Book Review: The Dragon and the Pearl by Jeannie Lin. (Tang Dynasty #2)

The Dragon and the Pearl by Jeannie Lin.
(Tang Dynasty #2)
Book Summary: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COURTESAN OF THEM ALL...

Former Emperor’s consort Ling Suyin is renowned for her beauty; the ultimate seductress. Now she lives quietly alone—until the most ruthless warlord in the region comes and steals her away....

Li Tao lives life by the sword, and is trapped in the treacherous, lethal world of politics. The alluring Ling Suyin is at the center of the web. He must uncover her mystery without falling under her spell—yet her innocence calls out to him. How cruel if she, of all women, can entrance the man behind the legend...

Liana's Summary: Lin Suyin is known for her beauty, for her seduction. But she never believed she could love someone truly--until she met Li Tao. Li Tao doesn't mean to fall for her. But he did, in the end. What it could mean for both of them, no one knows. Both lovers are trapped in the midst of politics, and they know they have to do something about it.

Rate(1-10): 7.5

I have mixed emotions for this book.

I liked..

-The setting. I like the Tang Dynasty- that's what got me interested in this series. The fact that it's a Chinese historical-fic. That's not something you see every day!

-Jeannie Lin's writing. It's actually quite poetic sometimes, and she's very, very descriptive. 

-How the main character is Lin Suyin. She didn't really show in the first book, Butterfly Swords, and I'm glad that we got to know her better, now, because she's actually an interesting character. 

-The cover. It's so gorgeous, and after the story I realize what it symbolizes. The title, too.

I disliked..

-How there wasn't much character development at all. This is a series, yes, but there are different characters in every book of this series and I would have expected more character development from the characters present.

-The pacing. It was pretty slow at first and it didn't really help how all they wanted to do was have sex.. it was only near the end where 'shit got real'. Honestly the whole time I was wondering when she was gonna get prego.

-The erotica. I mean, I know some people enjoy that, but erm. 

Quotes.

"Her lips parted as his explored hers."

BUT THEY JUST MET!

"Give me one night."

How awkward this is

"You are very beautiful."

D'aaaaaaaaaw!

"..muscled chest.."

Ooh so he's muscly

"The hard line of his arousal.."

oh merde he's got a boner -__-

"Li Tao has marked you with our symbol. The dragon and the pearl."

omg everything makes sense

"You're with child?"


omg duh what did he expect

------
That's it. What did you guys think of this review?(:

Book Review: Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon.

 Fury of the Phoenix by Cindy Pon.
Book Summary: The Gods have abandoned Ai Ling.

Her mysterious power haunts her day and night, and she leaves home--with just the moon as her guide--overwhelmed by her memories and visions and an unbearable sense of dread. For Ai Ling knows that Chen Yong is vulnerable to corrupt enchantments from the under-world. How can she do nothing when she has the skill and power to fight at his side? A dream has told her where he is, the name of the ship he is traveling on, his destination. So she steals off and stows away on board.

The ocean voyage brings with it brutal danger, haunting revelations, and new friendships, but also the premonition of a very real and terrifying threat. Zhong Ye--the powerful sorcerer whom Ai Ling believed she had vanquished in the Palace of Fragrant Dreams--is trapped in Hell, neither alive nor dead. Can he reach from beyond the grave to reunite with Silver Phoenix and destroy Chen Yong? And destroy whatever chance Ai Ling has at happiness, at love?

In this sequel to the acclaimed novel Silver Phoenix, four lives are woven together and four destinies become one, now and forever.

Liana's Summary: Ai Ling is alone now. The Gods have left her, now that she's done her job and fulfilled her promise. Chen Yong is about to leave to find his biological father, and Ai Ling is about to let him go... After all, he will be back, won't he? But when Li Rong, an old friend that both Chen Yong and Ai Ling cared greatly about, enters Ai Ling's dream and tells her that Chen Yong is in danger, Ai Ling has to follow Chen Yong, and that means sneaking on the ship.. and being the only girl there. Only.. Chen Yong isn't so happy to see her, and he has some news of his own that won't please Ai Ling too greatly. However, the two still go on  the journey together, with no more than a vague idea of what they should expect. Meanwhile, Ai Ling still senses something inside of her- something that she thought she got rid of forever. It's still there, haunting her. And she's going to get rid of it.

Rate(1-10): 10

Hoo, boy. What a summary. You can tell I loved this book so much that I nearly wrote a book report essay in that summary section. 

