Common Sense Media Review
By Michael Berry
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Action-packed dystopian sci-fi sequel keeps suspense high.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Based on 31 kid reviews
Kids say that while the book contains some romantic and mature themes, including kissing and implied intimacy, the depiction is not overly explicit and remains within the bounds of young adult literature. Many enjoyed the character development and plot twists, finding the sequel less intense than its predecessor, though some noted a drop in quality and expressed concerns about the appropriateness for younger readers due to its romantic and violent content.
- romance themes
- character development
- mature content
- action-packed plot
- audience suitability
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
PRODIGY picks up exactly where Legend left off, with the street criminal Day and former political insider June having fled future Los Angeles and the tyrannical Republic that rules it. When they meet up with the Rebels working to overthrow the government, they are recruited for an assassination attempt on the newly designated Elector. Having different roles to play, Day and June are separated, only to discover that their assignments are far more complex and dangerous than they've been led to believe.
Is It Any Good?
Prodigy avoids the sophomore slump, maintaining the narrative energy of Legend, the first volume in this sci-fi series. Author Marie Lu excels in choreographing the action scenes, keeps the level of suspense high, and pulls off a couple of neat plot twists. Some readers may lose patience with Day's and June's fits of jealousy, expecting seasoned freedom fighters to be a little less neurotic and insecure. Others will find the romantic subplots sufficiently compelling.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why dystopian novels are so popular. How do you think the Legend series compares with other dystopian series?
What methods do governments and corporations share in coercing people to adopt certain behaviors?
Do you think assassination is ever justified as a method of effecting political change?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Science Fiction
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Putnam Juvenile
- Publication date : January 29, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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