Champion by Marie Lu

Champion by Marie Lu
Release Date: November 5, 2013
Pages: 353
Rating: 💜💜
Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository
June and Day have sacrificed so much for the people of the Republic and now their country is on the brink of a new existence. But neither could have predicted the circumstances that will reunite them: just when a peace treaty is imminent, a plague outbreak causes panic in the Colonies, and war threatens the Republic’s border cities. June is the only one who knows the key to her country’s defense but saving the lives of thousands will mean asking the one she loves to give up everything. 

Be prepared for a long and ranty review. (Also I'm sorry if this is one of your favourite books. You might not want to read this review).

Honestly I was a little disappointed with this book. I loved the first two books and this one just didn't have the same spark. I couldn't get as wrapped up in the world and didn't care as much about the characters. The ending, which seems to be killing everyone, had no effect on me and I got over the book pretty quickly. I feel like I have to re-read this book now (maybe even the whole trilogy!) because I have so much more free time to get wrapped up in the story.

In Prodigy and Legend I was in love with Day and June. They were funny, strong, brave and powerful; exactly what I want from the protagonists. They got stuff done no matter what happened and stuck together. They were an unstoppable team who were together from the start. But I didn't see it in this book. Day wouldn't tell June about his personal life, slowly keeping more and more secrets from her. June isn't much better to be honest, not completely trusting Day with the entire plan. As why haven't they talked to each other in...what...6 months or so? If they really cared about each other they would have broken that silence.

The pacing of this book was kind of boring. There was a lot of sitting around and talking in the first half of the book before anything seemed to happen. However the writing style was gripping enough to keep me reading and was actually quite beautiful in some places. The writing style is the reason why I want to give The Young Elites a try.

Overall I wasn't happy with third book. I might have enjoyed it more if I wasn't reading it during exam season but I highly doubt it. I would recommend reading this book if you've started the series, just so you can wrap up Day and June's lives. I'm going to discuss what I wanted to happen below so if you haven't read Champion yet, leave now! 

**Spoiler Warning**

So I was on Goodreads (as always) and I stumbled across this review of Champion which basically says what I'm feeling. It also has an awesome alternative ending which I think should become canon.

I shipped Aden and June so hard. Seriously, so hard. He was sweet and charming and respected that June still had feelings for Day. He didn't try to force her to fall in love with him, but formed a friendship with her. I actually thought that June was falling for him but then SHE SHOT HIM DOWN! What?!

Obviously I realise that June and Day are close and in love and I was totally fine with them having their last hurrah before Day dies. They were each others first love and that bond holds a special place in your heart. So they kissed and I endured that but then Day goes and visits his family house. And something terrible happens. He admits he still blames June for killing his family and that he might not be able to ever forgive her. What?! And then Marie Lu makes them stay together! What?! Why?! If someone came in and killed my family I wouldn't stay with them, no matter how in love I am with them!

Also Day was dying. That was a pretty major plot device throughout the entire story so it was almost certain that he was going to die. Then you get to the end of the book and he is fainting every ten minutes and he has brain splitting headaches and he can't stop shaking so it is certain he is going to die. He is dead for sure. Then Day helps out with the whole uprising, resistance movement and he gets shot. Twice. Not once, twice! Now you know he is dead. Dig him a grave, Day is dead.

But no. Somehow the gods from above answer June's prayers and grant Day the gift of life in the form of a surgery and a coma. At this point I was mad. Why?! In the real world Day would be dead having suffered from bullet wounds and a DEADLY ILLNESS. He is dead. He should be dead. Why isn't he dead?

Don't get me wrong, I loved Day. He was a cool street rat who stuck up for what he believed in and continued fighting to the death. But he should have died.

Here is what I wanted to happen:

• Day would die a hero's death, having saved the Republic whilst battling a deadly illness.
• June would have been heartbroken after losing the love of her life.
• Aden would have comforted her but never made a move because he is a charming gentleman who respects the women he loves.
• June would have eventually realised that Aden is a sweetheart and would start dating him.
• She would also become Princeps and eventually marry Aden.

Boom! Much better and more realistic for a dystopian novel.

I'm sorry for the long review and if you've stuck around for this long then thank you. Enjoy this panda falling off a slide. 😃