Cindy Pon is way too good. After reading SILVER PHOENIX, I knew I had to read this one. The beginning of this book continues right after the first book's end. Well, not exactly right after, but close enough. And I love that. My sister, while reading this, was complaining about how different the cover is from the first book's cover, meanwhile complaining about how it's so plain. However, I liked this cover well enough and I think it's pretty cool and symbolic-- although it could have been more colorful. But whatever-- don't judge a book by its cover, right? I ship Ai Ling and Chen Yong with such a passion. They're perfect for each other and their relationship sounds so realistic. It's amazing and so adorbs and romantic. Chai.. Long. Or Ain.. Ying! omg I give up trying to merge a ship name.. anyways, just ship them because they are perf for each other! Keep calm and ship Chai Long! Now, Zhong Ye. Y'all have no idea how much I hated that man in the first book. I WANTED TO KICK HIS NONEXISTENT PENIS UNTIL HE DIED. STUPID FUCKING EUNUCH. omg. Anyways, in this book, everything was explained and I was just like 'oh'. He's a very complex character and he's just like an onion. (Ogres have layers) This is so Severus Snape. If you know what I mean.. I like how Jiang and Xian culture were both in this book because that's pretty cool. Just saying. Also, the chapter decorations. Those little drawing thingies at each chapter. Cindy Pon, what a designer! Btw, just a note. Do not attempt to read this book on an empty stomach because all the fabulous food will make you freakin' hungry OVERALL, THIS BOOK ENDED SO PERFECTLY THAT I DON'T EVEN CARE IF THERE'S NOT A NEXT BOOK BECAUSE THE ENDING IS JUST SO PERFECT AND I LOVED THIS BOOK Quotes~ "He gave her rump a shove for good measure." "Ai Ling?" And.. the moment of recognition! "She's my... sister." "I'm bored with my favorites. Find me a new girl." "You're cockless." It's probably rude to eunuchs how I laughed at this for about literally 5 minutes "Strip." "Silver Phoenix, master." "..across the taut muscles of his shoulders and biceps." OOOH CHEN YONG'S MUSCLY "No. I've had no time for love." Cos' ain't nobody gat time for love "..wooden eating sticks." Could you possibly mean chopsticks "We can be friends to each other?" FRIENDS "I've got you." "But he would not look at her and simply shook his head." "..made her more fetching." "Ai Ling is my sister," "I don't know if I can ever forgive you." "He had cut his hair short,.." "I would fast for you, Li Chen Yong." That is saying so much (SHE'S JUST LIKE ME BECAUSE SHE LOVES FOOD AND I LOVE FOOD AND I WILL GIVE NO ONE MY FOOD IF I LIKE IT) omg brb crying they're too cute ------ That's that! What did you think of this review? (;

Book Review: Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon.

 Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon.
Book Summary: No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger's subservient bride banished to the inner quarters. 

But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn't only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined. 

Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help. 

It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help . . . and perhaps more.

Liana's Summary: Ai Ling isn't going to wait for her father to return anymore. Because she's going to find him herself. He promised 2 months. He's already been gone for six. And besides, Ai Ling would rather die than marry Master Huang. But when she sets out on her journey, she realizes she can't do it alone. So, with the help of Chen Yong, a young man, and his brother, Li Rong, they set out to their destination to face what they must face, sacrificing a lot on the way. Meanwhile, Ai Ling and Chen Yong find out that their fates are more interwined than they think.

Rate(1-10): 10

This was SO good.  I don't know why l didn't pick it up earlier.

Wow Cindy Pon, wow. That was freaking amazing.

Okay, so, I am Chinese myself. And a fan of Chinese dramas. So whenever I read a Chinese historical fiction, such as Silver Phoenix, I feel like I'm watching a drama. LOL. There, of course, are a lot of historical references and since I know some of them, I often find myself recognizing the tradition. In this book, I not only recognized, but learned a few things about my own culture.

There are a lot of gods and goddesses and dragons and phoenixes and demons and trees of immortality (sounds almost like Greek mythology now, huh?) which just made me enjoy it THAT much more. It reminded me of a Chinese version of Little Sister by Kara Dalkey, honestly. 

The title. Silver Phoenix. There isn't an explanation for it until the almost-end. Which I will not explain out loud because that's spoiling. And I hate spoiling, especially when the book is highly recommended by me. But oh ho, yah. It means so much.

So let me discuss the characters. (The fabulous trio that made me think of Harry Potter)

Ai Ling- She's brave and reckless and persuasive. Persuasive. PERSUASIVE. That's a really big part of her and I can't give any more emphasis. You'll see. Anyways, she seems like she can do fine without Chen Yong but then again he saved her life so much times. And she saved his life so much times as well. What I like about her is that she's not weak. She's not the type to cower, she's the type to approach the bad things.

Chen Yong- This guy. Ok. He's half Xian and half... White, I'll just say broadly. His father was White and his mother was Xian. His life story is so sad. And, he's hot. He's gorgeous. LOL. He's really kind and caring and he's ready to unsheathe his sword any time as long as it means he's protecting Ai Ling. Whenever he's mad or sad he just keeps his emotions to himself, which makes him somewhat introverted, but not really. He's just so lovable. The best part of him is that he went with Ai Ling even if he didn't have to. He risked his life so much times and he remained calm each of those times, never yelling at Ai Ling or blaming her in any way.

Li Rong- He's Chen Yong's brother. Well, not by blood, anyways. Without him, I doubt this story would have humor at all. Without him, Chen Yong and Ai Ling's travel would have been boring, dry, and flat. And 3 fighters are better than 2, right? I'm grateful that Cindy Pon decided to let Li Rong travel with them. Readers will never forget him.

I think it's time for quotes!

"..Hei Po.."

Some of these names bring me great amusement. Hei Po. #BrbDying LOL

"After two years, I implored your father to take a second wife."


"Fei Ming towered over her."



"Somewhere private."



"I've been hungering for a taste of you."



"It was a mistake..."



"I've been waiting for you."



"I counted nearly three hundred strides. I saw no windows or doors, no way of entering the tower."

IT'S TIME TO CALL FOR RAPUNZEL

"I became a eunuch when I was twenty years.."


GOOD NOW HE CAN'T MAKE HER PREGNANT

"I don't doubt your capability to travel the world-- and beyond."


