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Sunday, May 17, 2015

BOOK REVIEW : CHAMPION BY MARIE LU!

Hi Readers! I have recently finished the epic conclusion to the Legend Trilogy by Marie Lu and here's my review for this wonderful book! Please do put in mind that this book is the third book in the trilogy so it will, in anyway possible contain SPOILERS.




Details:

Title: Champion (Legend #3)

Author:  Marie Lu

Number of Pages: 369

Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Young Adult, Romance

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile, Penguin, Speak

Published on: November 5, 2013

Format: Paperback

Price: Php 399.00 (NBS), Php 499.00 (Fully Booked), $12.59 (TBD)

Purchase the book at:



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."

About the Author:

Marie Lu is the art director at Online Alchemy, a video game company, and also owns the children’s brand Fuzz Academy. She was first inspired to write Legend while watching Les Miserables one afternoon, and wondered how the relationship between a famous criminal vs. a prodigious detective might translate into a more modern story. She graduated from the University of Southern California in 2006 and lives in Los Angeles, California. 



Reach the author at:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Goodreads





Rating/Review:

Since this book is the final book in the series, I will not do the same way I reviewed Legend, instead I will be dividing my reviews based on the element of the book that it is focused on such as the way I reviewed Prodigy. Let's begin!

  • On the Beginning: I love the way Marie Lu can repeatedly convince her readers to read her books just by the very first page. The book started in a quite mysterious sort of way and that was more than enough to be able to drag me into the book. The beginning also connected very well with the conclusion of the second book. It didn't feel rushed or forced in anyway I can think of.
  • On the Characters: I loved, adored, the characters. The main characters, Day and June continues to reveal a part of themselves and I loved that. Especially in Day's case/sickness, his character matured even more. June's character really became more matured than I can ever imagine! I found myself forcing her to introduce herself to Day but she didn't because she loved day. Even though I felt quite annoyed on what June did I still understand her sacrifices because that's what you call maturity and endless love. I began to love Tess again as she matures and grow in this book, she realized a lot of things that made me love her again. I admired Anden in a way that sometimes I hate him too. I, as always, hated Commander Natasha Jameson as she continues her evilness throughout the book. On the other hand, I am quite happy on how Thomas ended up in the book, his honesty and kind-of heroic attitude was enough to make me not hate him but quite love him. I also began to love Pascao's character in the book, I somehow see him as Day in his attitude (Well that makes sense since they're both runners). I also love his (Pascao) great contribution throughout the book. The Queen has undoubtedly described and written her characters way more than I can imagine.
  • On the Story: I did not see a lot of things coming. I have no issues with the political things that happened throughout the book. I admired the world building in Antartica, it's just so freakin' amazing! The modern internet and possible chips/levels way of living blew my mind. The war scenes were all fast-paced. I also was left speechless after reading a lot of things that happened. I was shocked or blown away at some of the chapter cliffhangers since the book is told in a pattern that Day's and June's POV are consecutive. I also had goosebumps with the puzzle that happened throughout the book. The story is beyond my expectations. 
  • On the Ending: The ending is heartbreaking, amazing, and is just full of emotions. It did not in anyway possible, disappoint my expectations. I was actually spoiled that Day will lost his memory, and I thought that I will not like the book as I would like it because I knew what things are coming, But then again, I was wrong. I underestimated the great power of the Queen Lu. My freakin' mind and heart was blown continuously away by this ending. I had strong mixed emotions for this conclusion. I felt annoyed at what June decided to do but I understand her pain. I felt very very very very very very very very very hurt on what happened to them because they deserve to be happy you know. I am left torn on knowing the fact that Day didn't remember almost all what he had gone through during his experience with June. I somehow felt happy that their love was or will be given another chance with the reintroduction event that happened. I hate the Queen (in a good way) because there's no short novella or something after this book. I need answers. I am emotionally left unstable after reading this wonderful, heartbreaking book. It feels odd that I will never, ever see June and Day again but that's how books work right? The ending, undoubtedly, is one of the best.
Reading with Luigi gives this book a

Undoubtedly, 5/5 Books! Even 10/5 if possible. 


Favorite Quotes:

“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.” 
  
“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 a legend, while I am to be executed." His voice finally breaks with all his anger and inner torment, the injustice he feels. "It makes no sense."I stand up. Behind me, guards move toward the cell door. "You're wrong," I say sadly. "It makes perfect sense.""Why?""Because Day chose to walk in the light." I turn my back on him for the last time. The door opens; the cell's bars make way for the hall, a new rotation of prison guards, freedom. "And so did Metias.” 

"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.I love you, always.” 

“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.” 

“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.” 

My Friends' Short Reviews/Ratings:

"It was summer of 2014 when I first started reading Legend. Three days after I stumbled into reading Prodigy and after three more days I was already reading Champion. Of all the books of the series I find Champion the most dynamic. This maybe because a ray of resolution can be hinted throughout the story though rest assured that the ending is not what you hope for. The questions found answers in the book such as what really happened to Eden, Day's health and what happend to Metias Iparis, June's brother. The book itself drew a fine line among other dystopian novels which made it a "hit" to young readers. I,
myself is very fond of this book and consider the whole book a refreshing taste to the world of dystopia. The strugle of peace and equality is very much noted here though the setting may be a bit futuristic. Wrapping everything up, it was finely written. Marie Lu's idea was very unique and is very creative in writing." - Maria Cecilia Jhadziah gave the book a 5/5 Stars read the book last April 2014.

"One of the best conclusions I've ever read.

I'm glad that I bought this book together with Prodigy (even if it's too expensive) because since the end of Prodigy, I can't stop thinking about what will happen with June and Day. I kept on thinking: Will Day die?, What will happen to June? to Anden? Even though I can't stop thinking about it, I didn't read Champion right away because I was too scared to end the trilogy. I was afraid that my heart will get broken. I was on the edge of my seat when reading the last chapters of the book. I was like blocking my face from my mom and sis because I was in our living room when I read the book and I'm cryiiiiiing! My heart broke because I thought that Dune ship will really sink. But when the last chapter came, I really cried a bucket of tears. They are starting over again. 

Thumbs up to Marie Lu!" - Pauline Cueno gave the book a 5/5 Stars read the book last July 2014.

""Heart wrenching beauty flows from this book that will leave you in tears. It will talk about sacrifice and risks for the better of their lives. It will be painful yes, but in the end it all works out." - Dorothy Lobo Florentino gave the book a 4.5/5 Stars read the book last April 2015.


And that's it readers! Thank you so much for reading this far! Enjoy your day! And thank you for being with me as both our hearts break throughout this trilogy! Ha ha ha. 







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