Review: Champion by Marie Lu

Title: Champion
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Publication date: November 5, 2013
Genre: YA, dystopian
Pages: 369
Series: Legend #3
1. Legend (review)
2. Prodigy
3. Champion
**WARNING: SPOILERS**

Synopsis:
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.

From Goodreads

I’m sad I didn’t enjoy this book as much as the previous two. I just found it slow and felt like there wasn’t a whole lot happening, until the climax of the story. That being said, I absolutely loved the way it ended (which I won’t share because, spoilers!).

Much of the story focused on Day, and the health issues he was experiencing due to the Republic experimenting on him when he was younger. I understand that one of the biggest driving factors of the story is that Day is losing who he is (his strength, his stealth) because of his tumor, but I didn’t enjoy reading about him because he wasn’t the Day that I came to love in the last two books. I guess it was kind of the point, but he just changed too much for me.

Like I said, the story seemed a bit slow, and definitely more political. Instead of running and scheming and fighting, there was a lot of discussing and thinking and planning. Not that there wasn’t any action, there was, it was just less than I was hoping for or expecting.

What I did love in this story was that Eden was in it and we got to know him as a character, through Day’s eyes as well. He is so different from the Eden that Day once knew because he’s been through a lot and he is older and more capable of understanding what’s happening in the world around him. He’s not just Day’s little brother anymore.

As I mentioned, I also loved the ending, but I won’t share any details on that. But it was a great way to end the series. Although Champion fell a bit flat for me, I still love Marie’s writing and I can’t wait to read her new book Warcross.

Teaser Tuesday (67)

I haven't done a Teaser Tuesday in a long time! It used to be a weekly meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading, but she's moved on to different things, so I don't know if there's a host anymore. Let me know if you do!

Here's how it works:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two sentences from somewhere on that page
Share the title and author
Try not to include spoilers!

My teaser this week comes from Champion (Legend #3) by Marie Lu.

How can two countries with such radically different philosophies ever reunite? What hope do we possible have of transforming the Republic and the Colonies into what they once were?

page 172

If you don't know the story of the Legend series, it's set in a dystopian United States of America that has been divided into the Republic and the Colonies. In this third book in the series, the two sides are on the brink of war.

Feel free to share links to your Teaser Tuesday if you're still participating!

September 2017 Releases

I'm a little late to this party, but apparently it takes a while to get back into the blogging world when you've been gone for the better part of 5 years!

However, I did want to showcase the books that are coming out (or have come out already) in September 2017 that I'm really looking forward to.

Links will take you to Goodreads.

September 1st, 2017

The Girl with the Red Balloon by Katherine Locke

September 5, 2017

Even the Darkest Stars by Heather Fawcett
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

September 12, 2017

Before She Ignites by Jodi Meadows
Nyxia by Scott Reintgen
Warcross by Marie Lu

September 26, 2017

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson
Invictus by Ryan Graudin

What September 2017 releases are you looking forward to the most? Click through using the affiliate links on my sidebar to preorder or buy them and help out At Home Between the Pages at the same time!

Waiting on Wednesday (67)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that showcases upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!





This week I'm waiting on...

The Archived by Victoria Schwab
Publication date: January 22, 2013

Synopsis:
Imagine a place where the dead rest on shelves like books.

Each body has a story to tell, a life seen in pictures that only Librarians can read. The dead are called Histories, and the vast realm in which they rest is the Archive.

Da first brought Mackenzie Bishop here four years ago, when she was twelve years old, frightened but determined to prove herself. Now Da is dead, and Mac has grown into what he once was, a ruthless Keeper, tasked with stopping often-violent Histories from waking up and getting out. Because of her job, she lies to the people she loves, and she knows fear for what it is: a useful tool for staying alive.

Being a Keeper isn't just dangerous-it's a constant reminder of those Mac has lost. Da's death was hard enough, but now her little brother is gone too. Mac starts to wonder about the boundary between living and dying, sleeping and waking. In the Archive, the dead must never be disturbed. And yet, someone is deliberately altering Histories, erasing essential chapters. Unless Mac can piece together what remains, the Archive itself might crumble and fall.

In this haunting, richly imagined novel, Victoria Schwab reveals the thin lines between past and present, love and pain, trust and deceit, unbearable loss and hard-won redemption.

From Goodreads

Why I want it: I am such a fan of Victoria's writing and her personality. The plot sounds so intriguing. I also know how excited Victoria is for this release, and the excitement is contagious!

Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu
Publication date: January 29, 2013

**WARNING: SPOILERS**

Synopsis:
June and Day arrive in Vegas just as the unthinkable happens: the Elector Primo dies, and his son Anden takes his place. With the Republic edging closer to chaos, the two join a group of Patriot rebels eager to help Day rescue his brother and offer passage to the Colonies. They have only one request—-June and Day must assassinate the new Elector.

It’s their chance to change the nation, to give voice to a people silenced for too long.

But as June realizes this Elector is nothing like his father, she’s haunted by the choice ahead. What if Anden is a new beginning? What if revolution must be more than loss and vengeance, anger and blood—what if the Patriots are wrong?

From Goodreads

Why I want it: I absolutely LOVED Legend. I flew through it. I can't wait to see what happens next for Day and June.

What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?

Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Publish Date: November 29, 2011
Genre: YA, dystopian
Pages: 305
Series: Legend #1
1. Legend
2. Prodigy (January 29, 2013)

Synopsis:
What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbours. 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.

From Goodreads

I have to admit, I love star-crossed lovers. I really enjoy reading about a love that overcomes so many obstacles and can come out strong on the other side. Legend has one of the ultimate star-crossed lovers: June, prodigy of the Republic, and Day, most wanted criminal.

This book definitely has non-stop action and emotion. It kept me turning the pages, wanting to read more, know more, feel more. It was really interesting seeing the relationship between Day and June grow, before June realized she was with Day. It gave my hopeless romantic heart something to yearn for, because I knew how difficult things were going to get for them.

I really enjoyed the writing because it was written from both Day and June’s points of view. I think I love reading from multiple POVs so much because then I know what both characters are thinking and what they want. I can tell how much they like and need each other, and it gives me a reason to keep reading. I read and wait for them to see what I see.

The conspiracies that fly around this book are intense. There’s the Colonies, the Patriots, the Republic. In the poor sectors, there’s plague, Skiz fights, appointed jobs. Then there’s the Trial, the test that all citizens must take at age 10 that determines the rest of their lives. But overall, nothing is what it seems in the Republic, and it was so intense discovering this with both Day and June, who each discovered them in their own ways, at their own times.

As I neared the end of the book, I was getting really nervous. And when it ended, I wanted it to go on. Needless to say, I’m really looking forward to reading the next book, Prodigy, when it comes out January 2013!

Teaser Tuesday (48)

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page

DO NOT INCLUDE SPOILERS (make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away, so that you don't ruin the book for others)

Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR list is they like your teasers!

I just started reading Marie Lu's debut novel, Legend, which came out in November. I'm only a couple chapters in, but really liking the tone of the story. Here's a teaser for you:

My mother thinks I'm dead.
Obviously I'm not dead, but it's safer for her to think so.

These are the opening two sentences of the book. It starts with Day as the narrator. I love books that switch narrators, I feel you get a much better understanding of the characters. I think I'm going to enjoy Legend already!

Feel free to share your teasers. I'd love to see what you're reading!

Waiting on Wednesday (39)

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that showcases upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating!
I first heard about it from PageTurnersBlog.




I'm waiting on a couple books this week:

Legend by Marie Lu
Publication date: November 29, 2011

Synopsis:
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.

From Goodreads

Why I want it: Another dystopian that sounds awesome. I love that it sounds like it has a lot of action. Should be a very interesting read!

Wings of the Wicked (Angelfire #2) by Courtney Allison Moulton
Publication Date: February 14, 2011

**WARNING: SPOILERS!**

Synopsis:
Life as the Preliator is harder than Ellie ever imagined.
Balancing real life with the responsibility of being Heaven’s warrior is a challenge for Ellie. Her relationship with Will has become all business, though they both long for each other. And now that the secret of who she really is has come out, so have Hell’s strongest reapers. Grown bold and more vicious, the demonic threaten her in the light of day and stalk her in the night.

She’s been warned.
Cadan, a demonic reaper, comes to her with information about Bastian’s new plan to destroy Ellie’s soul and use an ancient relic to wake all the souls of the damned and unleash them upon humanity. As she fights to stay ahead of Bastian’s schemes , the revelations about those closest to her awaken a dark power within Ellie that threatens to destroy everything—including herself.

She’ll be betrayed.
Treachery comes even from those whom she loves, and Ellie is broken by the deaths of those who stood beside her in this Heavenly war. Still, she must find a way to save the world, herself, and her love for Will. If she fails, there will be hell to pay.

From Goodreads

Why I want it: I can't wait for this sequel! I absolutely LOVED Angelfire and am so excited to see where Courtney takes her characters next! See my review of Angelfire here.

What upcoming releases are you looking forward to?