Rebel (Legend, 4)

I want to preface this review by saying that this is my all-time favorite YA series and one of my favorite series overall. Legend, Prodigy, and Champion are a work of art and so engaging that I find myself wanting to reread them time and again. No other books have ever connected me so well to a fictional word and Day and June are probably the most dynamic, impactful, and memorable characters I have ever read.Needless to say, when I found out about Rebel, I wasted no time in preordering it.That being said……I find that an honest list of pros and cons is necessary for this addition purely because it is a little different than the first three books.**Spoilers Ahead**PROS:Writing – The author does an incredible job of delving into the hearts and minds of our protagonists. When I read her work, I can really feel and connect with what the characters are experiencing. Her descriptions are simple yet vivid and the dialogue is about as realistic as one can achieve on paper. Each character has their own voice and their own mindset and she shows this in the craft of her writing.Eden – I had expected that the usual dual-perspective would be told by Daniel and Eden instead of Daniel and June. I secretly hoped June would have told the other half, but I really enjoyed getting to know Eden better. This book is definitely Eden's story (which is why I say it's a little different than the original trilogy). He became a very relatable character and I understood his struggles. While nobody can replace June, Eden did a fine job of telling us his side of the story.Plus his fight at the end with Dominic Hann was just pure awesomeness.Daniel – while to me he will always be Day, I believe that Daniel Altan Wing is (and probably always will be) one of the most objectively relatable characters to ever exist within the pages of a novel. Everything that happens to him, everything he does……you just feel it. You understand what he’s going through. He is my favorite protagonist I have ever read. I love him. That being said......he's a little different in this book, overshadowed (in a small way) by his younger brother Eden.But still......he's Daniel Altan Wing. He's Day.June – I was so worried that June would only make a short cameo in this novel. Not so. She played a vital role in this story and am very pleased with her screen time.Drone Races – a fitting tribute to my beloved Skiz fights of Legend with an Antarctican twist. Very nice.The Ending - ……I have no words for this. Just read it. I don’t honestly think it could have been more perfect.CONS:Slow Start – admittedly, this novel started far slower than the other three. Obviously a certain degree of Antarctican world building had to take place, and we had to get brought up to speed on the new lives of Daniel and Eden but outside of the drone racing, not much happens in this book until you’re at the midway point. There is a sense of foreboding with Eden’s involvement in the Undercity and some tension with the rebuilding of the relationship between Daniel and June, but nothing that makes your stomach squirm in anticipation to find out more. Unfortunately, not quite the page turner that Legend was until much farther into the book (of course it picks up very nicely in the second half).The Level System – I’m with Daniel on this one: Antarctica’s Level system sucks. Not just for the citizens of the Undercity, but just how inconsistent it was throughout the novel. There are so many instances where I would expect points to be added or lowered in certain situations, but none of that happens. Daniel kissing June? That should be some points. Attending a special gala? Got to be something there. Maybe even something as simple as the heated arguments between Daniel and Eden. Shouldn’t they lose a couple? If watering a plant will give you +1, I have to believe that these few examples warrant something.Unless all this leveling up is implied? We’re never told and never find out.I also find it hard to believe that it is so difficult for people in the Undercity to raise their level. Simply doing beneficial things for yourself or others seems like a pretty straightforward road to the Sky Floors. This implies that all the people in the Undercity are criminals which simply isn’t true. The Level system sounds like a cool idea but in the writing, it becomes difficult to enforce on a page-by-page basis.Shallow Characters – ok……building a diverse cast of deep and meaningful characters can be a difficult feat when your story is in 1st person. Even with a dual perspective, this is not easily achieved (especially here within the span of only one book). However, this is exactly what happened in the first three books with Tess, Kaede, Thomas, Anden, Commander Jameson, and even Pascao. These characters were all developed from the perspectives of Day and June and each of them was unique and memorable in their own way. Not quite in Rebel. We get a few glimpses of Pressa and Dominic Hann and who they are, but that’s all it is: glimpses. Nobody else introduced really matters.Overall, this book was a superb sequel that wrapped up the questions about life after Legend and where the future sees our beloved characters. The ending was emotional, gripping, and I am so glad to have embarked on this journey from the very beginning when I first picked up Legend. Two big thumbs up.

