Marie Lu

Created @December 8, 2022 6:43 AM

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Marie Lu
 is the #1 New York Times
 bestselling author of the Legend
trilogy and The Young Elites
 trilogy. She graduated from the University of Southern California
and jumped into the video game industry, working for Disney
Interactive Studios as a Flash artist. Now a full-time writer, she
spends her spare time reading, drawing, playing Assassin’s Creed,
and getting stuck in traffic. She lives in Los Angeles, California (see
above: traffic), with one husband, one Chihuahua mix, and two
Pembroke Welsh corgis.

Biography of Marie Lu
Marie Lu was born in Beijing, China in 1984. Her given name is Xiwei. Although Lu
moved the United States at age 5, her early life in China greatly influenced her work.
Her mother lived through repression by the Chinese government during the Cultural
Revolution. On a walk with her aunt, 5-year-old Lu witnessed tanks and soldiers
preparing for what would become the Tiananmen Square massacre in 1989. Before
arriving to the United States., she remembers sucking on a popsicle and
observing the people as they gathered around to protest.
In 1989, Lu and her family moved to the United States, settling in Texas. She went to
college at the University of Southern California, where she studied political science. Lu
originally considered becoming a lawyer, but she ended up taking a job as an art
director for a video game company. She has said in interviews that certain elements
of Legend, such as the Skiz fights, were inspired by her love of gaming.

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 She attended the University of Southern California and interned at Disney Interactive
Studios. Before writing her first book, Lu worked as an art designer for the video game
industry.
Lu started writing as a young girl, and she wrote novels for 12 years before Legend, her
first book accepted for publication, hit bookshelves in 2011. Legend attracted attention
almost immediately - CBS Films bought the movie rights before it was even published.
Since then, Legend and its two sequels Prodigy and Champion, have made Lu a
household name among teenagers and adults.
Lu’s work stands out amongst a bevy of dystopian novels and series. An interesting
coincidence is Lu's birth year being the same as the title of George Orwell’s seminal
novel 1984. With 1984 being a foundational pillar of the dystopian genre, one might
imagine Lu’s prowess for writing dystopian stories was ordained.
Marie Lu is currently living in Pasadena, California.
As already mentioned, Marie Lu was born in China in 1984. The name she was given at
birth was Xiwei, although it is fairly common for the Chinese people to adopt a "western"
name, especially when they move to western countries. Marie Lu's bio history is pretty
short but eventful at the same time. She moved to the United States of America at the
age of 5 along with her parents in the wake of the Tiananmen protests. And her entire
life and career were built there from then on.
The first Marie Lu book that was actually published was Legend. It saw the light in 2011
and became an immediate success. It is worth noting that before she managed to get
her green light, she was writing diligently for over 12 years. Definitely, something to get
inspired by when you are thinking of searching up 'write my essay' to skip on your
college assignment.
Not all Marie Lu's books are as famous as her first one. But they are definitely worth
taking a look at if you liked Legend. Her new series, The Young Elites, drop the
dystopian theme, but the author’s style is still there.
On the other hand, even if you took up Legend just for the dystopian feel - it’s going to
be more than enough to satisfy your craving. Slap an upcoming transition to a movie or,
even better, to TV series, and you’ve got yourself a great way to make yourself busy for
at least a couple of weeks.

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 Legend by Marie Lu
The prodigy Marie Lu got her recognition specifically because of her first book Legend.
You’ve got the whole nine yards in this story. Charismatic protagonists on the different
sides of the barricades that band together in an unlikely alliance, atmospheric dystopian
megapolis, thrilling plotline, and even some romance mixed in.

Keep in mind that Legend Marie Lu wrote the first book that gave her the glory but not
the first book she has written. It’s a result of many years of meticulous practice that
culminated in success.

The Young Elites series

From the dystopian streets of Los Angeles, the Young Elites series takes us straight to
the basics of the fantasy genre. A mysterious illness that killed thousands and left the
survivors deformed. Strange powers sometimes manifest themselves within those who
defy the ailment. The inquisition hunts down those in possession of such powers in fear
of how they might use them.

It might look like there’s absolutely nothing in common between the Young Elites and
Legend for fans of the latter to find in the former. However, the dark overtones and the
typical Marie Lu writing style perseveres through the book covers. You’ll definitely find
something to hold on to if you choose to pick up this one.

Lu has said that she was inspired by the movie Les Miserables

and sought to recreate the conflict between Valjean and Javert in a
teenage version. Two other books in the planned trilogy, Prodigy
and Champion, were published in 2013.