Toooooooo infinity, and beyond!
-------
Hopefully there's more romance in book 2. I need it NOW. -cries-
The ending was just so sad.
And that's that. What did you think of this review? (;

Book Review: Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin.

Butterfly Swords by Jeannie Lin.
Tang Dynasty #1.
Book Summary: During China's infamous Tang Dynasty, a time awash with luxury yet littered with deadly intrigues and fallen royalty, betrayed Princess Ai Li flees before her wedding.Miles from home, with only her delicate butterfly swords for defense, she enlists the reluctant protection of a blue-eyed warrior....Battle-scarred, embittered Ryam has always held his own life at cheap value. Ai Li's innocent trust in him and honorable, stubborn nature make him desperate to protect her--which means "not" seducing the first woman he has ever truly wanted....

Liana's Summary: Princess Ai Li is stubborn, yet calm. She runs away when her marriage to Governor Li Tao approaches, and meets Ryam, a foreigner. Ryam protects her and tries to get her back home after she insists on having to tell her parents something grave and important. With her butterfly swords and Ryam's braveness, nothing can get in their way. Except seduction.

Rate(1-10): 5

I feel so awfully bad giving this book a 5, but let's just say it doesn't deserve a six. I thought it was really entertaining in the beginning. A runaway princess, butterfly swords, white guy, a kick in the penis. How entertaining, right?! Well. NO. After a while, it got a bit repetitive, and I got bored.

Also, the porn. If you see my summary, well, uh. I put seduction. Because the book summary said, "Seducing." And I shoud've known that meant porn. But no, I judged a book by its cover and title. I just glanced over the summary and missed the word 'seducing.'

This is really, really, really major porn that makes Twilight's Breaking Dawn look innocent. Like, literally! At least in Twilight they don't suck each other's genitals! And they don't moan and groan and ugh. Bella seems less hate-able after reading this book. Seriously, this book is descriptive as crap. Like, moaning, groaning, humping, licking, tickling, putting penis in vagina-ing, touching nipples-ing, orgasm-ing, looking at each other naked-ing, pushing on the bed and take off clothes-ing, wet-ness, and ETC. I'm sick, I'm sick. They do it about 5 times, including ALL those things I listed. Breaking Dawn- 3 times! Okay, maybe this book is better than Fifty Shades of Grey. I'm NEVER EVER reading that. I'll never read a porno on purpose. But still! Really! He's such a pervert, like, he just imagines her naked and stuff. omfg.

In the beginning,  I'm like, ooou, if this keeps going, it's a 10! I was so happy until the part where he takes off her shirt. And I'm like, uhh. 8. And then the time he was drunk and he licked her.. uh, genital, I said, 7. And then the process kept continuing, and I ended up with 6. But while I was ranting in the paragraph above, I decided it should be a 5. So yeah. There you go. Besides, the plot isn't that good.

I know it's kinda not fair to rate a book by its porn-ness, but then I can't really accept this. Because I'm freaking 14, not 18. Maybe I'll give this book another go when I'm old. Let's see if I'll find it entertaining. I sound really immature. Once in a while, sex scenes are okay to come across. But then it's ONCE in a while. And ONCE in a book. Only some could count as acceptable- Graceling, Infernal Devices, and uh, yeah. Divergent. Those are okay! I can read those, but then this is so hard-core. The reason I gave it a 5 is not just because of the porn, it's because of the sad plot.

Besides the interesting beginning, there's nothing good about this whole book. Sorry. I can't really think of anything. Uh, pretty cover? (Here I am, the mean book critic. fkjdas;fklsdja) Oh yeah, the ending was the kind that made you go, 'Uh, okay.' Not "HEHEHEHEHHEHE" Or "WHAAAAAAAAAAALE" Or even smile. It was just so awk, you have nothing to say.

I won't be continuing the Tang Dynasty series in a while. I needa cool off with some clean romance.

Anyways. Quotes!

"Her boot slammed neatly into his groin."
Oooooooou! >:D

"..she reached out to push away a lock of hair to get a better look."
This is so Disney's Tangled- the part where she knocked him out with a pan and then looked at his face. LOL. Well yeah, I don't blame her. She's examining a white guy.

"I ran into a horde of men waving knives to help you, remember? You kicked me pretty hard for all my trouble..."
omg. LOL. In the peeeeeeeeeeeeenis.

"Already his imagination ran wild with the thought of her undressed and unbound before him.."
EWWW. What a perv. This was the point in which I was doubting the rate of 10, considering a 9 instead.

"If I win, you give me a kiss.."
How.. entertaining. -disgusted-

"I thought this was a friendly match--"
Oooh, no it isn't.

"...had kissed her breathless and she belonged to another man."
AHA! FAIL.

"Jump and run. The grass will break the fall."
LIEESS. I know how it feels to land on grass. Ugh.

"It is not as if I'm refusing Li Tao because he is old or ugly or fat."
"Well, is he?"
"I--I don't know. I mean, it doesn't matter."
"You don't know if he's ugly?"

omg. That question. "You don't know if he's ugly?" LOL.

"Little liar. He could pull her into his arms and she would melt against him. Her mouth would taste just as sweet as he remembered."
PERVERT. Inconceivable level of perverted-ness.

"He dragged his lips over hers until she moaned.."
OH GOD, OH GOD! STAP IT, STAAAAHP IT! I know what's coming next. -horrified-

"This was why he didn't seduce virgins."
Per-vert.

