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Legend: The Graphic Novel #4
Rebel: The Graphic Novel
Respect the Legend. Idolize the Prodigy. Celebrate the Champion. But never underestimate the Rebel in this electrifying graphic novel adaptation of the Legend series's grand finale.
Eden Wing is a brilliant student. He’s about to graduate a year early from Ross University of the Sciences. But most people don’t introduce Eden this way. Instead, they say, “This is Eden, Daniel Wing’s younger brother.”
Ten years ago, Daniel was known as Day, the boy who led a revolution that saved the Republic of America. Day has since spent the past decade piecing together his memory of his time in the Republic, quietly hiding from the world―even if it’s meant giving up June, the love of his life.
When June suddenly steps back into Day’s life, rekindling the flames of their romance, the pair team up to rescue Eden who’s been drawn into Ross City’s dark side. But like the rest of the world, they may have underestimated Eden―what he’s capable of, where his loyalties lie, and how hard he’s willing to fight for what he believes.
Return to the world of Legend in this epic graphic novel adaptation of the pulse-pounding finale to the series, which brings to life the bestselling Rebel with full-color illustrations.
Eden Wing is a brilliant student. He’s about to graduate a year early from Ross University of the Sciences. But most people don’t introduce Eden this way. Instead, they say, “This is Eden, Daniel Wing’s younger brother.”
Ten years ago, Daniel was known as Day, the boy who led a revolution that saved the Republic of America. Day has since spent the past decade piecing together his memory of his time in the Republic, quietly hiding from the world―even if it’s meant giving up June, the love of his life.
When June suddenly steps back into Day’s life, rekindling the flames of their romance, the pair team up to rescue Eden who’s been drawn into Ross City’s dark side. But like the rest of the world, they may have underestimated Eden―what he’s capable of, where his loyalties lie, and how hard he’s willing to fight for what he believes.
Return to the world of Legend in this epic graphic novel adaptation of the pulse-pounding finale to the series, which brings to life the bestselling Rebel with full-color illustrations.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2026
About the author
Marie Lu
56 books137k followersHi 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
September 30, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's for providing me with an eARC.
It was really great going back to the Legend world again. I remember reading all the books maybe like five years back and enjoyed it a lot. I've read the full text version of Rebel as well and this graphic novel somehow manages to condense the full thing into a coherent story even at this length without losing very important information. I really like the art style, everyone looks so nice and just like what I imagined for the most part. Definitely would recommend the graphic novel version especially if you're looking for the nostalgia of this series and don't want to reread the full thing.
It was really great going back to the Legend world again. I remember reading all the books maybe like five years back and enjoyed it a lot. I've read the full text version of Rebel as well and this graphic novel somehow manages to condense the full thing into a coherent story even at this length without losing very important information. I really like the art style, everyone looks so nice and just like what I imagined for the most part. Definitely would recommend the graphic novel version especially if you're looking for the nostalgia of this series and don't want to reread the full thing.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The way I want to reread the whole Legend series now. (I have them easily accessible...I might do it.)
I've read the whole Legend series at least twice, though I think I've only picked up the first (and now this) graphic novel so far. Rebel: The Graphic Novel is exactly what it sounds like: a graphic novel version of the fourth and final book in the Marie Lu's Legend series. From what I remember, it follows the plot very closely and keeps up with the rapid pacing and tension from the original novel. I don't think any fans of the novel will be disappointed by this adaptation.
I won't go into too much detail regarding the plot because I'm assuming most readers who pick this up will already be fairly familiar with the storyline. Following the events of the original trilogy, Day and his younger brother, Eden, have moved to Antarctica, which operates on a point-based social structure. Though it may seem like a utopia, darkness lurks beneath the surface, and when Eden finds himself caught in a web of undercity politics, the brothers must work together to save the world one more time. Like I said, the pacing in the graphic novel is incredibly fast. I definitely could have read it in one sitting. I wouldn't consider it particularly twisty, but there are dashes of social commentary, action, intrigue, and romance that keep the plot interesting at all times. The ending is satisfying (especially for the series as a whole). Again, I don't think any fans of the series will be disappointed with this.
