Champion: Review

Synopsis:

The explosive finale to Marie Lu’s New York Times bestselling LEGEND trilogy—perfect for fans of THE HUNGER GAMES and DIVERGENT!

He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion?

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps Elect while Day has been assigned a high level military position. But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them once again. Just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything he has. With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.

***

Champion is heart-stopping and action-packed in its extreme. Now that the Republic is at risk of being invaded completely, June will do anything to save her country. But it's never easy to save one when it's so broken and what it requires is to sacrifice something your love ones love. The suspense is good too. The plague in the Colonies, the purpose behind the creation of that virus and all the dark political reasons behind it. It's literally explosive. 

Your heart will never stop pounding once you turn over the very first page of the book. And trust me, it gets stronger and stronger as you continue to turn the pages. You will never know what happens next. Every hour, every minute, every second can be June and/or Day's last. Yeah, the world in Champion is as dangerous as that. A legend born from a twisted country. A light rose from a dark nation. It's not hard to understand why Legend is so popular and so awesome, and Champion does take it to the extreme.

The ending is beautiful. The end of a new start. But as much as I love the beauty of the ending, I'm also pretty sad and angry. I'm about to lose faith in all dystopian series endings. Sure, many are perfect endings. Like Allegiant, which is also beautiful. Or like Requiem, which seems like the fairest way to end the series. But the endings are never perfect for our favorite couples. I don't want to spoil too much on the ending. But it's hard not to get a little angry for a while. I guess this is the thing in dystopian novels: great sacrifices has to be made for the greater good, and it can break your heart. But in the end you will be okay. Yep.

It's amazing, how everything seems to be the same and yet so different for our characters and the world of Legend. June has changed so much and sacrifices so much throughout the trilogy. So has Day. But deep down they are just the same girl and boy at the beginning of Legend. The endless action, the stakes and the sacrifices are where legends born from. 

Rating: 9.5/10

Teaser Tuesday: Champion by Marie Lu

This weekly bookish meme is host by MizB @ Should Be Reading

To participate you:

1. Grab your current read
2. Open to a random page
3.  Share two (2) teaser sentences from somewhere on that page
4.  BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
(Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
5.  Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

***

This week I choose Champion (Legend #3) by Marie Lu

"If anyone tries to see him," I whisper to Lucy as Eden sleeps,"for any reason, please call me. If anyone wants --"















Add Champion on Goodreads:

Top Ten Tuesday #2: Top Ten Unusual Character Names We've Encountered In Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a bookish meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Today's question is my top ten unusual character names we've encountered in books. And... sorry for being late, but I'm kinda busy yesterday and don't really have time to post blogposts.

1. Celaena Sardothien from Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas - Seriously she has the coolest name ever.

2. Tris from Divergent by Veronica Roth - Tris. Short and fierce. I like it.

3. Four from Divergent by Veronica Roth - Four. Well, that's unusual by default.

4. Deznee from Denazen by Jus Accardo - A very unusual name because of what it means.

5. Magnus from The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices and The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare - I have to say, it sounds deep and husky and adds a dark streak in this name

6. America from The Selection by Kiera Cass - Although not my favorite female character in YA novels, I'd say she has a pretty cool name for a country who wants to leave the old US behind.

7. Day from Legend by Marie Lu - Day is just a nickname, but its meaning makes the nickname unusual

8. Elder from Across The Universe by Beth Revis - Elder is not necessarily a name. But it's totally not normal to call yourself Elder, right?

9. Karou from Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor - The name has a nice ring in it. And hey, it's unlike every name I've ever seen

10. Akiva from Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor - Same reason as 9

What are your choice of unusual names? I'm curious :)

Cover Reveal: Chapmion by Marie Lu

OMG can you believe that the bestselling Legend trilogy is coming to the end?! After reading Prodigy I was DEVASTATED. They. Have. To. Be. Together.

So, here's the cover. Not what I expected. But just as awesome. :)

The bullet hole. The gunpowder. The BLOOD. Oh god I so do need this. Glad that I can have it for birthday :)

Synopsis:

The explosive finale to Marie Lu’s New York Times bestselling LEGEND trilogy—perfect for fans of THE HUNGER GAMES and DIVERGENT!

He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion?

June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps Elect while Day has been assigned a high level military position. But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them once again. Just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything he has. With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.

Release Date: November 5, 2013

Champion: Info

We finally have some info of the explosive finale of Legend trilogy by Marie Lu!

Yep, you know it's called Champion guys, but here's the synopsis and the release day!

Synopsis:

In the explosive finale to Marie Lu’s New York Times bestselling trilogy, both Day and June are back in the good graces of the Republic. June is working within the government’s highest circles as Princeps-Elect while Day has been assigned a high level military position. Just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies. War threatens the Republic’s border cities once again. The new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and the Republic’s only means of defense could cost Day everything he has.

