Champion (A Legend Novel, Book 3)

The conclusion to the Legend series is somewhat of a downer. It is filled with romance, action and suspense with various turns. Alas, the conclusion is somewhat unfulfilling. After all the build up, it seems to just be a cop out. We do find out more about the world at large. Each of the new states has a its own quirky existence. Antarctica is the most technologically advanced state we meet. Everyone has a chip embedded to see the "score" and "level" of people. Every good thing increases points. However, who defines what is good? Each of the post apocalyptic states has their own benefits and downfalls. None seem great by our standards.
We also learn that the previous elector primo was a real person who has had skills to help lead the country - even if he did gradually turn it into a police state. People liked their country, even if they didn't like some parts of it. And then the novel ends with memory loss and a peace agreement. It would almost be better if it left off the epilogue. Meanwhile, there are many interesting subplots that were barely covered. What was up with Commander Jameson? Why did Thomas escape prison only to defend his country? Do people really like their country that much, even when given knowledge of the oppression? And how would these different post-apocalyptic societies evolve?

Prodigy (A Legend Novel, Book 2)

In Prodigy, the author does a great job of alternating the narrative between June and Day. We get to understand each of their internal thoughts without bogging down the plot. This novel picks up where the previous left off. They are on the run after escaping Day's execution. They are trying to hook up with the underground "Patriot" movement. The patriot leader seems to be a little too embedded with the military, but they are left without any choice. The mission he has for them is to assassinate the leader of the Republic. However, they realize that the leader is actually one of their best hopes and eventually opt to save him. They later learn that the patriots leader has his own motives. The protagonists escape to the colonies before making a thrilling return to save the day.
In the process, we learn the history of this world. There were some great floods. People were fleeing to higher ground, thus leading to a great humanitarian and infrastructure crisis. The west was overwhelmed and eventually separated with the first elector taking power. The country devolved to an isolated military state (similar to North Korea) At first glance, the eastern colonies look like a great place. However, they have their own issues. The corporations have seized control and dominate all aspects of life. Those that can't pay can't receive services. Selling the republic out to the colonies will just replace one set of issues with another set. The "fall" of society in this book feels more real than other post-apocalyptic novels.
There is also the relationship angle. Day and June are clearly into each other. But there are also others that are interested in them. They are young. Relationships are complicated.

Legend

Legend by Marie Lu

Legend begins with the intertwined stories of a rich girl prodigy (June) and an elusive boy criminal (Day). You know that they will somehow become romantically connected, but don't see exactly how. Luckily, the novel doesn't dawdle. Day is looking for anti-plague medicine for his family and breaks into a hospital. In the process he supposedly kills June's older brother. June is conscripted to help hunt him down. Both are keenly observant and he eventually makes an innocent gesture that clues her in (thought not until after they have kissed.) He is arrested and sentenced to death. Then she makes some additional discoveries. She had thought she had been the only one to score a perfect score on the test that is administrated to all children. However, she discovers that he actually had earned a perfect score, but the results were faked to give him a failing grade. She also learns that the "Republic" is really not all that it is cracked up to be. Could the United States really fall into dictatorship without most people knowing? People often look at Trump shenanigans and predict a falling away coming from that direction. However, a west-coast dictatorship in the novel is more likely to be caused by a left-wing mast uprising. Could we gradually fall without knowing? Would the government willingly silence dissenters to keep the masses happy?