Prodigy (#2 Legend Series)
By: Marie Lu
Published by: Putnam Juvenile
Published on: January 29, 2013
Reviewed by: Maria G.

Publisher’s Blurb: “Prodigy” by Marie Lu is the long-awaited sequel to Legend, the must-read dystopian thriller novel. Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic’s most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots – a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?

My Review: As I’ve stated in the past, after the Hunger Games trilogy came to an end we were prepared for the onslaught of YA dystopian tales bombarding us. We have read quite a few of the YA dystopian tales that have come out and I can honestly say that out of all of them the Legend Series by Marie Lu trumps them all.

In this second book, we continue to follow June Iparis and Day on their journey to rescue Day’s younger brother and to get themselves, Eden and Tess to the Colonies. When the patriots get a hold of June and Day, these star-crossed lovers get swept up in political intrigue that makes them question their relationship, their loyalties and who the enemy of the state is.

As the story unfolds, you learn more about these two characters via their insightful thought processes as they toe the line of what is requested of them and all the obstacles that they come up against. If you are wondering about the other characters in the story, there are some old faces that you will be happy to see, i.e. Tess and some new faces that spin this story to a new level.

That’s as much of the plot I can tell you without giving away the story that had me enthralled, heartbroken, in tears and made me throw my book across the room in frustration that the book ended the way it did.

Should you pick this book on the 29th of January? If you like intrigue, romance, betrayal, tragic death, and action sequences that put the latest Bourne movie to shame… than of course you should get this book. Believe me; you will place this series right next to the Hunger Games series on your shelf.

I give Prodigy 5 out of 5 stars.

p.s. –The series is set to be a global film sensation as CBS films have acquired rights to the trilogy. The “Twilight Saga” producers, Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey, will produce.

This galley was given to me by the publisher.

Diana, who covers SBLC on this site and on her own blog: paranormalromance.wordpress.com, gives us the latest news about the books and authors you love:

Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander Series coming to the small screen

It’s true. We’re gonna get a cable TV series for OUTLANDER! Let the casting calls begin. OK — it’s a little too early for that but here’s what Diana Gabaldon posted on her Facebook page today:

WELL, ALRIGHTY, THEN…
Yes! It _is_ true; while final contracts aren’t yet signed, we do have a deal with Sony Pictures for development of a cable-TV (as in HBO, Netflix, Starz, Showtime, whatever…that kind of thing) series.

Want more deets? Deadline Hollywood reports that Ron Moore — developer/executive producer of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA will write the series adaptation. Sony Pictures TV bought the rights. The project, according to Deadline Hollywood, will be taken to cable networks this week.

Here’s what Ron Moore (@RonDMoore) and Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG ) are saying on their Twitter feeds about the deal:

Will Marie Lu become the new Queen of Dystopian Novels?

Will Marie Lu’s debut novel LEGEND, which introduced the YA audience to a new dystopian world and two star-crossed teen lovers June and Day, make her the next “it” author in Hollywood?

“Twilight” producer Wyck Godfrey thinks so. He purchased the film rights and CBS Films has snapped it up.

LEGEND is set in Los Angeles where we meet teens Day and June. Day — who grew up in the slums of the city — is a criminal blamed for the murder of June’s older brother. June — the rich kid — is a military-officer-in-training who is sent out to hunt Day.

The second book in the series — PRODIGY — comes out Jan. 29, 2013.

Review:

Once Burned

By: Jeaniene Frost

Published by: Avon

Published on: June 26, 2012

Reviewed by: Maria G.

Publisher’s Blurb: After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person’s darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude…until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world’s most infamous vampire…

Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all–but whatever you do, don’t call him Dracula. Vlad’s ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him – a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.

My Review:

Finished!!!!!

Not that this book was horrible, far from it. I just had to square away a few moments to have some quality Vlad time.

With that said, this book is actually about a young woman named Leila, who is living a less than stellar life as a sideshow performer and that is in part due to an ability that she acquired after being electrocuted by downed power lines. If you haven’t guessed, she has the power to channel electricity. To make matters worse, she also became a telepath. With these unfortunate abilities, she distances herself from her family and does not have any friends save Marty. But, her life kind of takes a turn for the better when a group of vampires attempt to use her telepathic abilities to track down Vlad Tepesh. You remember him from the Cat and Bones books and I know you love him. Anyway, after realizing that the one she was channeling was far less terrifying than those that kidnapped her, she decides to place her safety in the hands of the notorious Vlad the Impaler.

That’s when the story gets interesting. How so? Well, we get to see this character learn to own her power and also grow as a person as she fosters friendships with the individuals that work for Vlad. There is a bloke named Ben, who allows Vlad to feed off of him and wants to be a vampire. Then there is Maximus, who is Vlad’s right hand vamp. These two guys end up risking their lives to not only protect Leila, but they also risk it by being her friend.

This novel also allows us to learn more about Vlad. He is one damaged puppy. Yet, when it comes to Leila, he allows himself to open up. Except for one thing and that you will learn as you read the book.

Regarding other Night Huntress World series characters, we do get see Mencheres, Bones, Cat and Kira. Of course, Bones and Vlad do not mix well, but that is the fun of their dynamic.

For fans of Ms. Frost’s books, you know that she has a way with the pen and you will be left fanning yourself after a couple of scenes. Let me tell you, I will never look at a Vlad Tepesh special on the History channel the same way again.

Now, the biggest question I have at the end of the book is… will Vlad and Leila make it? I hope so. What do you think?

Well, we will find out in the second book in the Night Prince series, Twice Tempted, which comes out on March 19, 2013.

Doesn’t that seem like a long wait? Aye dios mio, what will I do with myself?