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    DystopianFictionPolitical FictionThrillerYoung Adult

    Prodigy

    by Lu, Marie
    “Prodigy” by Marie Lu is the second installment in the dystopian “Legend” trilogy, following the gripping journey of June and Day as they navigate a fractured society. After escaping the Republic’s clutches, the duo allies with the rebel Patriots to overthrow the oppressive regime, but their trust is tested by shifting loyalties and hidden agendas. Themes of power, sacrifice, and identity are explored against a backdrop of political intrigue and revolution. Lu’s taut prose and intricate world-building heighten the tension, making “Prodigy” a compelling exploration of morality and resilience in a divided world. The novel advances the series’ narrative while deepening character arcs and societal critiques.
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    Prodigy

    Chapter 27: June 14

    by Lu, Marie

    The chap­ter opens with June reflect­ing on Day’s piv­otal speech from the Capi­tol Tow­er, which solid­i­fied Elec­tor Anden’s pow­er and unit­ed the Repub­lic. She vivid­ly recalls Day’s pres­ence and the impact of his words, as well as the lin­ger­ing mem­o­ry of their last kiss. Now, two days lat­er, June and Day are sep­a­rat­ed in a Den­ver hos­pi­tal, under­go­ing rig­or­ous med­ical tests to ensure they weren’t com­pro­mised by the Colonies. June is frus­trat­ed by the sur­veil­lance and sep­a­ra­tion but finds solace in watch­ing Day through a mon­i­tor, long­ing to recon­nect with him despite the Republic’s pre­cau­tions.

    June’s doc­tor con­ducts tests to assess her men­tal and phys­i­cal sta­bil­i­ty, empha­siz­ing the Republic’s need to ensure her loy­al­ty. She endures uncom­fort­able pro­ce­dures, includ­ing a gel mask that trig­gers claus­tro­pho­bia, while wor­ry­ing about Day’s con­di­tion. The doc­tor hints at Day’s delayed release, spark­ing June’s sus­pi­cion that some­thing is being with­held. After hours of test­ing, she’s informed she can be dis­charged, but her focus remains on Day’s well-being, reveal­ing her deep con­cern for him and impa­tience to reunite.

    Elec­tor Anden vis­its June, offer­ing her a rein­state­ment as an Agent in Den­ver instead of Los Ange­les, where key fig­ures like Com­man­der Jame­son have been arrest­ed for trea­son. June acknowl­edges the hon­or but sens­es Anden’s lin­ger­ing attrac­tion, despite rumors of her rela­tion­ship with Day. Anden prais­es June and Day for their role in sta­bi­liz­ing the Repub­lic, not­ing how Day’s influ­ence has shift­ed pow­er dynam­ics. The chap­ter high­lights the ten­sion between June’s loy­al­ty to the Repub­lic and her per­son­al con­nec­tion to Day, who now holds sig­nif­i­cant sway over pub­lic sen­ti­ment.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with Anden hint­ing at a new propo­si­tion for June, leav­ing the nature of his offer unre­solved. June’s inter­nal con­flict is pal­pa­ble as she bal­ances her duty to the Repub­lic with her desire to pro­tect Day. The scene under­scores the polit­i­cal stakes and per­son­al sac­ri­fices both char­ac­ters face, set­ting the stage for fur­ther devel­op­ments in their rela­tion­ship and the Republic’s future. The chap­ter blends emo­tion­al depth with polit­i­cal intrigue, main­tain­ing a tense and intro­spec­tive tone.

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    FAQs

    • 1. Comprehension Question

      What significant event occurred at the Capitol Tower two days before the chapter begins, and what were its consequences?
      Answer:
      Two days prior, Day climbed the Capitol Tower and publicly announced his support for Elector Anden. This pivotal moment had immediate political consequences—Anden gained nationwide support, protesters were allowed to return home without punishment, and arrested Patriots were released under monitored conditions. June reflects on how Day’s words “rang out clear and strong across the city and the country,” demonstrating his newfound power to influence the Republic’s political landscape with just a speech.

      2. Analytical Question

      How does the Republic’s treatment of June and Day in the hospital reflect the political climate after Day’s speech?
      Answer:
      The constant surveillance through security cameras and medical tests reveals the Republic’s precarious position—they must publicly demonstrate care for these influential figures while secretly verifying their loyalty. The chapter notes the government fears “giving people the slightest sense that Day and I aren’t being taken care of,” showing their need to maintain appearances. Yet the invasive brain scans and monitoring devices checks underscore lingering distrust, creating tension between public spectacle and private suspicion.

      3. Application Question

      If you were in June’s position, how would you interpret the doctor’s hesitation when discussing Day’s condition, and what would you do next?
      Answer:
      June notices the doctor’s facial twitch and hesitation, suggesting withheld information about Day’s health. A strategic response would mirror June’s approach: outwardly comply while privately investigating. One might request direct communication with Day (as June plans via microphone) or subtly question Anden later. The situation requires balancing concern with caution, as aggressive demands could raise red flags about one’s mental state or priorities under the Republic’s watchful eye.

      4. Critical Thinking Question

      Why does Anden’s salute evoke such a strong emotional reaction in June, and how does this detail deepen our understanding of her character?
      Answer:
      The salute painfully reminds June of her deceased brother Metias, forcing her to look down to compose herself. This moment reveals how trauma underlies her disciplined exterior—even as she engages in high-stakes politics, personal grief remains raw. The contrast between her emotional interior (“I have to focus on my feet”) and composed exterior (“Elector,” I greet him) highlights the psychological toll of her dual roles as both a mourning sister and a key political figure.

