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Legend #3
Champion
He is a Legend.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion?
June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position.
But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.
With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.
She is a Prodigy.
Who will be Champion?
June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic—and each other—and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. June is back in the good graces of the Republic, working within the government’s elite circles as Princeps-Elect, while Day has been assigned a high-level military position.
But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. This new strain of plague is deadlier than ever, and June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense. But saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything.
With heart-pounding action and suspense, Marie Lu’s bestselling trilogy draws to a stunning conclusion.
369 pages, Hardcover
First published November 5, 2013
About the author
Marie Lu
47 books135k followers[Note: Many apologies, but I'm woefully bad at checking my Goodreads emails! If you'd like to send a note/msg, please catch me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Marie_Lu . Thanks!]
I write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, I was born in 1984. Before becoming a full-time writer, I was an Art Director at a video game company. Now I shuffle around at home and talk to myself a lot. :)
I graduated from the University of Southern California in '06 and currently live in LA, where I spend my time stuck on the freeways.
I write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, I was born in 1984. Before becoming a full-time writer, I was an Art Director at a video game company. Now I shuffle around at home and talk to myself a lot. :)
I graduated from the University of Southern California in '06 and currently live in LA, where I spend my time stuck on the freeways.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 19,772 reviews
September 26, 2014
If Prodigy made me want to cry and scream and pretty much throw a tantrum like a little girl, Champion made all my troubles go away. I am very well satisfied with the ending of this series, and although I still have lots of questions for what will happen in June's future I can fill those gaps with my own imagination. Marie Lu did a wonderful job with this entire series, and ended it in a bittersweet note. Without giving out too many spoilers, or none at all, Champion will make your eyes water but it will also lift your spirits.
I am so happy the way that things ended up, yet sad at the same time. Considering all the other endings to the rest of the series ending this year (Allegiant, Morganville Vampires, etc.) I think Marie Lu managed to create her own ending that doesn't compare to the rest. The book's pace was good, the problems it wanted to resolve were plenty and engrossing, and the characters stayed true to form. I can't exactly go deeper into this review without giving anything away, so just know that Champion was worth the wait and it did not disappoint in the slightest. It was the best ending for this tragic world and marvelous series, and I cannot wait to read more books by Marie Lu in the future.
The rest of the review is full of spoilers, so read at your own discretion...
In the end Champion was everything I hoped it would be. Really, it was. It was special. It makes my heart flutter, and I will remember/reread it for years to come. It was well worth the wait.
PS; If you guys liked the Legend Series you will definitely LOVE Marie Lu's next book The Young Elites. I've read it and it was So good!!
Previous Update after finishing Prodigy:
After finishing Prodigy I want to cry and scream. I want to buy chocolate ice cream, invite my girlfriends over, and vent over how good Prodigy was and the injustice of waiting more than a year for the next book. I knew I shouldn't have read Prodigy ahead of schedule, now the waiting is going to be even longer, and harder.
All I know is that
November 18, 2013
And... it's over.
This series has come a long, long way from where it started and has managed to shatter boundaries and exceed expectations where, in my opinion, other series like Divergent and Blood Red Road have failed. It started out like almost every other piece of dystopian fiction released in 2011. Some random political facts thrown about, set in a future United States that was torn apart by war, oppressive government in power and, of course, a nice little side order of romance that could *almost* be described as instalove. I confess that the first installment didn't impress me and it took some seriously positive reviews of the second book to make me try it. But I am so glad that I did.
This final book is brimming with action and suspense. The pacing doesn't slow down for a second and it suits the high-stakes plot. The previous book left us with some shocking information about Day that will surely be at the forefront of most readers' minds when picking up this conclusion - it doesn't disappoint. It's true that there were only a limited number of ways this could end but with Lu it doesn't seem to matter because she has your mind constantly running through the options and wondering where she'll take you next. The sense of constant uncertainty instilled in my brain throughout this book was terrifying and intoxicating. It's been a while since I read a book so completely unputdownable.
I also really like the way Lu has developed her characters. For me, June and Day have come a long way and matured so much since book one. This kind of natural growth is realistic, important and perhaps one of the main reasons I enjoy reading young adult so much - watching the characters flourish, become wiser and deal with all the different pressures of life in this difficult period of growing up (doubly so when your country relies on you). Looking back, I have a certain respect for the author in the way she portrayed their initial meeting and the start of their relationship. What seemed like lazy writing, in hindsight, actually seems like Lu deliberately showed the difference in maturity between the relationships of hormonal teens and young adults who've experienced a bit of life. Day and June were far more likeable as a couple in this book than I've ever noticed before.
The last two or three chapters of this book literally had me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't look away. It takes a skilled writer to have you questioning what will happen right up until the last page. And it takes an even more skilled writer to bring tears to my eyes. Sometimes I say books make me cry when I really mean they just get a sniffle and an "awww" out of me... because I'm a cold-hearted person. But this book made my eyes fill up at the end. An ending that I thought was perfectly ambiguous - full of both sadness and hope. Why? Well, you'll just have to read the book to find out.
This series has come a long, long way from where it started and has managed to shatter boundaries and exceed expectations where, in my opinion, other series like Divergent and Blood Red Road have failed. It started out like almost every other piece of dystopian fiction released in 2011. Some random political facts thrown about, set in a future United States that was torn apart by war, oppressive government in power and, of course, a nice little side order of romance that could *almost* be described as instalove. I confess that the first installment didn't impress me and it took some seriously positive reviews of the second book to make me try it. But I am so glad that I did.
This final book is brimming with action and suspense. The pacing doesn't slow down for a second and it suits the high-stakes plot. The previous book left us with some shocking information about Day that will surely be at the forefront of most readers' minds when picking up this conclusion - it doesn't disappoint. It's true that there were only a limited number of ways this could end but with Lu it doesn't seem to matter because she has your mind constantly running through the options and wondering where she'll take you next. The sense of constant uncertainty instilled in my brain throughout this book was terrifying and intoxicating. It's been a while since I read a book so completely unputdownable.
I also really like the way Lu has developed her characters. For me, June and Day have come a long way and matured so much since book one. This kind of natural growth is realistic, important and perhaps one of the main reasons I enjoy reading young adult so much - watching the characters flourish, become wiser and deal with all the different pressures of life in this difficult period of growing up (doubly so when your country relies on you). Looking back, I have a certain respect for the author in the way she portrayed their initial meeting and the start of their relationship. What seemed like lazy writing, in hindsight, actually seems like Lu deliberately showed the difference in maturity between the relationships of hormonal teens and young adults who've experienced a bit of life. Day and June were far more likeable as a couple in this book than I've ever noticed before.
The last two or three chapters of this book literally had me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't look away. It takes a skilled writer to have you questioning what will happen right up until the last page. And it takes an even more skilled writer to bring tears to my eyes. Sometimes I say books make me cry when I really mean they just get a sniffle and an "awww" out of me... because I'm a cold-hearted person. But this book made my eyes fill up at the end. An ending that I thought was perfectly ambiguous - full of both sadness and hope. Why? Well, you'll just have to read the book to find out.
March 16, 2014
GIVE IT TO ME NOW BEFORE I JUMP OFF A CLIFF FROM MY FEELS. YOU DON'T DO THIS TO ME. YOU DON'T END A BOOK LIKE THAT OK. I NEEDED JUNE TO TELL DAY THAT SHE LOVED HIM. I'M NOT KIDDING THIS ISN'T UP FOR DISCUSSION AHHH ASJLDJFSDKLAKD WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO ME. YOU KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO GO DIE OK.
I'M LITERALLY SITTING HERE LIKE THIS I'M GOING TO EAT BOXES OF ICE CREAM NOW.
AHHH IGAKFSHOS THERE'S A NAME. CHAMPION YESS I LIKE I LIKE IGAKSGOHLFKS STILL FAR AWAY IM GOING TO GO CRY SOME MORE.
EVERYTIME I READ THIS I GET ALL EMOTIONAL ALL OVER AGAIN. NOOO JUNE NOOO DAY. TESSA DIE OK. THANKS.
I HATE EVERYTHING JUST GIVE ME THIS BOOK I'M CRYING ALJKFSASKLFLD LIFE IS SUCH A STRUGGLE WITHOUT THIS BOOK. I THINK WE SHOULD ALL GET IT A YEAR EARLY SINCE IT TOOK PRODIGY TWO YEARS TO COME OUT SOUNDS GOOD OK.
HOLY SHIT GUISE WAIT. IT SAYS NOVEMBER 5TH 2013. WHAT HOW. MY PRAYERS ARE BEING ANSWERED.
WELL SINCE WE HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT TEN YEARS FOR THIS BOOK. YOU CAN LOOK AT MY BLOG PLEASE LOOK AT IT IT'S MY BABY PLEASE
http://niconut.wordpress.com/
OH MY GOD THERE'S A COVER. HELP MY SCREAMING SOUL. HELP. IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL. NOVEMBER 5TH. THAT'S IT...I CAN DO THAT...
OR NOT...
JUST
GIVE
IT
TO
ME
STOP
NO
NOW
GIVE
ME
GUYS I READ IT
I JUST READ IT
AND AJDLSKGHASJKDF;KJGSFAD;KLJLSADKL; HOW DO I LIVE
HEre'S whAT I THinK
Sigh
oh bookS why do yOu ruin MY liFE.
I'M LITERALLY SITTING HERE LIKE THIS I'M GOING TO EAT BOXES OF ICE CREAM NOW.
AHHH IGAKFSHOS THERE'S A NAME. CHAMPION YESS I LIKE I LIKE IGAKSGOHLFKS STILL FAR AWAY IM GOING TO GO CRY SOME MORE.
EVERYTIME I READ THIS I GET ALL EMOTIONAL ALL OVER AGAIN. NOOO JUNE NOOO DAY. TESSA DIE OK. THANKS.
I HATE EVERYTHING JUST GIVE ME THIS BOOK I'M CRYING ALJKFSASKLFLD LIFE IS SUCH A STRUGGLE WITHOUT THIS BOOK. I THINK WE SHOULD ALL GET IT A YEAR EARLY SINCE IT TOOK PRODIGY TWO YEARS TO COME OUT SOUNDS GOOD OK.
HOLY SHIT GUISE WAIT. IT SAYS NOVEMBER 5TH 2013. WHAT HOW. MY PRAYERS ARE BEING ANSWERED.
WELL SINCE WE HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT TEN YEARS FOR THIS BOOK. YOU CAN LOOK AT MY BLOG PLEASE LOOK AT IT IT'S MY BABY PLEASE
http://niconut.wordpress.com/
OH MY GOD THERE'S A COVER. HELP MY SCREAMING SOUL. HELP. IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL. NOVEMBER 5TH. THAT'S IT...I CAN DO THAT...
OR NOT...
JUST
GIVE
IT
TO
ME
STOP
NO
NOW
GIVE
ME
GUYS I READ IT
I JUST READ IT
AND AJDLSKGHASJKDF;KJGSFAD;KLJLSADKL; HOW DO I LIVE
HEre'S whAT I THinK
Sigh
oh bookS why do yOu ruin MY liFE.
March 21, 2019
UPDATE: 03/21/19
YES, an update for 2019, which means it’s been 6 FREAKING YEARS since I wrote this review. I’m updating because I had to reread the series before I dive into Rebel (in case you’re as outdated as me, YES, THERE’S A 4TH BOOK and you all gotta add it to your TBR if you love this series.)
I thought rereading Legend series 6 years later would kinda make it lose its appeal. You fellow goodreaders know what I mean; let’s face it, sometimes our 5-star reads in the past are not as amazing as we once thought they were. It happens to me a lot, so I was incredibly relieved that it’s not the case with this series. It is as good as the first time!!
Actually, rereading it made me realize that I haven’t read a dystopian fantasy with a hint of romance that as good as this for a long time. In 2011-2014, there were LOTS of them including Legend and Angelfall. Man, I miss those days. I’ve DNF-ed a lot of books eversince.
So yes, 6 years later, Champion is still 5 stars to me and if you’re following this review, I’m telling you that you MUST read “Life After Legend” and add “Rebel” to your TBR.
■■■
5 STARS
(WARNING: MILD SPOILERS)
■■■
My emotions are tangled into a big ball of mess right now. It's all too much for me to process. Too. Damn. Freaking. Much. This is by far and easily the most emotional YA Dystopian book I've ever read. Heck, it's even more emotional than any cry-fest and heartwrenching contemporary novels I know. Marie Lu breaks the record with every book she writes, it's crazy.
I hate to admit, but I cried. And cried. I cried until the tears dried up, and when they did, I cried a little more. I was like this all time:
I'm still bawling like a baby, to be honest. The fact that I rarely cry over a book (my Goodreads friends can attest to this) proves how effective and powerful this book is.
This review isn't going to focus on the technicalities, I'm sure a lot of my fellow reviewers can take care of that. I'm writing this review to express how it made me feel and how it affected me because after all, the power of this book is in its emotional punches.