I will take any excuse to spend more time with these characters. This book focuses primarily on the relationship between Day and Eden. I enjoyed seeing Day in adulthood, especially following the aftermath of the previous book. His concern for Eden is clear and makes him even more lovable. I really liked seeing more of Eden, given he doesn't spend much time on page (as far as I can remember) in the initial trilogy. He's a stark contrast to Day in many ways, and their relationship is full of tension that enhances the story in many ways. June gets some extra page time as well, and I loved seeing her tentative interactions with Day. They really are one of my favorite book couples of all time. I also really liked Pressa, one of Eden's new friends. Her friendship with Eden is enticing and her motivations gave her decent complexity given the shortness of this adaptation. Their designs are all great - I really liked the artwork in general. The colors felt perfect for the world, the panel choices conveyed the story well, and I liked a lot of the design choices.
Rebel: The Graphic Novel is the final graphic novel adaptation in the Legend series, and I highly encourage all long-time fans to indulge in more time with June and Day.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the free e-ARC!
4.5/5
I've read the whole Legend series at least twice, though I think I've only picked up the first (and now this) graphic novel so far. Rebel: The Graphic Novel is exactly what it sounds like: a graphic novel version of the fourth and final book in the Marie Lu's Legend series. From what I remember, it follows the plot very closely and keeps up with the rapid pacing and tension from the original novel. I don't think any fans of the novel will be disappointed by this adaptation.
I won't go into too much detail regarding the plot because I'm assuming most readers who pick this up will already be fairly familiar with the storyline. Following the events of the original trilogy, Day and his younger brother, Eden, have moved to Antarctica, which operates on a point-based social structure. Though it may seem like a utopia, darkness lurks beneath the surface, and when Eden finds himself caught in a web of undercity politics, the brothers must work together to save the world one more time. Like I said, the pacing in the graphic novel is incredibly fast. I definitely could have read it in one sitting. I wouldn't consider it particularly twisty, but there are dashes of social commentary, action, intrigue, and romance that keep the plot interesting at all times. The ending is satisfying (especially for the series as a whole). Again, I don't think any fans of the series will be disappointed with this.
I will take any excuse to spend more time with these characters. This book focuses primarily on the relationship between Day and Eden. I enjoyed seeing Day in adulthood, especially following the aftermath of the previous book. His concern for Eden is clear and makes him even more lovable. I really liked seeing more of Eden, given he doesn't spend much time on page (as far as I can remember) in the initial trilogy. He's a stark contrast to Day in many ways, and their relationship is full of tension that enhances the story in many ways. June gets some extra page time as well, and I loved seeing her tentative interactions with Day. They really are one of my favorite book couples of all time. I also really liked Pressa, one of Eden's new friends. Her friendship with Eden is enticing and her motivations gave her decent complexity given the shortness of this adaptation. Their designs are all great - I really liked the artwork in general. The colors felt perfect for the world, the panel choices conveyed the story well, and I liked a lot of the design choices.
Rebel: The Graphic Novel is the final graphic novel adaptation in the Legend series, and I highly encourage all long-time fans to indulge in more time with June and Day.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the free e-ARC!
4.5/5
September 9, 2026
This was a good graphic novel adaptation!
Note: Silly me didn't realize there were graphic novel books for the previous three book so I've only read this one. If you've read the books I don't think you'll have a problem, but otherwise, don't read this as a standalone.
Note: Silly me didn't realize there were graphic novel books for the previous three book so I've only read this one. If you've read the books I don't think you'll have a problem, but otherwise, don't read this as a standalone.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
If there’s any regret I have about reading this graphic novel, is that I have never touched the series upon which it is based–Legend and its related novels by Marie Lu. I didn’t pay close enough attention to the description to realize that I probably should have read those books before diving into the comic, but…oh well!
I will be judging this as someone completely going in blind. There’s a rich world here–a Republic of America, a skyscraper-filled Antarctica (!!), and a decadent Undercity where drone races run rampant along with crime.
The story starts after a rebellion by Daniel, and all seems to be well and good, except Daniel’s brother Eden is struggling to forge his own identity detached from his famous brother.
