ARC Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Book: LEGEND
Author: MARIE LU
Genre: YA DYSTOPIAN
Published: November 2011, PUTNAM

Series: Legend #1 (upcoming series)
Source: Publisher via Book Expo America 2011, no other compensation given for honest review

From Good Reads:
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.

My Review:
There are many books that catch my attention from the first page. Perhaps a lesser amount will keep my attention through the first few chapters. While I read through almost every book that I start (DNF is kind of a foreign phrase to me; I very rarely dislike a book so much that I just can’t finish it), there are a select few that stand out in my mind once I’m done. I’m talking about the books that stay with me in my dreams. The books that I want to talk about immediately with anyone who will listen. The books that ruin the next book after, because nothing can compare. LEGEND is one of these books.

All of the issues I’ve had with YA dystopian - the continuity issues, the suspension of belief lasting from start to finish, the love triangles and sometimes insta-love - all of that is missing in LEGEND. This is the first YA dystopian novel that I have read in a while that blew me away, right away. Even THE HUNGER GAMES took a while for me to get. But, Marie Lu found that secret combination of elements that just did it for me from start to finish.

LEGEND contains dual narrative from Day and June, the diametrically opposed characters in the Republic. Lu starts off the book with Day, and I think it was one of the reasons I was pulled in so quickly. With Day’s narrative, the government’s treatment of the average citizen is revealed. The plagues and the violence from the police are normal occurrences, and Day is a sympathetic character. He’s a modern-day Robin Hood, subverting the Republic to help his family and fellow citizens.

But then Lu throws in June, who lives the high life being the Republic’s golden girl. Somehow, she becomes a sympathetic character also. For me, the beauty and greatness of Lu’s writing is that she doesn’t just tell the reader about June in the narrative. There is a real immersion into her life. June is a smart character, not just intelligence-wise, but she can also hold her own in a street fight. Far from being the character that walks around with rose-colored glasses, June grows so much during the course of the novel. Yes, she believes the Republic’s hype - from her sheltered place at the top of the pyramid, why shouldn’t she? - but it doesn’t last, and once her eyes are opened, watch out.

I blew through LEGEND, because for every page that I read, I wanted to read more. I liked that Day and June didn’t meet right away, that their lives were separate for a while, and as a reader I was able to really see the differences in life under the Republic. I liked the inclusion of the war against the Patriots, which seemed to pit the citizens against, not the government, but this other enemy. I liked that June experienced life through Day’s eyes when she was tracking him.

Honestly, if you have been looking for a YA dystopian that is mind-blowing and spectacular, that wraps up a story line, while not leaving the reader standing on a cliff, and that doesn’t read like candy floss, LEGEND is your book.

5/5 for plot
5/5 for characters
4.5/5 for language

My Rating: 14.5/15 (5 stars)

Must Read, if you liked:
The Hunger Games (trilogy) by Suzanne Collins
Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

Challenge Participation:

ARC Review: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armintrout

Book: HALF-BLOOD
Author: JENNIFER L. ARMINTROUT
Genre: PARANORMAL YA
Published: October 2011, SPENCER HILL PRESS

Series: Covenant #1 (upcoming series)
Source: Borrowed from blogger via Book Expo America

From Good Reads:
The Hematoi descend from the unions of gods and mortals, and the children of two Hematoi-pure-bloods-have godlike powers. Children of Hematoi and mortals-well, not so much. Half-bloods only have two options: become trained Sentinels who hunt and kill daimons or become servants in the homes of the pures.Seventeen-year-old Alexandria would rather risk her life fighting than waste it scrubbing toilets, but she may end up slumming it anyway. There are several rules that students at the Covenant must follow. Alex has problems with them all, but especially rule #1:Relationships between pures and halfs are forbidden.Unfortunately, she's crushing hard on the totally hot pure-blood Aiden. But falling for Aiden isn't her biggest problem--staying alive long enough to graduate the Covenant and become a Sentinel is. If she fails in her duty, she faces a future worse than death or slavery: being turned into a daimon, and being hunted by Aiden. And that would kind of suck.

My Review:
HALF-Blood is an amazing book. I was enthralled, not just by the plot, but also Jennifer L. Armitrout’s writing. This YA novel successfully combines action, adventure, and paranormal elements to create a book that I would read more than once. Even better, I love the Greek mythological background that’s involved. What a way to modernize the offspring of the gods! Just as the combination of different elements provide a rich environment, so too does the pure blood/half-blood heirarchy and social standing serve to enrich the plot and the experiences that shape Alex.