I finally picked up Marie Lu's Rebel, the epic finale to her Legend trilogy turned quartet that further expands the dystopian world she created almost ten years ago! Since I hadn't read the series in years, I decided to do the quick and dirty re-read by re-reading the graphic novels, which really did help with recapping everything that happened in the original trilogy and I was of course brought back to tears when things ended ten years later and June and Day were finally meeting again after Day's memories had been missing. Although this time we get Daniel aka Day and his brother, Eden's point of views.Daniel and Eden have made a life for themselves in Antarctica. Daniel works for the ASI, an elite police force, if you will and Eden is finishing up college, being a prodigy himself. Though, Eden has always struggled to connect with people. The "kids" his age are more bullies than comrades. His only friend is Pressa, the janitor at the college. But Antarctica has its own series of rules where everyone has their points and the more good you do, the more privileges you have. Since Pressa comes from the "wrong side of the tracks" she pretty much has no privileges.Then one day Eden and Pressa decide to partake in illegal drone races in the Undercity in order to win some money. Pressa wants to help buy her ailing father medicine, for that is one of the "privileges" only afforded to those who can earn points. It's there that they meet Hann Dominic who agrees to be Eden's sponsor in the races. But what Eden doesn't realize is that Dominic is not a good guy at all.Daniel is actually working to bring Dominic in. He's a notorious crime lord who has hurt and killed many people all for his own gain. And now, he has his sights set on Eden to help him with his evil plans!What I found so amazing about this book was really how no character in this story is a teenager anymore. In fact, I was surprised we were still calling this a YA novel since our past heroes are in their late 20s and Eden and Pressa are in their early 20s. Talk about trippy! Lol. It was still as enticing and intriguing as the original dystopian trilogy though.And of course, what would this book be without June! June makes a return as well. She pays a visit to Daniel and Eden while on assignment with Anden, the Republic leader. And through Daniel's point of view chapters we learn that he and June have reconnected since that tiny moment after Champion. This book actually starts just a few weeks after that moment.I think the saddest thing of all was how June and Daniel spent an entire decade apart before reconnecting. I get that Daniel's memories weren't all the way there anymore and June was going to let him restart his life, but still it was so tragic. And yet, Daniel remembered June even if only in the vaguest recollections.This story was also for Eden as well. For years he grew up being Daniel's little brother and he was just a young man trying to find himself, trying to find his place in the world. He wanted to help people, just like he did as a kid.The story definitely had its highs and lows. It's been awhile since I read a dystopian, so I guess I wasn't prepared for all the "normalcy" even with the high tech. I still enjoyed every moment of it, mostly because I was positively dying to see how things were going to truly end this time. We were given that tease of a hopeful happy ending for Daniel and June in the Champion, so naturally with an add-on to the trilogy, you were really wanting the HEA ending, for Eden too.This is definitely a book to read if you read the original trilogy as it pretty much picks up where we left things back then. It would not be an easy read to dive into if you never read the previous books. True, the story revolves partially around Eden, it also has Daniel and June there too. The Legend quartet was an action packed amazing dystopian series that I would highly recommend if you were looking for that edgy kind of read!Overall Rating 4/5 stars

Ok ladies/fellas, if you want to give your spouse a great comparable book series to The Hunger Games/Divergent then this is the book series for you. Make sure to go purchase the Legend Series to continue the experience of futuristic dystopian societies. There is something about this genre that is so alluring that it makes you want to block out your weekends to endure the feeling of fight or flight when governments try to control you and your fellow compatriots. This is a series that gets it done. Please read and recommend to others, you won't be sorry you chose to purchase the entire series all at once. Enjoy this captivating book/series.

