Legend

By: Marie Lu

Narrated by: Mariel Stern, Steven Kaplan

Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

A New York Times best seller!

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, 15-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, 15-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.

©2011 Marie Lu (P)2011 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Fine writing and excellent execution. Sequel, please!" (Entertainment Weekly)

“Legend doesn’t merely survive the hype, it deserves it.” (The New York Times)

“Marie Lu’s dystopian novel is a ‘Legend’ in the making.” (USA Today)

Dystopian Star-Crossed Bonnie and Clyde

In a shakespearean twist of fate, poverty and privilege find common ground in Legend.

Two districts, each unlike in prosperity,
In the Republic, where jurisdiction is to demean,
From governmental grievance to societies mutiny,
Where civil blood makes military hands unclean.
From forth the mutual losses of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take control of their fate;
Whose misinformed sorrows and woes
Do with their lives bury their caste's disparate.
The fearful passage of their souls-mark'd free,
And the continuance of their rebellion's rage,
Which, but their sacrifices' end, nought could flee,
Is now the first tomes' traffic of our page;
The which if you with patient eyes attend,
What here shall miss, Lu's series shall strive to mend.

It's hard to make anything sound bad written in Shakespeare's footprint. But Marie Lu's debut novel is a wonderful blend of WOW inducing words that makes you want to live, fight, rebel, and know love in all it's forms.

Legend isn't the type of book you put down and think, well I didn't see that one coming. Lu employed a lot of basic and typical devices used in most popular YA fiction today. While there were pops of the unexpected here and there the real strength of Lu's Legend is in it's relationships. She's built a harsh world and isn't afraid to make some sacrifices. This book is as much about tragedy as it is triumph and maybe Lu could have delved deeper into the bonding and betrayal sequences drawn them out a little more. But nevertheless the emotional connection is there. Her characters are steadfast and interesting. Day and June really draw you in with their personalities. The most compelling aspect is the goodness in the characters and their motives. You can't help but want them to succeed, to win, to overcome.

I experienced Legend through the wonders of audible. Mariel Stern narrated June's chapters which started off a bit jarring at first. Stern had that Type A personality spot on, but the annoying overbearing quality of her performance soften as I became more acquainted with June. Steven Kaplan does a wonderful job narrating Day's chapters. Day has a more quiet personality, he's not as noticeably intense as June, and plays he's part perfectly. Their readings really brought the words to life and drew me in.

Any fan of Hunger Games and Divergent will love this world and it's characters. Legend is a well crafted emotionally stunning thriller. The book's biggest downside is having to wait for the sequel.

Can't wait for the next one...

What did you love best about Legend?

Overall a good book and we can't wait for the next one!!

What about Mariel Stern and Steven Kaplan ’s performance did you like?

I like the way the narrators switched off in this reading of Legend. Their voices added good character to the readings.

Could have been better

Typicaal post-apocalyptic thriller. Extraordinarily talented teens battle wicked government plot.

To be honest, the plot is a bit predictable, but the characters are likable. Nice little romance. If you're stuck for a read, go for it. Personally I wasn't impressed enough to buy more of the series.

Dystopian Star-Crossed Bonnie and Clyde

If you could sum up Legend in three words, what would they be?

In a shakespearean twist of fate, poverty and privilege find common ground in Legend.

Two districts, each unlike in prosperity,
In the Republic, where jurisdiction is to demean,
From governmental grievance to societies mutiny,
Where civil blood makes military hands unclean.
From forth the mutual losses of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take control of their fate;
Whose misinformed sorrows and woes
Do with their lives bury their caste's disparate.
The fearful passage of their souls-mark'd free,
And the continuance of their rebellion's rage,
Which, but their sacrifices' end, nought could flee,
Is now the first tomes' traffic of our page;
The which if you with patient eyes attend,
What here shall miss, Lu's series shall strive to mend.

It's hard to make anything sound bad written in Shakespeare's footprint. But Marie Lu's debut novel is a wonderful blend of WOW inducing words that makes you want to live, fight, rebel, and know love in all it's forms.

Legend isn't the type of book you put down and think, well I didn't see that one coming. Lu employed a lot of basic and typical devices used in most popular YA fiction today. While there were pops of the unexpected here and there the real strength of Lu's Legend is in it's relationships. She's built a harsh world and isn't afraid to make some sacrifices. This book is as much about tragedy as it is triumph and maybe Lu could have delved deeper into the bonding and betrayal sequences drawn them out a little more. But nevertheless the emotional connection is there. Her characters are steadfast and interesting. Day and June really draw you in with their personalities. The most compelling aspect is the goodness in the characters and their motives. You can't help but want them to succeed, to win, to overcome.

I experienced Legend through the wonders of audible. Mariel Stern narrated June's chapters which started off a bit jarring at first. Stern had that Type A personality spot on, but the annoying overbearing quality of her performance soften as I became more acquainted with June. Steven Kaplan does a wonderful job narrating Day's chapters. Day has a more quiet personality, he's not as noticeably intense as June, and plays he's part perfectly. Their readings really brought the words to life and drew me in.

Any fan of Hunger Games and Divergent will love this world and it's characters. Legend is a well crafted emotionally stunning thriller. The book's biggest downside is having to wait for the sequel.

Well detailed and in-depth characters

it was a good opening book to a series. Not as much action ad I would have liked, but well paced.

Liked it but wanted more.

I enjoyed this book, however I wanted more. It felt too short. I feel that there needed be a good 60-100 pages more to fully develop the characters, their romance and the story, however it was enjoyable and I think fans of Divergent and Delerium will enjoy it.

Enjoyed this book.

Very contemporary, yet futuristic. Good clean thoughtful fun. One of the better books I have listened to in a while.

Compelling & Frightening Vision of Future

What did you love best about Legend?

This cleverly written and well thought out story that gives us a glimpse of a near future gone wrong pulled me right in and and kept me listening all the way through. I didn't want to turn it off! It was exciting, thrilling, thought-provoking, and heart-felt in all the right places.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Legend?

There's a scene early on in the book in which the character's start to reveal their true feelings despite the difficult situations they are in. I really thought it was well written.

What about Mariel Stern and Steven Kaplan ’s performance did you like?

The performances were realistic and compelling.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book both made me laugh and cry. It definitely tugged at my emotions at either extreme.

Any additional comments?

Though this book is technically in the Young Adult category, I thoroughly enjoyed it at age 30. An intense but enjoyable read for teens or adults.

I loved it

I love this book can not wait to listen to the next book. It was so good I love books like this to.

Decent

This is a decent read. I found it to be a bit flat. I wasn't really that eager to find out what would happen next, but Lu is a great writer, I can't fault her for that... Just a boring storyline that we've all heard so many times before. Boy meets girl, boy can't be with girl, boy ends up with girl.