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February 03, 2013

Blog Tour: Prodigy by Marie Lu


Hello lovely readers and welcome to today's blog tour stop of Prodigy by Marie Lu hosted by Razorbill Canada. You all have probably read the amazing dystopian novel that is Legend (Review here), but if you haven't read Prodigy, all I can say (other than my below review) is that you need to pick it up right now! 



Title: Prodigy (Legend #1)
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication year: January 29, 2013
Genre(s): Young Adult (Dystopian)
Source: Publisher
Format: Physical ARC
Pages: 384

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?


I write young adult novels, and have a special love for dystopian books. Ironically, I was born in 1984. I like food, fighter jets, afternoon tea, happy people, electronics, the interwebz, cupcakes, pianos, bright colors, rain, Christmas lights, sketches, animation, dogs, farmers' markets, video games, and of course, books. I suck at working out. I also get lost very easily, but am a halfway decent driver. At least, I like to think so. :)

I left Beijing for the States in 1989 and went off to college at the University of Southern California. California weather sweet-talked me into sticking around, so I'm currently in Pasadena with my boyfriend, two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, and a chihuahua mix. In my past life, I was an art director in the video game industry, but now I write full-time.
Follow Marie Lu on her: Website || Goodreads || Twitter

Prodigy exceeded my expectations by a mile. We all know the middle book syndrome but Marie Lu managed to avoid that pit. Prodigy wasn't just good, it was spectacularly written, the plot was crafty, and so much better than Legend. Prodigy had its own main plot and it didn't aimlessly go on like some middle books. The stakes are so much higher here; we have an assassination plot, finding people, trying to start a revolution against the Republics, and a lot of backstabbing. What is surprising was alliances were formed that we wouldn't have expected, not in a million years.
Prodigy is also told from both Day and June's POV. Don't go thinking there is much romance and a love triangle or square, because throughout the book, the romance was insignificant to me in comparison to the big plans going on. Yes, there is progression in the romance, some heartbreaks and a horrible cliffhanger, but for the most part Marie Lu stuck to the true meaning of the dystopian genre. I loved that Day and June spent a big portion of the novel apart because this way Lu was able to cover a big portion of the plot and more action.
The direction of the plot that Lu took hooked me. The assassination plot allowed the whole book to progress in a way that kept the readers excited as well as allowed her to give us hints and here and there and create a few subplots, such as the relationship between Day and Tess. I also loved how Day and June have become "celebrities" in the eyes of the population and how Marie Lu used the whole revolutionary theme to free America in Prodigy.
In terms of the characters, I found Day to be a tiny bit to be easily mistrustful of June and easily persuaded by the people around him. As for June, I think she out shined everyone in Prodigy. I have to admit that I wasn't the biggest fan of her in Legend but she stole my heart in Prodigy. She was kick butt, rational, logical, never lost sight of the plan and faithful. Tess, for me, was very annoying and a jealous kid throughout the whole novel and I just couldn't stand her. We also have the new Elector who I surprisingly warmed up to.
All in all, I would highly recommend fans of Legend to pick up Prodigy as soon as possible, and for fans of dystopian novels who haven't picked up Legend, to do so as soon as possible! This series is one of the best dystopian novels I have read! 


Check out the trailer of Prodigy below




Other books by Marie Lu: 
Legend (Legend #1)



16 comments:

  1. I'm so glad that you loved this book!! I like that the romance isn't the main thing in the book.
    I have biiiig expectations now!

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  2. Brilliant review, Juhina! You and I had similar thoughts on this one. I was so impressed with this book and was pleasantly surprised when it surpassed my expectations. And after that killer ending, I really cannot wait for the next one! :)

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  3. So glad to see you liked June better in this book :) I can't wait to dive into Prodigy! I'm so excited. Awesome review Juhina!

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  4. i am in the middle of prodidy right now. it's so action packed. i can't wait to see how it turns out. :)

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  5. I love how the romance isn't really the main thing in the book. And cliffhanger!? Pshh definitely picking this one up. I saw this book at Target today and I really like how Day's p.o.v. is in color blue.. Well, that version was. Maybe not all of the books are like that. Also I love cliffhangers in series so I'm looking forward to reading this soon. Nice review. :)

    Leigh @ Little Book Star

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  6. I like the book trailer :) I haven't read Legend but seeing all the raving reviews on Prodigy, I think I'll have to add this series to my read list. It seems like you enjoyed the alternating POVs and I like the sound of the assassination plot. Thank you, Juhina!

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  7. I really liked Prodigy, and I also completely loved the plot in it. The trailer for it is awesome, too :) Great review!

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  8. I still haven't read Legend! I know I'll cause all my friends seem to love it :) I'm so happy to hear that Prodigy doesn't disappoint! :) Oh and I love the trailer :) Great review :)

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  9. I definitely need this book. I loved Legend and I am excited to dive back into the story!! I liked both Day and June in the first book. I am interested to see how they change and grow in this!! Great review!

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  10. The ending KILLED ME!!! I was not expecting that at all!! Great review :)

    Kate @ Ex Libris

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  11. didn't even know there was a blog tour going on for this one. great review and can't wait to devour my copy.

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  12. I didn't read your review just yet since I still have to write mine, but yay for 4.5 stars! I really liked this one too, even more than Legend. :)

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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  13. Loved this book! The ending totally got my heart! Nice review.

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  14. I NEED this book, seriously. I absolutely loved Legend, it was so insanely good O_O So you can imagine my extreme fangirling excitement when I found out I had won a giveaway for an ARC of it. Also, I've read many reviews on Prodigy and they all seem to dislike Tess, I'm getting irritated already and I haven't even read the book. Great review!

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  15. I have been hearing a lot about this series and I really like the sound of them, especially the plot. I can't wait to pick them up and see how they turn out! :) The trailer for this is awesome, too :) Great review! :D

    ~ Maida

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  16. I have Legend, but haven't even read it yet. I will have to get to it sooner rather than later after reading your review. Thanks.

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