I'm not among those girls who automatically melt into a puddle of goo when male characters throw around words like this. But it's Day. He can turn flatteries into something else, laying genuineness and love beneath his words. If June is one of the scariest, most clever, and bravest characters I've ever known, Day is absolutely one of the most strong-willed, loving, and honest of all.
I've come across several books directly echoing a real and worse tragedy—rape, mass killing, suicide, murder, etc—and I say nothing has affected me on a deep emotional level like Day's illness. I hate to sound like I'm fawning over the author, but there's power in the way she writes. She made Day's health condition sound more frightening than murder. She turned Day and June's simple exchange of 'hi and hello' into something so painful. This is why I'm quoting a lot of lines from the book; words are just words until she weaves them powerfully into details, heightening everything including the readers emotions.
Did I like everything that happened in this book? No. Who would want their favorite characters to be sick, much less have a tumor? All throughout the story I'd made myself believe it's a joke, that maybe someone was just trying to kill Day by adding harmful chemicals to his medicines. It also broke my heart that . So yes, reality slapped me, twice, and I love this book more for it.
The ending isn't a fairytale's happy ever after. It's reality's a-new-beginning ever after.
Overall, Champion is a bittersweet yet an outstanding way to end and say goodbye to this series. I hate farewells, but...
Goodbye, our Prodigy June Iparis.
Goodbye, our Legend Day Altan Wing.
Goodbye, our Champions.
Long live the Republic.
■■■
"Sometimes, the sun sets earlier. Days don’t last forever, you know. But I’ll fight as hard as I can. I can promise you that."
YES, an update for 2019, which means it’s been 6 FREAKING YEARS since I wrote this review. I’m updating because I had to reread the series before I dive into Rebel (in case you’re as outdated as me, YES, THERE’S A 4TH BOOK and you all gotta add it to your TBR if you love this series.)
I thought rereading Legend series 6 years later would kinda make it lose its appeal. You fellow goodreaders know what I mean; let’s face it, sometimes our 5-star reads in the past are not as amazing as we once thought they were. It happens to me a lot, so I was incredibly relieved that it’s not the case with this series. It is as good as the first time!!
Actually, rereading it made me realize that I haven’t read a dystopian fantasy with a hint of romance that as good as this for a long time. In 2011-2014, there were LOTS of them including Legend and Angelfall. Man, I miss those days. I’ve DNF-ed a lot of books eversince.
So yes, 6 years later, Champion is still 5 stars to me and if you’re following this review, I’m telling you that you MUST read “Life After Legend” and add “Rebel” to your TBR.
■■■
5 STARS
(WARNING: MILD SPOILERS)
"I think I don’t care about you anymore, that things will be easier once you’re far away, and then all of a sudden I’m here again, and you’re..." Day pauses to look at me. The anguish in his expression is a knife cutting through my heart. "Why do I do this to myself? I see you and feel such—" He has tears in his eyes now. The sight is more than I can bear. He takes two steps away from me and then turns back like a caged animal. "Do you even love me?"
■■■
My emotions are tangled into a big ball of mess right now. It's all too much for me to process. Too. Damn. Freaking. Much. This is by far and easily the most emotional YA Dystopian book I've ever read. Heck, it's even more emotional than any cry-fest and heartwrenching contemporary novels I know. Marie Lu breaks the record with every book she writes, it's crazy.
I hate to admit, but I cried. And cried. I cried until the tears dried up, and when they did, I cried a little more. I was like this all time:
I'm still bawling like a baby, to be honest. The fact that I rarely cry over a book (my Goodreads friends can attest to this) proves how effective and powerful this book is.
This review isn't going to focus on the technicalities, I'm sure a lot of my fellow reviewers can take care of that. I'm writing this review to express how it made me feel and how it affected me because after all, the power of this book is in its emotional punches.
“You drive me insane, June,” he murmurs against my hair. “You’re the scariest, most clever, bravest person I know, and sometimes I can’t catch my breath because I’m trying so hard to keep up. There will never be another like you. You realize that, don’t you? Billions of people will come and go in this world,” he says softly, “but there will never be another like you.”
I'm not among those girls who automatically melt into a puddle of goo when male characters throw around words like this. But it's Day. He can turn flatteries into something else, laying genuineness and love beneath his words. If June is one of the scariest, most clever, and bravest characters I've ever known, Day is absolutely one of the most strong-willed, loving, and honest of all.
"I moan from another excruciating stab of pain in my head. My vision has started to blur, and I realize it’s because I can’t stop my eyes from watering nonstop. I wipe a hand across my face and smile weakly at Eden. "Damn, I’m dripping water like a leaky faucet."
I've come across several books directly echoing a real and worse tragedy—rape, mass killing, suicide, murder, etc—and I say nothing has affected me on a deep emotional level like Day's illness. I hate to sound like I'm fawning over the author, but there's power in the way she writes. She made Day's health condition sound more frightening than murder. She turned Day and June's simple exchange of 'hi and hello' into something so painful. This is why I'm quoting a lot of lines from the book; words are just words until she weaves them powerfully into details, heightening everything including the readers emotions.
Did I like everything that happened in this book? No. Who would want their favorite characters to be sick, much less have a tumor? All throughout the story I'd made myself believe it's a joke, that maybe someone was just trying to kill Day by adding harmful chemicals to his medicines. It also broke my heart that . So yes, reality slapped me, twice, and I love this book more for it.
The ending isn't a fairytale's happy ever after. It's reality's a-new-beginning ever after.
Overall, Champion is a bittersweet yet an outstanding way to end and say goodbye to this series. I hate farewells, but...
Goodbye, our Prodigy June Iparis.
Goodbye, our Legend Day Altan Wing.
Goodbye, our Champions.
Long live the Republic.
■■■
"Sometimes, the sun sets earlier. Days don’t last forever, you know. But I’ll fight as hard as I can. I can promise you that."
June 10, 2021
i hate every single person who told me to read this series.
5/5 stars.
5/5 stars.
September 6, 2019
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5 CHAMPION STARS!
You can find the full review and more about this book on my blog!
____________________________________________
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*Pictures from the review are not mine, I took them mostly from Google images or Tumblr*
“Then Day reaches out and touches my hand with his. He encloses it in a handshake. And just like that, I am linked with him again, I feel the pulse of our bond and his- tory and love through our hands, like a wave of magic, the return of a long-lost friend. Of something meant to be. The feeling brings tears to my eyes. Perhaps we can take a step forward together.
“Hi,” he says. “I’m Daniel.”
“Hi,” I reply. “I’m June.”
____________________________________________
5 CHAMPION STARS!
You can find the full review and more about this book on my blog!
And here I present you to my favorite dystopian series.The legend series has been one of my greatest experiences on reading,especially this book,which I totally consider a LEGENDARY book.And finally here is a trilogy with a great awesome perfect ending.I think this is the reason why Legend,for me,it is the best dystopian series out there,because the ending didn't disappoint.I liked The Hunger Games and Divergent too,but they both went downhill.I must congratulate the author for this finale,she proved that it is possible to end a series without killing main characters just to make it emotional.So great job Marie Lu!
Champion is the finale(the third book) in the "Legend" trilogy by Marie Lu.This is a full action-pack dystopian filled with everything,smart action,smart thoughts,wise plans and romance and just everything.It is a perfection,especially this book.
____________________________________________
“Sometimes, the sun sets earlier. Days don’t last forever, you know. But I’ll fight as hard as I can. I can promise you that.”
____________________________________________
Remembering when I first read Legend,I thought that these characters couldn't get more developed.It turns I was wrong.Yet with their perfectness at such a young age,they proved to me that a person can never be perfect and the imperfections are what make us unique.Seriously,this series has the most smart,badass characters I have ever read about.I mean they can shoot,and climb building,and score perfect in exams at the age of fifteen.
I enjoyed every part of this book,but the ending was the best of it,maybe the greatest part of this whole series.Everything wrapped up perfectly,and the last 20 pages were just beautiful.
____________________________________________
“I’ve been searching a long time for something I think I lost.
I felt like I found something when I saw you back there.”
____________________________________________
This book follows the story of "Prodigy". Now in the Colonies,there is a virus spreading,and they are blaming the Republic for it,and clearly wanting to start a war.The Republic,knowing that the Colonies have the support of other allies,they know they don't stand a chance.Now they have to find the cure or it will be the end of The Republic.With Day's sickness hardening,the chances of winning are shortening.What will happen to Day and June,the decisions can pull out the winning,or they could bring the destruction of The Republic,or even their own deaths.
____________________________________________
“You drive me insane June. You're the scariest, most clever, bravest person I know, and sometimes I can't catch my breath because I'm trying so hard to keep up. There will never be another like you. You realize that, don't you? Billions of people will come and go in this world, but there will never be another like you.”
____________________________________________
I highly recommend this series to every reader out there,even if you don't like books or want to read them,you should give this one a try.Every single page is worth it,believe me,so pick it up!
*Pictures from the review are not mine, I took them mostly from Google images or Tumblr*
November 17, 2013
FINAL REVIEW
Just...
How did Marie Lu just wrap up this amazing series with an ever more so amazing book?!
This book makes we want to do this:
This: BECAUSE MY BRAIN ISN'T WORKING AFTER READING THIS, like NO!
This: OUT OF SHEER PERFECTION
And this all over again:
To explain the awesomeness that is the book, I must start when I saw this book at the public library.
^ Yeah that was me. Deal with it.
Then came the reading. Big mistake of starting it when I had work to do because guess what I did instead of doing work? Yup! Just reading!
The plot. The characters. The world building. The flow, the action, the pace. DO I EVEN NEED TO SAY IT?! Do you question its amazingness?
The twists, the turns, the journey that each character takes: It makes me just want to sob out of happiness.
4 Main Characters that I want to mention:
- Eden - AHHH!!!! HE IS SO PERFECT AND AWESOME AND AMAZING. His relationship with Day made me tear up.
- Anden - LOVE HIM. What a refreshing character. And I usually do not like the characters who interfere with my OTP, but Anden is an exception.
- June - Do I even need to say it? June is honestly my favorite. She is stunning, intelligent, caring, strong. And she is logical! LOGICAL! She actually thinks! And she does things because she weighs both her emotions and intelligence.
- Day - Great character. Marie Lu just stop making such impeccable characters. Just please stop. Otherwise, you are going to give endless emotions to your readers and make them extremely unproductive because they are too busy crying into their pillows out of happiness.
Not only are the characters amazing, Marie Lu doesn't pull a Mockingjay. Not that I don't like Mockingjay or anything, but that ending was not satisfactory. But not Champion. It will leave you satisfied, but unable to think, and then it will leave you crying tears of happiness as you shake the book wondering why it ended.
The world building is amazing. For someone who is in love with politics and government, I was completely fascinated by the world within the Legend series and Champion only dives further into the world. Just absolute perfection and love.
Finally,
Day and June: ULTIMATE OTP
Yeah, I just ripped off the title of the first book. I don't care because
And to the end:
Yes. Yes. So do I.
All I can say is: GO READ IT! AND GO READ THIS SERIES!!! It is so freaking amazing that you will be sending me gifts in thanks for recommending this series to you, because it is THAT GOOD.
I kind of am shocked that I even was able to write this review because my brain is kind of overloaded and fried from the awesomeness. If any part of the review does not make sense: blame that. I think I kind of rambled on. Oh well, I am just going to cry in a corner now because this wonderful series has now come to an end. I'm done.
Before
GUYS. The date has been moved to 2013. I repeat. 2013. HALLELUJAH!!!
And this cover. ERMERGERD.
2014.
2014.
2014.
Ice cream is always my solution.
Just...
How did Marie Lu just wrap up this amazing series with an ever more so amazing book?!
This book makes we want to do this:
This: BECAUSE MY BRAIN ISN'T WORKING AFTER READING THIS, like NO!
This: OUT OF SHEER PERFECTION
And this all over again:
To explain the awesomeness that is the book, I must start when I saw this book at the public library.
^ Yeah that was me. Deal with it.
Then came the reading. Big mistake of starting it when I had work to do because guess what I did instead of doing work? Yup! Just reading!
The plot. The characters. The world building. The flow, the action, the pace. DO I EVEN NEED TO SAY IT?! Do you question its amazingness?
The twists, the turns, the journey that each character takes: It makes me just want to sob out of happiness.
4 Main Characters that I want to mention:
- Eden - AHHH!!!! HE IS SO PERFECT AND AWESOME AND AMAZING. His relationship with Day made me tear up.
- Anden - LOVE HIM. What a refreshing character. And I usually do not like the characters who interfere with my OTP, but Anden is an exception.
- June - Do I even need to say it? June is honestly my favorite. She is stunning, intelligent, caring, strong. And she is logical! LOGICAL! She actually thinks! And she does things because she weighs both her emotions and intelligence.
- Day - Great character. Marie Lu just stop making such impeccable characters. Just please stop. Otherwise, you are going to give endless emotions to your readers and make them extremely unproductive because they are too busy crying into their pillows out of happiness.
