Review: Legend by Marie Lu

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.

Summary from Goodreads:

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' 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.

My Thoughts:

I'm not totally sure how to word this review. I really, really wanted to love Legend. I really did. It got a lot of hype, I've seen great reviews on it, and it's selling really well.

But, I just didn't... love it.

I think my main problem was that there was almost too much detail and not enough at the same time. I felt like about a quarter of the detail there was in the book could have been left out, and then from there the book needed to be about twice as long as it was. I never felt like I fully understood the world of Legend, and I never really loved the characters that much. I hate to say it, but I think Legend is a book that I won't remember much about 6 months from now.

Man, I feel terrible writing this review...

I will say that I will read the next book. I do think it may be better, with more world building and more development behind the characters.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

Mini Reviews: Hollowmen and All These Things I've Done

Due to massive time constraints I'm just going to do mini reviews on these two books.

Summary from Goodreads:

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.


Engrossing and suspenseful, All These Things I've Done is an utterly unique, unputdownable read that blends both the familiar and the fantastic.

My Thoughts:

This wasn't exactly the book I was expecting.  When I picked it up I was expecting a dystopian.  I'm not so sure it really is.  It is set in the future, but there isn't really a whole lot that's changed about the future, and really, there wasn't much of any action to it.  I would more call this a futuristic mob/crime book.  While it wasn't quite what I was expecting, I did enjoy the strong family relationships and forbidden love.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

Summary from Goodreads:

After six months in the quarantine, Remy finds out things are much worse than she feared. Her plans to escape come with a heavy cost, and she realizes that zombies aren't the worst of her problems.


My Thoughts:

Well, there goes most of the characters....  There is a LOT of death in this book.  I was a little disappointed that my favorite character from the first book was killed off.  So were most of the other characters...  *sigh*  I did enjoy all the action and I really did love the ending.  And weirdly, I really liked the romance that slowly blossomed in it.  It was unexpected but felt realistic.  Overall, an okay read, and I would read another should Amanda Hocking write another in this series (though it did seem to wrap up so I don't think there will be another).

3 out of 5 stars.