Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu

In had the extreme pleasure of meeting Marie Lu at breakfast one morning during BEA. She was as sweet and nice as the day is long. I was also lucky enough to get an Advanced Review Copy of the second book in the Legend series, Prodigy, from Putnum Juvenile and Penguin.  I did not have time to stand in the huge signing line for Marie Lu so I was glad just to have gotten a copy.  Before I could read it though, I had to get Legend off of my To Read pile.  Here's the Goodreads blurb:

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.

I enjoyed this book.  It was different to get the alternating viewpoints from one chapter to the next.  Sometimes the change felt really abrupt and a lot like starting over.  It took some getting used to.  I liked Day from the beginning but I took an almost instant dislike to June.  People who just believe whatever they are told really bother me.  I think that we grow as a person when we ask questions, get out and explore the world around us.  I really think that your opinions carry less weight when you are merely reciting someone else's.  June starts out as a puppet, a pawn.  She has only the information that the government gives her.  She knows that her brother knows more than she does but she doesn't really question when her brother does.  Metias is the one who silently rages against the evil that he sees in the system.  It takes Metias' hints to get her to seriously question the government and their role in her life.  June makes Day's life hell and causes awful things to happen, all because she didn't question.  In the end... this dystopian was a great read but it didn't really grab me the way that some books do.  I think it was that I couldn't really connect with June.  Her life of privilege and unquestioning obedience is just too foreign, I guess.

You can find out more about Marie Lu and the Legend series on her website, the Series Page or her blog.  You can also find her on Twitter and DeviantArt.  There is also a Legend App on Facebook.  Legend earns 3 Fairies for a great dystopian that I tore through in one evening.