Not only are the characters amazing, Marie Lu doesn't pull a Mockingjay. Not that I don't like Mockingjay or anything, but that ending was not satisfactory. But not Champion. It will leave you satisfied, but unable to think, and then it will leave you crying tears of happiness as you shake the book wondering why it ended.
The world building is amazing. For someone who is in love with politics and government, I was completely fascinated by the world within the Legend series and Champion only dives further into the world. Just absolute perfection and love.
Finally,
Day and June: ULTIMATE OTP
Yeah, I just ripped off the title of the first book. I don't care because
And to the end:
Yes. Yes. So do I.
All I can say is: GO READ IT! AND GO READ THIS SERIES!!! It is so freaking amazing that you will be sending me gifts in thanks for recommending this series to you, because it is THAT GOOD.
I kind of am shocked that I even was able to write this review because my brain is kind of overloaded and fried from the awesomeness. If any part of the review does not make sense: blame that. I think I kind of rambled on. Oh well, I am just going to cry in a corner now because this wonderful series has now come to an end. I'm done.
Before
GUYS. The date has been moved to 2013. I repeat. 2013. HALLELUJAH!!!
And this cover. ERMERGERD.
Ice cream is always my solution.
June 12, 2017
Holy crow! This book had me sad crying and happy crying!
I loved this ending to the trilogy. Although, there was a lot of sadness and worry throughout the book I was just hoping and praying it was going to end well. In a sense it did, but it's complicated.
They go to war, or I should say are attacked and they are trying to get help from Antarctica and things are all kinds of crazy and scary.
Some things are going on with little Eden and with Day. I was so worried. I love little Eden =)
June is the Princeps-Elect and working closely with Elector Anden. But they all come together when they have nothing else. Enemies become allies and the world eventually becomes a better place.
And I have to say I was worried for Ollie through the whole book, but guess what? He made it and I don't care if that's a spoiler because animals living are good spoilers =)
Anyway, I'm so happy with this trilogy and this book in particular! I hate that I waited so long to read it, but don't we say that about so many books we own . . .
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
I loved this ending to the trilogy. Although, there was a lot of sadness and worry throughout the book I was just hoping and praying it was going to end well. In a sense it did, but it's complicated.
They go to war, or I should say are attacked and they are trying to get help from Antarctica and things are all kinds of crazy and scary.
Some things are going on with little Eden and with Day. I was so worried. I love little Eden =)
June is the Princeps-Elect and working closely with Elector Anden. But they all come together when they have nothing else. Enemies become allies and the world eventually becomes a better place.
And I have to say I was worried for Ollie through the whole book, but guess what? He made it and I don't care if that's a spoiler because animals living are good spoilers =)
Anyway, I'm so happy with this trilogy and this book in particular! I hate that I waited so long to read it, but don't we say that about so many books we own . . .
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
January 15, 2023
3,5/5
Podobało mi się to zakończenie!
Podobało mi się to zakończenie!
November 30, 2013
Eh. Well. The first book is always going to be the best, am I right? I just wish Champion could've denied that statement. But it did not, and now I am here, dejectedly sipping gingerbread tea and morosely eating my cheerios while writing a review that should've been filled with screaming and jumping gifs, yet all it is filled with is a distressed Ariel and a run-on sentence.
2 things:
1. Marie Lu is still an extremely talented writer, and if you think I hate her in any way, shape, or form, I hope the next time you eat pie it's filled with pig saliva and miley cyrus's tongue.
2. This book was not bad. I do not hate this book. I do not want to slice open the innards of this book and burn it in a bonfire. I still like this book, just not as much as I was hoping too.
Off the bat, let me say that I, and many other fellow good readers, had high expectations from Lu. How could I not, after Prodigy? So even before I read the first page, I was expecting a finale even better than Prodigy, even better than Legend, and that is (sadly) not what I got.
But you silly nuisance! Do not think I despised this book! I still enjoyed it. I'll admit it: I'm an action junkie. I like kickass protagonists who can hold their own and I hate damsels in distress. June is not by any means a damsel in distress. She's a ninja and she rocks. However, the action aspect of this book was disappointing. Politics and plotting are awesome, yeah, but in moderation. I was craving the adventure and the action. Sure, I got some in the end, but not enough to satisfy my sweet tooth.
For the most part, that was the main issue. The action. There were a few minor issues too, but they were few and far between and not really worth mentioning because you probably don't care/I'm irrevocably lazy.
YET:
I will say that June and Day did not entice me as much as normal. I don't know why, I still did like them, but it was difficult for me to feel for them on an emotional level. Why do this happen plz?! Someone tell meh?!
Also, it's unnecessary for Eden's hair to be platinum blonde. I'm a redhead, and the only one in my family. Day, John, and Eden don't all need to have the same color hair. I understand why John did and how it was beneficial to the story, but Eden could've been a nice dark brown. Or a dirty blonde. Or even freaking bald. It made me angry and I am confused why it did but it did. That is all.
Aaaaand:
The ending didn't do it for me. Feel free to attack me in the comments. (Please don't) (I'm only human)
Let me elaborate. While the ending may have been a "twist", I was actually kind of expecting it. Seriously, how many times has that happened? I didn't gasp or faint or have a meltdown. I pretty much just sighed and flipped to the next page.
...
Ok ok ok. I am done. I think I've said enough jibber jabber at the point. So, in the end, an acceptable ending to a well done series. Marie Lu, I'm still a fan and will be reading more from you soon. Day and June, thanks for being badass and having cute names.
As much as it pains me to say it, farewell Legend. Thanks for the good times.
Hope all of you who celebrate it had a darling Thanksgiving and stuffed yourselves to the point of exploding. If not, screw you and your willpower. I had pie for breakfast.
So, onto the next book. Toodaloo.
Read
June 2, 2013Edit 4:
That cover is beautiful! I want it now!
Edit 3:
2013 guys! 20-freaking-13! This is amazing! THIS IS SO GREAT! I'm just so excited!
Edit 2:
*Screams* We've got a placement cover! I'm so so so excited! Can't wait until we get the real deal cover!
Edit:
So it has a name? Champion... I like it! :)
Wait... 2014...?
That cover is beautiful! I want it now!
Edit 3:
2013 guys! 20-freaking-13! This is amazing! THIS IS SO GREAT! I'm just so excited!
Edit 2:
*Screams* We've got a placement cover! I'm so so so excited! Can't wait until we get the real deal cover!
Edit:
So it has a name? Champion... I like it! :)
Wait... 2014...?
December 5, 2013
Cover Reveal:
Come to me, darling.
After Finishing
WARNING: If you like happy endings, you may not want to read this happy ending-bashing review
Almost a year has passed since June Iparis was initiated back into the Republic as one of the new Elector's Princeps-Elect and Day Wing became a part of the Republic's army.
The country is on the brink of war as a new plague outbreak sweeps through the Colonies.
After not speaking or seeing one another since the day they parted ways, June and Day are scheduled to attend a political banquet with the Elector and several other advisers.
In order to form an alliance with Antarctica, the desperate Elector asks June to convince Day to surrender his brother to the Republic's scientific team. If they can find a cure to this new plague in Eden's blood, they can win the war before it has even started.
But asking Day to give up his brother is like taking away the one thing he has left in the world, and June doesn't want to hurt him anymore than he already has been.
Okay, my synopsis writing skills have seriously deteriorated since the beginning of my reading slump.
So, this steaming pile of stereotypical dystopia horse shit is the third in Marie Lu's Legend trilogy.
Story
This series started out so nicely, with compelling characters, engaging plot and storyline albeit with a pretty cliche dystopian concept; plague devastating the lower class, oppressive government, bad scientists, and, of course, lots of guns.
But it was good.
The second book trudged along at a slower pace, following the typical 'second book curse' of being boring and even adding a shaky third person to a love triangle!
And so, Champion started out alright. I loved Elector's character and honestly shipped him with June more than with Day.
Adding another cliche factor, an evil male political villain who threatens male character with the 'can't guarantee your female friend's safety' spiel, and the book started to go downhill.
It was also concerning that, after 115 years, we only have men as our political leaders. What the fuck's up with that? For 115 years, we still don't have any female presidents?
Maybe that's the point though. Since it's a dystopian. All of our leaders are a bunch of white men. That would terrify the shit out of me, honestly.
Characters
June was a fairly badass heroine in the first book. Both in the second one and this book, she dissolved into a blushing robot for most of the story. She sort of, but not really, redeemed herself towards the end.
To be completely honest, I never liked Day as a character. Maybe a little in the first book, but there's just something about him that I find boring and unlikable. It's possible that it's because the 'poor rebel boy falls for rich elitist girl' storyline is getting old.
Tess, Pascao and the other minor characters; like Day, I find these characters to be just blah.
Eden, one of the redeeming characters in this story, proves himself to be smarter and more practical than his older brother.
Elector;
Plot
Good. Decent pacing, kept you mildly interested.
The Ending, aka, Why I Rated This Book 1 Star. SPOILERS
Let me tell you first how I would have ended this book if it were mine.
1. Day would have died.
2. June, heartbroken but pulling through, would have eventually married Anden and become a soldier with Day still in her heart.
Okay, let's review; Day has spent the whole book with a brain virus and is repeatedly told he has only months to live.
Then, in the final battle scene, he is shot twice, in the chest and in the hip.
You'd think, with all that crap, a person would die, right? Especially a gun shot wound to the CHEST, he would die almost immediately, yeah?
Well, this is YA, after all, where splitting up the two original love interests or, god forbid, killing a main character is considered a fucking audacity. (in which John Green maniacally laughs in the distance)
June, crouching by her fallen lover, decides to pray for the first time in her life, begging a higher power to save him and that she'll do anything to keep him.
So, at this point, I was thinking,
Because I knew he was going to live anyway. But I didn't think the reason behind it would be because June started praying.
Let me get this out there before I go into full bitch mode; I don't hate religion. In fact, I think it's great for someone to have faith in something and for it to make them feel better.
What I don't like about religion is when people try to convert you or make it the reason for being stupid or make religion seem like the best thing ever and that it cures everything. It doesn't work like that.
So, this 'miracle', in which after five months of being in a coma, Day is perfectly healthy again.
Because, you know, praying for something to happen immediately fixes everything, even imminent death.
So, Day then wakes up from his coma, and, lo and behold, he has memory loss.
Not even major memory loss, I mean, he loses his memories specifically of her.
Oh, so this is the 'she'd do anything to make him live' part.
Might I remind everybody that this is dystopia, not fantasy. It's almost as if she made a deal with a demon that was all, "Okay, I'll save his ass but he loses his memories of you, lol sorry."
THIS ISN'T SUPERNATURAL, JUNE. LIFE DOESN'T WORK LIKE THAT.
Seriously.
Miss Lu, I think you need to take some advice from George R. R. Martin or Doctor Who. It is okay to kill off main characters.
So, ten years later, after condemning herself to a lifetime of loneliness because god forbid she loves anyone other than her first fucking boyfriend, Day miraculously remembers June and happy ending!
Hey, I have nothing against happy endings. When they're unrealistic, choke religion down your throat, and are just plain fucking stupid, then I hate them.
August 24, 2021
I’m on BookTube now! =)
“Sometimes, the sun sets earlier. Days don’t last forever, you know. But I’ll fight as hard as I can. I can promise you that.”
I just wrote down that quote and I’m already bawling my eyes out... again! T_T Marie Lu certainly killed me with that ending. It’s like a shot in the heart and I’m still not over it and this even though I finished “Champion” about a month ago. Jeez! A month and my feelings are still all over the place. Yes, it was THAT good! T_T I don’t think I’ll get over it anytime soon. Well, maybe if I borrow “Rebel” from the library and replace the ending of this book with new information from the fourth instalment.
Seriously, I hope this will work because I can’t live with the ending of “Champion”. Does this sound a little bit too dramatic? Well, for me it is! Anyway, let’s get back to the overall review. When I began to read this book I thought that it would be mostly about June and Day because Commander Jameson and Thomas were finally out of the picture. Unfortunately the Colonies decided they wanted a piece of the cake that is the Republic and used the plague as a cause to invade it. Which basically meant that our infamous OTP is forced to fight against them while Day’s health is slowly deteriorating. And this just broke my heart! T_T
Of course there were a lot of plot twists I didn’t see coming even though I probably should have known better because Marie Lu is very adept at throwing them with the biggest impact. This said, the pacing of the book was slower this time around and there wasn’t as much action as in the first two books. I think this was realistic though because 1.) This book was more character driven than its predecessors and 2.) Day’s condition just didn’t give enough room to go for unrealistic action scenes. Still, despite all that “Champion” was a great finale and I can’t wait to dive into my characters section, which I’m going to do right now because I have feelings that need to pour out!
The characters:
You are entering Antarctica the country of modern technology and progress. Be careful, though, not everything is as shiny as it seems and there might be backstabbing spoilers ahead of you. ;-)
June:
June sees the hesitation on my face and knows it’s a confirmation of her fear. She bites her lip. “It’s my fault,” she says, as if it’s just simple logic. “And I’m not sure I will ever be able to earn your forgiveness. I shouldn’t.”
