Was She Holding a Baby at the End of the Patriot
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"Love is illogical, love had consequences--I did this to myself, and I should be able to take it."
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☆☆☆☆☆5 WHOLY STARS!☆☆☆☆☆
Marie Lu never disappoints .I had really high expectations for this sequel and they were all met.This may not be my best review,because I am still under the obsession of "Outlander",so I might miss some parts or mess something.I am ready for the finale "Champion"!
Prod
____________________________________________"Love is illogical, love had consequences--I did this to myself, and I should be able to take it."
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☆☆☆☆☆5 WHOLY STARS!☆☆☆☆☆
Marie Lu never disappoints .I had really high expectations for this sequel and they were all met.This may not be my best review,because I am still under the obsession of "Outlander",so I might miss some parts or mess something.I am ready for the finale "Champion"!
Prodigy is an action pack dystopian,filled with moments that keep you turning pages.It contains emotions, feelings, smart thoughts and full action scenes.Also a lot of secrets are discovered,we have the chance to know more about the main characters,also some characters that had a huge part in Legend.
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"See?" she says. "tricked you. You're always staring at your opponents eyes-but that gives you a bad peripheral view.If you want to track my arms and legs, you have to focus on my chest."
I raise my eyebrow at that. "say no more."
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Since I first read Legend ,I always wanted to know more about the city,and outside it.We are introduced here with the underground world,also the Colonies.I always wandered how the Colonies were like,and I never imagined they would be that developed.They were better than the Republic.Also the scene with the plane was awesome,one of my favorite scenes of this book.
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"He pauses when he finishes undoing the last button, then closes his eyes. I can see the pain slashed across his face, and the sight tears at me. The Republic's most wanted criminal is just a boy, sitting before me, suddenly vulnerable, laying all his weaknesses out for me to see."
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The beginning was good,a little slow,but good.After the failed Assassination things started to get really exciting.The tunnels,the plane,the balcony were some of the great scenes I truly enjoyed.And then comes the ending with one of the biggest cliffhangers ever.Right in the feels!
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"We're in this together, right?" he whispers. "You and me? You want to be here, yeah?" There's guilt in his questions. "Yes," I reply. "I chose this." Day pulls me close enough for our noses to touch. "I love you."
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The characters are well developed,even that I don't think that they can get more development,because they are the smartest,strongest,wisest teens I know.Seriously,sometimes I forget they are 15.
This book follows the story of the first book,Legend,with Day and June trying to get into the Patriots to save Eden.They accept them with one condition,to kill the new Elector.They agree to do it,but with time they find out that the Elector is not who they think he is.I don't want to spoil anything but the ending will hit you hard.
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"Yeah, something was wrong. That was the understatement of the year."
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I highly recommend this book if you like dystopians.It is one of my favorite dystopian series and I can't wait to read the finale!
*Pictures from the review are not mine, I took them mostly from Google images or Tumblr*
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Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Well, well, well. Here I am yet again eating my words. A year ago, when I read Legend, I complained about the world building. Mind you, I did think it was a fast-paced, exciting read, but it felt incomplete as a dystopian novel because I couldn't fully visualize how the society fit into the world as a whole. By the end, I was left with so many questions about how everything functioned. I felt like Marie Lu was purposefully keeping secrets from me just to string me along
Actual rating: 4.5 stars
Well, well, well. Here I am yet again eating my words. A year ago, when I read Legend, I complained about the world building. Mind you, I did think it was a fast-paced, exciting read, but it felt incomplete as a dystopian novel because I couldn't fully visualize how the society fit into the world as a whole. By the end, I was left with so many questions about how everything functioned. I felt like Marie Lu was purposefully keeping secrets from me just to string me along to book two. Well, I supposed it did work and to my immense delight, it was well worth the wait. And I loved it.
Instantly, I noticed a change from Legend to Prodigy. The biggest being the change in my opinion over the two main characters June and Day. Originally, June and I didn't mesh well, but in Prodigy that situation was flipped. It was Day that was the new thorn in my side for the majority of the book. From the beginning, June warns Day of the Patriots and their leader, Razor, but Day, blinded by his hatred of the Republic for destroying his family, fails to heed her warning. A part of this is due to doubt of June's loyalty being placed in his head from other Patriots and his best friend, Tess, who is not ashamed to show her dislike for June. And just when I thought I had it up to *here* with him, he wised up and took action. The "old" Day that warmed my heart in Legend was back.
June, on the other hand, I liked very much. I thought her character growth was a vast improvement from Legend because she's clearly learned from past actions. In Prodigy, she is more aware of the corruption in the Republic and is therefore able to pinpoint wary situations. Yet, the thing she struggles with the most in this sequel are her feelings for Day and how their relationship could possibly work out given their backgrounds. Can they remain together even with the knowledge that June's actions in Legend resulted in the murdering of his family? Are they simply too different for it to work being from opposite economic classes? And then there's Anden, the new Elector Primo, whose interest in June was shown in Legend and apparently still holding firm. Wouldn't it just be easier to be with someone like him? That's the predicament June finds herself in. And while it may sound rather angsty the way I've described it, I never felt it was overdone to the point of instant "headdesk-ation."
Another improvement was the world building. And with that, I'm now wondering if I'm often too hard on first books in dystopians. I'm noticing a trend with world building becoming more pronounced in the second books in series when I usually prefer some sort of set-up to the story. (Perhaps this is just my high-fantasy mind kicking into gear.) But everything came together nicely here. We found out how the country was split into two separate ones. We find out how the outside world views the Republic. We find out what's going on in the Colonies (though, I would have loved to hear more about them). Sure, I would have loved to know a little of this during Legend, but I have to say, I've enjoyed the ride thus far.
Finally, there's the ending, which I will warn other readers, does end in a rather disturbing cliffhanger. *sniff* In my Legend review, I complained about the illusion of Day and June's invincibility. N-n-not so in Prodigy. *hiccup*
Okay, okay. I admit it. I was a teensy bit emotional. But only for, like, five seconds (plus an hour or two...maybe...). And now I'm secretly cursing myself for ever complaining in the first place. Why? WHY?! WHY?! OH, GOD. WHY, DO AUTHORS KEEP DESTROYING MY FEELINGS?! First, I was in a bit of shock. Marie Lu wouldn't do that to me. I mean, she had built up the anticipation perfectly throughout the entire novel. I thought ALL THE THINGS were going to be okie-dokie.
*We interrupt your regularly scheduled review for a moment of angst*
/end *moment of angst*
(Er... Sorry, that was weird.)
So then when I finished the book and was LEFT ON THE BLOODY CLIFF, I was like, "Marie... no.... you, evil genius... no..." So basically, Marie Lu has me hook, line and sinker. I'm completely enthralled in this series and I can't wait to see what happens next.
Big thank you to Anna from Literary Exploration for lending me her ARC!
More reviews and other fantastical things at Cuddlebuggery.com.
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^My thoughts on having to wait a whole year for the next book. I've been so pleasantly surprised by my long-awaited January sequels, first Through the Ever Night, then Everbound... and now Prodigy has come in and turned a series I was on the fence about into one where I anxiously obsess over what will happen in the next installment. Marie Lu really focuses on developing her characters here, whilst still exploring the politics of her dystopian society and introducing one really evil twist to
^My thoughts on having to wait a whole year for the next book. I've been so pleasantly surprised by my long-awaited January sequels, first Through the Ever Night, then Everbound... and now Prodigy has come in and turned a series I was on the fence about into one where I anxiously obsess over what will happen in the next installment. Marie Lu really focuses on developing her characters here, whilst still exploring the politics of her dystopian society and introducing one really evil twist to this story.
The highlight of this book, for me, was Anden. I am delighted with how Lu handled his character and made her story so much more complex than a simple battle of good vs evil. This novel asks the question: who are the good guys? And you keep changing your mind about the answer.
The journey we are taken on here is fast-paced, we see Day and June divided over their loyalties to different people as they team up with the Patriots to carry out an assassination plot on the new Elector Primo. The map gets a little bit bigger too and we start to get a clearer picture of what the rest of the world is up to at this point and just how this society was formed. This is information I was longing for in Legend and was disappointed not to get it, but I am just relieved that this is one of those cases where the author actually knows what she's doing. She knows why and how her dystopian society came into being and doesn't throw around empty words like "rebellion" and "war" hoping that will be enough to satisfy her readers.