Champion will be released on November 5, 2013 (At least, that's what goodreads says).

***

You know what? I can hardly stand the feels after reading Prodigy! I actually cry in the last few pages of the book (and I'm not known to cry). And now this synopsis itself can kill me. Glad that it's released on November 5 (because it's the following day of my birthday!), or I'm gonna kill someone. DAY AND JUNE HAVE TO BE TOGETHER I DON'T CARE HOW YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN I JUST WANT THEM BE.

Prodigy: Review

Synopsis:

June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.

***

(This review might contain spoilers)

Prodigy takes Legend into a whole new epic level. There are more action scene in the book, and the obstacles are harder to get through. In this book, June and Day faces countless challenges, dangers, distrust and lies. This book is like a perfect combination of Angel Fire by L.A. Weatherly and Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Once you pick up this book, you will never be able to put it down until you finishes the book.

Like I said, June and Day faces lots of challenges that attempt to keep them apart. I have no idea how Marie Lu can successfully carry out all the obstacles in one book that is less that 400 pages. It's awesome to have so many stakes shriveling into one book. There are minor ones, like jealousy and some quarrel. And there are major ones like distrust, lies, secrets, etc. The reviewers are right. This book is even better than Legend.

The emotional part of the book gets more intense too. In Prodigy, June and Day has to face their own hearts and the truth lying between them. They have to choose between what's familiar and what's truly right for their heart. This is one of the obstacles in the book that the two of them have to face too, because there are tons of messy stuff going around them that will keep them apart. The break-down part of the book is probably the last part. Wanna know why? Well, you have to read it by yourself.

This book is awesome for another reason. It's a stable bridge and connection to Champion, the final installment of the trilogy. Well, there are many good bridges out there too. But I have a feeling that the connection between Prodigy and Champion will be strong, stronger than most of the ones out there. Prodigy shows that Champion is seriously going to kick some butt. And you know what? I'm excited about the finale of the trilogy. Thanks to Prodigy.

If you are still hesitating whether or not to read Legend, well you should definitely pick up the book now. This trilogy is seriously one of the best dystopian series in the market.

Rating: 8.5/10

Legend: Review

Synopsis:

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.

***

(This review might contain spoilers.)

Legend is not very long. But it is well-written. I have a helpless love for dystopian novels. And Legend is probably one of the best. I mean, this is LITERALLY a dystopian novel. It fits all the characteristics that a dystopian novel should have (believe me, there are plenty out there that doesn't quite match those characteristics). The excitement is just plain breath-taking. It's safe to say it's almost as good as Divergent. 

Yep, you can totally get what will be going on based on the synopsis alone. What you don't get is the secret behind. And trust me, you will never know how deep the secret actually runs until you really pick up the book and read it. This book is about political stuff, really. That's the main reason why I said this fits all the characteristics that a dystopian novel should have. 

The book is told in dual point of view. Day and June, the main protagonists of the book. (Spolier: Both elite) They are from so different worlds yet there are plenty of similarities between the two of them. Yep, the spoiler says both elite (you will know why once you read the book). And they long for truth. Although this personality is not as obvious on Day than than on June. There are more. But I can't reveal too much. You will love both characters in an instant.
  
Legend will never cease to amaze you. From the start of the book, there are plenty heart-pounding moments. Each gets more and more dangerous. There is the breath-taking moment where truth is unearthed and life-changing decisions are made. Yeah, you can probably guess what will be going on in Legend, since it is relatively obvious. But still, when you actually read it, your eyes will definitely widen. 

So if you a dystopian fan like me, be sure to pick up the book at once and start reading it. You will fall in love with the trilogy. 

Rating: 8/10

Name Reveal: House of Night #12 and Legend #3

Woohoo! We have two new names of two new books!

1. The 12th novel of House of Night series by P.C.Cast and Kristin Cast

Yep, the ever infamous 12th and the final novel of HoN. I still have to say it's way too freaking long. But anyway, the book will be called:

Redeemed

Yep, Redeemed. Not some lame-ass name like, what, Finished or Ended or something like that.

Synopsis:

The 12th and final House of Night novel

In her blog, PC announced that there would be twelve books in the House of Night series. The final book will come out in 2014, and will focus on the children's battle with Neferet and the Dark red fledglings. Also she said in her live stream video chat that in the final books an epic battle between Light and Darkness is going to happen. She said that the old magick of the Isle of Skye is going to help Zoey to defeat Neferet once and for all.

Redeemed will be released in 2014. 

***

2. The third novel of Legend trilogy by Marie Lu

I'm planning to read Legend, and I believe it's gonna be awesome! So here's the piece of news: The name of the third book of the trilogy!

Champion

Cool name, even though I haven't even read the first book yet. Maybe I will love it more after I read Legend and Prodigy.

Champion will be released in 2014.

***

Are you guys excited? Which one is more anticipating to you guys?