Legend by Marie Lu

I put this book in my To Read list when I learned it was won in Goodreads. I thought that a lot of readers must have liked it that's why it won.

The story is written in first person, from the perspective of the two main characters: Day and June. I am not a fan of first person storytelling but because this novel is told from the point of view of the main male and female protagonists, I enjoyed reading it.

The two main characters could not be anymore different. Day came from a poor family, was forced to live on the streets and in hiding.  Someone who goes against everything the government is. Whereas June is the golden child of the government. She is someone who grew up in privilege, was able to attend to the best school, honored by everyone.

The country is afflicted with a plague that is spreading wide and fast and a cure is nowhere in sight. Soldiers would stop at every home to draw blood samples on its occupants and test whether they have the plague. If they do, soldiers would paint the letter X on the door to indicate that the members have the plague.

When a citizen turns ten years old, it is mandatory that they take the Trial. The score you get from it determines your future in the Republic. You get a score between 1450 to 1499, guarantees that you will be able to finish high school and can attend any of the top four universities. After which, you are also assured of a job in government. If your score is between 1250 and 1449, you will still be able to finish high school but you will now be designated to a college. However, if you land a score between 1000 and 1249, you can no longer proceed to high school moreso attend college.

Getting a score from 1000 and 1249 is not so bad because when you fail, you will be sent away. You are not even given a chance to say goodbye to your family. Republic officials will go to your home and force your family to sign a document granting them full custody over you.

Day failed on his Trial. He was able to escape wherever it is that they were supposed to take him to, his family was made to believe that he died. That's why he was forced to live on the streets and get back at the government whichever way he can. Day is considered a criminal, he is not the most dangerous but he is the most wanted because the government can seem to find anything about him.

June, on the other hand, got 1500 on her Trial. The perfect score. A prodigy. She excelled in everything and was fully supported by the government. And her first tracking mission is Day. However, during her mission she met and got to know a boy and was made aware how the people on the poor sectors live. She started to get conflicted about the things that was taught to her and what she is now learning. When the boy she met turns out to be Day, will she turn on him or choose his side?

Each day means a new twenty-four hours. Each day means everything's possible again. You live in the moment, you die in the moment, you take it all one day at a time. - Day

Rating: 5 STARS