One of the most curious things about this story is the Level System, where people are assigned numbers that designate their status in life. You can earn points and gain points at any time, although I don’t know how much change the points can do to the Level System if the points are on the lower side. But we see it in action when Eden gets into a fight with bullies at school who like to mess with him about his brother. He loses ten points for “accosting” his bully.
Anyway, the Level System is the whole driver of conflict in this graphic novel. It’s supposed to make life more convenient and easy, but actually, people are in a way enslaved to this system. If your Level number is too low, for example, you can’t get the medication you need to treat your serious illness. It’s class division stratified.
Eden does drone racing to test out his new engine he’s been designing for years, and wins the race, which catches the eye of Mr. Hann, who wants the core of the engine to be added to his giant machine built under the undercity. The machine is designed to destroy the Level System, which appears to be implanted in every human, and Eden’s invention does the trick as the kill switch.
However, we learn that Mr. Hann is manipulative and can’t be trusted, despite his sad backstory as a creature of the underworld and an honest desire to break the system for good. Or so Eden thinks…until the idea occurs to him that maybe Mr. Hann wants to reshape the System in his own image and control everyone.
I think that’s a really interesting story! Eden’s brother Daniel appears often in the tale, along with his not-so-ex-girlfriend (can’t remember her name), as well as Eden’s best friend and soon-to-be-girlfriend (whose name I also can’t remember). The girls are kind of side characters to me and I didn’t find them memorable enough–just as objects of affection. Daniel comes and goes as Eden’s annoying protective older brother (that’s Eden’s POV) and we get bits and pieces of the larger plot that was created in the Legend series and its aftermath. Because I never read those books, these little moments didn’t mean anything to me, but might mean something extra special (especially in terms of closure) for fans of the series.
I really like the art in this comic. I am always on the hunt for expressive faces, and I think the depictions of grief work really well, as well as images of trauma being re-experienced. I really love the coloring in the comic, though. Bright and brilliant or blue and gray and moody in other places. Just a great variety of shades to make it interesting.
So, having no idea what any of this was about, did I have a good time reading it? Yes, I did. But I kept feeling the emptiness of not knowing the overarching story from the books. The main plot was exciting but the side scenes with the characters–the former leads of the books–didn’t mean that much emotionally to me. Again, I do believe they will resonate with fans already familiar with the book.
I think a fair score for me would be four stars just because the main Level System and uprising related to that was so interesting.
I will be judging this as someone completely going in blind. There’s a rich world here–a Republic of America, a skyscraper-filled Antarctica (!!), and a decadent Undercity where drone races run rampant along with crime.
The story starts after a rebellion by Daniel, and all seems to be well and good, except Daniel’s brother Eden is struggling to forge his own identity detached from his famous brother.
One of the most curious things about this story is the Level System, where people are assigned numbers that designate their status in life. You can earn points and gain points at any time, although I don’t know how much change the points can do to the Level System if the points are on the lower side. But we see it in action when Eden gets into a fight with bullies at school who like to mess with him about his brother. He loses ten points for “accosting” his bully.
Anyway, the Level System is the whole driver of conflict in this graphic novel. It’s supposed to make life more convenient and easy, but actually, people are in a way enslaved to this system. If your Level number is too low, for example, you can’t get the medication you need to treat your serious illness. It’s class division stratified.
Eden does drone racing to test out his new engine he’s been designing for years, and wins the race, which catches the eye of Mr. Hann, who wants the core of the engine to be added to his giant machine built under the undercity. The machine is designed to destroy the Level System, which appears to be implanted in every human, and Eden’s invention does the trick as the kill switch.
However, we learn that Mr. Hann is manipulative and can’t be trusted, despite his sad backstory as a creature of the underworld and an honest desire to break the system for good. Or so Eden thinks…until the idea occurs to him that maybe Mr. Hann wants to reshape the System in his own image and control everyone.
I think that’s a really interesting story! Eden’s brother Daniel appears often in the tale, along with his not-so-ex-girlfriend (can’t remember her name), as well as Eden’s best friend and soon-to-be-girlfriend (whose name I also can’t remember). The girls are kind of side characters to me and I didn’t find them memorable enough–just as objects of affection. Daniel comes and goes as Eden’s annoying protective older brother (that’s Eden’s POV) and we get bits and pieces of the larger plot that was created in the Legend series and its aftermath. Because I never read those books, these little moments didn’t mean anything to me, but might mean something extra special (especially in terms of closure) for fans of the series.