When I was 12, I read the Legend series for the first time. Every year sense then I’ve re- read it. 10 years later is is still one of my favorite series. I’ve always hoped they would make a movie, or another book. Some how just last week I found out there was a 4th book, and order right away. It was delivered yesterday and I spent my entire night reading it. It was just what I needed to fill the void in my heart that was left after finishing the third book. I loved every second spend reading this book. I was worried june would not be in it much but and very happy with her characters position. I do wish we got her perspective but understand why the author left it to Daniel and Eden cause it is a book about the insight of Eden. 5 stars. I already want to re- read. I kinda want to know about there lift continuing and another book be made however every unlikely lol

The final novel is the resolution you're looking for, sort of. I was so disheartened after Champion that I had a book hangover for days! I was very impatient to read Rebel when I realised there was a fourth book to the series. Thank goodness I started this series this year, and not when it was first released because I would have been devastated with the ending.This novel is set 10 years after Champion and the main protagonists are now 27 years old. June is working as a commander in the military for the new United States, whilst Daniel is living in Antarctica with his younger brother Eden, working as an AIS officer. It is very ironic that Daniel has this job, because he used to be the 'Most Wanted Criminal' in The Republic, and now he works to capture those people.The most beautiful parts of this final book were the snippets of memory Daniel would get every now and then. It was nostalgic and reminiscent of what he had experienced all those years ago. His awkwardness and confusion around June was adorable but also really sad to read about because I always remembered him as a charismatic, charming and witty character, and to see this vulnerable side of him as his master identity in the book broke my heart. I wish Lu had brought back his sarcastic personality in the last novel-I think that would have done it justice. I wish, if she does write a fifth novel which I would be the first person to purchase and read, that she re- directs Daniel's personality to suit his younger self.I did not like Day being addressed as Daniel. Obviously, Lu wanted to portray that a lot had changed and he had grown up, but I loved his street name so much and really missed it throughout the book. I think it gave his personality that fire that I loved as the reader, whereas Daniel just makes him seem ordinary. I guess Lu wanted to present him as an average man and Daniel wanted the same as you’ll find out in the book. I really missed his street name though and I hope, if a fifth book is written, Daniel is addressed as Day again.The POV is of Daniel and Eden, which I didn’t mind at all. Initially I thought I would not like it, but after reading a lot of reviews, everyone seemed content and satisfied with this and I was too. Lu did a fantastic job with this, it’s very easy to ruin a book with a change of narrative, but this was thought through really well. I would have liked June’s narrative as well. She was present in the book a lot more in my opinion than what other reviews have said. I think her lack of a narrative made it seem like she wasn’t really there. I wish Lu did include her narrative because I would have loved to have known what she was thinking. Every time Day would notice her immediate expression change or gestures, all he could do was speculate what she was thinking. I really enjoyed reading June’s POV and I think if a fifth novel is released, I would like her narrative alongside Day’s like in the first three books.I always had mixed opinions of June. I was annoyed that Day was not angry with her for having a part in his mum and brother's death, nor was he mad at her for Eden being taken away for experimentation. I think Lu tried to insinuate his mixed emotions about his feelings for June through the nightmares he would have, and through June's POV where she would constantly feel weighed down by her mistake. Day didn't process his losses very well, which would explain the emotional rollercoaster of Prodigy and Champion. His breakdown in his mother's house was heart- wrenching, especially because June was there to witness it. As a reader, it was so difficult to comprehend what I would have done in a similar situation. On the one hand, he loves June and by Champion I was convinced that their love was real. With all the time they spent apart and their constant pull towards each other, it was hard not to vouch for their relationship. They supported, saved and sacrificed so much for one other. But on the other hand, June was the reason why Day lost his mother and brother John, she was the reason why he was caught and the consequences of that. Inevitably, everything would have eventually fallen apart, but June's involvement sped up the process so much so that many unnecessary lives were lost, in my opinion. Whenever he'd look at her, he was reminded of what he had lost and that made it really difficult to pursue a romantic relationship with her. I could feel his heart ache and confliction throughout the first three novels about this, especially in prodigy when Tess would bring it up. The scene in Champion where Day returned to June's apartment after having a breakdown in his mother’s house was the beginning of him processing everything that had conspired. The next morning there was a scene were June told him she'd followed him and witnessed his hurt, he flinched away from her touch almost intuitively. That was very realistic. I think that's why Lu decided that Day would lose his memory, and put a decade between Champion and this book, so that they could both heal.On the topic of healing, I was not convinced that June had even began the process of healing, despite the decade she had. One thing that I was not satisfied with was June's lack of emotions. She was always very guarded and conservative with her feelings. She never let herself breakdown and just cry, even though she was just as much of a victim of The Republic as Day was. Even in this novel, you don't see this at all. That was really disappointing. She is portrayed as a brick, what is she made of? She suffered the death of Metias, her closest 'friend' Thomas killed her brother in cold blood, and then lied to her. She already felt awful about exposing Day to The Republic, and all the consequences that followed and she knew Day would never be able to look at her in the eye and forget what she had done to him. Day was very emotional and that was expected, but I did expect more emotions from June. She did not process what she had gone through, AT ALL.I missed that ‘WOW’ factor of Day in Rebel as well. In the past three novels, all the civilians looked up to him; he was notorious, well- known and praised however in this book all that was non- existent. Whilst Eden does appreciate his brother’s talents, it was not enough. I was so used to reading about this on a mass scale, so Eden noticing it here and there was not very appealing. Again, I guess that was the point Lu was trying to make but I missed the magic of it all. The first three books were so magical whereas this one mundane. I really hope that ‘WOW’ factor about both June and Day is returned if a fifth novel is written.The ending of this novel was phenomenal. I loved it- you will not be disappointed!I really hope Marie Lu does write a fifth novel because there is still so much that hasn’t been uncovered or properly explained. Firstly, why was Day sent to the camps even though he scored full marks? That’s a minor point though. The real reason why I want to see fifth book is because I think there is still so much more that can be explored in their relationship. In the first three books, they were constantly on and off. They were consumed, confused and conflicted with all that was taking place that we only got snippets of their relationship when it was genuine, and peaceful not fuelled by wanted to save each other’s life or sacrifice their own. I really missed Day’s street name being used, and his charisma and wit. I want to see that return, especially in context with June and the elite people of the country. It was very flattering and entertaining to read in the first three novels. His encounter with Thomas in the interrogation room and his encounter with the Princept- elite in the board room in Champion, were so funny to read. Lastly, I want to see June liberated and free to love Day and be happy with her life. I want that tension and stress that she carries constantly on her shoulders to be released, and expelled. I want her to relax and live in the moment. I think a fifth novel is more than doable, and Marie Lu’s fans will most definitely appreciate and support it.I would highly recommend reading this series, and I encourage Lu to write a fifth novel!

