How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
Legend
FeaturedHotUser reviews
1 reviews with 3 stars
18 reviews
Overall rating
4.2
Plot
4.3 (18)
Characters
4.2 (18)
Writing Style
4.2 (17)
Already have an account? Log in now or Create an account
Back to Listing
1 results - showing 1 - 1
Ordering
So-so dystopian, entertaining story
Overall rating
3.0
Plot
3.0
Characters
3.0
Writing Style
3.0
For me, Legend was a fast-paced, entertaining novel, but not a particularly good novel. I thought this was something like an action movie—great in the moment, but doesn’t make a strong impression or really do well under close scrutiny. There are a lot of dystopian novels in the world, and unfortunately, I think this is more or less the same as the rest, just with a different first impression.
Like many dystopian societies, the world Marie Lu creates in Legend doesn’t really have enough of a foundation. She throws out these terms, but doesn’t make the setting believable. In the former United States of America, there’s the Republic and the Colonies, which are at war. There’s some kind of plague, and at one point, it’s mentioned that there were a lot of volcano eruptions. And…that’s it. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, dystopia without world-building is like a car without wheels. It just doesn’t work.
And then we have the two narrating protagonists, Day and June. I think they’re nice kids. The story from their perspectives was easy to read and follow along with, and as characters, they’re just fine. Except for the fact that they’re complete Mary Sues, the both of them. Both of them are The Most Special Of All The Special. Super agile, super strong, super intelligent, super crafty, super super super. Both Day and June were good at anything and everything, and at 15 years old basically make every single adult in the world look like a lobotomized gorilla. How convenient!
Spare. Me.
And then, naturally, there’s this borderline instalove situation we have going on. The L-word isn’t used, but comments like “I’ve just met you, but I feel like I know you so well!” were liberally sprinkled throughout the text. Gross. Oh, and remember: these people are freaking 15. I’m sorry, but no.
I have every reason in the world to dislike Legend (as you can see). It’s not very good, to be honest. It’s full of overused tropes and obvious details. It’s also extremely vague in terms of how the heck did this society even come into existence—the most important question of all, if you ask me. I don’t know why this book works as well as it does.
As much as I’m not impressed with Lu’s overall efforts here, I think she’s extremely good at writing a compelling piece of fiction. Legend is an extremely easy read, and it’s hard to put down. I recognized flaws while I was reading, but still found myself enjoying the bigger picture. The action movie quality this book possesses makes it hard to grow bored or become completely dissatisfied with.
Legend is a so-so book that I still managed to enjoy, perhaps in spite of myself. Since it’s Marie Lu’s debut, I’m hoping future books in the series will show improvement. In any case, I found this book to be entertaining, but hardly worthwhile on an intellectual level.
Like many dystopian societies, the world Marie Lu creates in Legend doesn’t really have enough of a foundation. She throws out these terms, but doesn’t make the setting believable. In the former United States of America, there’s the Republic and the Colonies, which are at war. There’s some kind of plague, and at one point, it’s mentioned that there were a lot of volcano eruptions. And…that’s it. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, dystopia without world-building is like a car without wheels. It just doesn’t work.
And then we have the two narrating protagonists, Day and June. I think they’re nice kids. The story from their perspectives was easy to read and follow along with, and as characters, they’re just fine. Except for the fact that they’re complete Mary Sues, the both of them. Both of them are The Most Special Of All The Special. Super agile, super strong, super intelligent, super crafty, super super super. Both Day and June were good at anything and everything, and at 15 years old basically make every single adult in the world look like a lobotomized gorilla. How convenient!
Spare. Me.
And then, naturally, there’s this borderline instalove situation we have going on. The L-word isn’t used, but comments like “I’ve just met you, but I feel like I know you so well!” were liberally sprinkled throughout the text. Gross. Oh, and remember: these people are freaking 15. I’m sorry, but no.
I have every reason in the world to dislike Legend (as you can see). It’s not very good, to be honest. It’s full of overused tropes and obvious details. It’s also extremely vague in terms of how the heck did this society even come into existence—the most important question of all, if you ask me. I don’t know why this book works as well as it does.
As much as I’m not impressed with Lu’s overall efforts here, I think she’s extremely good at writing a compelling piece of fiction. Legend is an extremely easy read, and it’s hard to put down. I recognized flaws while I was reading, but still found myself enjoying the bigger picture. The action movie quality this book possesses makes it hard to grow bored or become completely dissatisfied with.