I really like the art in this comic. I am always on the hunt for expressive faces, and I think the depictions of grief work really well, as well as images of trauma being re-experienced. I really love the coloring in the comic, though. Bright and brilliant or blue and gray and moody in other places. Just a great variety of shades to make it interesting.
So, having no idea what any of this was about, did I have a good time reading it? Yes, I did. But I kept feeling the emptiness of not knowing the overarching story from the books. The main plot was exciting but the side scenes with the characters–the former leads of the books–didn’t mean that much emotionally to me. Again, I do believe they will resonate with fans already familiar with the book.
I think a fair score for me would be four stars just because the main Level System and uprising related to that was so interesting.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Roaring Brook Press for giving me access to this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
First, I love Marie Lu. I’m a huge fan and have read / will read anything she writes.
Secondly, I really enjoy graphic novels. I like to read them myself but I also appreciate how they can make books seem less intimidating to readers. I’ve read a few ‘classic’ books via graphic novel (Animal Farm, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Lottery, etc) and consumed them in one day. It’s awesome that Marie Lu decided to offer her Legends series as a set of graphic novels.
Rebel is Book 4 in the Legend series. I’ve read the full series of books but this is my first of the series that I’ve read as a graphic novel. While readers can still enjoy Rebel without having read the previous books / previous graphic novels, there are things that have a much deeper meaning because I know the history of the characters. There are also names mentioned in Rebel that are from the previous books but not in Rebel so it helps to understand what is being referenced.
Rebel continues to follow the lives of Day and his brother Eden, set ten years after the end of book 3. Eden is a talented and promising inventor and Day is doing what he can to keep Eden safe. Indeed, Day is so focused on Eden’s safety that he misses how much Eden is growing up and changing. Eden gets involved in dangerous underground activity and Day has to decide, again, which side he is on. A less prominent but still important storyline involves June. I don’t want to give spoilers if folks haven’t read earlier books, but I will say that some of the plotlines from book 3 (that I personally didn’t love) are addressed in Rebel. It becomes clear that Day and June work better together and that Day has another ally in his brother Eden, if Day can trust himself enough to let Eden become his own person and make his own decisions.
Rebel is well-adapted into a graphic novel. The storyline is maintained, even with less words on the page and with some of the action taking place between the cells of the comics. I like that not every single thing is drawn or written out but instead readers are trusted to follow the story arc. The illustrations are incredible. The characters are not exactly how I envisioned them in my mind, but I like that I was surprised.
This is a great read for middle grade and up. Themes in rebel include family trauma, class system, power and control, love, and uncertainty. There are romantic relationships but no real spice on the page (some kissing). I really enjoyed it and feel it makes a perfect conclusion to an excellent series!
TW: death, plotting, uprising, bullying, lies
First, I love Marie Lu. I’m a huge fan and have read / will read anything she writes.
Secondly, I really enjoy graphic novels. I like to read them myself but I also appreciate how they can make books seem less intimidating to readers. I’ve read a few ‘classic’ books via graphic novel (Animal Farm, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Lottery, etc) and consumed them in one day. It’s awesome that Marie Lu decided to offer her Legends series as a set of graphic novels.
Rebel is Book 4 in the Legend series. I’ve read the full series of books but this is my first of the series that I’ve read as a graphic novel. While readers can still enjoy Rebel without having read the previous books / previous graphic novels, there are things that have a much deeper meaning because I know the history of the characters. There are also names mentioned in Rebel that are from the previous books but not in Rebel so it helps to understand what is being referenced.
