Legend - Marie Lu

Legend by Marie Lu
Series: Legend #1
Published on November 29, 2011 by Putnam Juvenile

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 was a re-read so that maybe I could finally finish reading this series this year (I re-read this in January, now it's March and I still haven't picked up the second one -.-). Anyway, this was a fun ready, it had a it's fair share of distopian tropes but the high pacing, adventure like nature and mysteries kept me turning the pages.

I have to say that the worst part of it is the romance, this book is super short and as soon as they look at each other June and Day can't stop noticing the eyes or hair or abs or whatever of each other, I do have to say that the romance is a side part of the story and never overtakes the plot so that is a good thing, but they still kiss and think a lot about each other pretty early on.

Day and June are both good characters, if a bit stereotypical. Day is (sort of, but not really) part of the resistance of this government, he's a fugitive and a criminal, I was a bit disappointed that we don't really see him in action; he falls into the trope of being the whole noble hero. June is part of the government, having being trained by them she is in a path to greatness until the death of her brother, she them starts to unravel secrets and not trust this organization anymore.

Overall this was a good book, it had a few cliches and the plot makes it hard to create a deeper connection to the characters, since there is so much to find out, also so many questions, I really should get to the second book soon.

The Young Elites - Marie Lu

The Young Elites by Marie Lu
Series: The Young Elites #1
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on October 7, 2014 
Pages: 368
Genres: Fantasy, Magic, Vilains 
Format: eARC
Source: Edelweiss

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I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.

Characters & Relationships: the thing that I most liked about this book is the complexity of its characters, they aren't any character that can be classified as just good or bad, all of them have shades to their self & unique personalities. Adelina is our main focus, despite the other POV's, give the more clear vision of this - despite doing some pretty bad stuff we always see her reasons for it, there isn't violence just for violence or bad decisions made just for some rushed reasoning, all the decisions Adelina takes are for a very deep reason and is what make her the person she becomes. Of course that with complex characters we have complex relationships friendships, romance & family all are painfully real and complicated, I can already see the heart ache that the next installment in this series will bring me.

World building & pace: The world building in this one is definitely one of my favorites, Marie Lu does that thing where she describes this world while narrating and you don't even feel like it's world building, you just start to imagine the descriptions in your head and BAM! when you realize you're already totally immersed in this new world. I have to say that I found this book rather slow, there is some action in it but I think most part of the time was spend on building the set for the rest of the series - which is awesome because this series has so much promises to become even greater.

Recommended to: lovers of fantasy, lovers of fantasy looking for a more dark setting/characters,  readers that like complex characters & characters that are usually bad, readers that like to read about people with powers.