
am not sure I want to read the next one. Yes, it is the first in a
series and, yes, it does end with a cliff-hanger.
The story is about two young people,
Day and June. June is a brilliant student now training to be a
warrior. Day is also brilliant but in a street-smart way as he lives
on the run from the law. June's brother is killed and she focuses on
his killer: an outlaw named Day. As the two begin to play a game of
cat and mouse, they discover a lot of similar things about one
another. They are also romantically attracted to one another, much to
their eventual mutual disgust. But things are not all as they seem in
the Republic as the fight against the Colonies intensifies and Day
and June just may have to rely upon each other more than they
planned.
The fighting, testing and survival
skills learned by children and teens is what makes this similar to
the Hunger Games series. Perhaps in some ways, this novel is
more of a take-off than original. There is also the third guy who is
attracted to June – this reminded me of the Twilight series.
I suppose the audience of young readers will take to this book
because of its similar themes and plot twists. I much prefer the
Matched series over Legend. See my review on that book here.
I did enjoy the way Lu wrote. Although
I was really confused about this world and its history at first, at
least she did not use pages and pages to explain everything. Facts
just unfolded as the book moved along. I was not sure I liked June's
character as well as Day's. There was also a lot of death but it
never seemed sad. I don't think the characters were developed enough
to really show the depth of sadness that is true of losing loved
ones.
What did this book have to do with my
faith? This book made me think how we in America have melded our
faith with our patriotism. We turn a blind eye when our laws, country
and politics go against the Christian faith. Perhaps we have been
taught to overlook it when this happens. We have lost the ability to
question the information we are give through the media – this is
true for both conservatives and liberals. Do either CNN or FOX have
the truth or even have Jesus in mind when they report? Of course not!
They are too interested in ratings, money and power. This came to
mind in Legend as I could see how the Republic shaped the
image of what was truly happening in their war with the Colonies as
well as their treatment of Day. When June uncovers the truth, she
must make some hard decisions and go against much of what has been
ingrained in her. Will Christians such as myself have to take a hard
look at the Truth and make decisions that go against the grain?
I would only recommend this book for
those who enjoy young adult or teen books as those I have mentioned.
Happy reading!
Amelia
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