June broke my freaking heart. She stabbed me with her knife and left me bleeding all over the floor and the thing is, I can’t even be angry at her?! It might have killed me but she grew so much as a character and I can’t really hold it against her. She knows that her actions were unforgivable and that they hurt Day, yet she can’t change anything about it. Add Anden and his advances to the picture as well and you have a really confused girl that doesn’t know what to do. XD I kinda liked to see that side of her though because it was in total contrast to the girl she was in the first book. She learned to deal with her emotions while still being a badass soldier and the combination of both is just sexy. *lol* Still, the sacrifice she made in the end killed me and I basically yelled at the pages! >_<
”Now fate has handed the solution to me on a silver platter – Day survived his ordeal, and in return, I need to step out of his life. Even though he looks at me now like a stranger, he no longer has the look of pain and tragedy that always seemed to come with the passion and love he gazed at me with. Now he is free.
He is free of us, leaving me as the only bearer of our past’s burden.”
Day:
”I feel so out of place among these aristocrats, with their bank accounts and posh manners. No matter how much money the Republic throws at me, I will forever be the boy from the streets.”
*screams in heartbreak* Day crying alone in the abandoned kitchen of his family’s old house was legit one of the saddest moments in this series. T_T Gosh! Where to start?! Day suffered so much in this series already and to see how he got weaker and weaker with every passing day just killed me. I think after finishing “Prodigy” I was kind of in denial and thought that his brain tumour might just be a cruel way to keep him in line. But no... Marie Lu actually went through with it and I died about a thousand deaths. To see how his health deteriorated was so painful and yet still he worried about Eden and June and the people of the Republic. If anyone ever needed proof that Day is an angel: Well, this is it! I mean despite everything he still fought for what he believed in and gave it everything. I just can’t with this precious boy! <333
”What makes me lose my breath, though, is that he’s leaning heavily on a pair of crutches. How long has he been here? He looks exhausted, pale, and distant. I wonder what new drugs the doctors are trying on him. The thought is a sudden, stabbing reminder of Day’s waning life, the few seconds he has left, slowly ticking by.”
”My heart’s been torn wide open, just like I feared it would be, and i have no willpower to close it back up. Any barrier I might’ve succeeded in putting up around myself, any resistance I might’ve built up against my feelings for her, is now completely gone. Shattered.”
”Help me,” I whisper desperately to the empty room. “I can’t do this.” I want to, I love her, but I can’t bear it. It’s been almost a year. What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I just move on?”
”The Republic is weak and broken.” I narrow my eyes. “But it is still your country. Fight for it. This is your home, not theirs.”
”You and I will probably never get a chance to meet. But I know you. You have taught me about all the good things in my life, and why I’ve fought for my family all these years. I hope for great things for your own loved ones, that they can go through life without suffering the way mine have.”
Anden:
”I don’t want to hear anyone else right now. I want to hear you. You are the heart of the people, Day – you always have been. You’ve given everything you have in order to protect them.” Day stiffens beside me, but Anden goes on. “I fear for the people. I worry about their safety, that we’ll be handing them over to the enemy just as we’re starting to put the pieces together.”
You know, Anden is actually a very decent guy. I really liked him and I appreciated that he trusted Day so much. He’s exactly the kind of elector the Republic needed and I’m sure he will do a great job at guiding his country into the future. If anyone can do it, it’s him! He cares for his people and he only wants the best for them. This makes him already very different to his father and I loved that about him. Plus he’s a good loser! He knew exactly that June’s heart was with Day but he never resented her for it. Quite the contrary, he accepted his defeat with dignity and there aren’t many people who would have been able to do so. I guess I’m an Anden fan now. =)
”I envy Day, you know,” he says, his voice as soft as ever. “I’m jealous that he gets to make decisions with his heart. Every choice he makes is honest, and the people love him for it. He can afford to use his heart.”
”You are a soldier, Ms. Iparis, through and through – but it has been an honor to see you as a Princeps-Elect.” The Elector of the Republic bows to me. “Whatever happens from here, I hope you remember that.”
The relationships & ships:
June & Day:
”Has it really been so long since the last time we kissed? Have I really missed him this much? Have all the problems threatening to crush us both weakened us to the point where we are gasping for breath, clinging desperately to each other for survival? I’ve forgotten how right it feels to be in his arms.”
Talk about star-crossed lovers! I swear Marie Lu is a master at giving us star-crossed love stories. She seems to love to kill us and I have yet to come across a Marie Lu series that doesn’t stab me with the feels. I mean THOSE TWO... I CAN’T!!! T_T My freaking heart got stabbed repeatedly just to shrivel into a little black pea at the ending of the book. Because unlike the majority of this planet named earth I JUST CAN’T with bittersweet endings like that! Like ARADKAFJASDFKASJFAKSDFJSDADKF! 10 YEARS??!!! Are you freaking kidding me?!! I’m having a déjà vu now because I just remembered the ending of Pirates of the Carribean 3. And my reaction back then was basically the same. >_< Didn’t we suffer enough already, Marie!? Why did you have to do this?!! ARGH!!!! *has a mental breakdown* Okay, I’m fine. *says it like Neil Josten* Also is it just me or did June really never tell him that she loves him?!! ARGHIIIIIIIIIIIII! If she doesn’t say it in “Rebel” I’m probably gonna die! Yep, I’m THAT invested! I mean I understand why June didn’t and let him go in the end but still... I’m fine. Totally. T_T
”Why do I do this to myself? I see you and feel such – “ He has tears in his eyes now. The sight is more than I can bear. He takes two steps away from me and then turns back like a caged animal. “Do you even love me?” he suddenly asks. He grips both of my shoulders. “I’ve said it to you before, and I still mean it. But I’ve never heard it from you. I can’t tell. And then you give me this ring” – he pauses to hold his hand up – “and I don’t know what to think anymore.”
Day just smiles at me, an expression so sad that it breaks through my numbness, and I begin to cry. Those bright blue eyes. Before me is the boy who has bandaged my wounds on the streets of Lake, who has guarded his family with every bone in his body, who has stayed by my side in spite of everything, the boy of light and laughter and life, of grief and fury and passion, the boy whose fate is intertwined with mine, forever and always.
“I love you,” he whispers. “Can you stay awhile?”
”I can feel his presence here in every stone he has touched, every person he has lifted up, every street and alley and city that he has changed in the few years of his life, because he is the Republic, he is our light, and I love you, I love you, until the day we meet again I will hold you in my heart and protect you there, grieving what we never had, cherishing what we did. I wish you were here.”
”It’s you,” he whispers. There is wonder in his voice.
“Is it?” I whisper back, my voice trembling with all the emotions I’ve kept hidden for so long.
Day is so close, and his eyes are so bright. “I hope,” he replies softly, “to get to know you again. If you are open to it. There is a fog around you that I would like to clear away.”
Tess & Day:
”What were my last words to her ... back when we had botched the Patriot’s assassination attempt on Anden? Please, Tess – I can’t leave you here. But that’s exactly what I did.
I turn away, taking another drag on my cigarette. Do I miss her? “Every day,” I reply.
I’m so glad they resolved their differences and finally had this dire needed talk! They had to sort their feelings first and needed to talk things out properly. Also it made me happy to know that Tess was there for Day and accompanied him on his difficult way. To be honest it was kind of sad to hear that they didn’t have as much contact ten years after, but then I guess that’s life and it was very realistic that they kind of grew apart over time. I mean they obviously still kept contact but it was different than their super close relationship as teens. Still, I’ll always be happy they reconciled. =)
”When the entire world turned its back on me and left me to die, you took me in. You were the one person who cared about what might happen to me. You were everything. Everything. You became my entire family – you were my parents and my siblings and my caretaker, my only friend and companion, you were both my protector and someone who needed protecting. You see? I didn’t love you in the way you might’ve thought I did, although I can’t deny that was part of it. But the way I feel goes beyond that.”
June & Thomas:
”Your brother froze, like I thought he would. There was complete stillness. We drew apart, the silence heavy around us, and for a moment I wondered whether I’d made a huge mistake, whether I’d simply misread every signal from the past few years. Or perhaps, perhaps he knew what I was up to. I felt a strange sense of relief at that thought. Maybe id’d be better if Metias figured out Commander Jamesons’s plans for him. Maybe there’s a way to get out of this.”
I didn’t think it would be possible for me to despise Thomas even more but boy, “Champion” really made me hate him! How could he do this to Metias?! A person he obviously loved?! Or he wouldn’t have kissed him. Thomas was such a FOOL! He’s the living and breathing epitome of ignorance! How could he be so thick in the head?! Like seriously?! How can he live and breathe every single day knowing he killed the only person who ever loved him?! My only explanation is that Thomas was an unfeeling robot. His death was random and stupid and truth be told exactly the kind of death his character deserved. No tears for Thomas just one sentence: Good riddance! XD
”I could’ve chosen Day’s route. I could have become a criminal. But I didn’t. I did everything right, you know. That was what Metias loved about me. He respected me. I followed all the rules, I obeyed all the laws, I worked my way up from where I started.” He leans toward me; his eyes grow more desperate. “I took an oath, June. I am still bound by that oath. I will die with honor for sacrificing everything I have – everything – for my country. And yet, Day is the legend, while I am to be executed.” His voice finally breaks with all his anguish and inner torment, the injustice he feels. “It makes no sense.”
Day & Eden:
”Man, look at us,” I reply. My laughter turns into coughs. “What a team, yeah?”
Eden finds me by placing a tentative hand on my head. He sits beside me with his legs crossed and gives me a wry grin. “Hey – with your metal leg and half a brain, and my four leftover senses, we almost make a whole person.”
Day’s unconditional love for Eden will always tug at my heartstrings. This boy loves his family so damn much and since Eden is the only one who is left of it his baby brother means the world to him. <333 I just loved those two and their close relationship and gosh, when Day carried Eden even though he was shot by Commander Jameson I was covering my mouth and praying that June would take out that cold hearted bitch before she could shoot him a second time. This boy really gave everything for his family and people. T_T I just hope Day and Eden will always have such a close bond. As it seems they are still close 10 years after all the happenings in “Champion” so there’s that, right?
A lump rises in my throat. “Eden,” I begin, ��we’ve lost Mom and John. Dad is gone. You’re all I have left. I can’t afford to lose you too. Everything I’ve done so far, I’ve done for you. I’m not letting you risk your life to save the Republic – or the Colonies.”
The defiance fades from Eden’s eyes. He props his arms up on the railing and leans his head against his hands. “If there’s one thing I know about you,” he says, “it’s that you’re not selfish.”
”A small, bittersweet smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. Day, the champion of the people, the one who can’t bear to see those around him suffer on his behalf, who would gladly give his life for those he loves. Except it’s not his life that we need in order to save Tess, but his brother’s.”
”You did good,” I reply. “I’m proud of you.” And I am. I’m prouder of him than I’ve ever been of myself – I’m proud of him for standing up to me.”
Conclusion:
And here I hoped Marie Lu would give me an ending that wouldn’t break me. I should have known better. She’s famous for her bittersweet endings and this one was as bittersweet as they get. I definitely need to get my hands on “Rebel” and I hope it will be able to ease my mind because right now it’s still reeling. 4 weeks after finishing “Champion” I can say that the book finished me instead. My heart is still bleeding. >_<
_____________________________
AHHHH!!
Marie Lu! Why do you always have to kill me with your endings?!
This was bittersweet and ARGH!!! GAH!!!
AAKDFASJDFAKSDFJASKDFAJSFK!
I can’t think clearly right now! T_T
Full RTC soon! Hopefully! XD
_________________________________
I already spoke about “Champion” in my July TBR video on BookTube and I can’t wait to read this because I’m still reeling from the ending of “Prodigy”!
Never mind that I finished “Prodigy” at the beginning of November 2020. *lol*
Anyway!! Someone please tell me this is going to end well?!
Just kidding! I don’t want to be spoiled but I want them all to be happy?!
I have no idea how this is supposed to happen but please?! *makes huge puppy eyes*
Jeez! I’m already dying and I haven’t even started to read this book! XD
“Sometimes, the sun sets earlier. Days don’t last forever, you know. But I’ll fight as hard as I can. I can promise you that.”
I just wrote down that quote and I’m already bawling my eyes out... again! T_T Marie Lu certainly killed me with that ending. It’s like a shot in the heart and I’m still not over it and this even though I finished “Champion” about a month ago. Jeez! A month and my feelings are still all over the place. Yes, it was THAT good! T_T I don’t think I’ll get over it anytime soon. Well, maybe if I borrow “Rebel” from the library and replace the ending of this book with new information from the fourth instalment.