I was one of the minority that didn't feel much either way for June and Day in Legend, I liked them enough because they didn't annoy me or anything like that but I thought there was a lack of character development. No such problem here. I feel like this second book tests them as people and challenges their ability to trust each other, the battle is a much more psychological one than in the first book and this allows us to see sides of their characters that we didn't know before. And Lu doesn't stop there. There are so many characters in Prodigy that become more important, more developed. Tess begins to doubt Day's loyalty, Kaede is hilarious and I love her spirit and Anden is just brilliant.
And the ending. Oh my god, THE ENDING. I just can't, no, no, no... you can't just do something like that!!! Part of me loves that Marie Lu went there and part of me is freaking out. (view spoiler)[She can't actually kill him, right? *sob* She better not. (hide spoiler)]
Book three, I need thee.
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First of all I have to say: This was amazing!!!
I mean boy! I really thought I knew in which kind of direction this was heading but then Marie Lu apparently decided to throw me for a loop and after finishing "Prodigy" I don't even know how to feel about ... well, anything and everything! Seriously, I'm totally blown away by this ending because I DIDN'T SEE THAT ONE COMING!!!! O_o
But then again
"All it takes is one generation to brainwash a population and convince them that reality doesn't exist."First of all I have to say: This was amazing!!!
I mean boy! I really thought I knew in which kind of direction this was heading but then Marie Lu apparently decided to throw me for a loop and after finishing "Prodigy" I don't even know how to feel about ... well, anything and everything! Seriously, I'm totally blown away by this ending because I DIDN'T SEE THAT ONE COMING!!!! O_o
But then again there were a lot of things in this book I didn't see coming and there were some chapters that had me put down the book in order to process what just happened. I mean I kind of felt like a hound: Certain I'd catch my prey but then thrown off the trail because aforementioned prey was clever and decided to walk into the river to cover its tracks. *lol*
So yes, there were a lot of things I never saw coming and there were some things I saw from miles away. XD It was the mixture of both that kept me engaged throughout the entire book and I really can't wait to read the third and last book. Because I don't know if I mentioned it already but I'M NOT OKAY WITH THAT FREAKING ENDING!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH!!! I need Marie Lu to rewrite that ending in the next book or to idk work miracles?! *lol* Just, do something Marie!!! Please!! Don't let that ending stand! And no, you're not witnessing a mental breakdown, just a person who's having words with its sanity. ;-P
Anyway... I have thoughts!
PLENTY of them so let's get them all out of my system!The characters:
Welcome to the Colonies where we treat strangers with kindness until we stab them with spoilers in their backs! ;-P So if you want to enjoy our marvellous land you better prepare yourself for theJune Iparis:
"They act like I'm some sort of untamed weapon – and in a way, I guess that's true. The irony of it all makes me want to laugh. Day is a Republic soldier on board the RS Dynasty, and I am the Republic's most valuable captive. We've switched places."
I think the most interesting thing about "Prodigy" was that June is totally out of her depth. XD There's only so much you can learn at a military academy and even though they taught her everything about weapons and war strategy they certainly missed out on teaching her about love and human interactions. *lol* This said, I had a lot of fun watching her squirm while she tried to navigate those dangerous waters she suddenly found herself in. ;-P Don't get me wrong, I'm still a June fan: I mean she's one of those cool tough people that know exactly with which kind of weapon they are threatened and she's definitely one of those really rare kick-ass heroines! It was nice to see more of her human side though and I really enjoyed those moments. I think she grew a lot during this book and the hard decisions she had to make only shaped her even more as a person. So yeah, I'm really curious about the June in "Champion". =)
"The soldiers point their guns at me (Model XM-2500, 700m range, smart rounds, can shoot through two layers of cement), then haul me to my feet. During the train ride, I'd watched these two soldiers with such intensity that their nerves must be completely shot by now."
"Love is illogical, love has consequences – I did this to myself, and I should be able to take it. So take it, June."
"How could I possibly think that we'd never suffer the consequences of what I'd done to him? How could I be so arrogant to assume it would all work out for us in the end, that my doing a couple of good deeds could make up for all the pain I caused him?"
Daniel "Day" Altan Wing:
"He holds me with his gaze. It's hard to describe Day to those who have never seen him before – exotic, unique, overwhelming.
And this is the moment when I go all NOOOOOOOOOO!!! NO, NO, NO, NOOO!!! Like just NOOOO!!! How could you do this to my precious baby Marie??!!! I won't accept that ending, I won't, I won't, I won't!!! ADKFASDFJASKDFAJS! *takes a deep breath* Okay, I'm fine now. *lol* So now that I got that out of my system I can finally concentrate on the important things like for instance why Marie Lu thought it a good idea to give MY Day a terminal disease!!! *holds in another scream* I'm so not okay with that ending and I really hope Marie will undo that in the next book, because I really can't with this. I just can't. Day already suffered enough! He lost his mother, his brother, his father, he can't lose Tess, June and his life now too. >_< This broke my heart so much because he just deserves better. He's the light and hope of so many people, yet he never gets some of that light and hope for himself. The irony is just too much. Also his self-doubts and fear of not being enough for June just about killed me. He's the most precious, pure and beautiful soul and no one can compete with him! All I want is to see my precious snowflake happy. *sniff* T_T
"I suddenly feel so stupid for telling her that I love her, as if I'd be able to make her love me in return like some common girl from the streets. She didn't say it back, anyway.
Why do I even care? It shouldn't hurt this much. Should it? Don't I have more important stuff to worry about?"
"I want to run. To do what I always do, have always done, for the last five years of my life. Escape, flee into the shadows. But this time, I stand my ground. I'm tired of running."
"I've been starved, beaten, and humiliated. I've been tortured, insulted, and suppressed. I've lived in the slums with you. I've risked my life for you. And you've risked your lives for me. We have risked our lives for our country – not the country we live in now, but the country we hope to have. You are all, every single one of you, a hero."
"I can't describe the emotions on his face – something lost, something ripped from his gaze and strewn across the floor. A deep, quiet sadness that tears me apart. What's going through Day's mind?"
Anden – The Elector:
"You and Day are the most celebrated people in the Republic. If I can form an alliance with you both, I can win the people. Then instead of quelling rebellions and trying to keep things from falling apart, I can concentrate on implementing the changes this country needs."
Mhmm I still don't know how to feel about Anden. He's obviously either a really good guy or a remarkable actor. *lol* I have no doubt that his moves were all calculated, the question is if they were truly based on his beliefs or if he only did what he had to because he knew he couldn't hold the country all by himself. For me his character is still a question mark and I hope to find out more about his real motivations in "Champion". Considering that June will work so closely with him I'm pretty sure we'll get to see a lot of Anden in the next book though. Let's just hope it will be something good. XD
"Well, do you think your father's policies worked?" I ask quietly.
Anden lowers his head. He searches for the right words. "How can I answer that? His policies did work. The Trials did make our armies stronger. Does that make what he did right, though? I think about it all the time."
The relationships & ships:
June & Day: "We're in this together, right?" he whispers. "You and me? You want to be here, yeah?"
There's guilt in his questions. "Yes," I reply. "I chose this."
Day pulls me close enough for our noses to touch. "I love you."
I can't believe June never said it to him too!!! WHY JUNE!!?? I guess I should be happy for her being responsible and not acting on a whim but urgh, if a boy like Day confesses his love to you and you feel the same way then you should tell him! >_< No wonder he thought she fancied Anden, especially after the thoughtless remark she made about Day's ring. How is that poor boy to know how she feels if she doesn't open her mouth and tells him? I could understand Day's fears and frustrations... And I really didn't like the kind of direction this book took, because Anden as a possible love interest for June made everything so much worse. Poor Day! My first thought when they parted ways was: No, don't separate! It won't be good for your love and I guess I was right. T_T Well, and there was still that huge "Sword of Damocles" - aka June being responsible for Day's mum and brother dying – hanging over their heads. I'm glad they talked it out though and that it was addressed as an issue! It would have been unrealistic if it would have never become a problem between them so I have to give Marie kudos for that. There were so many things that killed me but one of the most memorable moments was June being so tender to sleeping and injured Day at the beginning of the book. I remember writing an update and thinking that it's so sad he doesn't know she's so tender with him and then near the ending when June was ill he did the same for her because he actually noticed. I'm still not over it and my heart aches!!!! <333 Plus THAT ENDING!!! T_T *goes into a corner and cries*
Engagements? My heart flutters in my chest. I can't help smiling. "With paper clip rings?"
