Life Before Legend: Episode 2

Legend #0.6

by Marie Lu

June's perspective

Genres: Dystopia, Fantasy, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Novella, Short Stories, Fiction

ebook

About the author

Hi there! I'm an author of mostly sci-fi/fantasy YA novels, like Legend, Warcross, The Young Elites, Skyhunter, and Stars & Smoke. My adult fantasy debut, Red City, releases this October 14, 2025.

I graduated from the University of Southern California and currently live in LA with my family. Before becoming a full-time writer, I was an Art Director at a video game company. Now I spend most of my time writing, trying to keep my plants alive, and getting stuck in traffic. I feel very honored that I get to tell you stories, and my deepest wish is always that my books can offer you some joy, solace, entertainment, and/or escape. With all my heart, thank you for reading.

Reviews

[Becs]

Guys I just spent hours trawling on the internet trying to hunt down this alleged "episode 2". What a bunch of lies!

This story is actually featured in the Life Before Legend: Stories of the Criminal and the Prodigy publication - which is basically two "episodes" (Legend 0.5 and 0.6), one of Day's perspective of his first kiss and one of June's perspective of her first day at the University (little overachiever that she is).

So don't waste time hunting around (like I stupidly did) for this mystery novella. It's literally already on your kindle probably. You can't imagine the light-bulb moment that I had. What an idiot.

[Kayla]

WAIT. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

LIFE BEFORE LEGEND #2?

IS THIS TRUE?!



THIS BETTER NOT BE A JOKE. I CAN'T. EVEN. COMPREHEND

I AM SO PUMPED FOR THIS.

[itsdanixx · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story about 12-year-old June’s first day at Drake University. Maybe I’m biased because I like June way better than Day, but this was much more interesting that the Day-first-kiss story.

[ضحى الحداد · Rating 5 out of 5]

What struck me most in this episode was Matias .. June's brother.. while I didn't appreciate him enough in the series this episode made me so heart broken for him .. I liked it very much and June is such a cool twelve years old .. I liked her most in this book :)

[crίѕтίŋα•●Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ●• · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I already know that I can’t go through Drake’s training by keeping my temper down and taking the punishment. I am officially a soldier-in-training; I’m going to fight for the Republic someday. I have to start earning my respect today.”
- June Iparis

-—-

“The school doesn’t fit me—nothing ever does. I can’t even carry on a normal conversation with my classmates for longer than thirty seconds, because what in the world do we have in common? I’m not interested in what they have to say, and half of them don’t even understand the things I want to talk about.”
I’m not normal, I see things that other people don’t see. I’m not in the same league. There’s something wrong with me.”
- June Iparis

[phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

*lower case intended*

apparently, when i was reading Legend, i was already a metias supporter until he died. hence, after this episode, i really liked the sibling moment + i liked metias more 😂💓 (i hope i'm not that weird person who liked metias more than day in legend)

anyway, i already will love anything this woman writes because her writing is fabulous 💓💓

[Saba (mybookfortress) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Behind that brain of yours is a good heart, Junebug.

I see it every day”...
“Someday, someone out there will see you for the girl you really are. Someday, you’ll find someone who understands you”
Isn’t Metias just the best brother ever???
I’m so so happy we got to see more of him in this novella.

[claire 🍉 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 / 5 🌟

oh junebug please let me protect you 😔😔😔😔

[Fatima Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Willow Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great too! In the PDF I read it on, it was just a part two to the first Life Before Legend story, so they were both on the one PDF. This was basically June's account of the last day we had from Day's perspective. They don't overlap much, except for the fact that the disturbance with the food trucks made June late to her first day at Drake. But it was cute seeing 12 year old June. And Metiassss. It was so good but sad to see him.

[Abigail Amor · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 for Daniel Altan Wing.
Day really is a strong and tough kid ! I quite like the personality he has.

Merged review:

I like June. Though she's too perfect(too smart, beautiful,and so on), that it seems like unbelievable, I still like the way she handle things, the way she think and most especially the the logic she has !

[Eleera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how the prequel gave us useful information about June. It makes some of the things in the actual series more clear.

[Samaha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this before I read Legend and it made me so heartbroken for Metais because I really got attached to him in this series and the next thing I know he's dead in Legend.

[Adamsherman10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the heck I finished life before Legend. But there is another one? Someone please tell me if this is true.

[RiRi💌 (back in January)]

Already in love with June

[paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

metias deserved better

[Alisha Brook · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

[Tayla Potayta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute seeing June in school and

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Also loved that we got June's story, since they are the main characters of the series, up to the point that I've read!

[Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“And even though I wish our parents were here, sometimes I’m really happy that this is our little family unit, just me and my brother, each watching out for no one but the other. We do the best we can.
“Everything good about me, I learned from you,” I whisper.”

[Kim]

Loved it!

[Reign · Rating 4 out of 5]

First kiss, yeah?

Merged review:

The 2nd Prodigy with a perfect score. Junebug.

[Jess the Shelf-Declared Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice introduction to June and Matias. I think I will like them.

[Fabíola Fujii · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story. Definitely like Day’s story better than June’s.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved seeing more of little june and metias. He is such a great big brother and character.

[Laia of Serra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story so much

[Landon Lentz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I need to find life after legend...

[Nani’s Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encantan mucho las historias cortas.
En esta ocasión tenemos la oportunidad de conocer un poco a June y lo difícil que lo pasa al ser una niña prodigio.
Realmente no me había dado cuenta lo difícil que podía ser para ella al leer los libros y amé totalmente este punto de vista.
Además de sentir mucho amor y ternura por el papel de Metias en su vida y lo mucho que le importaba ser un ejemplo para ella.

[Rubi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa! Even at 12, June was a badass! Haha
I love how ironically it was Day that made her late to school that day and later when she was pouting about not fitting in, her brother told her, "One day you will find someone that understands you." She certainly will.
Legend is one of my favorite series and I loved seeing this glimpse of June's life with her brother before she meets Day. Her future person. Can't wait to receive my Fairyloot deluxe editions 😍