"I don't like how they're looking at you."
"It was you they were staring at."
You have no idea how funny this is- she tells the white dude that people are staring at him because of his hair and eyes, and he tells her that the old dudes are looking at her. You get it? omg. LOL.

"..had been too long since he'd enjoyed the soft touch of a woman..."
PERVERT ON THE LOOSE, MAN. SOMEONE ARREST THIS GUY.

"..was so much easier to seduce a woman than talk to her."
Pshh.

"You're not good enough to beat me, Ailey."
"Honour is not about winning."
PWNED.

"... to bring her knee up into his groin..."
Okay, too much penis harming.

"Even if he could never bed her- though, by God, he wanted to-"
PERVERTTTTT.

"You have brought shame to our family."
DISHONOR TO YOUR ANCESTORS. DISHONOR TO YOUR FAMILY. DISHONOR TO YOUR COW, DIS-

"Her eyes lowered as she reached up to pull the ivory pin from her hair."
Okay, so the several times they did it, she had to take down her hair every single time. It was so darn repetitive. It got annoying. Didn't she have to redo her hair ALL OVER again? I prefer saying "did it", okay. I'm not that dirty.

"I've seen this in books."
Reminds me of this one post about the guy telling the girl that she's not ready, and then she's like, I GOT THIS, I READ FANFIC.

"...starkly handsome.."
Eww, Li Tao? Handsome?

"I'm not marrying you."
"You will."

Uh-huh.

"I will marry you if you let him go."
omfg. Sound familiar?

"I'm not going anywhere." he shouted after her. "Ailey! Do you hear me? I'm not going anywhere..."
So dramatic. But okay! Sure.

"None of us deserves the things we have been given. We can only spend the rest of our days earning them."
Ah. Favorite quote!

---------------
Well, on the bright side, they all have legit Chinese names. (: Unlike other books where the guy is named ONE syllable. Smh.

So you're probably thinking I'm an immature fourteen year old reading a YA book that's not meant for 14 year olds. But I have my other reasons for making the rate a 5.

Okay, while I was typing the quotes, I realized that there's something else that made it deserve a 5. The third person POV. Only some can pull that off, like I said. That will be all. I'm relieved to move on to clean romance.

Book Review: The Wild Orchid by Cameron Dokey.

The Wild Orchid by Cameron Dokey.
A retelling of 'The Ballad of Mulan.'
Book Summary:  Wielding a sword as deftly as an embroidery needle, Mulan is unlike any other girl in China. When the emperor summons a great army, each family must send a male to fight. Tomboyish Mulan is determined to spare her aging father and bring her family honor, so she disguises herself and answers the call.But Mulan never expects to find a friend, let alone a soul mate, in the commander of her division, Prince Jian. For all of Mulan's courage with a bow and arrow, is she brave enough to share her true identity and feelings with Prince Jian?
Liana's Summary: Embroidery? Sewing? Weaving? Mulan prefers sword-wielding or archery to that. Mulan is a girl who thinks that her father hates her. Her dearest wish is to get to know him. When that wish is granted, how does Mulan feel? Her father faces a threat of deja-vu, and so Mulan takes his place in fighting the Huns. When she meets (not-so-handsome) Prince Jian, Mulan realizes something. Something that she never realized before. And I'm not telling you. Because that's spoiling.

Rate(1-10): 8.5

It was pretty good! I took, like, 3 hours reading this. ._. I had to read it online. Here's the link, if you want to read. It's a high recommendation!-

http://www.onread.com/fbreader/1414420/

There was no file of it on 4shared.com to download, so ald;asjlfsd I had to read it online. :c Whale, that does make bookmarking and highlighting quotes easier. I'd rather hold a real-life paper book.

So. I just got the urge to read all of Cameron Dokey's retellings, because..

1-I love retellings. Incend is a retelling!
2- I liked her retelling of Rapunzel, so I decided to read more of her retellings.

I don't think I'm going to read her other books, BESIDES her RETELLINGS. I like her retellings. :3

Enough about retellings. Okay, so in this book, her best friend is named Li Po. Really? Li Po? I'm Chinese and I don't even know what that means. All I can think of is Pear Old Lady. And there's Prince Jian( Prince Sword), Prince Guang (Prince Light.), and Prince Ying( Prince Silver.) Awkward names! I got disturbed. So here's my thoughts without spoiling:

I WANTED HER TO END UP WITH THAT GUY BUT SHE JUST ENDED UP WITH THAT ONE OTHER GUY AND I GOT SOOO MAD AND THAT GUY.. IT'S SO DARN SAD. D;

I really like Li Po. I think he's my favorite character. Yep. He is. And way hotter than 'that one other guy'.
Another reason I like Cameron Dokey is that she doesn't use complex vocab so I don't have to end up updating my vocab journal. (x Like I did with Prince and the Pauper. Ugh. A whole page, front and back. That's why I'm taking a break. Unfortunately, my next book to read is another Cameron Dokey book ONLINE. D; Sighhhhh. Well. Behold! Quote Reactions!

"Do so quickly or you will make me angry."
>:T

"..both my parents hoped that I would be a boy..."
What's with Asians wanting boys? :c

"I would soon be old enough to become a bride."
What. You're 13.

"..not for the fact that Min Xian still insisted on giving me my baths from time to time."
._.

"..closed his fingers over mine."
:OOO YES. <3

"I love you, Mulan."
"And I love you."