Rebel continues to follow the lives of Day and his brother Eden, set ten years after the end of book 3. Eden is a talented and promising inventor and Day is doing what he can to keep Eden safe. Indeed, Day is so focused on Eden’s safety that he misses how much Eden is growing up and changing. Eden gets involved in dangerous underground activity and Day has to decide, again, which side he is on. A less prominent but still important storyline involves June. I don’t want to give spoilers if folks haven’t read earlier books, but I will say that some of the plotlines from book 3 (that I personally didn’t love) are addressed in Rebel. It becomes clear that Day and June work better together and that Day has another ally in his brother Eden, if Day can trust himself enough to let Eden become his own person and make his own decisions.
Rebel is well-adapted into a graphic novel. The storyline is maintained, even with less words on the page and with some of the action taking place between the cells of the comics. I like that not every single thing is drawn or written out but instead readers are trusted to follow the story arc. The illustrations are incredible. The characters are not exactly how I envisioned them in my mind, but I like that I was surprised.
This is a great read for middle grade and up. Themes in rebel include family trauma, class system, power and control, love, and uncertainty. There are romantic relationships but no real spice on the page (some kissing). I really enjoyed it and feel it makes a perfect conclusion to an excellent series!
TW: death, plotting, uprising, bullying, lies
September 11, 2026
“We can’t save the world, Daniel. But we still try, anyway. One day at a time.”
Eden Wing has always been overshadowed by his older brother, Day’s, past. Despite being a gifted scholar nearing an early graduation from Ross University of the Sciences, Eden is still primarily recognized as Day’s little brother. A decade earlier, Day became a symbol of rebellion after helping overthrow the Republic of America. Since then, he has lived in isolation, struggling to uncover the memories he lost and staying away from June, the woman he never stopped loving. Their paths cross again, bringing old feelings back. Together, they journey into the dangerous underworld of Ross City to find Eden after he becomes entangled in its criminal world. But saving him may prove more complicated than expected, as Eden’s true ambitions, alliances, and determination come to light.
Rebel: The Graphic Novel did a wonderful job translating the original story into a visual format. The adaptation stays close to the novel while preserving its pace and sense of urgency—Vanderklugt did a spectacular job with this. The story moves incredibly quickly and could easily be finished in one sitting, which is how I read it. Even though I’ve read the original story, I didn’t find it predictable; there’s enough action, romance, political tension, and social commentary to keep things fast paced. I also thought the conclusion worked especially well as an ending to the entire series. While I enjoyed many parts of the graphic novel, the characters were probably my favorite aspect of the adaptation. The focus on Day and Eden as adults was refreshing. Kaari’s artwork was another strong suit of the story. I loved the color choices, panel layouts, and overall visual style: all of which fit how I’ve been imagining the characters since I read the original series when it came out. Overall, Rebel: The Graphic Novel was an enjoyable return to the Legend universe. I’m generally hesitant about sequels or additions to series that already had a completed ending, but I think Rebel successfully expands the world and gives these characters a worthwhile continuation. I’d definitely recommend it to fans of the original series, especially anyone who wants more time with Day, June, and Eden.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank Roaring Brook Press and NetGalley for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
Eden Wing has always been overshadowed by his older brother, Day’s, past. Despite being a gifted scholar nearing an early graduation from Ross University of the Sciences, Eden is still primarily recognized as Day’s little brother. A decade earlier, Day became a symbol of rebellion after helping overthrow the Republic of America. Since then, he has lived in isolation, struggling to uncover the memories he lost and staying away from June, the woman he never stopped loving. Their paths cross again, bringing old feelings back. Together, they journey into the dangerous underworld of Ross City to find Eden after he becomes entangled in its criminal world. But saving him may prove more complicated than expected, as Eden’s true ambitions, alliances, and determination come to light.
Rebel: The Graphic Novel did a wonderful job translating the original story into a visual format. The adaptation stays close to the novel while preserving its pace and sense of urgency—Vanderklugt did a spectacular job with this. The story moves incredibly quickly and could easily be finished in one sitting, which is how I read it. Even though I’ve read the original story, I didn’t find it predictable; there’s enough action, romance, political tension, and social commentary to keep things fast paced. I also thought the conclusion worked especially well as an ending to the entire series. While I enjoyed many parts of the graphic novel, the characters were probably my favorite aspect of the adaptation. The focus on Day and Eden as adults was refreshing. Kaari’s artwork was another strong suit of the story. I loved the color choices, panel layouts, and overall visual style: all of which fit how I’ve been imagining the characters since I read the original series when it came out. Overall, Rebel: The Graphic Novel was an enjoyable return to the Legend universe. I’m generally hesitant about sequels or additions to series that already had a completed ending, but I think Rebel successfully expands the world and gives these characters a worthwhile continuation. I’d definitely recommend it to fans of the original series, especially anyone who wants more time with Day, June, and Eden.
