a review by Nalini Haynes
Prodigy is the second instalment in a trilogy that will be complete later this year. I recently reviewed Legend, the first in the trilogy.
In writing this review, I assume you’ve either read Legend or at least read the review of Legend. There are spoilers for the first novel.
June and Day escaped but Day was injured. Day’s injury is infected. The Patriots have deserted them so they’re on the run alone. Their first goal is to reach the Patriots in Vegas, a military city.
Then they’re assigned to a Patriot mission after Day’s injury is casually dealt with and the Patriots realise June and Day provide a unique PR opportunity.
The tension mounts as June and Day wend their way through the political maze.
Both June and Day are the focal points for romantic triangles; I actually didn’t mind because the triangles were balanced, neither gender was being demeaned.
I cannot express my love of this book enough and the genius that compares the ultimate consumer-based corporation-run society with a totalitarian state like North Korea. And the resulting ideals the characters develop. OMG – intelligent but with pacing and tension.
A good author keeps the pacing and tone of book 2 in a trilogy consistent with book 1. A great author ramps up the tension and draws you in even more in book 2. Marie Lu is a great author.
Read this book. Especially if you enjoy dystopian YA and social comment.