SEVEN YEAR OLD ROMANCE. AWH.

"You aren't thinking of asking me to marry you, are you?"
OOOOU. THIS IS GETTING GOOD. SAY YES, LI PO. SAY IT.

"It would seem that your daughter has grown into a son."
WHAAAAAAT. Omg! Her wish. Is granted. (':

"You knew I would do this?"
SHE KNOWS EVERYTHING. :OOO FORTUNE TELLER.

"If you die, I'm never going to forgive you, or myself."
AHH. This is why Li Po's my fav. Despite his Pear Old Lady name.

"Little Archer."
Archer.  Archer from Fire by Kristin Cashore? dafjfakd;daj ARCHER..

"The point is that I don't want you to die."
NO. YOU DON'T, OR ELSE YOU CAN'T BE TOGETHER! <3

"My name is Gong-shi,"
Gong-shi? -_____-'

"..it's because I'm worried about you."
AWH. Him doing his big-brother role. <3

"Prince Guang was the most handsome man that I had ever seen.."
Whoa, whoa! You're going with Li Po, young lady. Not the Prince of Light.

"To my astonishment Prince Jiang reached out and hauled me upright."
DON'T TOUCH HER!!!

"Who are you?"
She's herself. Don't ask. Please.

"He would judge what I could do on the basis of my sex."
SEXIST.

"..just barely brushing Prince Jian's.."
UGH. GET AWEY! I NO LIKE YOU.

"It was a gift from Hua Wei,"
:OOOO

"Now China's fate lay in mine."
YES. YOU HERO. FIGHT, MULAN! FIGHT!

"As ---- toppled backward,.."

NOOOOO!!!!!!!

"..my arrow caught him beneath the chin.."
YES. HHAHAHAHAH.

"He eased me upright, helping me to drink."
 I don't like. :c

"I am sorry."
D':

"Mulan," he said simply. "My little hero of China."
(':

"Prince Jian has asked to speak with you. He is nearby.."
This so reminds me of the part in Disney's Mulan where Shang asked if Mulan 'lived there'. Shang is so lame. "Um, you fight good."

"..trying to ignore the way my heart quickened."

I DON'T APPROVE!

"Will you walk with me?"
-narrows eyes-

"..though he kept his hand on my arm."
YOU RAPIST. I STILL HATE YOU. I AM NOT SATISFIED BY THIS TURN OF EVENTS. </3

"It is because I love you."
NOOOOOOOOO. WHY. Fine. Whatever.

"I know my name,.."
Yeah! She does! >:(

"Will you marry me, Mulan?"
akljdl;fajfdajfak IT IS ALL RUINED. D: But you see, at least there is some romance. I must take it or leave it.

And that, is all! You see, I was so not satisfied of the turn of events. You'll see. I highly insist that you read it! (: That is all. So bye! I shall get on with reading now. 

Book Review: Legend by Marie Lu.

Legend by Marie Lu.
Book Summary: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic’s wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic’s highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country’s most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths—until the day June’s brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family’s survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias’s death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.
Full of nonstop action, suspense, and romance, this novel is sure to move readers as much as it thrills.

Liana's summary: Daniel Wing, also known as Day, is a criminal. His Trial score is an impossible fail. June, however, is a prodigy. It's pretty ironic if these two actually face each other. When June's brother, Metias, gets killed, things get to a point in which the most unexpected of the unexpected happens. And Day's crimes were probably not meant-to-be.  Marie Lu writes a thrilling romance story, which recently became the most suspenseful book I've ever read.

Rate(1-10): 10!

I need to start by obsessing over how good this book was, how cute Day was, blah, blah, blah, how sad it was at the end. (Be warned!) I need a moment. And I just took that moment to add Marie Lu to my Top 10 favorite authors. Which means I just took off William Goldman, but whatever. I know I just finished this book for the first time and she immediately became one of my Top 10, but, it's just too good. Okay.

Usually, when the story has two main characters that take turns telling the story from their first person point of view, I get confused because I think, "Wait, who is saying this again?" This book was one of those. But the reason I decided to bring it up is because Legend was different from any other book I've read. This is the first book I've read in which the text was not black. I'm not sure if it's a novel, but whatever. Anyway, my point is, when it was Day's turn to talk in his point of view, the text was golden/brown and bold. And June's, though, was normal black. And I swear it helped a lot. Marie Lu did a good job about that. Even though when I wasn't paying attention, I forgot June was talking. But that was only once! And I didn't even have to check back to the title of the chapter to see who it was. Just look at the text! Besides, it was pretty. I think more authors should learn from her example. 

So then, I have a lot of things to say, and I'm trying to type really fast so I remember it all. Okay, so, remember when I said(Maybe you remember, maybe you don't.) that it's hard to hate a character when they tell you the story in their first person point of view? And there's more to the story than you would think if they didn't narrate? Well, then, June and Day are technically enemies. Sort of. Yeah, real enemies, until near the end where everything gets fixed. But that's not my point. So, Day doesn't even know that June hates his guts, and June just wants to hunt him down and yeah.  And so that makes him HER enemy. So, I think Day is just too fabulous and caring and brave and all that. But then June is awesome too. (I like Day better, just so you know. Like I always like the guy characters.. No, it's not because I'm attracted to fictional characters in a sexual way. Sheesh! I think it's because guys in books are better than guys in real life. No offense, if you're a guy. I just judge the character by their bravery and appearance and attitude and stuff.) So I seriously didn't know who's side to be on, since I heard both sides.

