(Review) Legend by Marie Lu

Title: Legend Author: Marie Lu Pages: 336 Published: April 16th, 2013 Publisher: Penguin UK Review Copy: No Why did I want this book? A lot of my friend were reading this book. So I guess, I just wanted to know, what the fuss is about.

Synopsis:
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.

Cover:
I think the cover is okay, but nothing special. To be honest, I had a problem with the white color. After two days in my handbag, it looks like ... well, you can imagine ...

Title:
The title sounds nice, but I still have no clue what it is referring to. Day? Probably, but I wouldn't call him a legend since the only thing he does during the whole book is sitting in a cell, waiting to get executed.

Writing style:
The writing style is the real plus point in this book. It is fluent and captivating. Actually, it was the only thing that got me going because the plot itself bored me after the first 100 pages. The story is told from Day's and June's point of view in first person. I really liked that, because you were pretty close to the characters.

Characters:
Here was the main problem I had with this book. The character development honestly sucks. I often had the feeling, that both of them were so, so naive!! They did a mistake, just do do the same stupid thing a couple of pages later again! I also had a huge problem with Day. At the beginning it looked like he might be the most interesting character in this book. But after a while, this turned out to be wrong. He gets captured very soon and spends the rest of the story sitting in a cell getting depressive. So, this left me hanging with June. To be fair, her character development was good compared to Day's. She realizes that she made a mistake and tries everything to safe Day. But still, it was hard for me, to get warm with both characters.

Noteworthy:
I think people are making this book too hyped. It has some good scenes and some boring ones.

Stuck in my Head:

“Sometimes, the sun sets earlier. Days don’t last forever, you know. But I’ll fight as hard as I can. I can promise you that.” 

What I didn't like:
That this one doesn't really have a story. Okay, it has one but there aren't a lot of twists in it and it was predictable. What really bothered me was the fact, that is wasn't something new. We have so many brilliant dytopian books on the marked, but this one doesn't seem so be a noteworthy competition. But maybe I'm wrong, maybe the next books will be better. I hope they will.

Quick and dirty:
Great writing style, okay characters but no new plot. The only thing that got me going was Marie Lu's way to tell this story. So, actually while reading it I thought I would rate Legend three stars. but now, I'm not so sure anymore. It had some good parts in it and I don't want to be unfair. But for rating it 4 stars, the story was too weak. So, gonna tell you what: I'm not going to rate it at all!