Marie Lu

A Legend novel

Rebel

They're small steps, of course, just like the Republic's progress. All around the world, everyone's just gradually trying to move forward.

The world shifts, tilts sometimes collapses. But sometimes it bends toward you, and everything feels right. 

I cry because I'm grateful that we still, in spite of everything, have all found each other.

Because sometimes, broken pieces find a way to make a new whole.

When we walks the walk of healthy masculinity >>>>>

Daniel reaches out and seized both my wrists in his hands. "Look at me," he says his eyes locking on to mine. They are fierce in the night, and in them I see the same brother who had once stood up to an entire nation. "It is not weakness to open your heart. It does not make you less of a man to ask for help. To turn to someone when you're vulnerable. To need a shoulder to cry on. You don't have to bear the weight of anything by yourself. Do you understand me? I know what it's like to be forced to go it alone. I never want you to feel that way."

"Keeping you from the truth of the world only made it worse for you."

"You've seen the wrong in this world, powerful forces that no brother could ever hope to hide from you."

I'm aware of how small I am against its backdrop, nothing more than a shadow in the night, lost in the sea of lights.

Damn, I've missed hearing her talk when she's breaking down a situation.

"Even if we don't know where we'll go in the future, perhaps our lives were always meant to collude again and again. Perhaps we are forever meant to be each other's catalysts."

. It's a word I've never dared to use with June. Maybe there is a chance for a forever in our lives.

"I've looked over my shoulder for a decade," I whisper, "wondering what it was that was missing in my life. Turns out, all this time, it was you."

"But I think you do deserve to know the truth of how I feel. Because even if we can't be together in the end, I would like you to know."

June's eyes are glossy against the blue-grey light filtering in from the windows. "And what is that?" she whispers.

"That I love you," I whisper. "That I've been in love with you for years, even when we were separated. 

 then. I've lived with you in my life, and I've lived without you. No matter what kind of fear I feel in the possibility of us being together, the fear of being away from you is something I don't think I can bear." I look down, shy to meet her gaze now. "I have nightmares of losing you again. All the time."

There. My heart is ripped open and exposed before her. All the uncertainty that had plagued me before now roars in my mind as I wait for her response.

Maybe this was all a mistake. I shouldn't have told her this. It's too soon.

I know that fear she mentioned. That terror of not knowing what might happen to us next, of what could go wrong if we opened our hearts completely to each other. I'd bled the last time I allowed myself to love her, and she had bled the same.

But still, I find myself tightening my grip around her hand, then pulling her closer. She turns to face me in the night.

She looks back at me. "What's on your mind?" she asks me. "I can always tell by the weight in your eyes."

"I'm thinking about how I'm the catalyst for chaos in your life," I answer. "And how sorry I am for it."

"Don't be," she replies. June sighs and looks down. "We've always been each other's catalysts, haven't we?" she says. "I don't think we would have met if we weren't. And sometimes I find myself pulling away because I want to end that cycle for your, as if that might somehow solve it all."

"But there are constants to anchor ourselves to." I hesitate, almost too afraid to say it. "And you are mine."

Hell. She's still the most beautiful woman I've seen in my life.

Was i ever able to relax in a room with her? Or was I always like this— my heart beating rapidly in her presence, every sense of mine attentive to her and ignorant of everything else?

. But the words don't emerge from my lips. They stay buried, trembling in my throat.

For a moment, I think this may be as close as we allow ourselves to get.

She was the flint lighting sparks in my darkness, illuminating a history I can just barely see.

*The book you've all been waiting for - the incredible conclusion to the Legend series* Respect the Legend. Idolize the Prodigy. Celebrate the Champion . . . But never underestimate the Rebel. Eden Wing may be a top student at his academy in Ross City, Antarctica, but most people still know him only as Daniel Wing's little brother. A decade ago, Daniel was known as Day, the boy from the streets who led a revolution that saved the Republic of America. But these days, he's all to ready to leave his past behind. As the two brothers struggle to accept who they've each become, a new danger creeps into the distance that's grown between them, and Eden soon finds himself drawn so far into Ross City's dark side, even his legendary brother can't save him. At least, not on his own . . . With unmatched suspense and her signature cinematic storytelling, #1 New York Times-bestselling author Marie Lu plunges readers back into the unforgettable world of Legend for a truly grand finale.

raia – inactive

It’s a clean, silver band studded with tiny, evenly spaced sparkles of diamonds, designed with an intricate twisting pattern reminiscent of the paper clip ring I gave her years ago, and of the one she’d given me. 

“Each memory I have of you, I keep in a treasured place in my heart,” I say. “This place holds one of my favorites. You remember it too, yeah? Where we saw each other again, for the first time in a decade?”

“My home is where you are,” I murmur.

“Come home soon, then,” she whispers back.

I look out my window and down at the city below us.

