Review of Legend by Marie Lu

Putnam Juvenile

Legend
by Marie Lu
4 Stars

June’s Republican roots go deep, before their deaths, June’s parents were scientists for the Republic of America, and she and her older brother Metias are soldiers proud to serve against the Republic’s main enemy, The Colonies. But when tragedy strikes, June swears revenge, and Day, a gifted street-kid turned most-wanted criminal is at the top of her list—bad news for Day, since June is a prodigy, having earned a perfect score on the Republic’s Trials, and June intends to use every last one of her superior skills to find Day and get some payback. Yet June doesn’t realize that Day didn’t earn his notoriety for being stupid, and she certainly doesn’t figure catching him might be the hardest thing she has ever tried to accomplish.

Probably the most refreshing and perhaps the most disturbing aspect of this novel is June’s character. June is a perfect example of what propaganda and privilege can accomplish when used as a weapon. June feels a sense of entitlement and possesses a hardened nature at the start of the novel which is disturbing and unusual in a protagonist. She turns a blind eye to prisoners of war as they are brutally tortured in front of her and by her brother’s best friend. She clearly believes there has never been a United States, and while half of her country suffers in poverty and with a constant fear of the deadly plague, she shrugs it off, figuring this is of no concern to her since she’s been vaccinated. In fact, a more ruthless and despicable protagonist is hard to imagine. Yet her character changes, and not because she spends time on the streets sympathizing with the commoners; June only begins to change when she discovers evidence that her beloved Republic has been keeping secrets. Less impressive is Day’s character; he is far too forgiving and kind in my opinion, given his circumstances. And while the post-natural-disaster-science-fiction premise is lurking around every corner nowadays, Lu’s work has solid plotting, teeth-grinding action and plenty of intrigue to keep this novel plowing all the way to its fiery conclusion. This action, coupled with unique characters, will have readers excited to read Prodigy, book two in the Legend trilogy, out January 29 of 2013.  

Review of Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne

Feiwel & Friends

Monument 14

By Emmy Laybourne

5 Scribbles

There is no denying that high school changes people. Unexpected friendships form and some friendships end altogether—perhaps this is because high school seems to challenge a person’s character, and some people aren’t equal to the challenge. Bookish protagonist, Dean has no idea when he boards the bus for school one average morning that the world will change and he will be stranded with 14 kids from his school district in a Greenway department store. Tsunamis, hailstorms, earthquakes, and now something far more sinister has changed the United States forever. How will Dean meet this challenge, and who will he befriend in this unlikely mix of characters?

The novel’s killer first chapter is followed by a beginning reminiscent of Lord of the Flies, although the plot quickly evolves into something far more contemporary. Critics might think being stranded in a giant department store makes the struggle too easy for the characters, but what it actually does is focus the conflicts on the characters themselves, their interactions, and their inner turmoil. It also reveals how simply surviving isn’t enough; we all crave connection to family and friends. Dean’s simple voice (in easy to read, short chapters) reveals a sharp, dry wit that appears when least expected, and readers will chuckle despite the horror that surrounds the characters. On that note, the author has an uncanny sense of timing and knows exactly when comic relief is needed. Not only do Dean’s observations of the other characters create humor, but the voices of the small children, specifically Batiste and Max, make me laugh out loud! Humor aside, however, this narrative has a dark, disturbing edge and a startling twist at the end. Here’s hoping Monument 14 evolves into a new brilliant series that I will be following!