Seriously, I hope this will work because I can’t live with the ending of “Champion”. Does this sound a little bit too dramatic? Well, for me it is! Anyway, let’s get back to the overall review. When I began to read this book I thought that it would be mostly about June and Day because Commander Jameson and Thomas were finally out of the picture. Unfortunately the Colonies decided they wanted a piece of the cake that is the Republic and used the plague as a cause to invade it. Which basically meant that our infamous OTP is forced to fight against them while Day’s health is slowly deteriorating. And this just broke my heart! T_T
Of course there were a lot of plot twists I didn’t see coming even though I probably should have known better because Marie Lu is very adept at throwing them with the biggest impact. This said, the pacing of the book was slower this time around and there wasn’t as much action as in the first two books. I think this was realistic though because 1.) This book was more character driven than its predecessors and 2.) Day’s condition just didn’t give enough room to go for unrealistic action scenes. Still, despite all that “Champion” was a great finale and I can’t wait to dive into my characters section, which I’m going to do right now because I have feelings that need to pour out!
The characters:
You are entering Antarctica the country of modern technology and progress. Be careful, though, not everything is as shiny as it seems and there might be backstabbing spoilers ahead of you. ;-)
June:
June sees the hesitation on my face and knows it’s a confirmation of her fear. She bites her lip. “It’s my fault,” she says, as if it’s just simple logic. “And I’m not sure I will ever be able to earn your forgiveness. I shouldn’t.”
June broke my freaking heart. She stabbed me with her knife and left me bleeding all over the floor and the thing is, I can’t even be angry at her?! It might have killed me but she grew so much as a character and I can’t really hold it against her. She knows that her actions were unforgivable and that they hurt Day, yet she can’t change anything about it. Add Anden and his advances to the picture as well and you have a really confused girl that doesn’t know what to do. XD I kinda liked to see that side of her though because it was in total contrast to the girl she was in the first book. She learned to deal with her emotions while still being a badass soldier and the combination of both is just sexy. *lol* Still, the sacrifice she made in the end killed me and I basically yelled at the pages! >_<
”Now fate has handed the solution to me on a silver platter – Day survived his ordeal, and in return, I need to step out of his life. Even though he looks at me now like a stranger, he no longer has the look of pain and tragedy that always seemed to come with the passion and love he gazed at me with. Now he is free.
He is free of us, leaving me as the only bearer of our past’s burden.”
Day:
”I feel so out of place among these aristocrats, with their bank accounts and posh manners. No matter how much money the Republic throws at me, I will forever be the boy from the streets.”
*screams in heartbreak* Day crying alone in the abandoned kitchen of his family’s old house was legit one of the saddest moments in this series. T_T Gosh! Where to start?! Day suffered so much in this series already and to see how he got weaker and weaker with every passing day just killed me. I think after finishing “Prodigy” I was kind of in denial and thought that his brain tumour might just be a cruel way to keep him in line. But no... Marie Lu actually went through with it and I died about a thousand deaths. To see how his health deteriorated was so painful and yet still he worried about Eden and June and the people of the Republic. If anyone ever needed proof that Day is an angel: Well, this is it! I mean despite everything he still fought for what he believed in and gave it everything. I just can’t with this precious boy! <333
”What makes me lose my breath, though, is that he’s leaning heavily on a pair of crutches. How long has he been here? He looks exhausted, pale, and distant. I wonder what new drugs the doctors are trying on him. The thought is a sudden, stabbing reminder of Day’s waning life, the few seconds he has left, slowly ticking by.”
”My heart’s been torn wide open, just like I feared it would be, and i have no willpower to close it back up. Any barrier I might’ve succeeded in putting up around myself, any resistance I might’ve built up against my feelings for her, is now completely gone. Shattered.”
”Help me,” I whisper desperately to the empty room. “I can’t do this.” I want to, I love her, but I can’t bear it. It’s been almost a year. What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I just move on?”
”The Republic is weak and broken.” I narrow my eyes. “But it is still your country. Fight for it. This is your home, not theirs.”
”You and I will probably never get a chance to meet. But I know you. You have taught me about all the good things in my life, and why I’ve fought for my family all these years. I hope for great things for your own loved ones, that they can go through life without suffering the way mine have.”
Anden:
”I don’t want to hear anyone else right now. I want to hear you. You are the heart of the people, Day – you always have been. You’ve given everything you have in order to protect them.” Day stiffens beside me, but Anden goes on. “I fear for the people. I worry about their safety, that we’ll be handing them over to the enemy just as we’re starting to put the pieces together.”
You know, Anden is actually a very decent guy. I really liked him and I appreciated that he trusted Day so much. He’s exactly the kind of elector the Republic needed and I’m sure he will do a great job at guiding his country into the future. If anyone can do it, it’s him! He cares for his people and he only wants the best for them. This makes him already very different to his father and I loved that about him. Plus he’s a good loser! He knew exactly that June’s heart was with Day but he never resented her for it. Quite the contrary, he accepted his defeat with dignity and there aren’t many people who would have been able to do so. I guess I’m an Anden fan now. =)
”I envy Day, you know,” he says, his voice as soft as ever. “I’m jealous that he gets to make decisions with his heart. Every choice he makes is honest, and the people love him for it. He can afford to use his heart.”
”You are a soldier, Ms. Iparis, through and through – but it has been an honor to see you as a Princeps-Elect.” The Elector of the Republic bows to me. “Whatever happens from here, I hope you remember that.”
The relationships & ships:
June & Day:
”Has it really been so long since the last time we kissed? Have I really missed him this much? Have all the problems threatening to crush us both weakened us to the point where we are gasping for breath, clinging desperately to each other for survival? I’ve forgotten how right it feels to be in his arms.”
Talk about star-crossed lovers! I swear Marie Lu is a master at giving us star-crossed love stories. She seems to love to kill us and I have yet to come across a Marie Lu series that doesn’t stab me with the feels. I mean THOSE TWO... I CAN’T!!! T_T My freaking heart got stabbed repeatedly just to shrivel into a little black pea at the ending of the book. Because unlike the majority of this planet named earth I JUST CAN’T with bittersweet endings like that! Like ARADKAFJASDFKASJFAKSDFJSDADKF! 10 YEARS??!!! Are you freaking kidding me?!! I’m having a déjà vu now because I just remembered the ending of Pirates of the Carribean 3. And my reaction back then was basically the same. >_< Didn’t we suffer enough already, Marie!? Why did you have to do this?!! ARGH!!!! *has a mental breakdown* Okay, I’m fine. *says it like Neil Josten* Also is it just me or did June really never tell him that she loves him?!! ARGHIIIIIIIIIIIII! If she doesn’t say it in “Rebel” I’m probably gonna die! Yep, I’m THAT invested! I mean I understand why June didn’t and let him go in the end but still... I’m fine. Totally. T_T
”Why do I do this to myself? I see you and feel such – “ He has tears in his eyes now. The sight is more than I can bear. He takes two steps away from me and then turns back like a caged animal. “Do you even love me?” he suddenly asks. He grips both of my shoulders. “I’ve said it to you before, and I still mean it. But I’ve never heard it from you. I can’t tell. And then you give me this ring” – he pauses to hold his hand up – “and I don’t know what to think anymore.”
Day just smiles at me, an expression so sad that it breaks through my numbness, and I begin to cry. Those bright blue eyes. Before me is the boy who has bandaged my wounds on the streets of Lake, who has guarded his family with every bone in his body, who has stayed by my side in spite of everything, the boy of light and laughter and life, of grief and fury and passion, the boy whose fate is intertwined with mine, forever and always.
“I love you,” he whispers. “Can you stay awhile?”
”I can feel his presence here in every stone he has touched, every person he has lifted up, every street and alley and city that he has changed in the few years of his life, because he is the Republic, he is our light, and I love you, I love you, until the day we meet again I will hold you in my heart and protect you there, grieving what we never had, cherishing what we did. I wish you were here.”
”It’s you,” he whispers. There is wonder in his voice.
“Is it?” I whisper back, my voice trembling with all the emotions I’ve kept hidden for so long.
Day is so close, and his eyes are so bright. “I hope,” he replies softly, “to get to know you again. If you are open to it. There is a fog around you that I would like to clear away.”
Tess & Day:
”What were my last words to her ... back when we had botched the Patriot’s assassination attempt on Anden? Please, Tess – I can’t leave you here. But that’s exactly what I did.
I turn away, taking another drag on my cigarette. Do I miss her? “Every day,” I reply.
I’m so glad they resolved their differences and finally had this dire needed talk! They had to sort their feelings first and needed to talk things out properly. Also it made me happy to know that Tess was there for Day and accompanied him on his difficult way. To be honest it was kind of sad to hear that they didn’t have as much contact ten years after, but then I guess that’s life and it was very realistic that they kind of grew apart over time. I mean they obviously still kept contact but it was different than their super close relationship as teens. Still, I’ll always be happy they reconciled. =)
”When the entire world turned its back on me and left me to die, you took me in. You were the one person who cared about what might happen to me. You were everything. Everything. You became my entire family – you were my parents and my siblings and my caretaker, my only friend and companion, you were both my protector and someone who needed protecting. You see? I didn’t love you in the way you might’ve thought I did, although I can’t deny that was part of it. But the way I feel goes beyond that.”
June & Thomas:
”Your brother froze, like I thought he would. There was complete stillness. We drew apart, the silence heavy around us, and for a moment I wondered whether I’d made a huge mistake, whether I’d simply misread every signal from the past few years. Or perhaps, perhaps he knew what I was up to. I felt a strange sense of relief at that thought. Maybe id’d be better if Metias figured out Commander Jamesons’s plans for him. Maybe there’s a way to get out of this.”
I didn’t think it would be possible for me to despise Thomas even more but boy, “Champion” really made me hate him! How could he do this to Metias?! A person he obviously loved?! Or he wouldn’t have kissed him. Thomas was such a FOOL! He’s the living and breathing epitome of ignorance! How could he be so thick in the head?! Like seriously?! How can he live and breathe every single day knowing he killed the only person who ever loved him?! My only explanation is that Thomas was an unfeeling robot. His death was random and stupid and truth be told exactly the kind of death his character deserved. No tears for Thomas just one sentence: Good riddance! XD
”I could’ve chosen Day’s route. I could have become a criminal. But I didn’t. I did everything right, you know. That was what Metias loved about me. He respected me. I followed all the rules, I obeyed all the laws, I worked my way up from where I started.” He leans toward me; his eyes grow more desperate. “I took an oath, June. I am still bound by that oath. I will die with honor for sacrificing everything I have – everything – for my country. And yet, Day is the legend, while I am to be executed.” His voice finally breaks with all his anguish and inner torment, the injustice he feels. “It makes no sense.”
Day & Eden:
”Man, look at us,” I reply. My laughter turns into coughs. “What a team, yeah?”
Eden finds me by placing a tentative hand on my head. He sits beside me with his legs crossed and gives me a wry grin. “Hey – with your metal leg and half a brain, and my four leftover senses, we almost make a whole person.”
Day’s unconditional love for Eden will always tug at my heartstrings. This boy loves his family so damn much and since Eden is the only one who is left of it his baby brother means the world to him. <333 I just loved those two and their close relationship and gosh, when Day carried Eden even though he was shot by Commander Jameson I was covering my mouth and praying that June would take out that cold hearted bitch before she could shoot him a second time. This boy really gave everything for his family and people. T_T I just hope Day and Eden will always have such a close bond. As it seems they are still close 10 years after all the happenings in “Champion” so there’s that, right?
A lump rises in my throat. “Eden,” I begin, ��we’ve lost Mom and John. Dad is gone. You’re all I have left. I can’t afford to lose you too. Everything I’ve done so far, I’ve done for you. I’m not letting you risk your life to save the Republic – or the Colonies.”
The defiance fades from Eden’s eyes. He props his arms up on the railing and leans his head against his hands. “If there’s one thing I know about you,” he says, “it’s that you’re not selfish.”
”A small, bittersweet smile tugs at the corners of my mouth. Day, the champion of the people, the one who can’t bear to see those around him suffer on his behalf, who would gladly give his life for those he loves. Except it’s not his life that we need in order to save Tess, but his brother’s.”
”You did good,” I reply. “I’m proud of you.” And I am. I’m prouder of him than I’ve ever been of myself – I’m proud of him for standing up to me.”
Conclusion:
And here I hoped Marie Lu would give me an ending that wouldn’t break me. I should have known better. She’s famous for her bittersweet endings and this one was as bittersweet as they get. I definitely need to get my hands on “Rebel” and I hope it will be able to ease my mind because right now it’s still reeling. 4 weeks after finishing “Champion” I can say that the book finished me instead. My heart is still bleeding. >_<
_____________________________
AHHHH!!
Marie Lu! Why do you always have to kill me with your endings?!
This was bittersweet and ARGH!!! GAH!!!
AAKDFASJDFAKSDFJASKDFAJSFK!
I can’t think clearly right now! T_T
Full RTC soon! Hopefully! XD
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I already spoke about “Champion” in my July TBR video on BookTube and I can’t wait to read this because I’m still reeling from the ending of “Prodigy”!
Never mind that I finished “Prodigy” at the beginning of November 2020. *lol*
Anyway!! Someone please tell me this is going to end well?!
Just kidding! I don’t want to be spoiled but I want them all to be happy?!
