Review: Prodigy by Marie Lu

Title: Prodigy
Author: Marie Lu
Series: Legend, #2
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Publish Date: January 29, 2013
Genres: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Dystopian Romance

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?

I loved this one. We were introduced to the fragile and delicate sides of our two main characters, June and Day. Their characters were developed well, although I was slightly annoyed with June.

In this story, June and Day are reunited with the Patriots (and Day’s irritating sidekick, Tess) and are assigned to assassinate the new Elector Primo, Anden (who, for some odd reason, I don’t like even if everyone else does).

There was so much action and great world building. Most of your questions from the first book will be answered in this one. It’ll bring you to tears, make you laugh and possibly burn all of your brain cells because you just couldn’t stop reading.

So this part of the review is sort of like a discussion where I rant/rave about specific parts of the novel, so only read on if you’ve finished this novel.

Things I didn’t like…

We are reunited with Tess, who joined the Patriots. I totally understand her attraction towards Day, but does she has to be so whiny about it? The world doesn’t revolve around her. I’m thirteen and totally understand the feeling of your crush crushing on someone else, but I’ve never hated someone just for that.

I still don’t trust Anden. I know a lot of people love him, probably because he’s nice and has this sort of seductive vibe going on. I dunno, he just seems really off. And I don’t like people who are trying to be more-than-friendly, if you get what I mean. They don’t even know each other! And June! I understand that attracting him was part of her mission, but she could’ve just played hard to get instead of accepting his kisses! I honestly wanted to rip her lips off then.

So basically, what I didn’t like was the stupid love square. I hate those.

Things I liked…

This story was action packed and full of twists and turns to keep a reader guessing.

In the beginning of the book, Day and June pose as a drunk guy and his escort in Las Vegas. Day was hilarious! I’ve already shared this part with you guys in another post, but I just wanted to emphasize Day’s humor:

“Well enough,” I reply. “Remember, you’re drunk. And happy. You’re supposed to be lusting over your escort. Try smiling a little more.”

Day plasters a giant artificial smile on his face. As charming as ever. “Aw, come on, sweetheart. I thought I was doing a pretty good job. I got my arm around the prettiest escort on this block—how could I not be lusting over you? Don’t I look like I’m lusting? This is me, lusting.” His lashes flutter at me.

He looks so ridiculous that I can’t help laughing. Another passerby glances at me. “Much better.”

We also have Kaede. The scene where she flew the jet? Fucking awesome. Kaede just proved that she was badass. And when she died? I want to use a quote by Jordan from Miranda Kenneally’s Catching Jordan: “Fuckety, fuck, fuck.” That pretty much sums up my reaction.

Then we have the tunnel scene. I don’t actually know if I like it or not, but let’s just say I do because it shows that Day and June are real people. They have problems, pick fights and have flaws.

The best reason for loving this book? The bathroom scene in Las Vegas. AND THE PAPERCLIP RING.