Oh no. I'd meant it as an honest question of curiosity, but don't realize I sound sarcastic until the words are already out of my mouth.
Day blushes a little; I'm immediately angry at myself for slipping up again. "With something handmade," he corrects me after a beat.
"I'd almost forgotten how his touch makes me feel. I want to fall into the purity that is Day, soaking in his simple honesty, his heart that sits open and beating on his sleeve."
"That's not fair, Day. I didn't choose to be born into this. I never wanted to hurt your family –"
"Well, you did." I feel myself tremble and fall apart under his glare. "You led the soldiers right to my family's door. You're the reason they're dead."
"Don't go, I plead wordlessly. But I can taste the good-bye on his lips and now I can no longer hold back my tears. He's trembling. His face is wet. I hang on to him like he'll disappear if I let go, like I'll be left alone in this dark room, standing in the empty air. Day, the boy form the streets with nothing except of the clothes on his back and the earnestness in his eyes, owns my heart."
June & Anden:"My initial distaste wavers – this new thought intrigues me. Anden must be very aware of his poor public reputation. Perhaps he's hoping for the people's support. If that's the case, then he's taking pains to do something that our last Elector cared little about."
I don't ship it. Not at all. Just look how June described kissing Day vs. Anden. I'd take Day over Anden any day! (pun totally not intended *lol*) Their relationship has something so sterile about it and I don't want June to be with Anden. He's too polished, too posh, too artificial and too composed. There's no passion! So a definite nope from me! If they end up together it's only because they both will gain political influence through their relationship and that's the wrong reason to be with someone. >_< Enough said!
"With Day, there's a fire and a hunger between us, even anger, some deep desperation and need. With Anden, though, the kiss is all delicacy and refined grace, aristocratic manners, power, and elegance. Pleasure and shame wash through me."
Tess & Day:"Trust me, Day. I'm saying this for your sake. June will break your heart. I can see it already. She'll shatter you into a million pieces."
And here's another relationship development I hated. Not that I didn't see that one coming, I actually did, I still wasn't happy with it though. I suppose it's just natural Tess fell in love with Day or developed some crush on him. He saved her life and helped her to survive so he's automatically a hero in her eyes. Also let's not forget that she's 13 and he's 15. The age difference isn't as prominent as some people might think it to be. Still, Tess is like Day's little sister and he can't see her as anything else. I really hated Tess's jealousy and I was so sad when they argued and parted ways. I just hope Tess will come around and realise her mistakes. >_< Day needs his little sister now! Badly!! T_T
"June can do anything she wants to the Republic, and they'll take her back too." Tess raises her voice. "Whenever June needs something, she gets results, but my needs aren't worth a bucket of pig's blood. Maybe if I were the Republic's darling, you'd care about me too."
Metias & Thomas:"I'm a soldier of the Republic. When I joined the military I took an oath to obey my superiors' orders at all costs. Metias took the same oath, and he broke it."
Remember when I wondered about Thomas's true motives in my review of "Legend"? Oh well, I can say that I'm shocked now. O_O He actually killed Metias because he was being a good soldier. I can't believe he murdered him. Especially after the revelation that Metias was in love with him. I have no idea if Thomas reciprocated his feelings but OMG!!! I never saw that one coming and believe me when I say that Metias deserved so much better than THAT! To be killed by the person you love. IT. BREAKS. MY. HEART! T_T I think that makes Thomas the worst friend ever and I hope his vacation to hell is already booked! Poor precious Metias. *sniff*
"I did care for him, you know," he says through my silence. He pretends bravado, some false professionalism. Still, I hear a tinge of sadness. "But I am also a soldier of the Republic. I did what I had to do."
"I remember how patient and gentle Metias was when explaining things to Thomas. The way his hand would touch Thomas's shoulder. The night when I'd eaten edame at that cafe with Thomas and Metias, when Metias first stopped shadowing Chian. The way Metias's hand would sometimes rest on Thomas's arm for a beat longer than it had to."
Conclusion:
"Prodigy" went in an entirely different direction than I expected, but it was still awesome! I guess I probably should have expected Marie Lu to pull such a stunt because she always manages to surprise me and loves to shake things up. XD Still, I'm not okay with that ending and I sincerely hope that it will be altered in the next book. Marie, please! Work your magic and throw me for another loop!
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This was amazing! <3
I loved it so much but the ending...
T_T
Please someone tell me that the last book will rewrite that ending. Please, anyone?!
I can't accept this. I just can't! =((((
Full RTC soon, once I managed to stop sobbing like a baby.
June and Day are sneaking their way into Vegas. They meet up with The Patriots and Tess. Day gets some new armor so to speak. They make plans to assassinate the new Elector, Anden. But . . . not everything is as it seems and maybe, just maybe, Anden can be trusted. Although, in this world it's really hard to trust any one.
June goes undercover so to speak and finds out some information, the kind she wasn'
Well that ending is a really sad thing. I'm hoping something can change in the last book =(
June and Day are sneaking their way into Vegas. They meet up with The Patriots and Tess. Day gets some new armor so to speak. They make plans to assassinate the new Elector, Anden. But . . . not everything is as it seems and maybe, just maybe, Anden can be trusted. Although, in this world it's really hard to trust any one.
June goes undercover so to speak and finds out some information, the kind she wasn't expecting to find out.
I still loved the book. I loved the action. I loved most everything but that one revelation and I will never tell. Of course, most of you have read the books anyway.
On to the next . . .
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
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Prodigy is a 2013 dystopian young adult novel written by American author Marie Lu. It is the second book of a trilogy, preceded by Legend and followed by Champion.
After the events of Legend, June Iparis and Daniel "Day" Altan Wing arrive at Las Vegas in search for the Patriots.
Through Kaede, they meet with Tess and Andrew "Razor" DeSoto, a Republic Commander doubling as the leader of the Patriots.
Razor offers Day a prosthetic leg and protection in exchange for ass
Prodigy (Legend, #2), Marie LuProdigy is a 2013 dystopian young adult novel written by American author Marie Lu. It is the second book of a trilogy, preceded by Legend and followed by Champion.
After the events of Legend, June Iparis and Daniel "Day" Altan Wing arrive at Las Vegas in search for the Patriots.
Through Kaede, they meet with Tess and Andrew "Razor" DeSoto, a Republic Commander doubling as the leader of the Patriots.
Razor offers Day a prosthetic leg and protection in exchange for assassinating the new Elector Primo, Anden Stavropoulos, who has recently succeeded his deceased father.
To execute the task, June will need an audience with Anden at Denver to falsify the time and place of the assassination and convince him to seek "protection" at the actual place of assassination. ...
تاریخ نخستین خوانش: روز سی و یکم ماه ژانویه سال 2017 میلادی
عنوان: نابغه - کتاب دوم از سری سه گانه ی اسطوره؛ نویسنده: مری لو؛ مترجم: محمدصالح نورانی زاده؛ تهران، تندیس، 1395؛ در 407ص؛ شابک 9786001822452؛ موضوع: داستانهای نوجوانان از نویسندگان امریکایی - سده 21م
هفت روز از زمانیکه «جون» و «دی»، خسته و زخمی، از «لس آنجلس»، و چنگال نیروهای جمهوری فرار کرده اند، میگذرد؛ همه گمان میبرند «دی» توسط جوخه ی آتش، اعدام شده، اما حقیقت ماجرا آن است، که برادر «دی»، جانش را برای آزادی وی فدا کرد، و به جای او کشته شد؛ و حالا «جون» بیش از هر کس دیگری، به جرم خیانت به جمهوری، تحت تعقیب است؛ دو شورشی عاشق داستان، که حالا شدیداً به یاری نیاز دارند، به ناچار به جنبش وطن پرستان روی میآورند، که دشمن قسم خورده ی جمهوری است؛ اما آیا واقعاً میتوان، به این افراد انقلابی اعتماد کرد؟ یا اینکه «جون» و «دی»، ناخواسته، به مهره های ترسناکترین بازی سیاسی، کشور تبدیل شده اند؟ ...؛
تاریخ بهنگام رسانی 15/01/1400هجری خورشیدی؛ ا. شربیانی
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"He is beauty, inside and out.
