What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.
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Legend’s Playlist
Army of Me (Bjork): This song is downright badass (then again, most of Bjork's music is pretty badass. Joga, anyone? *spaz*). Just listen to those opening beats. Orgasmic. I can close my eyes to this song and immediately picture Legend's dark landscape.
Heart of Courage (Two Steps From Hell): T SFH is a trailer music studio in Los Angeles, and probably my favorite of the trailer music studios. “Heart of Courage” is their best track, imho, and I can see Legend scenes happening to this. (And it's even from an album called "Legend"!)
Final Hour (X-Ray Dog): Another one from a music studio. Mindbogglingly (is this a word?) epic!
If You’re Out There (John Legend): This probably fits Book 2 a little better than Book 1, but nevertheless, the lyrics are perfect.
Run This Town (Rihanna and Jay-Z): Hey--I like my fair share of hip-hop/pop. This one has that sort of rebel kick to it, and I always thought the beat fit well with Legend's world.
Hero (Skillet): Someone on deviantArt recommended Skillet to me after I'd already finished writing Legend, but the music's so fitting that I decided to put it on this list anyway.
Awake And Alive (Skillet): Another one from Skillet with fitting lyrics for Legend.
My Name Is Lincoln (The Island soundtrack, by Steve Jablonsky): Before this was used in Avatar trailers, it was in The Island. And don’t you forget it! Steve Jablonsky can do no wrong. So uplifting. Makes me bawl every time.
The Beginning Is The End Is The Beginning (Smashing Pumpkins): You probably remember this from the Watchmen trailers. Very appropriate for any dystopian story.
They Don’t Care About Us (Michael Jackson): One of my absolute favs from MJ. How can a dystopian story about government brutality not have this in its playlist? It has so much impact.
She - The clothing in Legend is somewhat steampunk-y, and this may have happened because of how much I listened to Abney Park music while writing. “She” was one of my favorites, and frequently on repeat!
Before becoming a full-time writer, Marie Lu was the art director at a video game company. She also owns the children’s brand Fuzz Academy. She was first inspired to write Legend while watching Les Miserables one afternoon, and wondered how the relationship between a famous criminal vs. a prodigious detective might translate into a more modern story. She graduated from the University of Southern California in 2006 and lives in Los Angeles, California. Visit Marie at www.marielu.org
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You can read a chapter sampler of Legend
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Thank you to Penguin, we're giving away 1 finished copy of Legend & 1 Legend button! To enter, please fill out the form below:
- US Residents Only
- 13 yrs & older (if under you must have a parent/guardian's permission to enter)
- 1 entry per person
- This giveaway will end on Dec. 23rd, 2011