It looks like war. It looks like something I’ve seen all too much of in my life. As we rise higher and the scene below fades behind the clouds, I find myself wondering if there is ever a time in history of peace, if we can ever find a way to escape the cycle of destruction we bring upon ourselves.

"You can’t let me just leave Pressa to fend for herself down there. That’s not what you would do.” I take a deep breath and glare at him. “If June were down there, you would tear every street of the Undercity apart to find her. You would keep going until you were dead, and you wouldn’t care what the hell I said.”

Jordan

Tatiana

Rebel: 4/5

I was so nervous to read Rebel after the carnage that was Champion. I finally brought myself to pick it up and DAMN I should have done it sooner.

I absolutely loved this final installment to June and Day's story along with learning more about Eden. I think this story really wrapped up in a fantastic way as well as exploring a new plot that is so fantastic and gripping. 

The reason I cannot give this 4/5 stars is just because the writing in Rebel is not my favorite. I think Marie Lu tried to build a whole new world, introduce new characters, work through the characters' trauma, and make an entirely new plot in such a small book. The pacing is wonderful but not everything is explored and sometimes it comes off as rushed. I'm not mad about this though and really it boils down to the fact I want more.

Lastly, I just have to mention the ending is everything I could have ever wanted. I would not change one thing about this series end, and I think it is perfect. God my heart is full!

alexandra

3.5/5 — 

2012 me is in tears ;—; objectively, the story and plot were alright but DAY AND JUNE AKSKSMSKSN

thank you marie lu for not abandoning me with my despair and writing this book. i am happy to announce that most of the cracks on my heart leftover from champion have been mended.

Rachel Braithwaite

tina

3.5 stars

this read more like a novella than a spin off/full blown novel. didn’t wanna get all critical with this book since i knew right off the bat that this wasn’t gonna top Champion (or any of the other books from the original trilogy tbh),, but here are some of my opinions that nobody asked for. plot wasn’t strong. antagonist was basically a cookie cutter of a villain (i really!!! wanted him to be a morally gray character, but maybe that’s just me). and the world wasn’t as explored as i wanted it to be ???? however, despite all that i still enjoyed reading this book. i love the juneday content we got and also really appreciate the sibling relationship dynamic from day and eden. i think that was a really good way to develop both of their characters. 3.5 stars is a fair rating i think since i didn’t really love the book and don’t think it was necessary at all,, but i love the characters and i love that we got the chance to see them post legend trilogy and i still had a fun time reading this book. 





————————

I CANT FUCKING BELIEVE THIS YALL ARE TELLING ME THAT MY 19 YEAR OLD ASS SELF IS GONNA CRY OVER DAY AND JUNE AGAIN WHEN IVE ALREADY LEFT ALL OF THAT BEHIND WITH MY 14 YEAR OLD SELF FJDJDJDJDJ I CANT BREATHE

Isabela H 

I was so so so afraid of this book letting me down because I loved the original trilogy so much that I wasn't sure if I was ready to read a continuation that didn't do justice to the originals. And thank goodness, I had absolutely no reason to be afraid. I'll definitely be reading this again. 
I literally could not put the book down once I got sucked in. The characters were all the same yet different, more mature and even deeper and more complex. Eden and Daniel's relationship especially was incredibly touching to watch develop, and I'M SO THANKFUL WE GOT TO SEE MORE OF JUNE AND DAY'S FUTURE TOGETHER

Mercy K

** spoiler alert **
           took a bit to get through because of school
my own expectations were too high,, loved that day had chapters (went in thinking it was all eden’s narration) but didn’t like how fast day and june got together and that they’re engaged now :l
overall liked it but legend will always be a trilogy in my mind

Ayden

I’m sorry to give this book only 3 stars considering the love I have for the characters and the general plot.
I mean I cried in the last chapter because it was so reminiscent of champion.
 But this book contained my number one pet peeve which is when things don’t make sense. Wether it was a scene that wasn’t thought through or huge plot holes this book definitely wasn’t given the same attention as the other books in the series

What an perfect ending! I mean I love the entire book but the ending almost killed me. I would rate it with a 10/5 if it would be possible. 

I’m a little bit sad however to not be able to read about their future anymore. I hope Marie Lu will write a 5th book (6th..7th.. and so on) about the series. 

Jenny Stürmer 

What an perfect ending! I mean I love the entire book but the ending almost killed me. I would rate it with a 10/5 if it would be possible. 

I’m a little bit sad however to not be able to read about their future anymore. I hope Marie Lu will write a 5th book (6th..7th.. and so on) about the series. 

emily

i didn’t need this book but i definitely did need juneday and i added an extra star just because of the last chapter

Livia

Beckah brooks

This book was great! It made up for the ending of 'champion', which I despised greatly. 

I enjoyed the fact that we got to learn more about Eden and hear his side of things. Also, the fact that there were no chapters from June's point of view was definitely great. She was not my favorite.