I have no idea how this is supposed to happen but please?! *makes huge puppy eyes*
Jeez! I’m already dying and I haven’t even started to read this book! XD
August 17, 2018
Español - English
Daniel "Day" Wing vive ahora como un ciudadano libre, junto a su hermano Eden.
Day y June han tenido que renunciar a muchas cosas para facilitar la paz en La República.
Tras ocho meses de estar incomunicados, lo llaman para invitarlo a un festín con el Elector pero no es más que una excusa para solicitar su ayuda nuevamente, pero esta vez le pedirán más de lo que está dispuesto a dar.
Este libro tiene mucha acción y es muy emotivo, pero ODIO el final. Odio los finales abiertos.
✨✨✨
Daniel "Day" Wing now lives as a free citizen, along with his brother Eden.
Day and June have had to give up many things to facilitate peace in The Republic.
After eight months of being incommunicado, they call him to invite him to a feast with the Elector but it is only an excuse to ask for his help again, but this time they will ask for more than he is willing to give.
This book has a lot of action and is very emotional, but I HATE the ending. I hate open endings.
Daniel "Day" Wing vive ahora como un ciudadano libre, junto a su hermano Eden.
Day y June han tenido que renunciar a muchas cosas para facilitar la paz en La República.
Tras ocho meses de estar incomunicados, lo llaman para invitarlo a un festín con el Elector pero no es más que una excusa para solicitar su ayuda nuevamente, pero esta vez le pedirán más de lo que está dispuesto a dar.
Este libro tiene mucha acción y es muy emotivo, pero ODIO el final. Odio los finales abiertos.
✨✨✨
Daniel "Day" Wing now lives as a free citizen, along with his brother Eden.
Day and June have had to give up many things to facilitate peace in The Republic.
After eight months of being incommunicado, they call him to invite him to a feast with the Elector but it is only an excuse to ask for his help again, but this time they will ask for more than he is willing to give.
This book has a lot of action and is very emotional, but I HATE the ending. I hate open endings.
November 21, 2013
I am rating this 5 stars even though I had quite a few problems with it, I still thoroughly enjoyed it.
There are a few things that I wish were tied up better and the ending was a bit frustrating at first, but I'm leaving this trilogy feeling satisfied.
There are a few things that I wish were tied up better and the ending was a bit frustrating at first, but I'm leaving this trilogy feeling satisfied.
April 20, 2015
I'm sad.
And I really really really liked this book. It was so AWESOME and full of action and love and grieve and ME CRYING IN MY BED HUGGING IT.
This book made me realize that dystopian books never end well enough for me to be happy. This ending was a little like Cassie Clare's Clockwork Princess: A sad happy ending. And I REALLY liked the ending, but oh, it made me cry so much. I think what June decided at the end was really noble, but I don't know, also a little coward? I think Day and her would have overcome all the pain of the past eventually, they would've healed each other. And UGH, then when I saw how many years passed between the last chapter and the epilogue, I WAS FLOORED! SO MANY YEARS! Yes, the ending gave me hope. AND YES, I think Day deserved the chance June got him, BUT BUT BUT--- *le cries again*
All in all, I loved this book and I loved the series. I think I'll be rereading it in a few years.
And I really really really liked this book. It was so AWESOME and full of action and love and grieve and ME CRYING IN MY BED HUGGING IT.
This book made me realize that dystopian books never end well enough for me to be happy. This ending was a little like Cassie Clare's Clockwork Princess: A sad happy ending. And I REALLY liked the ending, but oh, it made me cry so much. I think what June decided at the end was really noble, but I don't know, also a little coward? I think Day and her would have overcome all the pain of the past eventually, they would've healed each other. And UGH, then when I saw how many years passed between the last chapter and the epilogue, I WAS FLOORED! SO MANY YEARS! Yes, the ending gave me hope. AND YES, I think Day deserved the chance June got him, BUT BUT BUT--- *le cries again*
All in all, I loved this book and I loved the series. I think I'll be rereading it in a few years.
September 16, 2013
This is me after rereading the last chapter over and over again... Why the hell do you do that and make everyone wait a year! She should have said " I love you!" That's what i'm waiting for, so that better be like the first line in the book! Not in her head, needs to be said directly to him!
Like this:
But Day I just wanna...
April 26, 2015
I'M A MESS!
MY HEART'S A MESS!!
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FEEL!?!?!
I'm so incredibly emotional right now I think I need some serious help...
MY HEART'S A MESS!!
I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FEEL!?!?!
I'm so incredibly emotional right now I think I need some serious help...
March 6, 2017
Solid book. Solid ending. Solid trilogy.
December 7, 2018
Perfect books are just.. perfect! *wiping tears of happiness*
This is one of the best conclusions to a series! The very best.
Seriously! And it felt so ..right, you know?
Not all butterflies and cheers and happiness, but right and real and beautiful and raw.
The action, the suspense, the dramatic romance, the bittersweet ending… every moment and every page, every single word in this book.. EVERYTHING was perfect. I couldn’t have imagined a better ending for this series, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
June and Day’s journey has been filled with so much heartbreak over these 3 books and I sobbed a bit near the ending for all that they’ve been trough, for the injustice of life, for how much they have lost (especially Day because -as I’ve said a million times already- June has had it so much easier than him). But I have hope, there’s a bittersweet taste in their new beginning and I loved those last few pages for giving me some sort of peace of mind, for leaving my heart feeling this light. I also loved the ending for the lack of selfishness, for taking its time such that those souls could heal, for filling me with so many emotions.
I am definitely giving away more than I want to, but for once I don’t care because I’ve been holding my breath the whole time waiting for Day and June to meet again, hoping for them to find a way back together, crying inside for all the things that have put a world of a wall between them, dropping my eyes into my mouth at some mind-blowing turnarounds and crying like a baby when things went terribly wrong. What more do you want from me? How much a heart can take without breaking?
So this is me, falling in love again with a breathtaking series. This is me saying again my goodbyes (and oh, my poor heart! This year will be full of book-goodbyes, I should get used to the heartbreak). This is me telling you once more: Go read this book and then come back to talk about it ;)
Happy midnight reading!
______________
Later edit (Dec 2018):
It’s been a while, but the tears in my eyes tell me that this is still the best ending to a series. Of course, we now know that this is not the actual ending, that soon a 4th book will come out, but it doesn’t make it less emotional or perfect. (And please, please, please, let the next book be just as good as the previous ones!)
Champion is my favourite book in the series, hands down, and I trully wish to see what comes next. My heart is broken, but through those cracks there is so much hope spilling. I’ve loved this series because of Day, but in the end there’s this chance for June to shine just as brightly. Her ache was my ache, her longing was mine... Oh Day, aren’t you one of the best fictional crush ever? Let’s hope for some long summer days now, shall we?
Read this and more at: ReadingAfterMidnight.com
* Also, the images sources can be found on the blog.
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Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO)
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This is one of the best conclusions to a series! The very best.
Seriously! And it felt so ..right, you know?
Not all butterflies and cheers and happiness, but right and real and beautiful and raw.
The action, the suspense, the dramatic romance, the bittersweet ending… every moment and every page, every single word in this book.. EVERYTHING was perfect. I couldn’t have imagined a better ending for this series, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Without emotion, what’s the point of being human?
June and Day’s journey has been filled with so much heartbreak over these 3 books and I sobbed a bit near the ending for all that they’ve been trough, for the injustice of life, for how much they have lost (especially Day because -as I’ve said a million times already- June has had it so much easier than him). But I have hope, there’s a bittersweet taste in their new beginning and I loved those last few pages for giving me some sort of peace of mind, for leaving my heart feeling this light. I also loved the ending for the lack of selfishness, for taking its time such that those souls could heal, for filling me with so many emotions.
I am definitely giving away more than I want to, but for once I don’t care because I’ve been holding my breath the whole time waiting for Day and June to meet again, hoping for them to find a way back together, crying inside for all the things that have put a world of a wall between them, dropping my eyes into my mouth at some mind-blowing turnarounds and crying like a baby when things went terribly wrong. What more do you want from me? How much a heart can take without breaking?
So this is me, falling in love again with a breathtaking series. This is me saying again my goodbyes (and oh, my poor heart! This year will be full of book-goodbyes, I should get used to the heartbreak). This is me telling you once more: Go read this book and then come back to talk about it ;)
Happy midnight reading!
______________
Later edit (Dec 2018):
It’s been a while, but the tears in my eyes tell me that this is still the best ending to a series. Of course, we now know that this is not the actual ending, that soon a 4th book will come out, but it doesn’t make it less emotional or perfect. (And please, please, please, let the next book be just as good as the previous ones!)
Champion is my favourite book in the series, hands down, and I trully wish to see what comes next. My heart is broken, but through those cracks there is so much hope spilling. I’ve loved this series because of Day, but in the end there’s this chance for June to shine just as brightly. Her ache was my ache, her longing was mine... Oh Day, aren’t you one of the best fictional crush ever? Let’s hope for some long summer days now, shall we?
Read this and more at: ReadingAfterMidnight.com
* Also, the images sources can be found on the blog.
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Blog (EN) | Facebook | Twitter | Tumblr | Bloglovin' | Blog (RO)
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February 2, 2022
A decent end to the trilogy. I’ve found these books very easy to read and gripping. They’ve not changed my life or anything, and I don’t think they’re a patch on the hunger games - but that might just be my nostalgia taking.
So the republic is under attack from the colonies. There is another virus in the colonies and they believe the republic caused it. They are demanding a cure or they will invade.
June is working closely with Anden, the new elector. Meanwhile Day has been reunited with his brother Eden and dealing with his recent diagnosis.
Not much to add, I liked the shock at the end If you like dystopias with a fast pace then give these a go.
Also seems odd that there is a fourth book, but I reckon I’ll give it a go.
So the republic is under attack from the colonies. There is another virus in the colonies and they believe the republic caused it. They are demanding a cure or they will invade.
June is working closely with Anden, the new elector. Meanwhile Day has been reunited with his brother Eden and dealing with his recent diagnosis.
Not much to add, I liked the shock at the end If you like dystopias with a fast pace then give these a go.
Also seems odd that there is a fourth book, but I reckon I’ll give it a go.
November 14, 2018
Πολύ ωραίο και ρεαλιστικό τέλος!
Θρύλος: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ και μισο
Παιδί-θαυμα: ⭐⭐⭐
Πρόμαχος: ⭐⭐
Το πρώτο παραμένει το αγαπημένο μου! Δυνατό και γρήγορο, γεμάτο εξελίξεις, αν και το ρομάντζο μου φάνηκε κάπως βεβιασμενο.
Στην πορεία αισθάνθηκα πως η ιστορία έχανε την έντασή της. Σε ορισμένα σημεία γινόταν βαρετή και οι σκηνές τραβουσαν. Ενώ στα βιβλία 2-3 έχουμε περισσότερες σελίδες, στο πρώτο έχουμε περισσότερα γεγονότα σε λιγότερες σελίδες.
Επίσης ηθελα να δω πιο πολλές σκηνές ανάμεσα σε ντευ και τζουν. Δεν δέθηκα με το ζευγάρι εξαιτίας αυτού...
Θρύλος: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ και μισο
Παιδί-θαυμα: ⭐⭐⭐
Πρόμαχος: ⭐⭐
Το πρώτο παραμένει το αγαπημένο μου! Δυνατό και γρήγορο, γεμάτο εξελίξεις, αν και το ρομάντζο μου φάνηκε κάπως βεβιασμενο.
Στην πορεία αισθάνθηκα πως η ιστορία έχανε την έντασή της. Σε ορισμένα σημεία γινόταν βαρετή και οι σκηνές τραβουσαν. Ενώ στα βιβλία 2-3 έχουμε περισσότερες σελίδες, στο πρώτο έχουμε περισσότερα γεγονότα σε λιγότερες σελίδες.
Επίσης ηθελα να δω πιο πολλές σκηνές ανάμεσα σε ντευ και τζουν. Δεν δέθηκα με το ζευγάρι εξαιτίας αυτού...
Read
May 14, 2024first time reading in a month and I read 3 books in 3 days… thank you straight people 🫶🏼
October 25, 2021
Welcome to the review of the book that broke me. . . . and I will always partially be broken because of this even though the next book fixed the wrongness that happened at the ending. . .
Buddy Read with Avni
Trigger Warnings: Plague, Grief & loss depiction, Death of a brother recounted, Murder, attempted murder, Gun violence & War themes
(Uhh don't mind if I'm sobbing about the ending a lot. . . IT BROKE ME SO DEAL WITH IT)
(ALSO IF ANYONE SAYS THAT JUNE AND ANDEN BELONG TOGETHER I WILL HAUNT YOU, but I respect your opinion, but still, that made no sense did it?)
