Guest Review: Legend

Reviewed by Shay S.

Title:  Legend

Author:  Marie Lu

From Amazon.com, 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.

This book is full of action and suspense. It reminds you of The Hunger Games because the country fell apart and divided. Day has to elude the authorities of the Republic and figure out how to help his family without letting his mother know he is still alive. June, the little sister of Captain Metias has to hunt down Day for the murder of Metias. These teens cross paths and realize what has happened. Unexpected twist and turns on every page. Action in every chapter, this book is definitely a book I would recommend to a reader that loves action and a thriller.

Matched Review

Title:  Matched

Author:  Ally Condie

     From GoodReads, "Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow."

     I wasn't quite sure whether I wanted to read this book or not.  I liked the cover, but couldn't figure out how it related to the story.  I also knew that this novel was science fiction/fantasy which isn't my favorite genre so I was putting reading it off.  It wasn't until I saw that it was on the New York Times Bestseller list that I decided to take the plunge and read it and I'm so glad that I did.

     This novel is rich in so many ways... the first of which is the richness of the writing of Ally Condie.  This book is so beautifully written, I felt that it was a privilege to read each word.  I could tell that Ally Condie took her writing personally and chose each word with the greatest of concern.

     The novel takes place in the future where the Society controls everything... what you eat, who you marry, and even when you die.  This novel is reminiscent of many novels that I have previously read, but it brings a whole new spin on dystopian society.

     I loved the characters in the novel.  Cassia, the teenage girl whose life changes after she is Matched with her best friend and another boy.  Yes, that's right.  She has two matches, but one of those is a mistake.  Both of her matches, Xander and Ky, are also remarkable characters and it was easy to see how Cassia could love them both.

     Watching Cassia grow, develop, and most of all think in this novel is what makes it so wonderful.  I love how invested the reader gets with Cassia and finding out what she will do.  It is also good to see that each character has good and bad in them and that sometimes they make the right decisions and sometimes they make the wrong ones, but through it all they are human.  This is an amazing and beautiful read which is also powerful and at times, forbidden.  You will not be disappointed if you begin this book, just don't wait as long as I did.