LEGEND by Marie Lu, A Bookanista Review

I’d been looking forward to reading LEGEND since I first heard about it months ago. You know what? It was awesome.

Here’s a 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.

From me… I feel compelled to bust out some bullet points, so here goes. Why LEGEND is legendary, or at least, why it seriously rocks:

• It switches POVs between Day and June, which not only allows the reader to spend time with equally intriguing characters, but gives the reader such a broad view of the fascinating world that Lu built.
• It’s fresh! How many military, espionage-ey, post-apocalyptic-ey YA books have you read? I haven’t read too many. Not like this one, anyway. LEGEND felt like a breath of fresh air.
• The pacing was awesome.
• LEGEND will work great for boy readers. It’s very action-oriented, and the romance is sweet and understated.
• The theme of brotherhood (and sisterhood) (so, siblinghood) is strong. I loved this about LEGEND. At its core, it’s about love of family. This theme is very well handled, from start to finish.

In short, if you like books that are full of action and heart, you will love LEGEND. It's a while still before this one hits the shelves, but be ready for it in November. The word pre-order comes to mind.

Check out what the rest of the Bookanistas are up to this week:

WE INTERRUPT THIS BOOKANISTA BROADCAST…to celebrate WRITE ON CON! For some fun writer insights and pep talks, click along to…

Christine Fonseca , Beth Revis , Jessi Kirby and Stasia Ward Kehoe

And, we know you MUST have your Thursday Bookanista reviews so here you go!

Shana Silver serves up a Maureen Johnson double feature of The Last Little Blue Envelope & The Name of the Star

Scott Tracey is awed by Anna Dressed in Blood

Bethany Wiggins howls over How to Take the Ex Out of Ex-Boyfriend

Carrie Harris is in a frenzy over Stupid Fast

Gretchen McNeil is spellbound by Witch Eyes

Carolina Valdez Miller and Shelli Johannes-Wells are passionate about Possess

Matt Blackstone blogs From Bedside