Latest Read: Prodigy (Legend #2)

Here are the basics ...
Prodigy (Legend, #2) by Marie Lu
Publication date: Jan. 29, 2013
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Category: Young Adult - Dystopian
Source: BEA 2012

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? (Adapted goodreads.com) 

My thoughts…

The good: I was first introduced to this series earlier in the year and I remember liking Legend a lot. But Prodigy? Prodigy I loved. It took me a few pages to reorient myself with the main characters, June and Day, and what had happened to them. But it didn't take long for the details to come flooding back and for me to become completely immersed in their story. The book still alternates between June and Day's point-of-view and both voices are as distinctive as ever. June continues to amaze me with her intelligence, strength and moments of vulnerability. As a soldier, she's trained to scan her surroundings and take in every detail which shows in how the author writes her chapters. We're privy to all of June's observations and I thought it was a good reminder of not only who she is, but also showing us how her sharp mind works. Then Day, despite his arrogant rebellious front, is so much more emotional in this book. He's driven by family - the desire to avenge the ones he's lost because of the Republic and the need to find his younger brother. But his actions are also swayed by his feelings for June. Their relationship is more developed this time around. I liked their romance in the previous book but I was definitely more swept up in it in Prodigy. It's so intense because of their circumstances and the unfortunate way their lives became suddenly intertwined. They fall for each other quickly but it worked for me because they acknowledge it. Even though they succumb to their feelings, they question it and their future every step of the way. Being together isn't an easy decision for them so I found all their stolen moments and decisions to trust each other so swoonworthy. And trust me, a lot stands in their way.

Everything in this book truly had me gripped from start to finish. June and Day are running for their lives and they don't know who to trust. Aside from dealing with their own personal trust issues, there's the tyrannical Republic they grew up in. They're the reason why their fugitives. But then the Elector Primo dies and his son, Anden, assumes his place. And he plays a big role in the plot. Then, on the other hand, there are the Patriots fighting to put the country together again as the United States of America. They take June and Day under their wing but are they truly what they seem? When they pit June and Day against Anden, a lot of secrets are revealed and even though I had some ideas as to who was "good" and who was "bad", I didn't see the ending coming. Thinking back, all the details and clues are there but they were just very cleverly hidden.

(No) reservations: Awesome characters, strong plot, I got the answers I craved from the first book and there's a cliffhanger that made my jaw drop. Personally, I'm still in denial about it. So if I had to choose a reservation, it would be having to wait to see what happens next.

Do I recommend?: Yes! I was really impressed and happily surprised by the direction the second book went in. If you haven't read the first book, you should and pick this one up right after.

Happy reading!