Alex is a take no prisoners teen who has had to, by necessity, develop a tough outer shell. She doesn’t fit in with the humans who are not as fast or as good at fighting as she. But, being on the run from the pure bloods who rule her kind, the half-bloods, and daimons who would seek to kill her or worse, turn her, isn’t any fun either. I really liked the combination of earnestness and tough girl that Alex possesses. Though the reader doesn’t have a chance to experience much of the life she had to lead on the run, the opening does express a bit of the desperate and perhaps lonely girl that Alex is, forced to live apart from other like her.

Once she returns Alex to the fold of Deity Island, Armintrout maintains the pace that was established in the beginning, even though much of the novel turns to Alex’s training with Aiden. At this point, some books might lag a bit; either the pace leads to long, boring description or it seems like the ending is rushed with too much filler in the middle. Not HALF-BLOOD. In fact, I never wanted to put the book down, let alone think that it slowed down even an inch.

I wouldn’t recommend this novel for younger YA or not as mature (reading-level and emotionally) readers. However, I think that anyone who appreciates a fairly fast-paced adventure, sprinkled with Greek mythology and growing pains would adore reading HALF-BLOOD. I know that I am now anxiously awaiting the next book, PURE.

4.5/5 for plot
4.5/5 for characters
4.5/5 for language

My Rating: 13.5/15 (4.5 stars)

Must Read, if you liked:
Griffin Rising by Darby Karchut
Alpha by Rachel Vincent
Firelight by Sophie Jordan

Find the author at:
Blog | Twitter | GoodReads | Facebook

Purchase book at:
Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | Amazon

Available formats: Print (Paperback), Nook Book, Kindle

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Halloween Review: Fury by Elizabeth Miles

Book: FURY
Author: ELIZABETH MILES
Genre: PARANORMAL YA
Published: August 2011, SIMON PULSE

Series: Fury Trilogy #1
Source: Publisher, no other compensation given for an honest review

From Good Reads:
It’s winter break in Ascension, Maine. The snow is falling and everything looks pristine and peaceful. But not all is as it seems...

Between cozy traditions and parties with her friends, Emily loves the holidays. And this year’s even better--the guy she’s been into for months is finally noticing her. But Em knows if she starts things with him, there’s no turning back. Because his girlfriend is Em’s best friend.

On the other side of town, Chase is having problems of his own. The stress of his home life is starting to take its toll, and his social life is unraveling. But that’s nothing compared to what’s really haunting him. Chase has done something cruel...something the perfect guy he pretends to be would never do. And it’s only a matter of time before he’s exposed.

In Ascension, mistakes can be deadly. And three girls—three beautiful, mysterious girls—are here to choose who will pay.

Em and Chase have been chosen.

My Review:
FURY was a different kind of YA novel, and it was so refreshing reading something that didn't seem cookie cutter. Em and Chase are not the typical main character that is found these days. No demon-fighting skills, no moral superiority, and definitely no clue what is coming for the two of them. They are the total opposite of hero(ine)s. They've done wrong, and their payback is coming.

Elizabeth Miles showcases a pretty good debut novel. While the tone of the book very much reflected the setting (winterized small town in New England), there was enough happening that the pace didn't seem too slow, nor did I find myself skimming. Every mistep that either main character made was integral to the plot, and Miles sure knows how to expose the fallibility of confused (and sometimes cruel) teenagers.

Em was not a very likable or sympathetic character. But, she wasn't meant to be. She had drawn down the attention of the Furies, and they can only be summoned when true vengeance is to be had. However, I did actually feel sorry for Chase as I read more and more about his situation. He wasn't any less guilty of his crime than Em, but somehow the different nature seemed less repugnant, even if it wasn't. Either way, the fact that I felt so strongly toward both characters says much for Miles' writing and characterization, which was top-notch.

Though this book is the first in a trilogy, the only complaint that I might lodge is that there isn't much face time for the namesakes of the novel, the Furies. Three mysterious girls are introduced, and the reader can easily deduct that they are behind the downfall of Em and Chase, but there's really not many pages devoted to them. Hopefully this will change as the trilogy progresses. Even though the targets of the Furies wrath will probably get center stage, as female characters, I did find myself wanting them to have some of the time spent on Em's story. In the end, I was left wanting and anticipating more.


4/5 for plot
3.5/5 for characters
4/5 for language

My Rating: 11.5/15 (3.5 stars)

Highly Recommend, if you liked:
Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton
Wildefire by Karsten Knight
The Mockingbirds by Daisy Whitney

Find the author at:
Blog | Twitter | GoodReads | Facebook

Purchase book at:
Barnes and Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound | Amazon | Audible

Available formats: Print (Hardcover), NookBook, Audiobook, Kindle

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