He is the silver lining in a world of darkness.
He is my light."
WHY.THE.HELL.DID.I.READ.THIS.NOW???? It's killing me to wait another year for third book! Killing me i say!!! Especially after a booooooooooooooooooom ending like that T_____T It's going to be tortureeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! And i need next book nooooooooow!!!!!! I should have waited for the last book to come out!
Oh and ending:
#i was not expecting this
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Final rating: 4.75/5 stars "He is beauty, inside and out.
He is the silver lining in a world of darkness.
He is my light."
WHY.THE.HELL.DID.I.READ.THIS.NOW???? It's killing me to wait another year for third book! Killing me i say!!! Especially after a booooooooooooooooooom ending like that T_____T It's going to be tortureeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! And i need next book nooooooooow!!!!!! I should have waited for the last book to come out!
Oh and ending:
#i was not expecting this
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The good:
+ 1 + enjoyment - i certainly enjoyed this far more than when i read Legend. it's much more amazing, and just ♥♥♥
+ 2 + more character development (seriously)
+ 3 + more world building - Finally there were answers about who/what/where/how and such. And it's much more info than it was in the first book. More explanations about Republic and Colonies, and even outer world, and it was cool.
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The bad:
ermmmmmmmmmmmm...there was nothing i guess :D
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Characters :
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Day : Our baby grows up ♥ He definitely gets more developed, because now we can see his struggles with what is right and wrong, and who to trust and who not, a lot of questions, a lot of doubt and so much more. But he is in every way just adorable and huggable. Especially in "the ring" scene. That was something cutest i have ever read. And we get to find out something interesting about him: he has inferiority complex and he has Stockholm syndrome . Now, let me explain.
Inferiority complex comes from his thinking that June is from high class and that he is practically no one, has nothing, he thinks he is not worthy of her and it just f*cks him up more.
Scene 01: After he tells June that he loves her, and she answers nothing.
"I suddenly feel so stupid for telling her that I love her, as if I'd be able to make her love me in return like some common girl from the streets. She didn't say it back, anyway.
Why do I even care? It shouldn't hurt this much. Should it? Don't I have more important stuff to worry about?"
# facepalm
Scene 02: Conversation between Tess and Day:
""What's the matter with you?" At my silence, she puts her hand on my arm. "Well, do you love her?" she says more quietly. "Does she love you?"
Love her? I'd told her so in that Vegas bathroom, and I'd meant it. But she didn't say it back, yeah? Maybe she never felt the same way—maybe I'm just deluding myself. "I don't know, okay?" I reply. My words sound angrier than I actually am."
#extreme head desk
No need for more right? And then we have his Stockholm syndrome conversation with Tess, i will leave the quote say the rest:
""Day," she begins again, "have you ever wondered why you like June so much? I mean—well—given how you were arrested and all—"
I shake my head. "What do you mean?"
She takes a deep breath. "I've heard of this thing somewhere before, on the JumboTrons or something, where they were talking about prisoners from the Colonies. About how kidnapping victims fall for their captors."
I frown. The Tess I know is fading away into a cloud of suspicion and dark thoughts. "You think I like June because she arrested me? You really think I'm that twisted in the head?"
"Day?" Tess says carefully. "June turned you in."
I throw down Tess's hands. "I don't want to talk about this."
Tess shakes her head mournfully, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. "She killed (view spoiler)[ your mother (hide spoiler)], Day."
I take a step back from Tess. I feel like I've been slapped in the face. " She didn't do it," I say.
"She may as well have," Tess whispers.
I can feel my defenses rising up again, closing me off. "You're forgetting that she also helped me escape. She saved me. Look, are you—"
"I've saved you dozens of times. But if I turned you in, and your family died for it, would you forgive me?"
I swallow. "Tess, I'd forgive you for just about anything."
"Even if I was responsible for (view spoiler)[ your mom's (hide spoiler)] death? No, I don't think you would." She fixes her eyes on mine. Her voice carries a hint of harshness now, armored with an edge of steel. "That's what I mean. You treat June differently."
"Doesn't mean I don't care about you.""
And i never saw it that way either. But yeah, June did capture him, and because of her he did suffer. A lot. So i feel pleased that the author actually thought about it.
And now, i feel quite anxious to read the third book, because that cliffhanger kicked my ass. I mean, i hope Marie Lu won't do it. Except being through a lot, and finally gets 5 minutes of happiness, she drops hell on him again ??? Dear Miss Marie Lu, i like you, but you are quite sadist. Bigger than i am, that's for sure.
June : I don't know how i feel about her. I wanted to throw my mobile phone out of the window because of her, and then again i was still interested in reading her POVs. She hasn't changed at all and still says anything that first comes to mind without actually thinking about consequences. She repeatedly hurt Day that way, and psychological wounds hurt more than physical ones. But, i like the way she thinks:
Day pulls me close enough for our noses to touch. "I love you."
My heart flips in excitement at the desire in his voice—but at the same time, the technical part of my brain instantly flares up. Highly improbable, it scoffs.A month ago, he didn't even know I existed. So I blurt out, "No, you don't. Not yet."
Day furrows his eyebrows, as if I'd hurt him. "I mean it," he says against my lips.
I'm helpless against the ache in his voice. But still. They're just the words of a boy in the heat of the moment. I try to force myself to say the same back to him, but the words freeze on my tongue. How can he be so sure of this? I certainly don't understand all these strange new feelings inside me—am I here because I love him, or because I owe him?"
And i agree with her. How can he say that he loves her only a month after, and how can he say that when she did all of the stuff to him? So i understand why she refused to answer, but still i hate it because as a reader, you know that what Day feels is real.
Tess : A childhood friend of Day, the person who grew up with Day on streets, and a person who has grown up in so little time. I liked her always, and many times she was just right. She offered advices, but she lost herself in anger, and made some situations even worse.
Other characters : I can't say lot about Anden, but i guess actions speak more than the words. I still hate Commander Jameson, because of everything she did to Day, and i hate Thomas with passion. Especially after finding out what he meant to Metias. We even learn more about Metias, and i just wanted to weep at the injustice of his life and death. Btw, Kaede kicks ass.
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Overall :
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It was more enjoyable than the Legend, and it was just a lot better ♥
The next book - i want it.
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Fav quotes and moments :
"You know, sometimes I wonder what things would be like if I just ... met you one day. Like normal people do. If I just walked by you on some street one sunny morning and thought you were cute, stopped, shook your hand, and said, "Hi, I'm Daniel."
***
"Love is illogical, love had consequences--I did this to myself, and I should be able to take it."
***
"I make sure to keep a good distance between us, just in case she decides to get happy with a knife or something."
***
Well enough," I reply. "Remember, you're drunk. And happy. You're supposed to be lusting over your escort. Try smiling a little more."
Day plasters a giant artificial smile on his face. As charming as ever. "Aw, come on, sweetheart. I thought I was doing a pretty good job. I got my arm around the prettiest escort on this block—how could I not be lusting over you? Don't I look like I'm lusting? This is me, lusting." His lashes flutter at me.
He looks so ridiculous that I can't help laughing. Another passerby glances at me. "Much better.
***
Paper clip ring scene:
"Sorry it's kind of stupid- looking," he says in a low voice. "Wish I could make something nicer for you."
"No, no," I interrupt, trying to fix what I just said. "I really like it." I run my fingers over the tiny ring, keeping my eyes fixed on it so I don't have to meet Day's eyes. Does he assume that I don't think it's good enough? Say something, June. Anything. My details come bubbling up. "Unplated galvanized steel wiring. This is good material, you know. Sturdier than the alloy ones, still bendy, and won't rust. It's—"
I stop when I see Day's withering stare. "I like it," I repeat. Idiotic reply, June. Why don't you punch him in the face while you're at it. I turn even more flustered when I remember that I have actually pistolwhipped him in the face before. Romantic.
