4.5/5 stars
G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2013
369 pages
YA Dystopia Finale
Source: Library
Finally I have a chance to finish the Legend trilogy! I was quite impressed with Legend and Prodigy so of course I had to see how it ended, clutching my hopes for June and Day close to my chest. I also must mention that I expected this cover would have red for the color and I was correct (ahem). I believe I managed to avoid spoilers for this book but this probably won't make much sense if you're not familiar with the first two books of the series.
Like the previous books, Champion alternates narration between our two protagonists who have been separated for some months but who still maintain a steady love for each other. For real, the June/Day relationship has been a big part of my enjoyment of this book. I was so nervous to pick it up because I feared that someone was going to die. I don't want to spoil the ending but the way that everything unspooled with their relationship left me pretty satisfied. Is it what I would have written? Well, no because I go unrealistically happy with my writing but it is fitting for the tone and in line with the events of this book. Furthermore we go deeper into the inner life of each character with Day's relationship to his brother taking up more space because they're finally reunited and June discovering what she wants to pursue in life and making tremendous sacrifices.
While that romantic relationship was important in forming a bond to this series, it is not the only element of interest. The struggling government of the Republic and its historical repression of its people but also efforts to change implemented by new Elector Anden caught my attention too. The very existence of this nation is in peril over the course of this book and naturally Day and June are integral to the fight. As we approached the end of the story, the chapters got shorter and shorter, causing me to clutch it closer and almost bite my nails (I have managed to break myself of that habit) because I just had to know how everything would turn out. Things look bleak at points and, again sadly for me, there is no unrealistic crazy happy ending. Rebuilding and changing takes time and this book recognizes that fact.
Overall: A suspenseful conclusion to the trilogy that kept me on the edge of my seat and managed to please my huge shipping of Day and June.
I loved Champion--and I think it's the best of the three books. I still need to write my review but I totally agree with what you said. The Day/ June romance was wonderful--but Lu never loses focus on matters at hand--the rebellion and the Republic. But really I think June's character was the biggest surprise for me. I always felt more detached from her--she was so logical and kind of cold--it's Day I've loved the most. But June really develops in this book and I loved it. I loved the ending too--it made me cry (which I totally didn't expect) but I think it was PERFECT to end the book the way Lu did. Great review:)
ReplyDeleteIt's tough for me to pick a favorite of the three-I adored the epilogue even though it wasn't what I was expecting but then I really liked Legend a lot with its introduction to everything (got kind of frustrated with Tess and Anden's interferences in Prodigy).
DeleteGlad you enjoyed it too. It was good to finally get a satisfying end to a trilogy after quite a few duds; much respect to Marie Lu for that :)
ReplyDeleteMad respect to Lu for sure. I'm so excited to see what she'll deliver next!
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