Pine Reads Review would like to thank Roaring Brook Press and NetGalley for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for reviews, author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!
September 22, 2026
I didn't think I'd have time to read the next novella of the last series, so I hopped over to Rebel: The Graphic Novel by Marie Lu, adapted by Kyla Vanderklugt and illustrated by Kaari and it was such a fun and quick read! I loved the Legend novels and I remember Rebel coming out as a surprise, so I was equally surprised and delighted when it got the graphic novel treatment too!
Since it's been a few years since I read Rebel, I couldn't quite remember the story all that well. I just remembered it had some more focus on Eden, Daniel's brother. We do still get that vibe and we still get to keep up with Daniel (Day) and June too! The switching of point of views feels different in a graphic novel as there's no chapter header, you just suddenly see a different character in the panels. Whether you want to say it's easier or harder is up to you. I felt like it was pretty easy, but I am not a savvy graphic novel or comic reader.
I did enjoy coming back to this dystopic world again! It was a finely crafted world and Marie's talents truly shine! Of course, we have to thank Kaari for these gorgeous illustrations as well because they are beautiful. I love the style of the characters, how it's not too sharp or too soft, but that right kind of blend! And then Vanderklugt's adaptation is amazing. I mean, you take a 300+ page novel and turn it into a 200 page graphic novel and never lose the feeling of the story itself. That's wicked talented!
I love reading graphic novels of novels I previously read. One might call it "redundant" but I don't see it that way. You're reading it in a new form and seeing the story in a new light, quite literally too!
Rebel was a fast paced read that kept me turning the pages and roving over the panels as fast as I could as I really didn't remember the story from the first time around, so I was eager to see how things would turn out. I love that we got to see more of Eden and let his story shine through, while also offering us longtime fans more time with Day and June! This was a phenomenal read and I just loved it!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
Since it's been a few years since I read Rebel, I couldn't quite remember the story all that well. I just remembered it had some more focus on Eden, Daniel's brother. We do still get that vibe and we still get to keep up with Daniel (Day) and June too! The switching of point of views feels different in a graphic novel as there's no chapter header, you just suddenly see a different character in the panels. Whether you want to say it's easier or harder is up to you. I felt like it was pretty easy, but I am not a savvy graphic novel or comic reader.
I did enjoy coming back to this dystopic world again! It was a finely crafted world and Marie's talents truly shine! Of course, we have to thank Kaari for these gorgeous illustrations as well because they are beautiful. I love the style of the characters, how it's not too sharp or too soft, but that right kind of blend! And then Vanderklugt's adaptation is amazing. I mean, you take a 300+ page novel and turn it into a 200 page graphic novel and never lose the feeling of the story itself. That's wicked talented!
I love reading graphic novels of novels I previously read. One might call it "redundant" but I don't see it that way. You're reading it in a new form and seeing the story in a new light, quite literally too!
Rebel was a fast paced read that kept me turning the pages and roving over the panels as fast as I could as I really didn't remember the story from the first time around, so I was eager to see how things would turn out. I love that we got to see more of Eden and let his story shine through, while also offering us longtime fans more time with Day and June! This was a phenomenal read and I just loved it!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I didn’t realize this was the fourth book in a series set after the events of the Legend trilogy, but honestly, I don’t think it hindered my enjoyment of the story. If anything, it’s made me want to go and pick up the original trilogy and then revisit Rebel!
