Review: Prodigy

Author: Marie Lu
Release Date:  January 29, 2013
Publisher:  Putman Juvenile
Pages: 371
Format:  ARC
Series:  Legend #2
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Summary:  June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long. 

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.

My Favorite Lines:

"... but Day, the boy from the streets with nothing except clothes on his back and the earnestness in his eyes, owns my heart.  He is beauty inside and out.  He is the silver lining in a world of darkness.  He is my light."

Why I Loved It:  Marie Lu ripped by heart out.  Honestly she did.  When I came to the last page, I looked over to see my heart bleeding all over the carpet.  Ok wait, this is getting graphic.  I'll move on.  This book is one of the best examples that I had read in some time of my kind of sequel .  I remember reading Prodigy in my sixth grade reading class, finishing it during eighth period, and having all of my kiddos looking at me, wondering what could possibly be wrong.  I suppose that would happen when you gasp dramatically in the middle of a bunch of sixth graders all silently reading their own books.  Needless to say, about half the girls in that class have read Legend now and the library has Prodigy on their "to-buy" list.  I guess getting twenty requests for a book will do that.

Anyways, I was so excited when my friend brought me Prodigy from BEA.  In all honesty, I don't think even I was as excited as my sister was.  I had to wrestle it from her when she saw the ARC on the bookshelf.  And that wrestling was so worth it.  June and Day are back, on the run, and looking for the Patriots.  This book is full of assassinations, betrayals, and a bit more heated love between our favorite prodigies.

I know that there was a lot of criticism of Legend for it's lack of world building.  Well, there was no lack of world building in this sequel.  The world of Day and June became much bigger with a lot more players in this huge political game, including Anden *son of the "Great" Elector* who has a bit of a thing for June.

Marie Lu is an incredible writer.  Her characters are so real with layers that are slowly pulled back a little at a time.  Kade quickly became a favorite of mine as I read.  My desire to not share major spoilers will prevent from continuing to talk about Kade.  Though I really want to.  *FIGHTS URGE WITH FRESH LAUNDRY FROM THE DRYER*

Who Should Read It:  If you read Legend, liked it or not, read Prodigy.  It's SO worth it.  Otherwise, lovers of dystopian and futuristic kinds of books will LOVE.