WARNING may contain spoilers to Legend and Restricted Renegade series.


It took me three years to write Restricted Renegade. It's been getting some pretty good Reviews. It's been compared to be similar to Divergent, Renegade, Legend, and the Hunger Games (even though I don't see the similarities it has with the Hunger Games), and I'm so happy people like it.

I started reading Legend a while back when I started writing Unrestricted Rising. And I liked the similarities. ANd I absolutely love Marie Lu's writing as well.

I just started reading Prodigy and I had an "OH MY GOD" moment. The similarities between our books is almost shocking.

1. Both Legend and RR (Restricted Renegade) have healing salve. But that's been done in plenty of books. It's like one of the basic futuristic tech you'd think would exist in the future.

2. Both of the books say that the United States turned toward a period of Isolationism. This was a very uncanny similarity. But then again, it would make sense because we have to focus solely on the nation of importance, because if the nation didn't shift toward a period of isolationism, then the other nations of the world would have a role to play in the plot and story, and that is just too much for a 3-5 book series.

3. There is an absolute ruling power at the head of the hierarchy. For RR it is the President and for Legend, the Elector. Both are totalitarian dictators or some form of absolute ruling power. Of course there are specifics where they differ, but the main idea is the same.

4. Romance between a rebel guy, and a loyal citizen girl. Again, there are specifics where they differ. Regardless, the main idea is the same. But really, romance is awesome! Assuming it is done well. ANd in both series, the romance is well done. Romance adds flavor to the book. It makes it more magical in my opinion. And the whole "rebel guy and loyal citizen girl fall in love as they struggle to survive and fight to stop the corrupt nation" is a cliche. But some cliches (again, i say in my opinion) are just so good! But as always, it has to be done the right way.

5. The name of the nation. The nation of focus is called the Republic in Legend. In RR it is the Republic of Coalesce Counties. I understand why "Republic" was chosen. It sounds ominous and powerful. Even though a republic is technically a form of government where the citizens have the power, I think Marie Lu and I thought similarly and chose Republic as a name for maybe the same reason.

I chose "republic" in the name because i wanted to portray that the nation's leaders want to give the illusion or implication that their laws and practices and society was all chosen and accepted by the people. And that the people(citizens) still have the power over their nation. Even though it's obviously a lie. But it gives the impression that the nation is even more corrupt and evil that they try to brainwash their citizens into believing they live free. BAsed on what I'm reading so far and analyzing Marie Lu's writing style, i think she thought of this as well.

THe coalesce counties part, i just wanted to keep the whole "state separation" thing going on so I can have other leaders that answer to the ruling head of government. And i wanted to do something different than "districts or factions or states."

6. A strong Romantic heroine as protagonist (and/or a strong Romantic hero as a protagonist). By romantic, I am referring to the literary archetype. Meaning that they are a character that rejects established norms and conventions, has been rejected by society, and has the self as the center of his or her own existence.
Okay, they aren't EXACTLY like a romantic hero/heroine. But they have some aspects of one.
Day (Legend) is known as a criminal and a bad guy since he obviously doesn't agree with the society. David Thompson (RR) isn't hated or rejected by the society, but it's only because he puts up a visage has to act like a different person all the time. If he expressed his true persona, he would definitely be rejected by the society. Both Day and David disagree with the beliefs,laws, and practices their societies participate in.

June (Legend) is on the other side of the spectrum. She is loyal to the Republic, and she's even a prodigy. But like a romantic heroine, she strong, brave, and headstrong. Rachel (RR) is loyal to the RCC, and she's loyal and headstrong and brave. She's shy and not a very strong character in the beginning and she wasn't very accepted in Preperatory school, but she does transition into what I previously mentioned as a Romantic heroine.

these four protagonists all have a tragic flaw. ANother American Romanticism character element. I won't spoil what their flaws are. their flaws are part of the fun.

7. Two main protagonists (two perspectives) in the book. Legend is told in both June and Day's POVs. Restricted Renegade is told in both Rachel and David's POVs. I realized that most YA novels or dystopic novels are now being told in two perspectives by their two main protagonists. I honestly don't care if it "gets old" or becomes a bad "cliche". Both of the series (Legend and RR) needed the perspectives of both characters to successfully make the plot understandable and answer any questions we might have.

Sure, we could have done the same in third person point of view, but first person POV is more intimate and personal. You get to know the character's thoughts and feelings and logic as if you ARE the character, and thus you become more attached to the characters. That's why i chose first person and I'm ABSOLUTELY positive that's why Marie Lu did as well.


So these similarities being said (or what I've noticed so far) I became a little worried that my book might be seen as a rip off, given that she's the best seller and I'm the indie author. You know what? Marie Lu's book is an original and so is mine. THough those point I mentioned are eerily similar, our books have our differences. And there are alot.

So the reason why I think they are so similar is because we want to communicate the same (or similar) ideals, morals, values, and messages through our writing.

Now this blog post isn't going to be about me preaching "OH! the government is corrupt! Fight for your rights! Power to the people!"

What I want you guys to do is to read (or re-read) Legend, Prodigy, and Champion AND Restricted Renegade and Unrestricted Rising (not yet done with book 3) and try to find out what message we as the author are trying to communicate to the readers. And learn from it and take the moral and messages to heart.

Go. Seriously. Do it now.

I still have yet to read Champion and I am excited to get to it soon! :)

Ahoalton.