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MY LEGEND REVIEWS:
◉ Legend (Legend, #1)
◉ Prodigy (Legend, #2)
◉ Champion (Legend, #3)
This review can be found on my blog: infinity-of-time.blogspot.com also known as...
When you imagine the fall of the US as a democracy, what kind of state do you think will emerge?
I imagine one of two options are most likely.
1) A fascist surveillance state - nothing is private, nothing is your choice, your every move is strictly directed and monitored by a governing force (possibly the military). Very little personal freedom.
2) A state ruled by money - as David Mitchell calls it in Cloud Atlas, a corporacracy. Every part of your life is determined b
When you imagine the fall of the US as a democracy, what kind of state do you think will emerge?
I imagine one of two options are most likely.
1) A fascist surveillance state - nothing is private, nothing is your choice, your every move is strictly directed and monitored by a governing force (possibly the military). Very little personal freedom.
2) A state ruled by money - as David Mitchell calls it in Cloud Atlas, a corporacracy. Every part of your life is determined by your economic standing; free social service is nonexistent. Freedom based on income.
My point: Prodigy was an interesting read for me because it depicts the US falling into ruin, then splitting into two halves, each spiraling down to become one of the options above.
The Republic = Option One
The Colonies = Option Two
There's some food for thought. Perhaps Marie Lu shares my views on the fall of the US.
I didn't mention this in my review of Legend because the dystopian world of the series wasn't explained and expanded until Book 2. The worldbuilding I missed in the first book was delivered in Prodigy, which was a relief.
I couldn't give Prodigy a full five stars because of LOVE TRIANGLES. UGH.
Not one but TWO new love triangles are established in this book and it pisses me off. Not because it was unrealistic; people fall in love in inconvenient ways all the time so that was definitely believable. What I can't stand is when authors turn perfectly kind and lovable people into complete dicks for the sake of resolving a love triangle conflict.
Ever read the Shatter Me series? Think about Adam's transformation and you'll know what I mean.
So Tess, a lovely girl with great prospects and an admirable PLATONIC relationship with Day, all of a sudden falls for him and turns into a raging asshat. This is not okay! Slow-building character development/deterioration: that's reasonable. Total 180s out of nowhere: NOPE. Stop that shit.
Aside from that... Though the plot was a bit slow, the unveiling of the Republic's inner workings and the glimpse at the Colonies made up for it. I enjoyed Prodigy nearly as much, if not just as much, as Legend.
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basically, this book did NOT disappoint but it did destroy me
I'll admit it did take me longer to get into than Legend but when I got hooked I literally couldn't put this book down
June and Day will be the death of me that is all I have to say about them
I loved the turn the story has taken in this book, the plot has thickened massively and I love it!! The action scenes are so well written that you can literally visualise it all perfec
I AM AN EMOTIONAL WRECK RIGHT NOW I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT TO SAYbasically, this book did NOT disappoint but it did destroy me
I'll admit it did take me longer to get into than Legend but when I got hooked I literally couldn't put this book down
June and Day will be the death of me that is all I have to say about them
I loved the turn the story has taken in this book, the plot has thickened massively and I love it!! The action scenes are so well written that you can literally visualise it all perfectly in your mind! The plot twists will blow you away and completely take control of your emotions...
not going to say anymore because I nEED TO READ CHAMPION RIGHT AWAY WISH ME LUCK
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Prodigy was one of my most anticipated sequels of 2013. Unfortunately, it might be one of the most disappointing reads of the year as well, for the following reasons:
1. The beginning bored me to death. The recap was lacking and I felt lost reading the story for a very long time. Also, the first half was unbearably slow. I kept skimming through large chunks of the narration in hopes that the pace would eventually pick up but it took over 50% for the action to really get going.
2. The
2.7/5 starsProdigy was one of my most anticipated sequels of 2013. Unfortunately, it might be one of the most disappointing reads of the year as well, for the following reasons:
1. The beginning bored me to death. The recap was lacking and I felt lost reading the story for a very long time. Also, the first half was unbearably slow. I kept skimming through large chunks of the narration in hopes that the pace would eventually pick up but it took over 50% for the action to really get going.
2. The dialogue felt unnaturally stiff and the lack of communication between June and Day made me inwardly cringe more times than I can count. Their understanding does get better towards the end, but they had way too many awkward moments during the book for me to devotedly cheer them on. With these two, I'm just not sure if they're better off with or without each other.
3. Day's POV did not feel realistic at all. Truthfully, I haven't read that many young adults with male POVs, but his doesn't sound at like a teenage boy's, even one that's been through as much as he has. He was overly dramatic at times and drastically moody at others.
4. I never thought I'd say this about a Legend novel, but there's more angst in this book than action. And more surprising still, it's Day who was the angsty one. June had her moments too, but they were greatly outnumbered by Day's melodrama.
5. The love square is the most disappointing and irritating part of the book. I was so happy that Legend didn't have one that this almost feels like a betrayal. I'd become deeply invested in Day and June and their romance by the end of Legend, and now I'll be surprised if we can get a half-way decent sequel to Prodigy. I admit that Anden was unexpectedly likable, but the love square is still terrible.
That said, I predicted June would come to like Anden (view spoiler)[and give up on the assassination plot (hide spoiler)], but there were definitely a lot of unpredictable plot twists in here as well. Not as many as in Legend, but good enough that I didn't go through with the 1-star rating I was initially leaning towards.
The ending was certainly shocking and perhaps even heartbreaking for some, but not for me. If I'd actually cared for the characters, I would've felt a lot more anxious and a lot less detached about everything. Sadly, I was just about ready for the book to be over at that point.
Am I interested in finding out how this latest crisis resolves itself? Absolutely. Will I be anticipating the sequel half as eagerly as I anticipated Prodigy? Not even close. It was interesting while it lasted, but overall, a very disappointing sequel. Too much teenage angst and not enough action, which was pretty much the one thing that made Legend stand out amongst all the other formulaic YAs released last year.
*Buddy read with Jenny. Read her review here.*
For more reviews, visit my blog:
I remember thinking, while reading Legend, that this series was a perfect example of dual POV done right. I still agree with this fact; Day and June are two very different characters, reflected both by their voices and personalities. Switching from one character to the next is painless and never disorienting, nor did I ever lose track of which POV I was currently reading (many dual POVs tend to blend into one another). In this sequel, we observe a lot of character growth in which both Day and June are fighting against deeply rooted indoctrinated beliefs, not knowing who they should trust in this messed up world anymore. This inner turmoil is shown throughout the book, making it it's easy to see and sympathize with their personal struggles. Day and June being separated for a large part of book means there is not a great deal of romance, though in my opinion this was greatly needed for them to be free to find themselves; to figure out where they belong in this broken system.
Assassination and conspiracy rule the plot of this sequel. Despite my mention that it's not especially fast paced, there is plenty of commotion that advances the story. Besides character and world building, the plot takes on intriguing twists and turns, some predictable, but others that took me completely by surprise. Seeing more of the world means we finally visit the Colonies that we're all dying to see. It's only a glimpse, however. Just enough to make us crave for more, yearning to see every inch of this mysterious and talked up place. At least I'm sure we'll get to see more of it in the third book, so it wasn't too big a disappointment.
A sequel worthy of its name, Prodigy not only continues the story of our beloved Day an June, it strengthens and molds it, proving itself to be an essential part of this series.
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads 
The Legend series and I have a love-hate relationship. There were some things I hated, yet I rated this book 5 stars
Am I a hypocrite? Yes Indeed😌
I can still feel the heartache I felt when I read this book. This gave me major feels and made me ugly cry.
Plot
Prodigy takes place after the events of Legend. Day and June are now on the run together, fleeing from the republic. With nowhere to go, they turn
The Legend series and I have a love-hate relationship. There were some things I hated, yet I rated this book 5 stars
Am I a hypocrite? Yes Indeed😌
I can still feel the heartache I felt when I read this book. This gave me major feels and made me ugly cry.
Plot
Prodigy takes place after the events of Legend. Day and June are now on the run together, fleeing from the republic. With nowhere to go, they turn to the Patriots a violent rebel group who seek to end the republic.
June and Day each now have separate missions assigned by the Patriots. Can they trust them or will this lead to even more bloodshed?
The writing was really good in this book! There were some ~awkward~ conversations here and there that made me wanna hit my head against the wall.