The Warcross series

But if fantasy is just not your cup of tea and you long for that sweet dystopian feel - don’t
you worry. The Warcross Marie Lu series has got you covered on that end. Global
game, a hacker that found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, a
mysterious benefactor, and a game with a hidden purpose.

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 Although some consider these series a wildcard, Marie Lu's style is distinctly felt in
every single word. It falls very much in line with her other works and is definitely a
pleasure to read regardless of your feelings towards sci-fi or young adult novels.

FAQ About Marie Lu

Writing advice from Marie Lu

As the Legend author, Marie Lu has plenty of useful advice for aspiring writers that want
to one day see their works on the shelves of book shops. The first thing writers should
remember is that only those who do not try do not fail. Keep going even if you think
you’re not good enough. That’s temporary.

That takes us to the next point - constantly work on your writing skills. Even seemingly
non-related formats like 'do my essay for me' assignments can help you out with your
technique and the feel of the structure. Of course, you shouldn’t stick to an academic
format only. But it’s a great start.

And lastly, read as much as you can. There’s nothing wrong with drawing inspiration
from the works you like. Adapt it and make it yours. Reading the works of others will
help you figure out what works and what doesn’t without having to waste valuable time
trying it out yourself.

Who is the literary agent of Marie Lu?

Along with many big-shot writers, Marie Lu is represented by Kristin Nelson of the
Nelson Literary Agency. They have been working closely ever since the Legend book.
And this partnership couldn’t have been more productive for either of them. Marie Lu
has nothing but good things to say about her agent’s work. And it seems to be well-
deserved.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering that Nelson Literary Agency has loads
and loads of experience dealing with writers and their problems. After so many years,
they ought to be the best in the business or at least very close to it.

What are Marie Lu's favorite books?

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 Just as any successful writer Marie Lu likes to read a lot. She has a list of favorite books
that constantly expands and changes. And the reflections and tidbits of the works she
read can sometimes be seen in her own writing. Here are some of the best recent reads
Marie Lu recommends:

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter

Where She Went by Gale Forman

Watership Down by Richard Adams

Unwind by Neil Shusterman

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Redwall series by Brian Jacques

If you want to get some insight into what Marie Lu considers good writing - you can start
with these ones. But eventually, you will have to work on your own list. And don’t worry if
it doesn’t correspond with the ones you see great authors reading. To each their own.

How did Marie Lu come up with "Legend"?

The premise of the Legends trilogy has been a long time coming. One of the main
characters - the criminal boy, has been “living” in Marie Lu’s books ever since she was
15. It wasn’t until 2009, when she got inspired by the dynamic between Jean Valjean
and Javert from the movie Les Miserables that the character got a new rival and, by
extension, a second life.

It is quite interesting to see how the combination of early works, borrowed inspiration,
and pure chance resulted in a hit novel. When you are reading the Legend by Marie Lu
summary, you won’t be able to spot little details like this one. Yet, they form the
foundation for an entire series.

TV Series: Legend by Marie Lu

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 Marie Lu Legend series is currently in the pre-production stage. It was initially supposed
to be a movie. But after some shuffling and reconsideration, it transitioned into a TV
series format. This is probably a good thing as the Legend Marie Lu movie would
probably not have nearly enough time to uncover every intricacy of the plotline of the
series. On the other hand, perhaps with the longer TV show format, we’ll be able to
address some of the events that weren’t even mentioned in the books.

The Legend Marie Lu movie casting can easily be used for the show as well. It’s the
writing format that is the issue. The beats and pacing of a TV show are considerably
different from those of a movie. It’s not as easy as googling 'write my essays' and
getting your work ready in a couple of days. It will require a lot of time, effort, and editing
before the final draft can even be considered.

Luckily, Marie Lue has a great partner. The writer of Teen Wolf and Supergirl Lindsay
Sturman will be able to share her screenwriting experience and make sure the final
result is as close to perfection as possible.

The Midnight Star review

The Plot
“You cannot harden your heart to the future just because of your past. You cannot use
cruelty against yourself to justify cruelty to others.”

Adelina finally has what she’s always wanted, what she fought so hard for and what she
pushed away everyone who got too close to her for. She is the Queen of Kenettra, and
every day her Inquisition takes another city for her to add to her growing kingdom.
Adelina has succeeded in raising the malfetto’s up above everyone else, she’s
rewarded those who follow her and punished those who would hurt her, but every night
her nightmares never end as her illusions turn on her and start to slowly drive her mad.

