Waiting on Wednesday - Champion by Marie Lu

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

 

Title: Champion

Author: Marie Lu

Publication: November 5th 2013 by Putnam Juvenile 

 

 

He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion?

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps Elect while Day has been assigned a high level military position. But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them once again. Just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything he has. With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.  

 

 

I was on the fence after the first book, but the second one completely changed my mind.  I hope this final book lives up to my expectations!

 

 

 

Early Review - Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu

Title: Prodigy

Author: Marie Lu

Series: 2nd (Legend)

Pages: 384

Published:  January 29th 2013 by Putnam Juvenile 

ISBN: 9780399256769

Source: Around The World Tours

Description:  June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.  It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.  But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengence, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

I Give This ...

I've been trying to refrain from adding the future books for series that I gave 3 stars too.  I don't have time to read them all.  But, despite my 3 stars to the first in the series, I knew that I had to read Prodigy.  I loved June and Day too much to give up on them.  

While I still found this book to still be a little on the predictable side, I discovered this time around the story was so much more enjoyably.  I think it's because we learn so much more about the Republic and the world outside of it.  Turns out they are very different view points and I found that fascinating.  In most dystopian books there seems to be very little existing outside of the society in the book.  If there is, the struture is very similar to the society we are reading about.  That is so not the case here.  It just goes to show you how much total control the Republic has over it's own people.  

I found the coarse of events to be fast paced.  Day and June are integrated quickly into the Patriot rebels organization.  Almost a little quickly in my opinion, but I actually found that it all made sense in the end.  There are forces hard at work here, and Day and June are really just pawns in the grand scheme of things.  I think that fact alone is hard on both of them.  Neither one of them wants to be a pawn.  

I enjoyed how both characters developed throughout this book.  They both have to face the truths of their previous lives.  Despite how much I love them together, they have to acknowledge the fact that maybe that is not the best thing for them.  Their past experiences are so different from each other that it's possible when the intensity dies off, they may discover they have little in common.  While, I don't think that's the case, the book definitely points it out to us.

I really enjoyed this installment and look forward to were the series might take us next.   So much has changed from the first novel that I'm not sure were the end might be. 

Review - Legend (Legend, #1) by Marie Lu

Title: Legend

Author: Marie Lu

Series: 1st

Pages: 336

Published: November 29, 2011 by Putman

ISBN:  9780399256752

Source: Around The World Tours 

Description: 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. 

I Give This ...

 

I feel almost guilty giving this a three.  It seems like everyone who has read it so far has really liked it.  But I found it really predictable and slow at times.  I do have to admit that what this story has going for it is the characters.  Day and June are what kept me reading.  

Day is really the key to this story.  I was instantly intrigued by the fact that Day disappeared on the day of his test and then went on to become the most wanted criminal in the Republic.  I loved the fact that nobody knew who he really was or even what he looked like.  His criminal activities reminded me of a futuristic Robin Hood.  And as we get to know him better, I realized how smart this guy is.  And not just book smart, but all around mentally equipped to deal with anything.  I really began to wonder how he failed his test.

I wasn't sure what to think of June at first.  I disliked that she blindly followed the Republic.  But then she's been raised to believe in it.  I was really impressed with her tracking skills and her ability to access any situation.  I was a little surprised at how long it took her to realize that the boy who saved her from the fight was really Day.  And then I was even more shocked that she turned him at the drop of a hat.  But even she wasn't expecting the events that unfolded that made her question all that she had been taught.

It was the storyline that really got to me.  While the truth behind everything wasn't known to me until June uncovers it, I had basic ideas behind everything that was going.  Nothing surprised me.  Since the story seemed to follow a formula, I sometimes didn't feel a need to turn the page as quickly as some other stories.  I still think I will read the next one though.  I wonder how deep the viciousness of this government goes.  Plus, I really did like Day and June.