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Review

LOVE THIS BOOK!

I’m a huge fan of dystopia, and this one is right up there amongst my faves.

Lu has created a brilliantly fleshed out world set in the future after the USA has been ravaged by natural disasters and split into two separate countries. This story takes place in the Republic, made up of what was once the Western half of the USA. Constantly at war with the Colonies in the East, and beleaguered by plagues, society is highly controlled by the Military, and is divided into those living in wealth, and those living in slums.

From the wealthy side is June. 15 years old and a prodigy of the highest intelligence and physical ability, she is being groomed for a high level career in the Republic’s military. Raised by her brother, Metias, following the death of their parents, she is well aware of her abilities and has been labelled a bit of a trouble maker, always looking for adventure and testing the limits.

“So, tell me,” he whispers. “How fast did you climb those fourteen stories?”
… I break into a grin … “Six minutes,” I whisper back to my brother. “And forty-four seconds. How do you like that?”
“That must be some sort of record. Not that, you know, you’re supposed to do it.”

On the other side of the fence is Day. Also 15, he lives his life on the streets and in hiding as the country’s most wanted criminal – wanted for a series of thefts and attacks against the Republic’s war effort. But we soon realise that he is not a bad guy. He has a huge heart, and is doing what he must to survive, and to provide for those he cares for.

“My mother used to hope that I would rise up from my humble roots. Become someone successful, or even famous.
I’m famous all right, but I don’t think it’s what she had in mind.”

Each chapter switches POV between June and Day, and we get to see not only the glaring differences between their circumstances, but also the intricacies of their lives in fantastic detail.

When June’s brother, Metias is murdered and the blame is directed solely on Day, June goes undercover into the slums to find the outlaw and get vengeance for her brother.

“In my mind, I make a silent promise to my brother’s killer.
I will hunt you down. I will scour the streets of Los Angeles for you. Search every street in the Republic if I have to. I will trick you and deceive you, lie, cheat and steal to find you, tempt you out of your hiding place, and chase you until you have nowhere else to run. I make you this promise: your life is mine.”

Living on the streets and seeing life in the slums for the first time in her life is a big shock for June, and I loved watching her assimilate into a world that she had never experienced. But it’s her interactions with those that she meets that will change her life forever.

It’s a very harsh world, and the expectations put upon 15 year olds make both June and Day seem so much older and wiser than their years. And I love that despite the differences between them, they share a spark, and an intelligence that has made them both famous in their own circles – the Legend and the Prodigy (see what I did there?).

The world building is really well done. Not only in the narrative about their society, but also the environment that they live in – it’s described so beautifully, and you can feel the decay of the city and the desperation of the people. The characters, too, are really well written. Some you will love, others you will hate, but they all add so much to the story, and their nature and behaviour further demonstrate the contrast between the elite and the poor, adding even more layers to the world. And it all ties together beautifully.

With lots of action, intrigue, heartbreaking deception, and shocking twists, this is a really fast paced read. It’s got a lot of emotion, and there are some massive shocks, including an ending that left me a little bit teary with my heart racing.

And yes, there’s even a bit of romance.

“You’re brilliant … But you’re a fool to stay with someone like me.”
I close my eyes at the touch of his hand. “Then we’re both fools.”

This was a reread for me as the final book in the trilogy has now been released and I wanted a refresher before I read on. I think I enjoyed it more the second time around, and I’m certainly looking forward to the adventure to come.

“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 … You try to walk in the light.”

4.5 stars