The Midnight Star started off really strongly. We follow Adelina as she expands her
kingdom, making herself a formidable force before both her enemies and her people.
She pushes people away as her illusions whisper of threats hiding around every corner,
and she can no longer always tell the difference between reality and illusion. As in the

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 previous two books the strength in the first half of The Midnight Star was in the way
Adelina’s character developments.

“We were never meant to exist, Adelina,” he says. “And we will never exist again. But
we cannot take the entire world with us.” He meets my gaze. “No matter how it has
wronged us.”

However the second half didn’t have that same incredible development and it made the
whole book feel rushed. The Young Elites power is slowly killing them, they are children
of the Gods and not meant to survive on the Earth for long. When Adelina is betrayed
by one of her men and handed over to her enemies, to Raffaele and the remaining
members of the Dagger Society, she is forced to make a choice; her ambition and her
powers which have raised her to Queen or hers and her sisters lives.

I think the idea and the concept for The Midnight Star was a great one I just think the
book itself was too short to make it work. There was a whole new threat for the Young
Elites to face and a whole new world to explore, but neither were given the room to
grow the same way Adelina’s character has grown throughout the trilogy. Overall I still
enjoyed The Midnight Star but this was my least favourite book of the series, and The
Young Elites trilogy is my least favourite series by Marie Lu.

…The Characters
“If I’ve learned anything from my past and my present, it’s the power of fear. You can
give your subjects all the generosity in the world, and still they will demand more. But
those who are afraid don’t fight back. I know this well enough.”

Adelina seems to devolve in this book, after mastering her powers and using them at
her whim to get what she wants they’ve turned on her. She’s plagued with illusions she
can’t control, and even her closest friends are cause for suspicion as her mind twists
innocent actions into something more sinister. However despite this, and despite the
never ending nightmares each night, Adelina is still determined to keep her powers and
her throne.
“Why do you still want to find her? The whispers taunt me. Why? Why?It’s a question
they ask over and over again. And my answer is always the same. Because I decide
when she can leave. Not her.”

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 Like so much of this series at the heart of The Midnight Star is Adelina’s relationship
with her sister Violetta. At the end of The Rose Society Adelina’s illusions pushed the
two sisters apart and that divide is still there in The Midnight Star, even in the face of all
they are each willing to do for each other. It is the threat to Violetta’s life when the Young
Elites powers turn on them that moves Adelina to action, though she still faces an
intense internal battle over whether to choose hers and Violetta’s lives or the powers
which have given her so much.

“None of us are saints. I have seen your darkness, yes, and know your struggle. I won’t
deny it.” He touches my chin with one hand. At this gesture, the whispers seem to
settle, pushed away where I can’t hear them. “But you are also passionate and
ambitious and loyal. You are a thousand things, mi Adelinetta, not just one. Do not
reduce yourself to that.”
The relationship between Adelina and Magiano was another aspect of this book that felt
rushed at times. I don’t think Magiano ever got the singular character development he
needed in this book, and where in The Rose Society he was a thief out for himself we
didn’t see enough of him in this book to get a sense for how his character changed. The
romance between  him and Adelina always seemed to be pushed back by Adelina’s
illusions, and while I got a sense of her feelings for him I can’t say the same about his
feelings for her.
Asides from the relationship between Adelina and her sister the other relationship I
loved was the one between Adelina and Raffaele. In The Young Elites it seemed like it
was Raffaele turning his back on her that hurt Adelina the most. Raffaele always feared
Adelina’s powers, was always wary of her, but there was a lot of sorrow and grief mixed
in with that wariness, and despite everything Raffaele did to betray her Adelina can’t
forget the boy who was once her friend. There was a lot still between the two of them,
and I loved exploring that in this book.

…The Setting
“Like fear and fury. It is energy from another realm, threads from beneath the surface,
an immortal place never meant to be disturbed. Raffaele trembles.Something is
poisoning the world.”

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 In the first two books we learnt a little about the Gods and Angels worshipped in the
world Marie Lu created for this trilogy, and in The Midnight Star those myths are
expanded on. While I thought the myths themselves, and the origins of the Young Elites
and their powers, were well written and built upon it was the world that came with those
myths that fell flat. I don’t want to say too much, because I’m worried about spoiling this
book for those who haven’t read it yet, but while parts of the world building in this book
were amazing the parts that mattered the most in my mind, the parts which hadn’t been
built up in the first or second books, were lacklustre.

Overall The Midnight Star was a good finale, and there were plenty of things I loved
about this book as well (mainly Adelina’s character development which has been
incredible throughout this whole series). Unfortunately there were just too many things
I’d hoped would be done better, and for the last book in the trilogy The Midnight Star
failed to meet my expectations.

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