~4 Stars~
Champion by Marie Lu the third book in the Legend series, by an author who always breaks my heart at the end of most of her book, LIKE THIS ONE 😭 Anyways, go read it, so we can cry for the ending together if you've already read it, tell me how to get over it! pls 😭
~The Plot~
(So one of my lovely GR friends suggested I do a song review, so I'm kinda doing that I guess but for the plot, and then there'll be a bunch of other random things in my review too. Also I've never written a song for a plot of the book, so if it's terrible. . . uhh sorry)
Living peacefully in the world they created
Far away from each other,
Dying, lying and protecting
She summons
He hesitates, but comes
He says absolutely not
She feels he's right and wrong
He stays for some reason
It's cause of her
They're in love
So in love they cannot be far away for long
they'll find each other eventually
The brother finds out
He wants with it
He says no, brother says I'm going
Brother goes, to be a hero
He also decides to be a hero
He falls, almost dies
But survives,
War strikes
the world they created is dying
They all decide to be heroes
Some things fail
And some things succeed,
He almost dies
He forgets
She cries
He moves
But he's in love
It's cause of her
They're in love
So in love they cannot be far away for long
they'll find each other eventually
(Ok, I know that was an absolutely horrible song. . . and it didn't explain the plot properly at all, so now i'll regular explain the plot too, with my random commentary of course)
Day is living with his brother somewhere kinda far away from June, they're living peacefully enough. Then one day June asks Day to come to wherever June was, cause it was important, all June told day was The Colonies are raging war on the Republic. So Day decided to go meet June (Day ur so in love u don't even think that there something bigger to what June's saying👀, I luv it *dreams* *smiles*) Anyway June told Day they wanted to do something like experiments on his brother, which he refused. (WE ALL KNEW THAT. . .) But Day did kinda decide to help with teh war stuff cause he realized some stuff. Later on some stuff happened (it's not that important, and I'm kinda lazy to write it). Eventually Day's brother found out, and said he wanted to go on with the experiments to help the republic. So Eden went, and more war related stuff happened, and they found what they were looking for in Eden from someone else. (I'M NOT TELLING, also i know this is soooo long, hang in there, I'M WRITING A REVIEW AFTER LIKE FOREVER, SO DEAL WITH IT AND now i'm making it longer. . . ) Anyway in teh whole war thing at the end End day almost died, but he didn't and instead he forgot someone precious. . (AHHHHHHHHH, HELP, MEH)
~My thoughts on the plot~
I loved the plot so much, I'd probably say I might've liked the first book's plot a little more, just in the middle cause it was a little better, I guess, but otherwise this book's plot was almost just as good. It was at the right pace and it kinda closed the first 2 books, and the ending was. . . (I would tell, but i think that if i add any more ending things in this review, people will not get through my review. . .)
~The writing~
The writing was so good, though it was not unexpected cause so far I love Marie Lu, style of writing so far at least in all the books I've read from her. So yeahhhhh. . also the writing pace was good, it wasn't too fast or too slow at any point really.
~The characters~
~June~
SHE'S MY BADASS GIRLFRIEND (This explains it all hopefully, or not i don't care much. . . or maybe I do idk, this commentary is so dumb)
~Day~
Soo. . . I rlly, rlly like Day, he's so cool, idk why, I mean like most people like June more. . . but I like June and the Day second. I love him overall, he seems cool, and chill a lot, and also stresses a lot, soo yeah, idk how to say what I want to say bout him. . . maybe i'll add it later. . . (this was terrible)
~Tess~
In the last book, me and Tess had some differences👀 that included Day, I would say as you know, but i haven’t written a review for the Prodigy yet. . small explanation: Tess wanted Day and her to be together. WELL TESS THAT WAS NEVER GONNA BE. Okay so now in this book, she kinda gave up on the thought that she and Day we're gonna end up being together. SO NOW I LIKE TESS I GUESS.
~Eden~
I really like him. I love this personality so much, he is a younger, smarter version of Day, soo of course I likeyy him. I also think he's been through more than the book let's on bout him, and he comes out pretty strong from. I LIKEYY HIM.
~Anden~
He's interesting. . . I don't love him. . . but I don't hate him, he seems to have had a little of a bad effect on me, I meana I keep imagining him kinda mean, I know he's not really mean, but i just imagine him like that. . . so uhh it's my brains fault for not liking him much.
~The Romance~
I'm not sure how to explain what I think about the romance, OKay so Imma try. . . (Imma try to make this short) LET'S GET TO THE POINT. DAY AND JUNE ARE MEANT TO BE, THEY ARE
~The Ending~
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH *TURNS AWAY*
*SOBS*
*CRIES SO HARD*
*SCREAMS AT THE AUTHOR AND BOOK*
*COMES BACK, LET'S FINISH THIS*
okay. . . so your all wondering what is up with the ending that i'm broken because of it. . . well if u read the book, u know why. . . and if u haven't well read the book, read it, i'm not telling you. CAUSE I DON'T WANT TO CAUSE YOU PAIN BEFORE YOU EVEN START.
BIG SPOILER ENDING
DON'T NOT READ, UNLESS YOU WANT TO INFLICT PAIN ON YOURSELF, PLEASE.
Also I just realised that the ending was weirdly perfect too. . . idk i just feel it now, i friend made me realise that👀 i have no idea what to say about it. . . so yeah :)
tHIS gif make me feel so awkard saying so yeah, lmao
~Rating Explanation~
I rated it 4 stars bcz at some points I guess i just didn't like it as much, but it was a really good book overall, everything went at a good pace just as I wanted it to be pretty much. So that was good.
~Overall~
I really enjoyed reading this book, some ups and downs happened in the book, as they should and should not 👀 idk if that made much sense. . . i think it did. Anyway all the characters were good too!, and so was the plot, and some other things too! (I’M NOT EVEN GONNA MENTION THE ENDING, DAMMIT, I JUST DID *SHAKES HEAD*)
Btw thank u for all the peoples who actually got through when I complaining and sobbing bout the ending and not complaining bout it much👀
----------------
I’m broken *sobs*
I need therapy now
Pinterest | Spotify
also please check out my Spotify Playlist for this bookif u want Champion Spotify Playlist
Buddy Read with Avni
Trigger Warnings: Plague, Grief & loss depiction, Death of a brother recounted, Murder, attempted murder, Gun violence & War themes
(Uhh don't mind if I'm sobbing about the ending a lot. . . IT BROKE ME SO DEAL WITH IT)
(ALSO IF ANYONE SAYS THAT JUNE AND ANDEN BELONG TOGETHER I WILL HAUNT YOU, but I respect your opinion, but still, that made no sense did it?)
~4 Stars~
Champion by Marie Lu the third book in the Legend series, by an author who always breaks my heart at the end of most of her book, LIKE THIS ONE 😭 Anyways, go read it, so we can cry for the ending together if you've already read it, tell me how to get over it! pls 😭
~The Plot~
(So one of my lovely GR friends suggested I do a song review, so I'm kinda doing that I guess but for the plot, and then there'll be a bunch of other random things in my review too. Also I've never written a song for a plot of the book, so if it's terrible. . . uhh sorry)
Living peacefully in the world they created
Far away from each other,
Dying, lying and protecting
She summons
He hesitates, but comes
He says absolutely not
She feels he's right and wrong
He stays for some reason
It's cause of her
They're in love
So in love they cannot be far away for long
they'll find each other eventually
The brother finds out
He wants with it
He says no, brother says I'm going
Brother goes, to be a hero
He also decides to be a hero
He falls, almost dies
But survives,
War strikes
the world they created is dying
They all decide to be heroes
Some things fail
And some things succeed,
He almost dies
He forgets
She cries
He moves
But he's in love
It's cause of her
They're in love
So in love they cannot be far away for long
they'll find each other eventually
(Ok, I know that was an absolutely horrible song. . . and it didn't explain the plot properly at all, so now i'll regular explain the plot too, with my random commentary of course)
Day is living with his brother somewhere kinda far away from June, they're living peacefully enough. Then one day June asks Day to come to wherever June was, cause it was important, all June told day was The Colonies are raging war on the Republic. So Day decided to go meet June (Day ur so in love u don't even think that there something bigger to what June's saying👀, I luv it *dreams* *smiles*) Anyway June told Day they wanted to do something like experiments on his brother, which he refused. (WE ALL KNEW THAT. . .) But Day did kinda decide to help with teh war stuff cause he realized some stuff. Later on some stuff happened (it's not that important, and I'm kinda lazy to write it). Eventually Day's brother found out, and said he wanted to go on with the experiments to help the republic. So Eden went, and more war related stuff happened, and they found what they were looking for in Eden from someone else. (I'M NOT TELLING, also i know this is soooo long, hang in there, I'M WRITING A REVIEW AFTER LIKE FOREVER, SO DEAL WITH IT AND now i'm making it longer. . . ) Anyway in teh whole war thing at the end End day almost died, but he didn't and instead he forgot someone precious. . (AHHHHHHHHH, HELP, MEH)
~My thoughts on the plot~
I loved the plot so much, I'd probably say I might've liked the first book's plot a little more, just in the middle cause it was a little better, I guess, but otherwise this book's plot was almost just as good. It was at the right pace and it kinda closed the first 2 books, and the ending was. . . (I would tell, but i think that if i add any more ending things in this review, people will not get through my review. . .)
~The writing~
The writing was so good, though it was not unexpected cause so far I love Marie Lu, style of writing so far at least in all the books I've read from her. So yeahhhhh. . also the writing pace was good, it wasn't too fast or too slow at any point really.
~The characters~
~June~
SHE'S MY BADASS GIRLFRIEND (This explains it all hopefully, or not i don't care much. . . or maybe I do idk, this commentary is so dumb)
~Day~
Soo. . . I rlly, rlly like Day, he's so cool, idk why, I mean like most people like June more. . . but I like June and the Day second. I love him overall, he seems cool, and chill a lot, and also stresses a lot, soo yeah, idk how to say what I want to say bout him. . . maybe i'll add it later. . . (this was terrible)
~Tess~
In the last book, me and Tess had some differences👀 that included Day, I would say as you know, but i haven’t written a review for the Prodigy yet. . small explanation: Tess wanted Day and her to be together. WELL TESS THAT WAS NEVER GONNA BE. Okay so now in this book, she kinda gave up on the thought that she and Day we're gonna end up being together. SO NOW I LIKE TESS I GUESS.
~Eden~
I really like him. I love this personality so much, he is a younger, smarter version of Day, soo of course I likeyy him. I also think he's been through more than the book let's on bout him, and he comes out pretty strong from. I LIKEYY HIM.
~Anden~
He's interesting. . . I don't love him. . . but I don't hate him, he seems to have had a little of a bad effect on me, I meana I keep imagining him kinda mean, I know he's not really mean, but i just imagine him like that. . . so uhh it's my brains fault for not liking him much.
~The Romance~
I'm not sure how to explain what I think about the romance, OKay so Imma try. . . (Imma try to make this short) LET'S GET TO THE POINT. DAY AND JUNE ARE MEANT TO BE, THEY ARE
~The Ending~
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH *TURNS AWAY*
*SOBS*
*CRIES SO HARD*
*SCREAMS AT THE AUTHOR AND BOOK*
*COMES BACK, LET'S FINISH THIS*
okay. . . so your all wondering what is up with the ending that i'm broken because of it. . . well if u read the book, u know why. . . and if u haven't well read the book, read it, i'm not telling you. CAUSE I DON'T WANT TO CAUSE YOU PAIN BEFORE YOU EVEN START.
BIG SPOILER ENDING
DON'T NOT READ, UNLESS YOU WANT TO INFLICT PAIN ON YOURSELF, PLEASE.
Also I just realised that the ending was weirdly perfect too. . . idk i just feel it now, i friend made me realise that👀 i have no idea what to say about it. . . so yeah :)
tHIS gif make me feel so awkard saying so yeah, lmao
~Rating Explanation~
I rated it 4 stars bcz at some points I guess i just didn't like it as much, but it was a really good book overall, everything went at a good pace just as I wanted it to be pretty much. So that was good.
~Overall~
I really enjoyed reading this book, some ups and downs happened in the book, as they should and should not 👀 idk if that made much sense. . . i think it did. Anyway all the characters were good too!, and so was the plot, and some other things too! (I’M NOT EVEN GONNA MENTION THE ENDING, DAMMIT, I JUST DID *SHAKES HEAD*)
Btw thank u for all the peoples who actually got through when I complaining and sobbing bout the ending and not complaining bout it much👀
----------------
I’m broken *sobs*
I need therapy now
Pinterest | Spotify
also please check out my Spotify Playlist for this book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2016
EDIT 14/3/2015: I MET MARIE LU AND IT WAS FUCKING GLORIOUS.
SIGNED COPY, BITCHES.
After I finished Champion, I just stared at the wall for several minutes, trying to sort out my feels. For the rest of the night, I was numb, unable to do homework or anything constructive because Marie HAD ripped a hole in my heart that can only be filled by another good book (though it'd most likely tear me a new one, too. Dammit)
The Characters:
Day:
He was my favorite character throughout the series. Nothing to say here.
June:
I love June. She's a refreshing character and love her growth throughout the series. I love her relationship with Day, and with Metias.
Tess: She truly grows up here and I love her all the more for it.
Well done, Tess.