What surprised me was that Marie Lu started Legend when she was 14, as she said so in her acknowledgments. And that's how old I am now. I seriously want to be a writer, but I don't think any other author influenced me this way. Usually when I write, I choose to set the setting way back then with the knights in shining armor, and kings and queens, and yeah. I finally begin to realize that I should try something else. Yep, Marie Lu influenced my to write a futuristic novel. Forget the princes! I'm trying FUTURISTIC STUFF. Because then I can make it all up without having to search the Medieval period. Perfect! I don't know why Marie Lu out of all Dystopian authors motivated me. Just don't know. I've read plenty of Dystopian novels; The Giver, Matched, Divergent, The Hunger Games, etc, etc, but I don't know why, when I read Legend, that I actually wanted to write one by myself. I think it's because she put that she started writing this bestseller when she was 14. And I want to be like that.

So, in this novel, you know those two people are gonna fall for each other. And they do it in such an unexpected way. And then Day just gets whacked in the head. ._.
I totally forgot what I was about to say. See, this is what happens when I have too much to say. Oh well.
:c So, anyway, I'll just proceed to my quotes. OH WAIT. I JUST REMEMBERED.

So what I was gonna say is that Legend has won the award for most suspenseful book I've ever read. For now. (: The Last Olympian is now #2. Well, things are the way it is.

Also, another thing I just remembered. I'm really looking forward to getting the 2nd book, Prodigy.  I understand the title completely after reading Legend. Although I'm not sure about Legend. Is the title just that because Day is such a legend? People thought he died a billion times but he ends up being freaking alive. Which is a good thing.

Oh yeah. I like how Marie Lu lives in Los Angeles, since when authors go on book signing tours, they don't ever come near California. So if I meet Marie Lu one day, I'll scream and ask for her autograph. (: FINALLY. WOOH. And I was wondering why her story took place there. (x

And another thing. I keep remembering at the last moment. You know, when people reference this book to the Hunger Games, I think that they're not that precise. I think that is so because it's Dystopian, but I think it's more like Cinder by Marissa Meyer, because of 'the plague.' I don't know. Maybe the Giver. Or even Matched. Nothing like the Hunger Games though. I think it's mostly like Cinder, but with a better plot and more suspenseful moments. And the romance is so much better. Even though it's not that strong. Proves how sucky the romance was in Cinder, but that's how it is. 

One last thing before the quote reactions. You know in Harry Potter, where a bunch of innocent people die for no reason? Well. Here you go. Legend will just make you cry. Even when people don't die. There's just these really sad memories that make you tear up. Besides being the most suspenseful book I've ever read, I award Legend with the title of The Book that Made me Almost Cry more than once in the story.  Because, in Harry Potter, I just feel the urge to cry once a book. I think I actually really cried for Order of the Phoenix and the Half-Blood Prince and the Deathly Hallows. Idk, but my dad says I cry alot for no reason. ._. I don't see how people can cry for movies, though. The rest of the HP books, though, I just teared up but didn't cry at the less sadder deaths, though I was really disappointed. What would I do if Hagrid was dead? Oh my god. Can't think about that. Was that a spoiler? I don't really think it was. Hagrid is alive. Okay. So, basically, people just die in this book out of nowhere. Three times this made me want to cry. Not even the parts where they died, though, just the parts afterwards when they find out. And they just think back on memories. That is my point. People die innocently, which is why this book was too sad to bear, but I read it anyway. I think I'm over-exaggerating, but still. I think ----'s death was really sad, but I have to say this. He gave up his life to save Day, and I didn't want him to do that, but there was no choice. ---- said that he would save Day even if it cost him his life. I would've been sadder if Day died though. Wouldn't be able to bear it. So ---- died a noble death. Thank you, ----. (Just so it's not spoiled for you, I'm using the dashes. If you didn't know that already. I always do that.)

Well, you've waited long enough. Here comes the epic quotes! There's quite a lot. It looks like this: 

It's a lot. The most bookmarks I've ever used for one book. Which proves its suspenseful-ness and epic-ness. (: LET'S GO MARIE LU. Oh yeah, I'm stalling again. Sorry. But here:

Bold- Day's P.O.V. 

Normal- June's P.O.V.

Note:  Most of the quotes are Day's. Since they're more suspenseful. Yaknoe, since he's the criminal and all.

"Finally, I pull my gloves on and tie a black handkerchief around my mouth and nose."
Ooh, fancy spy gear.

"I grab the railing and fling myself to the next highest curve."

RUN RUN RUN!

"I'm trapped."

DUH YOU'RE TRAPPED. D: NO!

"I rip open my long-sleeved shirt and let it billow out behind me as thoughts zip through my head. Knees bent. Feetfirst. Relax muscles. Hit with balls of feet. Roll. The ground rushes up at me. I brace myself."

:O NINJA SKILLZ.

"I throw my knife at him with all my strength."
BRO. THAT'S JUNE'S BROTHER RIGHT THERE. BETTER BE FREAKING CAREFUL.

"Before I black out, I realize that my pendant is no longer looped around my neck."
D: NO!

Metias kissed me on my forehead. "Forever and ever, kid, until you're sick and tired of seeing me."
And that just made me cry. He's gone. This is a memory, btw.

"I'm sorry. Metias has been killed."
Oh Thomas, you're SUCH A CARING PERSON. (At least that's what I THOUGHT.)
Brace myself for June's reaction..