Brianna

I do this every time with a Legend book. Because I love the first one so, so, so much I keep expecting to love the continuations.
The fact is I didn’t like Prodigy. I didn’t like Champion. And no matter how much I told myself to give older Day and Eden a try I just didn’t like Rebel.
I’m not sure what it is about these books in particular that I don’t jibe with, but there’s always something that prevents me from suspending belief for this series.

Danika

** spoiler alert **
           I love days proposal at the end the fact that it was like the paper clip ring is so great

Charmaine

Hanna Bäcklund

chloe torres

You don't need to read it. I think that's what a lot of those who've read this can agree with. But you should. Champion left us all bawling, with a serious book hangover. I read this right after Champion and I think it helped me cope. If you want to travel back into the Legend world, then go get this book. If you're happy to leave June and Day's relationship up to your imagination, then don't. But, if you love June and Day so much and just want to tie it all together perfectly, this book would be a great read. It happens 10 years later and it feels nice to be reminded of their memories as well as learn new things about their past. This book is just a cherry on top of the delicious ice cream that the Legend trilogy is. Just saying, the ending was so beautiful and makes it all worth it.

Jennifer

I appear to have a pretty hit or a miss experience with Marie Lu's Legend series. I wasn't planning to read Rebel but seeing that this book is narrated from Eden and Daniel's perspectives I decided to give it a chance.

As with the previous Legend novels, this is a fast paced book set in a futuristic novel. Here the bulk of the things happening are set in Antarctica and it's an adrenaline inducing tale featuring a political tension. 

While I found Rebel quite an effortless read, I also feel like it suffers from a common pitfall seen in fast paced books: the plots overshadowing the characters. While I have gotten to know Daniel throughout the series and I also found Eden quite a clever character with his own merits, I personally felt more invested in the things happening e.g. the political side of the worldbuilding, rather than the detailed headspace of the dual narratives.

Nevertheless, if you are invested in the Legend series, Rebel is a decent spin off novel that features fast actions, technology, and politics.

N.B. This novel contains following content warnings: accidents, violence, weapons, and blood mention

cossette

oh i am in TEARS at that ending i loved this

Kaynath Makin 

Emily

I truly believe that this series is perfect. I love it so much and could honestly just re-read it forever. I thought Champion was a great (albeit heart-breaking) ending to this series, but Rebel provides an even better one. It feels complete, yet not too perfect.

This final installment in the series is incredible. I knew I would love it because Daniel, June, and Eden are some of the best and most fleshed-out characters I've ever read about, especially in YA dystopians. It is evident that Marie Lu took her time in writing this sequel—it was perfectly paced and truly added to the story. Obviously Eden takes some of the spotlight for once, and we get to see him grow tremendously, but Lu didn't neglect the other characters.

This story was believable, emotional, and extraordinary in a genre that has had difficulty being so. The world she created here is rooted in potential reality and that's what makes it so unique. The politics of this series are so complicated, yet real, that they become increasingly enticing and scary.

I'm in awe of these books and will continue thinking about and re-reading them forever. Thank you, Marie Lu, for imagining such a frightful reality and for exploring the world from each and every angle.

cassie 

sobbed over and over because of this book, perfect end to juneday and eden’s story.

As Day and Eden struggle with who they've become since their time in the Republic, a new danger creeps into the distance between them, and Eden finds himself drawn into Ross City's dark side, where his legendary brother may not be able to save him.

Inouch

First thoughts : an end cute and corny as possible but my God, this ending closes a story that I loved to discover, Marie Lu knows how to offer what is expected of books, smiles for words on paper.

3,75 ⭐︎

my review:

“Because sometimes, broken pieces find a way to make a new whole.”  
― Marie Lu, Rebel

trigger warning: murder, gun violence, knife violence & stabbing, kidnapping, war & rebellion themes

english version:
a book of more or one less. a suite or an end open to the imagination. These dilemmas are posed to me when I decided or not to read this book and in the end, I sincerely believe that one way or another. Eden is not my favorite character. but the way Marie Lu treats this universe, this so smooth city is one of my favorite qualities of this author. It is read quickly, the pen is fluid and we find a universe and characters more broken but also bigger than at the beginning of the story.

version française:
un livre de plus ou un de moins. une suite ou une fin ouverte à l'imagination. ces dilemmes ce sont posés à moi lorsque j'ai décidé ou pas de lire ce livre et au final, je pense sincèrement que d'une manière comme d'une autre. eden n'est pas mo personnage préféré. mais la façon qu'à Marie Lu de traiter cet univers, cette ville si lisse est une de mes qualités préférées de cette autrice. ça se lit vite, la plume est fluide et on retrouve un univers et des personnages plus brisés mais aussi plus grandis qu'au début de l'histoire.

Rebel A Legend novel

Reviews

Highlights