Description from Goodreads: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors, the Colonies. 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.
Lately I’ve been wondering how long the dystopian novel will stay in vogue, and despite a market that is flooded with them, I thought Legend was relevant and interesting. June is extremely smart and strong. Day is also smart and strong, but as a result of a harder life, I think he is a more complex character. The book is told from both June and Day’s point-of-views with chapters alternating between the two characters. It’s action-packed and fast paced.
The only thing I didn’t like in the story was how fast June fell for Day, especially with what she suspected him of doing. I like the relationship existing between the two, but I think it would be more meaningful if it had developed over a longer period of time (like into the next novel). It will be interesting to see what happens between June and Day’s relationship as the series progresses.
I’m anxious to learn more about the world in which June and Day live and what the back story is for why the United States divided and is now at war with one another. The sequel, Prodigy is now available and I will definitely be reading it soon.
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Overall Rating: 
Parent’s guide:
- Sex: some intense kissing
- Violence: someone is killed by a knife, hand-to-hand fighting, someone is stabbed and hurt, multiple scenes where guns are fired at people and those people are hurt or killed, a mass shooting of protesters is described, a young boy is sentenced to death by firing squad, references to human testing, many people die of a plague
- Language: mild
- Adult Themes: corrupt government controlling and taking advantage of the people, death, murder
