Reveiw - Rebel by Marie Lu

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 . . .

Review

In general, I am a huge fan of this series as well as Marie Lu. Luckily, this time around I was not disappointed. 

I was super excited to hear this was coming out. I felt like the Champion really left everybody wanting more (as all good books do). Especially since we never really got an answer as to what happened with Daniel and June.

Anyway, This story is great, just extremely different. We get to see Eden all grown, even if he isn't treated that way. Daniel is a very different Daniel; he more so plays the cautious older brother, a stark contrast to the rebel we know. He is actually fighting his past and who he used to be for a large portion of the book. June is as strong as ever, but she seems to have healed a bit more. Of course with that said, we, along with Eden revisit Daniel and June's past again. 

I liked that aspect of remembrance; it's dangerous when things are forgotten. In addition, I was pleased to see Eden, Daniel, and June not only remember the past, but make peace with it. Take it, accept it, and really move forward. A lesson for all of us to learn. That is a main theme in this book. I mean, after everything that's happened these characters have to try and figure out what normal looks like again, if they can ever get to a place remotely normal. Also, they have to grapple with who they were and who they are now (are those ever totally separate?), which is a question that haunts us all.

I'm a bit attached to them all, but I really liked to see Daniel and his journey. He's the one who seems to have the hardest time with moving forward from the past. But he's the one who has to reinvent himself, raise another human being somehow, figure out a new job, and adjust to a new place. The others don't have to deal with all that. Yet, he still manages to face his future and his past.

Eden deals with a lot too. He feels alienated from a place that he doesn't even remember. But that's the exact thing that bothers him; he doesn't know what it used to be like. He's stuck with his own past, and his brother's as well. He's constantly the little brother, the underestimated one. I respect Eden because he is faced with an impossible decision, and he still remains true to himself and his convictions. Something very few of us ever do. In the middle of a cacophony, Eden chooses the right voice (even if it is annoying sometimes), instead of listening to the deceitful ones. Not many of us would.

The sibling dynamics between Eden and Daniel were interesting, three parts conflicting, amusing, and resonating. The two brothers have a conversation in the book that was one of my favorite. Daniel tells Eden not to feel weak for crying and that he should never feel alone. Because he isn't. Both of them have this alleviating moment that everyone was craving. Finally, they break down the walls. 

June seems to have moved on more so than her counterparts. She wants the past back, but she doesn't seem to be stuck like the others do. She was obviously hesitant to open up again. Both Daniel and June were. They're extremely different people, and they have to learn about each other all over again. In the end, it's happy, though, which should satiate everyone for a bit. 

Sadly, it felt like there was something missing. I guess there was: time. That's something none of us are ever getting back, so, best not to dwell on that.

On the more technical side, Lu, as always, has a great cinematic style of writing that really keeps the readers attention. Also, the world that she has created reminds me a lot of her Wildcard duology. While different the whole, "down under" thing applies to both as well as the virtual part of it. Additionally, these world strive to make a better place. Something that is proved to be impossible or at least by human hands it is. 

In my opinion, Rebel added to the original trilogy (it didn't ruin them forever). All in all, I immensely enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it.