Anden: Even though I ship Day and June, I also like Anden. I felt that his relationship with June was realistic. And there was no battle between Day and Anden—no "She's mine!" "No! She's mine!" going on. Not much angst. I like that.
The Ending:
All I can say is that this ending blew me away. It's bittersweet, made me want to cry, yet gave me hope at the same time. Even though some parts of the ending was illogical
And when I was pondering the ending for the umpteenth time when I was supposed to writing my essay on the development of feminism (aced it). The song "All Too Well" popped in my head. I took the liberty of replacing some of the lyrics to fit it around June and Day's story because it is simply beautiful:
Champion is a really powerful conclusion to the Legend trilogy and easily one of the best series I've ever read (which is really weird because I thought the first book was just meh. Never have I been so glad to be proved wrong.) Now excuse me while I let my feels take over.
SIGNED COPY, BITCHES.
After I finished Champion, I just stared at the wall for several minutes, trying to sort out my feels. For the rest of the night, I was numb, unable to do homework or anything constructive because Marie HAD ripped a hole in my heart that can only be filled by another good book (though it'd most likely tear me a new one, too. Dammit)
The Characters:
Day:
He was my favorite character throughout the series. Nothing to say here.
June:
I love June. She's a refreshing character and love her growth throughout the series. I love her relationship with Day, and with Metias.
Tess: She truly grows up here and I love her all the more for it.
“So, when I thought June might take you away, I didn’t know what to do. I felt like she was taking everything that mattered to me. I felt like she was taking away from you all the things that I didn’t have. That’s why I’m sorry. I’m sorry because you shouldn’t have to be everything to me. I had you, but I’d forgotten that I had myself too.”
Well done, Tess.
Anden: Even though I ship Day and June, I also like Anden. I felt that his relationship with June was realistic. And there was no battle between Day and Anden—no "She's mine!" "No! She's mine!" going on. Not much angst. I like that.
The Ending:
All I can say is that this ending blew me away. It's bittersweet, made me want to cry, yet gave me hope at the same time. Even though some parts of the ending was illogical
And when I was pondering the ending for the umpteenth time when I was supposed to writing my essay on the development of feminism (aced it). The song "All Too Well" popped in my head. I took the liberty of replacing some of the lyrics to fit it around June and Day's story because it is simply beautiful:
I walked through the door with you
The air was cold
But something 'bout it felt like home somehow and I
Gave you a paper clip ring
And you still got it on your hand even now
Oh, your sweet disposition
And my wide-eyed gaze
We're trying to stay alive, getting lost in the Republic
Winter snow falling down like pieces into place
And I can picture it after all these days
And I know it's long gone, and that magic´s not here no more
And it might be okay, but I'm not fine at all
Cause here we are again on that little sector street
You sabotaged the assassination cause you were looking over at me
Wind in my hair, I was there, I remember it all too well
Our clothes lay in the corner
Your cheeks were turning red
You used to be a little kid with an attitude in a small-sized house
And your mother got shot
You tell me about your past, just to have your family ruined by me
And I know it's long gone, and there was nothing else I could do
And I forget about you long enough to forget why I needed to
Cause here we are again in the middle of the night
I’m teaching you fighting moves in the warehouse light
Down the stairs, I was there, I remember it all too well
Yeah
And maybe we got lost in translation
Maybe I asked for too much
But maybe this thing was a masterpiece
´til I tore it all up
Running scared, I was there, I remember it all too well
Five months pass and you forget me just to break me like a promise
So casually cruel in the name of being honest
I'm a crumbled up piece of paper lying here
Cause I remember it all all all too well
Time won't fly it's like I'm paralyzed by it
I´d like to be my old self again
But I'm still trying to find it
After military shirt days and nights when you made me your own
Now I mail back your things and I walk home alone
But you keep my paper clip ring from that very first week
Cause it reminds you of something missing
and that something is me
You can't get rid of it, cause you remember it all too well
Cause there we are again when I loved you so
Back before we lost the one real thing we've ever known
It was rare, I was there, I remember it all too well
Wind in my hair, you were there, you remember it all
Down the stairs, you were there, you remember it all
It was rare, I was there, I remember it all too well
Champion is a really powerful conclusion to the Legend trilogy and easily one of the best series I've ever read (which is really weird because I thought the first book was just meh. Never have I been so glad to be proved wrong.) Now excuse me while I let my feels take over.
March 10, 2016
Book, you deserve to be hit over the head, nothing more, nothing less.
(Link: http://vampirekiki.deviantart.com/art...)
Note: I read the Chinese translation of this book, won't bother to pick up the English text.
I would have given this book 2 or even 3 stars, if the warfare and the politic weren't handled in such a clumsy way *and* the ending hadn't turned out as ridiculous as this:
(1) The Ending:
(iii) Did Marie Lu write one single word to honor those nameless men and women who died defending their country in the final battle? Did she ever write one word about their loved ones who were left behind? No. Their death is glossed over by a single 'many people will die' remark, just like a forgettable footnote. Everything has to be about Day, he is the hero, no one else can steal his spotlight, other people's brave deeds and sacrifices are NOTHING comparing with Day and his glory.
I. Want. To. Throw. Up.
(2) The main characters:
He is a Legend.
Really? Seriously? When Day's own little brother (of all people) is calling him out on being selfish, I don't think Day really is worthy of being looked upon by his countrymen, NOT AT ALL.
Day, you can also get down your high horse and stop bitching about how the Republic doesn't care about the lives of the poor people, because obviously you don't care about the lives of the poor people neither
People, honestly you guys really believe a whinny, selfish boy like this is worthy of being a fucking legend which inspires the entire country? And I truly doubt whether Day would hand his brother over if
And please don't tell me how Day is being selfish because he is only human; when so many things are at stake and so many people are looking up to you, that left little rooms for humanly flaws and selfishness to be tolerated.
She is a Prodigy.
Okay, June actually is a lot more agreeable than before, she uses her brain, she gets things done, she doesn't whine or complain; she is such a darling when we place her right next to Day. What more can I ask for from a YA heroine?
I'd admit it, in this book June is an okay-ish character, really. But I am damn sure she is viewed as a prodigy *only because everyone around her are hopeless idiots*.
(3) The romance:
I don't give a damn that their relationship is painful to look at anyway. Day is a selfish, self-pitying asshole who should be avoided by every girl out there. I mean, the guy has the nerve to sleep with June then right after that he decides to dump her because he can't deal with the fact she had a part in his family being murdered? What a jerk! Why doesn't he say that to June: "I can't forget you cased my family's death but I still want to fuck you anyway" and see how she would react?
(4) The writing:
The writing is okay-ish and I can sense efforts on world building and character build-up. However, Ms. Lu never manages to make me care about her characters, what is going on around them and the emotions her characters have gone through always feels really 'Tell, Not Show'. I feel like I'm merely reading footnotes whenever I read to the parts where I'm supposed to be shocked, saddened or outraged. I feel nothing.
(5) The believability of the story...or the lack of it:
The author still can't give me enough evidence to believe Day is worthy of being fanboying/fangirling over by *the entire country* (he is loved by everyone in such a Gary Stu fashion). As to June, she spends most of the book having meetings with politicians and having her romance with Day being the gossip material of the citizens. *sighs* You know what? Only guys like Day and Anden get to have any real influence and power over the country and the citizens, and a girl like June, who is supposed to be in an important position, only gets to attempt meetings she hates and sits pretty.
Also, not to mention Anden is the one who keeps the politicians at check, because you know...you can't really expect a woman to be powerful and scary enough to keep people in line, right?
Also, not to mention the only female character who has been in the position of a leader is the villain who is responsible for the death of both June and Day's families. *sighs*
By the way, I don't find it to be realistic for almost all of the adults in the book to all be useless/greedy/bad so teenagers must handle the warfare and save the day. It also isn't realistic for people to keep talking about how Day is the true power that keeps the Republic going.
Here's Ferdy's review for this book, and her thoughts pretty much mirror my own.
(Link: http://vampirekiki.deviantart.com/art...)
Note: I read the Chinese translation of this book, won't bother to pick up the English text.
I would have given this book 2 or even 3 stars, if the warfare and the politic weren't handled in such a clumsy way *and* the ending hadn't turned out as ridiculous as this:
(1) The Ending:
(iii) Did Marie Lu write one single word to honor those nameless men and women who died defending their country in the final battle? Did she ever write one word about their loved ones who were left behind? No. Their death is glossed over by a single 'many people will die' remark, just like a forgettable footnote. Everything has to be about Day, he is the hero, no one else can steal his spotlight, other people's brave deeds and sacrifices are NOTHING comparing with Day and his glory.
I. Want. To. Throw. Up.
(2) The main characters:
He is a Legend.
Really? Seriously? When Day's own little brother (of all people) is calling him out on being selfish, I don't think Day really is worthy of being looked upon by his countrymen, NOT AT ALL.
Day, you can also get down your high horse and stop bitching about how the Republic doesn't care about the lives of the poor people, because obviously you don't care about the lives of the poor people neither
People, honestly you guys really believe a whinny, selfish boy like this is worthy of being a fucking legend which inspires the entire country? And I truly doubt whether Day would hand his brother over if
And please don't tell me how Day is being selfish because he is only human; when so many things are at stake and so many people are looking up to you, that left little rooms for humanly flaws and selfishness to be tolerated.
She is a Prodigy.
Okay, June actually is a lot more agreeable than before, she uses her brain, she gets things done, she doesn't whine or complain; she is such a darling when we place her right next to Day. What more can I ask for from a YA heroine?
I'd admit it, in this book June is an okay-ish character, really. But I am damn sure she is viewed as a prodigy *only because everyone around her are hopeless idiots*.
(3) The romance:
I don't give a damn that their relationship is painful to look at anyway. Day is a selfish, self-pitying asshole who should be avoided by every girl out there. I mean, the guy has the nerve to sleep with June then right after that he decides to dump her because he can't deal with the fact she had a part in his family being murdered? What a jerk! Why doesn't he say that to June: "I can't forget you cased my family's death but I still want to fuck you anyway" and see how she would react?
(4) The writing:
The writing is okay-ish and I can sense efforts on world building and character build-up. However, Ms. Lu never manages to make me care about her characters, what is going on around them and the emotions her characters have gone through always feels really 'Tell, Not Show'. I feel like I'm merely reading footnotes whenever I read to the parts where I'm supposed to be shocked, saddened or outraged. I feel nothing.
(5) The believability of the story...or the lack of it:
The author still can't give me enough evidence to believe Day is worthy of being fanboying/fangirling over by *the entire country* (he is loved by everyone in such a Gary Stu fashion). As to June, she spends most of the book having meetings with politicians and having her romance with Day being the gossip material of the citizens. *sighs* You know what? Only guys like Day and Anden get to have any real influence and power over the country and the citizens, and a girl like June, who is supposed to be in an important position, only gets to attempt meetings she hates and sits pretty.
Also, not to mention Anden is the one who keeps the politicians at check, because you know...you can't really expect a woman to be powerful and scary enough to keep people in line, right?
Also, not to mention the only female character who has been in the position of a leader is the villain who is responsible for the death of both June and Day's families. *sighs*
By the way, I don't find it to be realistic for almost all of the adults in the book to all be useless/greedy/bad so teenagers must handle the warfare and save the day. It also isn't realistic for people to keep talking about how Day is the true power that keeps the Republic going.
Here's Ferdy's review for this book, and her thoughts pretty much mirror my own.
January 7, 2022
“Sometimes, the sun sets earlier. Days don’t last forever, you know. But I’ll fight as hard as I can. I can promise you that.”
Are you familiar with the feeling of not knowing which book to read next, and not really wanting to, because there’s that sinking feeling in your stomach, that knowledge, that no other book will ever rival the one you just finished? That’s how I feel right now. Because, in all seriousness, Champion is perfection.
There are only a handful of books that have received a five star rating from me so far, as I only give one in instances where there is not a single thing I would change about it. Meaning, that I love every little detail; from the plot to the characters and to the progression of the storyline, the relationships, the ups, the downs ... and Marie Lu created that exact book with Champion.
It’s seems quite unbelievable to me that, only three days ago, I hadn’t even touched the first book in the Legend series, and now I’m sitting here typing a review for the last installment in it. But what’s even more unbelievable is that each book surpassed the prior with its fast-paced, well-plotted, and utterly mesmerizing and addictive quality.
I don’t want to say too much about the storyline so as not to spoil anything, but suffice it to say that words couldn’t describe the twists and turns the plot navigates, all the emotions it inspires, the love, the angst, and the joy, as well as the tears you’ll shed (which, if you’re not completely heartless, you definitely will). You’ll finish the Legend series actually feeling like you grew up with Day, June, and the others, as the character development throughout the series is simply brilliant.
Champion is the perfect ending to an amazing series—more than I’d dared to hope for, and certainly more than I’d ever expected—and I couldn’t have thought of a better way to wrap up the trilogy.
November 25, 2013
You have GOT to be kidding me!! 2014?!?!?! After that ending? Oh hell no!
August 20, 2017
what a way to end a series, oh man.
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