"...halts in front of the white sheet, then bends down and throws it aside."
What kind of freaking horrible lady is she. She shouldn't 'throw' aside that sheet. She doesn't even care. LEAST FAVORITE CHARACTER EVER.

"I make a silent promise to my brother's killer. I will hunt you down. I will scour the streets of Los Angeles for you. Seawrch ever street in the Republic if I have to. I will trick you and deceive you, lie, cheat and steal to find you, tempt you out of your hiding place, and chase you until you have nowhere else to run. I make you this promise: your life is mine."
Daaaaang, girl! And this is one of the reasons why I think June is one of my brave heroines on my Top 10's. I kinda regretted putting her on there for a sec when I was reading this one part where she was being really impossible, but she changed at the end and it made me happy. (: SO THERE. SHE STAYS ON MY LIST!

"..hands clutches a pendant necklace.."
o___________________________o omg. 

"I have on an elaborate white gown, laces and corseted,..."
Wait wait wait. Is this formal funeral attire?

"You look lovely, June."
My response before I found THAT out: Aww, how sweet of you, Thomas.
Now: EW GET AWAY YOU PERV. GET AWAY I'M SERIOUS. I HATE YOUR GUTS SO GET AWAY FROM HER.
You probably have a clue now. Idk.

"..and claps a hand on my shoulder. It lingers there for a while."
... ._. But he's so OLD. And she's wearing a 'sexy' dress too.

"...I'd take my time with this girl, chat her up and maybe get a kiss or three out of her."

._. I DO NOT APPROVE.

"Come out," I say. The tiny microphone at my mouth makes my voice sound like a man's.
Now isn't that cool.

"It's the way she's leaned against me since the very first week I knew her,.."
OOH. THERE'S A STORY OF HOW THEY MET?! ;D It's not June, btw.

"She followed me around as I scavenged in garbage bins,..."
It somehow reminds me of Luke and Annabeth.(Percy Jackson.) In a way.

"He's dangling upside down in the interrogation room right now."
So, first I find out that you need a hack code to access the internet, and now I find out that they hang people upside down to ask some questions. 

"Don't get too close to her, you trot."
YEAH. DON'T GET TOO CLOSE TO TESS, YOU TROT.

"Oh, hell no. Not while I'm watching. Not if Kaede wants to live."

GOGOGO! HURRY UP.

"...I'm going to send soldiers after you-whether or not it blows your cover. Understand?"
By then, I started to dislike Thomas. UGH. HE'S NOT THE BOSS OF HER. Too overprotective! She's not even his responsibility. He's a big fat faggot.  Excuse my language~

"..a mix of Anglo and Asian,.."
HE'S PART ASIAN?! NOW THAT JUST MAKES HIM HOTTER. ;D

"Who said anything about you, sweetheart?"
Did he just call her sweetheart? ._. He's got this flirting  talent.

"For an instant, I think he might kiss me."
*HEART BEATS REALLY FAST*

"...he leans his head back against the wall, sighs, and closes his eyes."

I think I bookmarked this because I just wanna tell you how cute it is when Day sighs and falls asleep. (:

"..I helplessly drift back to thinking about her."
AWWWWWWWWWW. <3

"I taste the wine on his lips."
._. That's a good thing to say. Guys, I'm trying to point out that they're kissing.

"I've kissed plenty of beautiful girls before, but not like this one."
So her assumptions are true. Such a flirty guy! This just made me facepalm though.

I take the pendant out of my pocket. " Yes, no doubt about it."
NOOOO! DO YOU FREAKING KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO HIM?! YOU BIG FAT UGLY ddaj;fjdalf I HATE YOUR GUTS, JUNE. I SERIOUSLY DO.

"I've taken advantage of Day's greatest weakness."
How. Dare. You. HOW DARE YOU!

"My mind screams for a solution."
HE NEEDS HELP. NOW. D: SUSPENSEFUL MOMENT. SEE WHAT YOU DID JUNE. I HATE YOU SO BAD.

"Daniel?" she whispers. 
Daniel? Daniel. ._. DANIEL. O-kay.. Nice family reunion, yaknow, but it's not the right time. Your lives are in danger..?

"Under the porch," she whispers. "There's no time to run."
NOO! THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY WANT YOU TO DO. CAN'T YOU SEE?! NOOO!

"And now, because of my idiocy, she has tracked me right to my family."
DUH. D': You stupid, stupid boy. ;_;

"Please. No one will get hurt."
LIEEEES. CURSE YOU JUNE. HATE YOUR GUTS.

"Then he shoots her in the head."
IEYROYEWHKLFDJSLDJFUIOEUHFDLKSJD NOOOO! ;___; D': NONONONO!

"This is all wrong. No one's supposed to get hurt."
Well they did! All because of you, STUPID.

"Day lets out a scream of agony,..."
NO. NO. NO!!! D':

"Then they cuff him, blindfold and gag him, and drag him into one of the waiting jeeps."
THAT'S MESSED UP! LET HIM GO! D':

"The Girl looks down, then takes a gun from her belt and strikes me hard across the face."
So who the freak do you think you are to do that. ONCE AGAIN: HATEYOURGUTS.

"..brushes my chin as he leans in to kiss me on the lips."
*REPULSED AND DISGUSTED.* I HATE THAT GUY.