But otherwise totally fine.The only reason I started reading the Legend series was cause I loved her writing in Young Elites. but this was her first book, so it wasn't as good as the Young Elites trilogy
The world was good. But I really wish the story had taken place in Antarctica, which is extremely interesting (in the 3rd book, we learn abt it) or in the Colonies.
The Republic seemed boring in comparison to the other countries, but ig it was necessary to the story so okay *shrugs*
Romance
Describe the romance in Prodigy in 5 words.
Awkward.Stupid. Awkward. Cute. Unnecessary
Yes it's unnecessary.
Do I like Love triangles? No. Maybe if it's done well
Wat abt 2? 😫😫🤮
There are 2 freaking love triangles in this book. TWO MY DEAR BOOKWORMS
Below are not spoilers as they are revealed in abt 3 chps into the books
The first love triangle is between a 13 yr old girl, a 15-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl.
Nope. Just no
I mean she is only 13 years old. HOW DID SHE FALL IN LOVE SOO SOON HUH
STUPIDITY I SAY.
ALSO, WHY ARE 15-YEAR-OLDS HAVING A LOVE TRIANGLE. I AM 15 YRS OLD AHHH AND I -
*deep breath*
The second one is the cause of the repetition of the word awkward twice above.
Tis between a 15-year-old boy , a 15-year-old girl and a 20 year old guy
A 20 YEAR OLD GUY
WTF IS THIS ??
We 15-year-olds do not have a fully formed brain yet (or at least me). How did they fall in love huh?????????????
Also why is a guy, soon to become an uncle in love with a kid??
WHY OH WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
I was really pissed off after reading this. This is not good. Not even good
But these stupid love triangles caused me soo much heartache. Because my ships were sinking. And I was very very sad :(
INSTA LOVE
YES U HEARD IT RIGHT.INSTA LOVE.
At abt 5 chapters in, Day was like
"I love you June "
And June, the only person with some common sense said
"No you dont you idiot"
She didnt actually say that, but that is what she meant. They have known each other for 2-3 weeks and already Day was 'in love' with her.
AWW HOW SWEET. NO ITS NOT
June shut him down saying they barely knew each other, but it is highly possible that they might fall in love in the future.
MY DEAR BOOKWORMS, I PRESENT TO YOU THE ONLY PERSON WITH SOME SENSE IN THIS SERIES - JUNE IPARIS
*excited claps*
Honestly, June deserves better. But she and Day are cute<333. So I ship them. Hard
"He is beauty, inside and out.
He is the silver lining in a world of darkness.
He is my light."
Do u know how much I cried when I read this??
Characters
Day
Nashita in the minority. Because I didn't like him very much
*audible gasp*
I honestly didn't. He's an idiot and a jerk. I MEAN HOW DARE HE SPEAK LIKE THAT TO POOR JUNE.
I get how much trauma he has suffered. But he was very irritating.
But I dont 'hate' him.
I liked him enough to root for him and the ending made me extremely sad. As I have finished teh 3 books, ik how things end with him and im still very sad :(
In conclusion ~ I like him, but he is a jerk
June
My June. Brave, smart June.
Honestly, she deserves better than what the others gave her. She is very loyal and clever. She doesn't let anyone get her down and always wants to do things the right way.
I loved how she handled things with Anden.
She is very clever and smart.
DID I SAY SHE IS VERY CLEVER?
BECAUSE SHE IS
IM NOT KIDDING
Anden, I kinda do like him. Except the part where he loves a15 yr old :)
Kaede teh coolest person in the whole book. (view spoiler)[She died...im sooo sad ahhh (hide spoiler)]
Tess can die in a ditch and I wouldn't care. Honestly, she was good in the first book, then in this book she became this lovesick puppy roaming behind Day and talking bad things abt June to him.
A. HOW DARE YOU?
B. HOW DARE YOUUUUU??
So what did I actually like abt this book?
* The plot. It was very engaging and kept me guessing and entertained throughout the book. The plot alone is the reason for 3 stars out of 5
*JUNE. I LOVED JUNE
*The betrayals and the plot twists
*JUNE.DID I SAY JUNE?
In conclusion
While the first book was predictable, the second wasn't. And the ending left me devastated
I loved it. But I hated it. But I loved it
If you loved the first, then the second will be a treat for you!
I'm done. Bye
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My rating system:
5⭐ - I loved it soo much! New favorite
4⭐ - It was really good! But something was missing
3⭐ - It was nice..but had more potential
2⭐ - I did not like it at all!... It could have been soo much better
1⭐ - Nope. Just No. I hate it
"You know, sometimes I wonder what things would be like if I just ... met you one day. Like normal people do. If I just walked by you on some street one sunny morning and thought you were cute, stopped, shook your hand, and said, "Hi, I'm Daniel."
^^^Yes I've read this series twice now and
if you have read the third book, you can take a guess at why I'm drenched in my own tears..The first book was good- cute, nothing amazingly spectacular but enough to make me really take an interest in the ch
"You know, sometimes I wonder what things would be like if I just ... met you one day. Like normal people do. If I just walked by you on some street one sunny morning and thought you were cute, stopped, shook your hand, and said, "Hi, I'm Daniel."
^^^Yes I've read this series twice now and
if you have read the third book, you can take a guess at why I'm drenched in my own tears..The first book was good- cute, nothing amazingly spectacular but enough to make me really take an interest in the characters. This book took the feels to a new level, at least for me.
June and Day are on the run, trying to survive and have hopes of finding the patriots and bartering with them to save Eden. Though the story starts off right where it ends in book one, the plot changes drastically with lots of nice little twists and turns. I was on my toes throughout the entire book. This was such an easy read- easy for me to fly through it.
Even now, after reading it a second time- I was still racing through yet trying to savor every precious moment June and Day have together. Trust me, though they admit to feelings in the first book- they are far from ever being together. There's none of the 'oh look the main characters are together so its no longer interesting.' Don't be fooled. Your heart will suffer.
Day is nothing short of a perfect and precious human being. He's bound at heart by so many factors- guilt over his family, Tess, and this strange connection with June. I love being in his perspective- seeing how he sees the world. Idk.. I just have such a connection to his character. I still love June and yes, even Anden and Tess. But really, Day just steals the show. Not sorry.
The world grows a bit in this book but isn't anything super detailed- but I'm kinda glad it isn't overly developed. It is described simply enough that it makes sense and not lacking- but the focus really is meant to be on the characters. Don't expect to be wow'ed by the dystopia factors.
**Okay, I've said this once before, but Marie Lu definitely listed these characters as too young. Just make them older in your head... seriously. It helps.
I'd say if you connected to the characters at all in book one- it is definitely worth continuing the series. My heart is forever locked in.
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Rebel group the Patriots, invite them both to join them in their plans against the new elector.
With plenty of the fast paced action experienced in book 1, we learn more about the origins of the republic and the colonies. And that neither side is in the right.
It has a lot of the YA tropes, including insta love and a love triangle. But I put those aside and just went along for the ride. 😊
Excited to contin
Day and June continue to fight against the republic in this sequel to YA dystopia 'Legend'.Rebel group the Patriots, invite them both to join them in their plans against the new elector.
With plenty of the fast paced action experienced in book 1, we learn more about the origins of the republic and the colonies. And that neither side is in the right.
It has a lot of the YA tropes, including insta love and a love triangle. But I put those aside and just went along for the ride. 😊
Excited to continue with the final book in the trilogy.
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Disappointing. Prodigy reminded me too much of The Hunger Games, and not in a good way. Also, I hated Day and the dumb love square.
-What's what: After June and Day escaped from the evul-but-not-actually-all-that-evul-Republic, they joined the not-so-evul-but-secretly-evul-Patriots.
Also, June was given the task to assassinate the new Elector of the Republic. And Day reunited with his childhood friend, Tess… And then moaned about his life. Good times.
-June was a decent enough
2.5 stars - SpoilersDisappointing. Prodigy reminded me too much of The Hunger Games, and not in a good way. Also, I hated Day and the dumb love square.
-What's what: After June and Day escaped from the evul-but-not-actually-all-that-evul-Republic, they joined the not-so-evul-but-secretly-evul-Patriots.
