Review: Rebel by Marie Lu

Title: Rebel

Author: Marie Lu

Series: Legend #4

Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopia

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Publication Date: October 1st, 2019

Edition: Kindle Edition, 384 pages

Source: Library

Purchase: Amazon US | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | BAM

Synopsis:

  Respect the Legend. Idolize the Prodigy. Celebrate the Champion. But never underestimate the Rebel.

  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.

  Eden Wing has been living in his brother’s shadow for years. Even though he’s a top student at his academy in Ross City, Antarctica, and a brilliant inventor, most people 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 Day is no longer the same young man who was once a national hero. These days he’d rather hide out from the world and leave his past behind. All that matters to him now is keeping Eden safe―even if that also means giving up June, the great love of Daniel’s life.

  As the two brothers struggle to accept who they’ve each become since their time in the Republic, a new danger creeps into the distance that’s grown between them. 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.

  So, this is a book I need to buy as soon as I can, I need the whole set, I also need that other 'Life after Legend' book that I can't seem to find anywhere.

I really loved being with these characters again. The Legend trilogy is honestly my favorite Dystopia series that came out during that wave of books in the genre. And like so many others, I was eager to know what happened with June and Day after the end of Champion. And that is only part of what we get in this book.

I really loved getting to know Eden better with this book. He was always a present character during the main part of the series, but he was always mostly in the background. Kidnapped, at one point, missing. But he was the big motivator for Daniel. And I loved that part of their dynamic was such a large part of this book. That it doesn't shy away from the clear and obvious trauma they both would have from their time in the Republic. I liked that things for them weren't perfect and shiny even with their privilege. 

Many of the characters from the main series are part of this book, but the only one who has a more major part is June, for obvious reasons. I liked how Daniel remembering more of his past was woven through this book, and how it brought them back together. 

I also really loved the new characters this book introduces, Pressa a girl who works as a Janitor for the University that Eden attends and his best friend/love interest. She is the one who introduces drone races to Eden which leads to the main plot happening.

The antagonist of this book is, in many ways, more sinister than the one of the main series. Though it's been a while since I read them, I should re-read them soon. But he definitely feels more sinister. Hiding his coup of the government with a false sense of altruism, playing up his rough past as an excuse for hurting others. I like how the book kind of emphasizes that Daniel is kind of the other side of that coin. Daniel had gone through very similar things but instead decided to try and change things to help others, rather than hurt people for what had happened to him and his family. 

I just really enjoyed this book, and I still want more of these characters. I just want more forever. I don't want their story to be over yet. But things did end in a really nice way, that while leaves room for a short story, but if it does end here, I won't be too upset. But I still want more.