There is no doubt that students in Bedford enjoy dystopian books. The fast-paced, suspenseful adventures increase their adrenaline while peaking their interest in reading. The library has multiple dystopian books to offer, but the bestselling “Legend” series by Marie Lu is a standout.

“Legend” takes place in a futuristic, broken America where the country has been divided in half. The eastern side of the land is democracy, while the western side of the land is a dictatorship. Fifteen year-old Day, the Republic’s most wanted criminal, has been fending for himself on the streets for his impoverished family’s survival. His story becomes more complex when he meets June, a 15 year-old prodigy of the Republic.

June has been working as an undercover agent for the Republic, the dictatorship that governs the western side of the United States. Her mission is to succeed in doing what no Republic soldier has managed to do: capture Day and bring him to the Republic for execution. Day meets June after she becomes involved in a fight on the streets. He perceives her as a harmless, injured girl and takes her into his care to help her recover. At this point, June has no confirmation as to whether this mysterious boy from the streets is Day.

As June spends more time with Day, they begin to fall for each other. However, in due course, June realizes that the boy who had taken care of her injury is Day himself. Although June’s conscious tells her otherwise, she goes through with the mission for fear of losing her Republican rank. Day eventually realizes that June was out to capture him, but by then too much time has passed for him to prevent it.

The trilogy explores the conflicts of truths and lies of the government and people, as well as the complexity of mistakes and forgiving. It also gives meaning to the importance of family while showcasing the inequality between the rich and the poor.

Middle schoolers enjoy this book because it is incredibly fast-paced, and it leaves readers with the lurking sense of suspense after each chapter. The multiple perspectives provides readers with a take on both characters and how they’re reacting to the problems they’re faced with, a particularly appealing element. One chapter is from Day, the next is from June, and the contrasting situation that each protagonist experiences leaves the readers wondering how their stories will unfold and intertwine.

This unique and entertaining dystopian-romance tale is a read that will question your judgment of society while delivering a stunning adventure in words.