Also, June was given the task to assassinate the new Elector of the Republic. And Day reunited with his childhood friend, Tess… And then moaned about his life. Good times.
-June was a decent enough heroine. At times her voice came across as cold and distant. I would have liked a little more emotion from her narration. All she seemed to care about was Day, and it was just pathetic. She really needed other things to feel passionate about. On the plus side, I liked how capable, clever and skilled she was.
-Day was awful. He was so self pitying and righteous. Ugh, and that huge chip on his shoulder was off putting. It was annoying how he acted like June looked down at people when it was actually him that was stuck up and judgmental. He kept judging everyone who had money and who lived in comfort — his bitterness and resentment was annoying to read about.
-Also, I was irritated with Day's blind support for the colonies. It was ridiculous — how did he know they weren't as bad as the Republic? What facts did he know about them? Why didn't he research them?
Oh and how was it that Day was made out to be such a player at age 15?! I just can't accept a 15 year old as a player.
-Day and Tess. Ugh, why couldn't they have just stayed friends? Why did they have to have romantic feelings for each other? They worked much better as pseudo brother and sister.
It was bizarre that Day seemed to care more for Tess than June, even though he was meant to be in love with June. It ended up looking like Day was just in lust/obsessed with June rather than in love with her, and I don't think that was how the June/Day romance was meant to be perceived.
-The romance was just a mess… Day claimed to love June yet he wanted and worried about Tess more. Surely, the girl he loved would matter more than a good friend, regardless of how long he'd known each girl??
-I was pissed that Day said that he would save Tess instead of June if he had to choose between them. So yea, he'd let the girl he's supposedly in love with die so he could save his friend. Really? How can he be in love with June when he would rather save another girl over her? Was that meant to be romantic? Even though he'd known Tess for years and June for a few months, it was still idiotic because he was supposed to be in love with June not Tess.
-It also irritated me that Day was number one for June, whilst June was at the bottom of the list for Day. Day even admitted to himself that he hated June because she ruined his friendship with Tess. WTF?! June loves Day wholly… yet Day hates June because she got between him and his other love interest?! WTF?! Ugh.
-It's obvious June will be Day's HEA - and I'd prefer it if he didn't want June dead more than his other love interest, it just makes the HEA unrealistic. I'd rather June ended up with someone else. Day doesn't love her as much as he claims. Actually, I'm not sure he loves her at all.
-Day being told at the end that he was dying. Really? WTF?! What was the point of that? It's obvious he's going to survive. Why write such a cheap cliffhanger?!
-I liked Tess in the first book but in this one she was pathetic. She kept throwing herself at Day when he was clearly infatuated with June. I knew Tess was going to turn into the jealous, bitter love interest that was bitchy to the heroine. I would have liked the author to take Tess's character down a more original route, and had her caring for Day as a brother or a friend. Apparently, all secondary female character have to be petty jealous cows.
-Did June have one female person in her life that she cared about? No. It was all about Metias and Day. Ugh.
Overall, I wasn't impressed. I liked Legend but this was such a disappointment - Day became insufferable, the plot was dull and the romance was horrible. Hopefully, the next book will be better.
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Okay, I love June. She's a fantastic heroine. A little too young, but I get Lu's reasons for making her 15.
The reason I gave this four instead of five stars, well there's a couple. The first is I didn't love Day as much in this book, and I really needed to. H No, seriously this organ in my chest, I don't need it. That's not a spoiler, that's a warning. This book is such a riveting installment, but be warned that it will not pull at your heart strings, rather it will pluck them until they break.
Okay, I love June. She's a fantastic heroine. A little too young, but I get Lu's reasons for making her 15.
The reason I gave this four instead of five stars, well there's a couple. The first is I didn't love Day as much in this book, and I really needed to. He was seriously irritating at times, but real people are. There's a storyline with Tess and it made me so freaking mad. Here's the thing (view spoiler)[Love triangles are great as long as they involve two boys and a girl. NOT two girls and boy. Come on. (hide spoiler)]
I also didn't love all the dreams June and Day kept having. I think they are cheap devices in literature and yes that's coming from someone who coined the term "Dream Travel." It's just dream travel is real and what happens in dreams isn't and so it feels like they don't really move the plot along. They just dump info. And one final nitpick, at one point Day is put under for surgery. In most cases people cannot have dreams when they are under anesthesia. That one is a small one, but I had to note it.
The second book is really great! Gripping and fun. The ending to me was a little wrong. I get why it happened that way. And yes, I immediately went out and got third book, but it was definitely a crafty device for ending the book. Honestly, I'm torn on what I want to happen to the characters. Very good book, which delivers a lot of exhilarating emotions.
Oh and one final note, bathroom scene. Nice one! :)
This was jam packed with action and ALL OF THE FEELS. Like I literally was punched in the gut a few times. omg. I just can't.
W O W THE FEELS THO.This was jam packed with action and ALL OF THE FEELS. Like I literally was punched in the gut a few times. omg. I just can't.
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However I was won over by the end and I will be reading the third book in the future. This definitely wasn't as good as the first book and the first half of it was more of a chore for me to read. I appreciated the subtle romance in the first novel but found it much more cringy in this one unfortunately.
However I was won over by the end and I will be reading the third book in the future. ...more
(1) I'd read Legend last year, it's my first ever Marie Lu's book, and right after reading I've decided to blacklist this author and her books. However, after finding a copy of the Chinese translation of Prodigy in the library, I'd decided, despite of my lack of enjoyment with the first book, to give this series a second chance, hoping Marie Lu would prove me wrong.
(2) I can appreciate Marie Lu for trying to deliver some political messages and try
Things you need to know before reading my review:(1) I'd read Legend last year, it's my first ever Marie Lu's book, and right after reading I've decided to blacklist this author and her books. However, after finding a copy of the Chinese translation of Prodigy in the library, I'd decided, despite of my lack of enjoyment with the first book, to give this series a second chance, hoping Marie Lu would prove me wrong.
(2) I can appreciate Marie Lu for trying to deliver some political messages and trying to work her way up to decent writing and decent plots. I can at least appreciate her effort, if not the ending result.
(3) I read from the Author's Introduction that Legend is supposed to be inspired by Les Misérables (the relationship between the police official and the criminal) and one of my GR friends informed me about Marie Lu supposedly mentioned Tiananmen Square massacre of 1989 as an inspiration/reference. Well, all I can say is I'm glad authors are actually still giving a damn about real-life tragedies around the world, but I still hope authors can write better books when they got their inspiration from/based their books on real-life tragedies.
Then, actual review here:
1.5 'I'm not impressed' stars. In the end, I found I don't care enough about this book to do a full review, so let me do it in points-form:
(1) I notice the writing (or at least the translated version of it) and the attempt at world building are actually decent, still it probably doesn't say much.
(2) The Main Characters, Day and June, they are supposed to be prodigies, but in the story not only they acted stupid and I simply cannot find one single reason to root for them.
(3) I can always appreciate a story about teenagers rebelling against a suppressing evil government, but not when the supposedly heroic Main Characters are so shallow and poorly written.
(4) I simply cannot believe people from over the entire nation are fangirling/fanboying over Day and June and are looking up to them as heroes.
(5) I see no reason for the citizens to give a damn about Day and June when for most of the time they only care about their own families and loved ones, and they hardly lift a finger to help the people who're in need.
(6) Politicians and rebel leaders (Think: V from V For Vendetta, Che Guevara) have to give speeches and send out tons of propaganda to gain support from the citizens (aside from actual fighting that is...), neither Day and June have to do any of these but already the citizens are all over them. It's unrealistic. Goodness, why would anyone care about these two? Especially when they're plagued by wars and virus?
(7) The speech given by Day at the end of the story is a joke, (view spoiler)[ you just can't stand in front of a bunch of angry citizens and tell them they should put their anger aside and trust the new Elector? (hide spoiler)] It is not how things are done, it isn't.
(8) Marie Lu fails to write a charismatic rebel even when Day is supposed to be one (I don't even want to be bothered by June, she is as charismatic as a piece of wood), according to Lu, you would believe a sexy body, a handsome face, a bad boy attitude are all it takes to make a charismatic rebel.
(9) The love triangle among Day, June and Tess is annoying.
