Prodigy (Legend #2)
Author: Marie Lu
Genre: YA, dystopia, fantasy, sci-fi
Published Date:
Rating:

Synopsis:
Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots - a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?

“He is beauty, inside and out.
He is the silver lining in a world of darkness.
He is my light.”

 Holy cow... What a chair-grabbing & vehement read!

I can say that I really like this than Legend. It is one of the few books that justifies the "succeeding books just keep getting better & better". The thrilling and euphoria feeling when a book satisfies you so much and make you damn frustrated because of the messed up feels and emotions gnawing inside. The intensified climax and turn over of events made me grab the sheets of the mattress. The world building was perfectly crafted.

Prodigy picks up what Legend left. The continuation of June & Day's struggle for survival. It was pretty nice that finally they were working together toward a common goal, without doubts and restraints against each other. As they embraced the Patriot's plans for the Republic, they found themselves discovering fraud and turncoats of the shitty government ++ Razor. My mind was swirling with all the events that was happening. Everything happened too fast. I barely held my breathe especially at the three major events. The bathtub scene, the kitchen scene & the ending. I literally screamed at the book on these scenes because I was seething with the emotions that were stirring inside me.

Marie Lu writes with flying colors. She writes so technical, keen and descriptive. She uses the proper words to beguile the readers on the futuristic world she created. It's no joke what her writing can do. I am not from US so I don't have a damn clue on what countries are neighbors and etc, but I could care less as long as the story is picking up every second. It also amazes me how she describes every detail of Day's jump, leap, run or whatsoever thing he does. She perfectly master the dual POV. That's her magic, she simply paves her way to the list of authors who gives justice to dual POVs. Marie Lu, what have you done?

I wasn't the biggest fan of June Iparis (but hey! I love her name) in Legend that's why I was a little cynic over her at first, but boy! I just want to hug her right now and commend her over and over again. Her character development was a sheer pleasure to me. She was vulnerable and confused, but it didn't stop her to do what's right and remain the kickass that she is.

Let me rave over Daniel Altan Wing. Day might not be the touchy kind of book boyfriend, but I swear everything he does (and just his mere presence) will make anyone skin flush. He has that unyielding and influential aura that magnets the interest of the readers. He is just simply amazing and swoon-worthy. I need a Day in my life. I swear.

Day & June's relationship. It was damn feverish. The bathtub scene. They were apart for a decent number of  pages making their relationship stronger and tested by disputes of their lives. Confession 101: I admit that I was yearning for something to ignite on their relation, but later then I realized that they don't need feverish /you-know/ scenes, the simple thought of their monologues and introspection already made my tummy tingle and heart warmer. It's so not hard to cave in to their relationship when their loyalty to each other is unwavering. They deserve a happy ending; after all they've been through? They deserve a grand parade or a national holiday for their anniversary or or or.... They both share the same lost and grieve for the family members they lost, and I love how they irrevocably love their parents especially their siblings. ALSO, their exceptional sharp senses and damn smart brain cells. 1456125656 hours.... 455656 seconds before the blahblah... Who does that? Count the seconds and actually think that they miss a 2-5 seconds on count. Man, I'll go crazy if I have that skill. Overall, I really love them.

“The first time I saw you, when you stepped into that Skiz ring against Kaede, I thought you were the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. I could've watched you forever. The first time I kiss you..." That memory overpowers me now, taking me by surprise. I remember every last detail of it, almost enough to push away the lingering images of the Elector pulling June to him. "Well, that might as well have been my first kiss ever.” 

Secondary character... Oh oh oh. Kaede was so damn kickass. I loved her character so much, so dreading what happened to her. :( Tess, oh tess, I understand where she's coming from, but sometimes she was too irrational to think and make decisions, too gullible to be manipulated. Anden, I like you Elector for your radical laws, but I need more time to cave into your character. It also hurt me a little for both Tess and Anden, unrequited love sucks big time. Razor, oh he definitely was the total villian in here. Good job! What seriously happened to Thomas? I smell something fishy. Metias & Thomas. MAN That revelation! Wasn't expecting that, but I am glad that authors are finally embracing that particular social issue. Love is love; screw what others think.

The ending. I can't think of any words to describe it except "a slayer". I foresaw it coming, but god I wasn't prepare for it. I wasn't really damn prepared. It broke my heart into pieces, ripping it so blood flows out my chest. Yes. That was June's POV btw. Now, I am nervous onto how this trilogy will end. Champion, I need you. Now. A glimpse of the ending:

“You know, sometimes I wonder what things would be like if I just ... met you one day. Like normal people do. If I just walked by you on some street one sunny morning and thought you were cute, stopped, shook your hand, and said, "Hi, I'm Daniel.”