Prodigy by Marie Lu
8:00 AM
Author: Marie Lu
Release Date: January 29, 2013 (hardcover)
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages: 384
Source: Copy provided by publisher
Overall: 5 Stars
Summary:
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.
My Thoughts:
After absolutely loving Legend, I thought it would be impossible for its follow-up to be just as amazing... but wow, Marie Lu sure surpassed my expectations! Prodigy somehow manages to be even better than its predecessor. Marie Lu delivers a dystopian novel brimming with thrilling action and suspense from the very first page!
After June helped Day narrowly escape from the Republic, the pair have fled Los Angeles and made their way to Las Vegas, where they find themselves out of options and at the mercy of the Patriots when Day's injuries prove to be too serious to carry on. In exchange for the Patriots's aid, there's only one condition: they have to help assassinate Anden, the new Elector Primo. June must return to the Republic to get close to Anden, while Day remains behind to spread a message of hope to the public that he's still very much alive.
My senses were constantly on high alert as I read along, suspicious of anyone close to June and Day who could possibly harm them. The Republic is on a manhunt trying to capture them, the Patriot rebels want them to further their own cause... and even the Colonies, all the way on the other side of the warfront, have expressed interest in them too. Everyone wants a piece of June and Day, so it's no wonder the stress and pressure are beginning to take its toll. It's certainly enough to make anyone feel helpless, but I loved how they followed their convictions and made their own decisions, rather than blindly following the orders of others.
Much like in Legend, June is very analytical and constantly aware of her surroundings. She catches the little details no one else notices and makes the connection that something isn't right about the Patriots, even if she can't fully explain it. She can't forgive the Republic for how they silenced her brother, Metias, but the more time she spends with the charismatic Anden, the more she's unsure if helping the Patriots is the right answer. In the meantime, Day meets more Patriots and is reunited with his best friend, Tess, but there's a tension in the air between them that he's reluctant to acknowledge...
Until I have a copy of the final book in my hands, I'm just going to deny the fact that Marie Lu dropped a huge bombshell right at the end of Prodigy. I need Champion! Like. Right. Now. Prodigy is an intense read which unfolds before your eyes like a cinematic experience. Loyalty. Trust. Betrayal. Marie Lu holds nothing back in this exhilarating sequel to Legend.
Thanks so much to Penguin Canada for providing this review copy!
5 comments
Huge bombshell at the end?! WHY!?!?! I can hardly wait to read Prodigy. Great review by the way :)
ReplyDeleteAhh, I absolutely loved this one but the ending broke my heart! There was amazing world building and so many more emotions going through this book. Great review, I'm scared for this series to end now :(
ReplyDeleteYes, I totally agree that this was an amazing second story. I SO can't wait to read book 3. Marie is such an amazing author. So excited for her success.
ReplyDeleteShould be picking this up next week as part of my birthday shopping trip to Chapters. Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI agree. I loved this more than Legend! Marie kept me guessing till the very end. What a big mysterious ball of words. I can confirm, with the final book in my hands, that that ending REALLY HAPPENED. Gah, I can barely believe it. I mean, really?! *crazed look* Great review!
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