I recommend Legend. 
 ***** 
 IN COLD BLOOD. 
 Legend lived up to its name... well, almost. I have minor issues but a good dystopian novel such as this can eliminate even the smallest of problems. It is cold and ruthless. With a more-than-capable heroine and a legendary hero, I was smacked down by Marie Lu with her cryptic story. 
 June is a prodigy but at such a young age (she's fifteen), she's still vulnerable to a beautiful boy and the unknown thrills he brings with him. I liked that Lu portrayed June as this uncertain girl coming out of her adolescence despite her genius in military ways. Lu is effective in her writing: I hated June when she scorned the people in poor sectors. I loved her when she took action the day she realizes her wrong towards Day. 
 Day is an enigma, but it is not a secret how much he loved his family. To go at such lengths to save them, it was incredible. The bleakness of Day's world did not deter him to still want something good for his brothers and his mother >> and this is why I love reading dystopia: the hope is there. Although I'm a bit doubtful that his feats are legendary, they do coincide with June's profile. Day was this beautiful boy in such a strict society and he. just. shines. His character has an old soul and I really liked that. 
 Was it explained how their world came to that dystopian disarray? I don't think so. The conflict that brought the Republic and the Colonies on different sides was blurry at the same time. Those aspects brought the rating down to a 4. Still, the story delivery was compact and the suspense was gripping. 
 Legend is a pretty good dystopian read. Hard-boiled and brutal, I could not wait to read its sequel.