      5. Analytical Question

      What does June’s observation about Day’s “power to ignite a full-scale revolution” suggest about the changing power dynamics in the Republic?
      Answer:
      This observation underscores a seismic shift—the Republic’s stability now hinges on a former enemy (Day) rather than traditional institutions. The Senate’s fear of Day demonstrates how charismatic authority can supersede structural power. June’s analysis that he could spark revolution “with only a few choice words” reveals the fragility of the regime and the rising influence of populist voices, setting the stage for potential conflicts between the people’s loyalty and government control.

    Quotes

    • 1. “Whenever I close my eyes, I can still see him up there, his hair gleaming like a beacon of light against the night, his words ringing out clear and strong across the city and the country.”

      This quote captures June’s vivid memory of Day’s pivotal speech, illustrating his transformative impact on the Republic and her personal emotional connection to him. It sets the tone for the chapter’s focus on their separation and the aftermath of their actions.

      2. “The Republic is afraid to give people even the slightest sense that Day and I aren’t being taken care of.”

      This reveals the political tension and propaganda at play, showing how the government manipulates public perception of June and Day’s recovery. It underscores the theme of surveillance and control in the Republic.

      3. “He has the power for the time being to ignite a full-scale revolution with only a few choice words.”

      This highlights Day’s newfound influence as a revolutionary figure and the fragile political balance in the Republic. It represents a key turning point in the power dynamics of their world.

      4. “They’re testing me for any remnants of Colonies brainwashing, for mental stability, for whether or not the Elector—the Republic—can trust me fully.”

      This quote exposes the Republic’s paranoia and the psychological toll on June, illustrating the deeper themes of trust and manipulation in their dystopian society.

    Quotes

    1. “Whenever I close my eyes, I can still see him up there, his hair gleaming like a beacon of light against the night, his words ringing out clear and strong across the city and the country.”

    This quote captures June’s vivid memory of Day’s pivotal speech, illustrating his transformative impact on the Republic and her personal emotional connection to him. It sets the tone for the chapter’s focus on their separation and the aftermath of their actions.

    2. “The Republic is afraid to give people even the slightest sense that Day and I aren’t being taken care of.”

    This reveals the political tension and propaganda at play, showing how the government manipulates public perception of June and Day’s recovery. It underscores the theme of surveillance and control in the Republic.

    3. “He has the power for the time being to ignite a full-scale revolution with only a few choice words.”

    This highlights Day’s newfound influence as a revolutionary figure and the fragile political balance in the Republic. It represents a key turning point in the power dynamics of their world.

    4. “They’re testing me for any remnants of Colonies brainwashing, for mental stability, for whether or not the Elector—the Republic—can trust me fully.”

    This quote exposes the Republic’s paranoia and the psychological toll on June, illustrating the deeper themes of trust and manipulation in their dystopian society.

    FAQs

    1. Comprehension Question

    What significant event occurred at the Capitol Tower two days before the chapter begins, and what were its consequences?
    Answer:
    Two days prior, Day climbed the Capitol Tower and publicly announced his support for Elector Anden. This pivotal moment had immediate political consequences—Anden gained nationwide support, protesters were allowed to return home without punishment, and arrested Patriots were released under monitored conditions. June reflects on how Day’s words “rang out clear and strong across the city and the country,” demonstrating his newfound power to influence the Republic’s political landscape with just a speech.

    2. Analytical Question

    How does the Republic’s treatment of June and Day in the hospital reflect the political climate after Day’s speech?
    Answer:
    The constant surveillance through security cameras and medical tests reveals the Republic’s precarious position—they must publicly demonstrate care for these influential figures while secretly verifying their loyalty. The chapter notes the government fears “giving people the slightest sense that Day and I aren’t being taken care of,” showing their need to maintain appearances. Yet the invasive brain scans and monitoring devices checks underscore lingering distrust, creating tension between public spectacle and private suspicion.

    3. Application Question

    If you were in June’s position, how would you interpret the doctor’s hesitation when discussing Day’s condition, and what would you do next?
    Answer:
    June notices the doctor’s facial twitch and hesitation, suggesting withheld information about Day’s health. A strategic response would mirror June’s approach: outwardly comply while privately investigating. One might request direct communication with Day (as June plans via microphone) or subtly question Anden later. The situation requires balancing concern with caution, as aggressive demands could raise red flags about one’s mental state or priorities under the Republic’s watchful eye.

    4. Critical Thinking Question

    Why does Anden’s salute evoke such a strong emotional reaction in June, and how does this detail deepen our understanding of her character?
    Answer:
    The salute painfully reminds June of her deceased brother Metias, forcing her to look down to compose herself. This moment reveals how trauma underlies her disciplined exterior—even as she engages in high-stakes politics, personal grief remains raw. The contrast between her emotional interior (“I have to focus on my feet”) and composed exterior (“Elector,” I greet him) highlights the psychological toll of her dual roles as both a mourning sister and a key political figure.

    5. Analytical Question

    What does June’s observation about Day’s “power to ignite a full-scale revolution” suggest about the changing power dynamics in the Republic?
    Answer:
    This observation underscores a seismic shift—the Republic’s stability now hinges on a former enemy (Day) rather than traditional institutions. The Senate’s fear of Day demonstrates how charismatic authority can supersede structural power. June’s analysis that he could spark revolution “with only a few choice words” reveals the fragility of the regime and the rising influence of populist voices, setting the stage for potential conflicts between the people’s loyalty and government control.

    Note