“Sometimes, the sun sets earlier. Days don’t last forever, you know. But I’ll fight as hard as I can. I can promise you that.”
-Marie Lu, Champion
June and Day thought that they had finally been able to work on an effective peace solution for the Republic and that all would be quiet. At least, until a new plague breaks out in the Colonies that they blame the Republic for. Now, the Republic is on the brink of war once again–and they don’t have enough resources to win. The only thing that can save them is Day’s brother, Eden, but Day isn’t willing to give him up to the Republic once again. Will Day and June be able to save the Republic, or will it end in destruction?
Possibly the strongest book in the trilogy, there are new developments at every turn that Day and June have to navigate in order to save their country. But the complicated past of their country makes Day question whether saving the Republic is the right thing to do, or if they should just let it crumble and a new government take over. Lu raises some very valid questions within this ending that could apply to any country or government that is crumbling–and I think the characters within this society deal with it in a very realistic way.
I also thought the romance between Day and June became even more realistic in this one. Given Day’s health issues, he tries to distance himself from June to no avail. Their romance also doesn’t necessarily have that happy romantic ending that a lot of people expect in YA books–and I like that. Things aren’t tied up perfectly in real life, and Lu reflects that within this final installment in her series.
Overall, I’m glad that I finally finished this series–and I’m glad I read them when they were all published! That meant waiting for no cliff hangers.
4.5/5 stars