"Dominant Ethnicity: Mongolian. "
*Double take.* WHUT. :OO MONGOL? NOW THAT'S INTERESTING. With blond hair.. huh.

"I am no longer the Republic's only prodigy with a perfect score."
Whale, I'm so proud of Day . Poop on your head, June. Too bad.

"...painting a dark red streak into it."
D:

".., I see her wince at the sight of me and turn her eyes to the ground."
AND ALL YOU CAN DO IS LOOK AT THE FREAKING GROUND. YOU COLD-HEARTED FJL:DJUE.

"My mouth cracks every time I move it."
D': I'm gonna cry. No guys, this is not this sentence that makes me cry! I meant its surrounding sentences, but I only chose to put one since I'm short of time. I feel so bad for Day right now. And to think this is all June's fault! I think by now I forgave June.

"He lets out a dry laugh."
Not the time to laugh, you know.

"That's when Thomas throws me to the ground so hard that.."
Oh no he didn't! :O

"Aww. Is that what got you down? I've seen the way you look at her.You want her bad, yeah?.."
YEAH YOU WANT HER BAD YOU BIG JERK. YOU KNOW IT. BUT SHE DON'T WANT YOU!

"These black marks look like rifle grease. Almost like the streak of grease that was on Thomas's forehead when I first saw him that night."
And my suspicions are confirmed. I'm disappointed Thomas didn't die. Nothing happened to him! But life isn't fair, I guess. I HOPE HE DIES LATER IN PRODIGY.

"A laugh bubbles out of my throat and turns into a coughing fit."
NOT. The time to laugh. D':

"Then he never came home again."
SO DARN SAD. D':

"WWW FOLLOW ME JUNE BUG DOT COM."
THAT. Is the most cleverest thing I've ever read. Good job, Metias, for creating it. Good job, June, for figuring it out.

"I'm going to help Day escape."
Good. I forgive you.

"Suddenly I twist, and for a split second I'm free. Before he can react, I whirl, yank the gun out of his holster, and point it straight at him."
NINJA! I love Day. I'm serious.

"In her hand I see the rifle she used to hit me."
AGAIN?! 

"What fun you are, my beautiful boy."

Guh awey, you Mama Cougar.

"...sink my teeth deep into her hand. She shrieks."

OH YES. <3 HEHEHHHAHAHAHHEHEHEHAHHEHAHE *Laughs hysterically.*

"The extra money was enough to buy a whole chicken."
They're really poor. Giving up one/two dresses and pots and doing all that extra work to afford a chicken.I feel so bad for them.

"Then fetch me that chicken too," the policeman says.
OH HAAAAAIL NO. NO WAY. OMFG. YOU FATASS. OMG. OMG. NO. HE DID NOT TAKE THEIR CHICKEN.

"...,some way, what he said in the dream will come true."
Good. It was a dream. If it wasn't then I would've wanted that police guy to die in agony for taking their chicken. I'm not chicken crazy. It's so unfair. The family's poor already, and they sell some precious things to get a freaking chicken that gets taken away! Ugh.

"We're moving up Day's execution time."
*Chokes on watermelon juice.*

"....Punch someone if you have to."
Oh, John. (': You're a good brother.

"..you're under investigation. Follow me."
I KNOW WHERE THIS IS LEADING. >:\

"I'm not accusing you of anything, June."

Oh, sure you're not, you big fat ugly grease-haired freak! YOU SUCK AT FLIRTING! HOPE YOU DIE.

"They've set it off in the square."
PHEW. Thank goodness. This is getting more suspenseful by the moment.

"Yeah, is that what you told Metias?"

OOOU. He got told! RUN FOR IT JUNE. SAVE DAY! SAVE HIM.

"John punches him in the jaw."
GO JOHN! 

"Execute him! Kill him now!..."
CRAZY MAD LADY ON THE LOOSE!

"John's going to do it."
No! John, you can't!

"Then the silence returns."
No. ;__;

"He looks like an angel, if a broken one."
Angels can look broken?

"But.. sometimes it feels like we're the same person born into two different worlds."
CLAP, CLAP, CLAP. This quote wins my award for most meaningful quote in the book. (: YAAAAY!

So, lastly. There was this part in the book that I really liked. It was a memory of Day's. So then, when his dad was still alive, he found a quarter. I don't think it's that special, but it's a quarter from today, and they have a different money system since it's way later. And he said that it might be the last one in the world. Quarters aren't that valuable, but in Legend, it seemed like an antique artifact. So it was pretty cool. And that's what's inside of Day's locket. (: That's all I have to say about that part, though.

Notice there are so much quotes from Day's point of view. More from June's than I thought.  Well. My favorite character has got to be Day. And my least favorite character is either Commander Jameson or Thomas. Okay! I really liked Metias too, though. But, DAY. <3 Sigh.

So, dear friend, I know you've read a lot of this post. So thank you for your time and patience! Longest review ever. Especially because of the quotes. This is a really high recommendation, and once again, I'm looking forward to getting Prodigy and I can't wait 'till the third book is out! Unfortunately, Prodigy isn't out 'till January 2013. D: But she's done writing and the cover's out already! :c Oh well. It's a must-read! LET'S GO MARIE LU! WOOH.

-Liana.

PS: I wonder if it's a movie? o:

Guys! This is an addendum as of 7/9/12.

SEE. IT'S DAY. IT'S HIS NAME IMPRINTED ON MY CAKEE. (: Okay. Bye.