Prodigy: Book Review

Prodigy

Marie Lu

Putnam Juvenile

January 29th 2013

Young Adult | Science Fiction
Dystopian

Official Blurb - 
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?

In this highly-anticipated sequel, Lu delivers a breathtaking thriller with high stakes and cinematic action.

The characters are so entertaining. Not your average character in the least. Day isn't all ego and brawn. He is much more emotional than you would expect a boy to be. June is so much more detached and always on top of any situation. I absolutely love June, she is so keenly aware of what goes on around her. Very analytical. Always puzzling things out and making plans. Not full of an inordinate amount of hope and optimism. Realistic and very nice. The way her mind works things out is fabulous.

 

There is a lot of pressure on Day to get rid of June. It seems that at every turn someone is trying to convince him she is all wrong for him and a bad person to boot. The best part that is instead of getting the traditional reaction you would expect in most books where Day listens to the people and goes off with another girl we get something different. So refreshing to have him trust his instincts instead of another person's opinion. It was nice to not have to deal with distrust and miscommunication. Though I suppose they do come at a later date.

 

Oh my! What an emotionally stirring moment with which to end the book. Moving and powerful. It has the strength to cast the entire future into darkness. So tangible and thick it makes the rest of life seem unbearable. What a terribly realistic twist to place on our hero. Ouch. There is so much pain in the last scene. A moment similar in magnitude to the fatal ending between Romeo and Juliet.

 

Don't hold your breath for a happy ending when this trilogy concludes, folks. The best we can hope for is likely something peacefully tragic. Well unless you splash a bunch of unrealistic hope and a miracle into it.

 

Regardless of that ending or the bleak despairing future you will be hungry for more. It left my mind of fire with so many questions. Will June work out the real reason behind Day's decision? Will Day's resolve breakdown? What terrible trials and possible traps will be laid for them? How could a world keep turning without all the sparks that fly between them? If this world needs anything it is definitely love and trust that crosses all barriers. Should that carry more weight than political aspiration and appearances? And if you had to choose sides would you pick Day or June? Both have gone through much. I think if June forces me to it I will pick Day. Crossing my fingers that doesn't happen.

Content:
Violence: Moderate
Language: Moderate