Waiting on Wednesday (#11)

Waiting on Wednesday is a Book Hop  hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is:  

Champion by Marie Lu

"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."

Release Date: November 5, 2013

Looking forward to what happens next to Day & June & their country, The Republic, in this much anticipated conclusion to Marie Lu's Legend trilogy!

Book Review: Prodigy

Prodigy

Warning!: This review has  spoilers in it.

"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."

Author: Marie Lu
Year of Release: 2013
Genre: Dystopia
Sequel(s): Champion

Prequel(s): Legend

What motivated you to read this book?: Read Legend & enjoyed it & wanted to find out what happens next to my Day & June!
Book Version: Hardback
Where did you get the book?: Local Library that I work at
Favorite Character: Day Wing
Least Favorite Character: Razor
Thoughts on Cover: I like it. It's definitely appropriate for this book because it is a government related book
Recommended to: Dystopian Fans
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Review: Prodigy was a great novel on it's own. However, it is not nearly as good when compared to the first in the trilogy, Legend. The forbidden romance factor is missing and the overall plot was not as exciting as it was in Legend. Don't get me wrong, though, I still enjoyed this book, just not to the same extent. I'm also not saying that Prodigy was a disappointing sequel. It definitely wasn't. I just didn't like it as much as Legend. Prodigy was so different from Legend. However, that is not a bad thing. I liked how it was different. If it was exactly like Legend, I would have gotten bored.

Prodigy was full of action, suspense, and plot twists, which I liked. It made me nervous knowing what June knew and what Day didn't know, hoping he wouldn't kill Anden like he was supposed to. You also never would have expected both June and Day to completely do a 180 & side with the Republic, especially Day. I really liked that.

I really look forward to reading the final book in the trilogy, Champion, later this year (Thankfully, it comes out in November, so we don't have to wait till 2014!). What happened to Day was really sad, and I cried. The whole ending was so emotional. I definitely hope things will turn out for the best for Day & June!!

Waiting on Wednesday (#10)

Waiting on Wednesday is a Book Hop  hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is:  

Prodigy

"Jan. 4. 1932 Hours.

Ocean Standard Time

Thirty-Five Days After Metias’s Death

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 vengence, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?"

Release Date: January 29, 2013

I finished Legend last week and I'm looking forward to finding out what happens next to our beloved Day & June. Hopefully between all the action, we get some more romance!!

Book Review: Legend

Warning! As always, this review contains spoilers.

Legend

"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."

Author: Marie Lu

Year of Release: 2011

Genre: Dystopia

Sequel(s): Prodigy

What motivated you to read this book?: I think I saw an ad for it on Amazon or Facebook back in 2011 and it caught my attention. I also heard a lot of good things about it, so I wanted to give it a try.

Book Version: Hardback

Where did you get the book?: Library

Favorite Character: Day Wing

Least Favorite Character: Commander Jameson or Thomas

Thoughts on Cover: It's alright. Definitely looks good for a government related book, which Legend is.

Recommended to: Dystopian fans

Rating: 4 of 5 Stars

Review:  This book was awesome! I loved it. It kept me entertained from beginning to end. I absolutely loved how the two main characters, Day and June, were so alike yet from two different worlds. They're meant to be enemies and yet they fall in love with each other. I love forbidden romance!

This YA dystopian book is a lot different from other dystopian books in that it shows the story from two different completely perspectives. It was interesting reading it that way. Both perspectives were written so well, I never got confused and thought I was reading it from the other person's point of view. Both characters were great! I love them. I enjoyed the character growth throughout the story. They both changed, especially June when she discovers the truth behind the country she loved so much.

The actual story line was brilliant. Although some parts were predictable, most were not, and I was surprised by several things that happened and by the things that June discovered. I would have asked for more romance though, but the fact there there was a minimal amount is understandable considering that June and Day come from different worlds and are supposed to hate each other. There were some parts that were really sad though, I almost cried during one part! But it was so, so good! I really enjoyed what happened in the end.

All in all, I really liked this book. It was a fun read and I look forward to discovering what happens next with Day and June. I expect there will be more romance in it since the two of them are together now and June doesn't have to pretend to hate Day anymore.