(10) Not to mention, the handsome new Elector, the most powerful man in the country, is hand over heels for June. *roll eyes*
(11) Not to mention, I am very sick of Day's " I am poor, but she is a rich girl, I'm not good enough for her..." BS.
(12) (view spoiler)[Day suddenly decided he didn't want to follow through the rebels' plan to assassinate the Elector because he chose to trust June, instead of seeking revenge for his family and saving his brother?! (hide spoiler)] Fucking Bullshit!
(13) In the end, the war between the Republic and the colonies is just the matter of State Dictatorship vs State Capitalism? huh....I honestly am not that impressed.
(14) (view spoiler)[In the end, it's the same-old, same-old "both the government and the rebels are bad" unoriginal plot twist all over again, (hide spoiler)] just like The Hunger Games.
(15) As a whole this book isn't as awful as I'd feared, but it still can't message up to be a good book.
(16) But at least the author admits gay people exist...
(17) Had I mentioned that both MCs are supposed to be superhumans or some unrealistic Mary Sue characters from badly written Japanese manga? Oh yes, and they are both drop dead gorgeous too, it's just like manga!
(18) Finally, I'm not impressed by the notion that "As citizens, we should unify...and trust the 'good' politicians to do the right things." Miss Lu, if it's the insight you want to share with us, I'm out of here.
(19) The one word which can sum up this book is 'mediocre'. It is not awful enough to hate but not good enough to leave much impression in my mind.
Review for book 3: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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Still an absolutely breathtaking, action-packed book up to this day. I'm NOT ready for the finale because I know it will devastate me just like it did four years ago.
.........................................................
I'M FINE...
I won't be writing a review for this because I'm planning on writing a big one once I've finished the last book. But let me say this: Things get fucking INTENSE!
Still an absolutely breathtaking, action-packed book up to this day. I'm NOT ready for the finale because I know it will devastate me just like it did four years ago.
.........................................................
I'M FINE...
I won't be writing a review for this because I'm planning on writing a big one once I've finished the last book. But let me say this: Things get fucking INTENSE!
*takes deep breath* anyway i still love this book
I've read a fistful of YA trilogies, and most times the sequels falter in delivering. The acknowledgments section shed a light on the making of this book. A camel is a horse made by committee. And this book quintessentially fits this adage.
I went in not expecting to be swept off my feet. I only wanted my brain to be kept occupied f
Prodigy is neither a dystopian novel nor a love story nor a book about prodigious feats or thoughts. That's just my opinion, so you are free, of course, to dismiss it.I've read a fistful of YA trilogies, and most times the sequels falter in delivering. The acknowledgments section shed a light on the making of this book. A camel is a horse made by committee. And this book quintessentially fits this adage.
I went in not expecting to be swept off my feet. I only wanted my brain to be kept occupied for several hours. But it was not to be. The experience became a burden. I have much more to say but I've already put this mess in the past.
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Breathtakingly beatiful. Review tomorrow. I need to sleep on it.
Tomorrow:
"After an eternity, I swallow hard. I will not cry. Love is illogical, love has consequences- I did this to myself, and I should be able to take it. So take it, June."
So. That ending.
June was like
And Day was like
And the both of them were like
And it's better if I don't tell you what I was like because the image of that b
Stayed up late in the night to finish this one. Result: tears swelling in my eyes. Not from lack of sleep.Breathtakingly beatiful. Review tomorrow. I need to sleep on it.
Tomorrow:
"After an eternity, I swallow hard. I will not cry. Love is illogical, love has consequences- I did this to myself, and I should be able to take it. So take it, June."
So. That ending.
June was like
And Day was like
And the both of them were like
And it's better if I don't tell you what I was like because the image of that ball of tears and pain wouldn't be very pleasing to the eye nor the stomach and I want nothing but your welfare. Love you guys.
PROPER REVIEW -maybe.
I have to admit, the first one hundred or so pages were slightly disappointing. A little boring, as many others said, but not only: here, the realtionship between June and Day (I was typing Jay and Dune and I am likely to do this mistake again; I apologise in advance) is, to say the least, irritatingly awkward. They seem a bit, just a bit, silly. And then Day came out with that "I love you" and I thought we had lost Marie Lu.
In my entire life, I have never been so happy to be wrong.
I have loved very few fictional couples with the same intensity with which I loved June and Day in this book. What won over my heart was the complete, unbreakable devotion they harbor one for the other, a devotion that it even more valuable because of the very short period of time they've known each other.
It is a thoughtless, selfless, groundless faith, and all these 'less' are its strongest 'more'. It is this inconsideration that makes them more willing to risk everything, more brave in the face of all the adversities, more determinate to fight for what they believe in and for the ones they love.The bottom line is, not only is Marie Lu able to bring me to like and truly understand a love triangle (see The Rose Society), but she's also able to bring me to like and understand a glaring example of insta-love. So these are the options: 1. this woman has superpowers or 2. this woman has superpowers. Am I right or am I right?
Also, June's relationship with Metias. We saw him for barely twenty pages in book one and then only through June's memories, but it's as if he is an outright character, surely more vivid than many other whimps that fill ya literature and dare to call themselves alive. And the way June figured out what was going on thank to her dream of him? Wonderfu and moving. one of my favourite moments.
Being clear that what I adore of Marie Lu's storytelling is the way she shapes her characters, it won't take you aback to hear I didn't even mind the insufferable Tess. She really behaved like a ninny, childish brat here, but she had all the reasons to do so. She's only, what, thirteen? I am actually surprised she didn't freak out before. And again, I am kind of on her side; Day's blind loyalty toward June couldn't not seem born of a mindless and fleeting puppy love to her. And yes, of course it was horrible of her to turn her back on him like she did, but it was coherent with the development of her character, so I am fine with it.
Anden. I am so glad he (view spoiler)[is not the same old ambitious young leader, possibly the son of the former/actual leader, who seems good but at last inevitably turns out to be the bad guy -any resemblance to The Darkest Minds is purely coincidental. (hide spoiler)] This suffices for me to love him.
Going back to the flaws of the first part of the book, another fact I can't help but mention is the fact that way too many things reminded me of The Hunger Games. Really, way too many. The thing of the streak of red hair, for instance, appears a bit inane to me. It sounds like a mention to The Hunger Games (the pin, the braid) rather than a truly original element or something Marie Lu put in the story for some specific intent. Or Day's reputation: it's an impression that stuck to me since book one, but I feel like some more focus on his wrongdoings, crimes or whatever was needed in order to make him a believable inspiration for such a large crowd. I don't know, maybe it's just me.
And, last but not least, the ending. I refuse to talk about it. I think I have some ideas about where the story is going with that: (view spoiler)[when the doctor says the tumor (is that it? whatever) is situated near the hippocampus, what do you want me to think? (hide spoiler)]. I really hope I am wrong though. It would be too painful.
Oh, wait. Marie Lu is so sadistic it's scary. Which means that there is no way for me to avoid that.
Champion will be a dagger in the heart.
Did not finish! Just too much of a romance novel for me to stomach finishing it.
I really understand the importance of character development. But chapter after chapter of how much Day misses June or how Tess feels about Day or how jealous she is of Tess or how June misses Day just doesn't make a good story for me. I finally found myself looking for other things to do rather than picking up the book to read. That's a bad sign so I decided it was time to put this one down and move on to something e
Did not finish! Just too much of a romance novel for me to stomach finishing it.
I really understand the importance of character development. But chapter after chapter of how much Day misses June or how Tess feels about Day or how jealous she is of Tess or how June misses Day just doesn't make a good story for me. I finally found myself looking for other things to do rather than picking up the book to read. That's a bad sign so I decided it was time to put this one down and move on to something else.
Such a disappointment because the action of the first book of the series was sorely missing from this one. I guess if romance is your thing you might like this one.
...moreI write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, I was born in 1984. Before becoming a full-time writer, I was an Art Director at a video game company. Now I shuffle around at home and ta
[Note: Many apologies, but I'm woefully bad at checking my Goodreads emails! If you'd like to send a note/msg, please catch me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Marie_Lu . Thanks!]I write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, I was born in 1984. Before becoming a full-time writer, I was an Art Director at a video game company. Now I shuffle around at home and talk to myself a lot. :)
I graduated from the University of Southern California in '06 and currently live in LA, where I spend my time stuck on the freeways.
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