Nocturnal Book Reviews: Dystopian YA Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Dystopian YA Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Friday, November 09, 2012 | Posted by kara-karina@Nocturnal Book Reviews

Legend by Marie Lu (Legend #1)

bought

Synopsis from Goodreads
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.

Amazon US/UK | Amazon kindle US/UK(£3.99) | The Book Depository US/UK | Fishpond

7/10

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Funny how it is that Legend is a very popular, quick and easy read which seems to have all the necessary ingredients for success... and I didn't like it.

Despite all the horrors, tragedies and violence, I didn't get emotionally involved. This was like series of dystopian tropes generously sprinkled here and there but with no substance.

June is courageous, talented and misguided. Day is recklessly brave and doesn't have a proper goal, he just drifts, wonders, which made me question what the hell was he doing all this time with his so called heroics if he didn't have an agenda in place?! What angered me was that with all his talents he wasn't really fighting the system, he was just taunting it. Really, Day, really?

There are token villains, dictatorship, lack of tangible roots or any sort of past and history. There is no world-building, only here and now, no character development.

The major twist in plot can be guessed right at the beginning. I don't think I will be reading book two, because I really do need more depth in my reading, however, Legend is entertaining, fast and easy, - a lot more people will love it than they won't. That's all that matters. *shrugs*

Read at your own risk. Very similar to Divergent, although the latter is a stronger book.

* * *

Ну, чуть похуже чем Divergent, хотя тоже вышла книга пустышка пустышкой.

Сплошные анти-утопичные клише, щедро расбросанные через всю книгу, какие-то мультяшные прямо-таки злодеи. И я хочу вас спросить, с каких это пор антиутопия не должна нести в себе хоть какой-то смысл?

Республика Калифорния находится в постоянной войне с Колониями, её также подрывают изнутри патриоты, рисующие на стенах американский флаг так как его знаем мы, и в то же время никто не знает о прошлом страны, никто не говорит о том, что произошло с Америкой. Вокруг какая-то сталинистская диктатура, эксперименты с биологическим оружием, зомбированные солдатики, расстреливающее население...

А что спрашивается стало с населением? У старого поколения, что отшибло память, что никто не помнит о жизни в США? Что вообще случилось-то? Никакого построения мира в Легенде сразу предупреждаю, не ожидайте. Логика тоже вылетела в трубу.

Главные герои по идее должны быть гениями, что Дэй, что Джюн. А в итоге он играется в Робин Гуда, дразня правительство различными пакостями и раздая еду нищим. У Дэя нет чувства направления, какого-либо плана, и он как ребёнок, его интересы меняются в зависимости от настроения. А ведь всех идиотских смертей в книге можно было избежать, если бы он распланировал на будущее...

Джюн тоже идиотка, только работает на правительство и принимает их ложь за правду без колебаний, хотя читателям с самого начала ясно, что там за страшный поворот сюжета будет в конце потому как мы в отличие от неё деталей не пропускаем.

В общем раздражала меня эта книга, и читать продолжение я не собираюсь, хотя понимаю, почему многие пели ей дифирамбы - читается легко и быстро.

Tags: 7/10, dystopia, marie lu, YA, дистопия

5 comments:

Blodeuedd said...: I need world building, I think that is why I prefer UF to PNR many times. A stronger world is better. So sadly this one even if it sounds cool..no :/; 9 November 2012 06:18
kimbacaffeinate said...: bummer, i need, want, have to have world building even in a dystopian. Sorry you didn't connect with this one.; 9 November 2012 21:50
Alicia said...: It doesn't sound like something that I would enjoy, but someone gave it to me and it has been sitting on my shelf, so I will probably read it eventually.; 10 November 2012 03:47
Kara_Malinczak said...: Well, 7/10 isn't a horrible rating. I gave this one 3 stars so I know where you are coming from on this. This book was a letdown for me after all the rave reviews. I AM gonna read the sequel but only because I've heard it's better than Legend. If it isn't, I'll quit the series.; 10 November 2012 17:15
Coffee Monster said...: I'm looking forward to reading this book a lot, hopefully I won't let me down :); 10 November 2012 18:04