An absolutely exceptional end to the Legend Series by Marie Lu. I’d read mixed reviews about Rebel but I personally loved Eden’s character and it fit perfectly in place of June’s narrative and actually think I preferred the plot of this book to the Legend trilogy. It was so easy to imagine each location in my head and I’m so glad we learn more about Day and June’s relationship. I was a mess at the end of Champion (third novel) and was so glad to discover Lu had written a final instalment. I loved it and am so glad I ordered it. I read it insanely quickly as I did with the entire series. It was impossible to put down. I’ve just ordered the Young Elite trilogy in the hope it’s also unputdownable! Marie Lu is underrated - she’s one of the best!!

Amazing book! Perfect way to end the series, Marie Lu is an amazing author, the Legend series remains to be my favourite.

I loved reading about Day and June once again!While I didn't think this story is as good or strong as the one in the Legend trilogy, I definitely enjoyed it and I thought it was a great follow-up to Day, specially. I loved how their relationship progressed, it was very bittersweet and real, which is something I've always loved from Marie Lu's writing.I wasn't too invested in Eden and the villain was kinda boring to me, however the fast pace of the book and the others made up for it!I would recommend this book to anyone who's read Legend and wants to know more about Day.

Eu amo toda a série! E depois de tanto tempo poder entrar nesse universo novamente foi incrível. A interação entre Daniel e Eden foi muito legal, e ver que mesmo após 10 anos a vida deles não é perfeita, que ainda existem muitas cicatrizes e traumas, porque a vida real é assim, não dá pra simplesmente esquecer tudo que eles passaram. E poder ver Daniel e June juntos novamente me fez lembrar porque eu amava tanto essa série! Só amor por esses personagens! Eu ainda quero mais, não tô satisfeita!