Marie Lu’s Legend is a gripping dystopian thriller set in a fractured future America, where the Republic, a militarized nation, wages endless war while its citizens suffer under a rigid caste system. The story unfolds through the dual perspectives of June Iparis, a prodigious fifteen-year-old military cadet from the elite class, and Day, the Republic’s most wanted criminal—a rebellious Robin Hood figure fighting for his family’s survival.
When June’s brother, Metias, is murdered, she’s tasked with hunting down Day, only to discover their fates are intertwined in a web of government conspiracies. As June uncovers the Republic’s brutal secrets, she must choose between loyalty to the system and the truth. Meanwhile, Day’s fight for justice becomes a desperate struggle to protect those he loves.
Lu’s taut prose and relentless pacing mirror the cat-and-mouse chase between her protagonists, while the stark contrasts between June’s privilege and Day’s grit highlight themes of inequality, sacrifice, and redemption. Legend launched a bestselling trilogy, blending heart-pounding action with a poignant exploration of power, corruption, and unlikely love.
“In a world of lies, the most dangerous thing is the truth.”