Legend is a so-so book that I still managed to enjoy, perhaps in spite of myself. Since it’s Marie Lu’s debut, I’m hoping future books in the series will show improvement. In any case, I found this book to be entertaining, but hardly worthwhile on an intellectual level.
1 results - showing 1 - 1
Powered by JReviews
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
FEATURED GIVEAWAYS
Author Chat with Eden Royce (Root Magic), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to chat with Eden Royce author of Root Magic. Read on for more about Eden and her book, plus a giveaway! Meet Eden Royce ! Eden Royce grew up immersed i...
Posted in News & Updates
Spotlight on Roman and Jewel (Dana L. Davis), Excerpt, Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to spotlight Roman and Jewel (Dana L. Davis). Read on for more about Dana, plus a excerpt & a giveaway! Meet Dana L. Davis ! Dan...
Posted in News & Updates
Spotlight on You Have A Match (Emma Lord), Excerpt, Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to spotlight You Have A Match (Emma Lord). Read on for more about Emma, plus a excerpt & a giveaway! Meet Emma Lord ! Emma Lord is a di...
Posted in News & Updates
Giveaway: Happily Ever Afters (Elise Bryant) ~ (US Only)
Happily Ever Afters (US Only) by: Elise Bryant Release Date: January 5th, 2021 Publisher: Harpercollins Children's Books/Balzer + Bray About the Book: Jane the Virgin meets To All...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Chat with Amanda Hocking (The Ever After), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to chat with Amanda Hocking author of The Ever After. Read on for more about Amanda and her book, plus a giveaway! Meet Amanda Hocking ! AMANDA HOCKING ...
Posted in News & Updates
Author Of The Week: Author Chat with Alexandra Bracken (Lore), Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Welcome to our weekly special feature post, Author Of The Week !! Each week we will be interviewing a different YA author and highlighting their upcoming release! We will also be hosting a givea...
Posted in News & Updates
Latest Book Listings Added
The dead still walk in Denmark. Already crushed by his...
In this riveting, keenly emotional debut fantasy, a Black...
The thrilling sequel to instant New York Times bestseller All...
In a full-color dog book unlike any other, acclaimed children’s...
Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents CITY OF THE PLAGUE GOD,...
Latest Member Reviews
"Paloma, 'Loma' wants nothing more than to be a mother with children. She ends up being her grandfather's constant companion..."
"Lady Peregrine is a Lakti, and her mother has taught her that the Bamarre are far inferior to her people..."
"I read this book a few years back so my review might be a little off course. I just wanted..."
"My only prior experience with Gail Carson Levine was Ella Enchanted, which, honestly, I did not like. I had seen..."
"I liked the concept of the story, but I didn't enjoy the writing style and stopped reading after the first..."
"Reader reviewed by Emily H. I liked the concept of the story, but I didn't enjoy the writing style and..."
"Reader reviewed by Arianna An altered version of the classic Cinderella fairy-tale, Ella Enchanted is a marvelous book! Filled..."
"Betsy is determined to be the best shepherd Bray Valley has ever knownand the Valley has known some lousy shepherds!..."
"Betsy is finally old enough to walk to Grandmas by herself! So she takes her sheep and her fellow shepherd,..."
"Reader reviewed by Denise All their lives, sisters Meryl and Addie have played at saving their people from the..."
"Reader reviewed by WilowRaven A cute youth fantasy / fairytale story. Ella was enchanted by a fairy at birth -..."
"Reader reviewed by Lea Being obedient isn't fun, but for Ella its a curse. She doesn't have a choice, she..."
"Reader reviewed by victoria This was one of the best books i've ever read! It teaches you that you..."
"Reader reviewed by Lexie First for anyone looking for another book set in the same universe as Ella Enchanted, Fairest..."
"Reader reviewed by Rvnclw08 This book was good and fun to read but was not impressive. Princess books fill the..."
"Reader reviewed by Shelby Ella Enchanted is a great fairy tale story. What I liked about this book is that..."
"Reader reviewed by Tori Phillips This book is considered to be one of Levine's best and I liked it, yet..."
"Reader reviewed by Cowgirl I really enjoyed reading "Enchanted." It is a fairytale that mixes courage, determination, love, hope,..."
"Reader reviewed by AbbyLiz This was one of the first books that I read and liked. A tale of..."
"Reader reviewed by AbbyLiz I am constantly looking for new stories to read to my cousins and they are fans..."