Eden is a brilliant inventor and disillusioned with the disparity he witnesses every day. There is a divide between the Undercity and the Sky Floors, and a level system in place that essentially dictates your class. Dystopia at its finest. This story focuses on Eden and his complicated relationship with his older brother Daniel, who led a revolution that saved the Republic of America in the past. All Daniel cares about is Eden’s safety, but this causes the brothers to clash as Daniel himself takes on risky assignments. Eden is tired of seeing his brother put himself in danger and has a moral compass of his own that he intends to follow. The story really picks up when we learn that Eden’s creation of a perpetual engine catches the eye of a dangerous man in the Undercity. Hann is quite the antagonist! His backstory is heart-aching as he is a product of this backwards level system. Unfortunately for everyone, he is seeking retribution in an extremely dangerous way. Rebel is fast-paced, high-action, and high-stakes! There's also a deeper emotional layer to this story, which I appreciated as well.
I loved the romance we get between Daniel and June…there’s clearly a lot of history there from the prior books that I can’t wait to go back and explore. I was so invested in them and was eating up every scene and interaction Marie gave us!
It was a super quick read that you won’t want to put down. I adored consuming this story in a graphic novel format. The art was so gorgeous and really added a level of immersion to the story! Marie’s writing is impeccable as always, and I cannot wait to dive into the Legend series soon!
Eden is a brilliant inventor and disillusioned with the disparity he witnesses every day. There is a divide between the Undercity and the Sky Floors, and a level system in place that essentially dictates your class. Dystopia at its finest. This story focuses on Eden and his complicated relationship with his older brother Daniel, who led a revolution that saved the Republic of America in the past. All Daniel cares about is Eden’s safety, but this causes the brothers to clash as Daniel himself takes on risky assignments. Eden is tired of seeing his brother put himself in danger and has a moral compass of his own that he intends to follow. The story really picks up when we learn that Eden’s creation of a perpetual engine catches the eye of a dangerous man in the Undercity. Hann is quite the antagonist! His backstory is heart-aching as he is a product of this backwards level system. Unfortunately for everyone, he is seeking retribution in an extremely dangerous way. Rebel is fast-paced, high-action, and high-stakes! There's also a deeper emotional layer to this story, which I appreciated as well.
I loved the romance we get between Daniel and June…there’s clearly a lot of history there from the prior books that I can’t wait to go back and explore. I was so invested in them and was eating up every scene and interaction Marie gave us!
It was a super quick read that you won’t want to put down. I adored consuming this story in a graphic novel format. The art was so gorgeous and really added a level of immersion to the story! Marie’s writing is impeccable as always, and I cannot wait to dive into the Legend series soon!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
(FOR CONTEXT: i received this book from Netgalley (holy moly thank you SO much) thinking that it was another series written by Marie Lu… not a continuation/spin off of the Legend series. so, for the past month ish, i have listened to the fanmade audiobooks for all three books and was about to listen to the fourth when i decided i didn’t want to wait and dove right into this. i had no prior knowledge to this series besides it being dystopian, and i think this is one that i will forever hold close to my heart. now, onto the review).
AAAHHHHHHHHHHHH. WHAT?! A TRILOGY?! NEVER! the last book ended left me in shambles, pieces, but this one picked them all up, one at a time, and stitched it seamlessly back together.
i am one who normally rates all graphic novels 4/5 stars (because they’re fun and i have a great time reading them) but i might give this one 6????
getting to actually see the characters on page for the first time was such a treat. every one looked amazing and i loved how much Eden really shined in his own story while also including some of the best June x Daniel content of the series. the only tiny thing i wish was added would be more onomatopoeias in the action scenes. they’re always my favorite to read and it adds a little more *umph* to a panel. i’m sure this is missing details that the book provides, and i will be returning to the Rebel audiobook to listen to the comparison, but this is the best story to tie up this series. i’m so happy i was able to experience this story all at once and meet these amazing characters (all because i blatantly don’t do my needed research 😂).
i am running (safely driving) to my nearest bookstore and grabbing the novels as well as all of the currently released graphic novels of this series to add to my shelves.
(FOR CONTEXT: i received this book from Netgalley (holy moly thank you SO much) thinking that it was another series written by Marie Lu… not a continuation/spin off of the Legend series. so, for the past month ish, i have listened to the fanmade audiobooks for all three books and was about to listen to the fourth when i decided i didn’t want to wait and dove right into this. i had no prior knowledge to this series besides it being dystopian, and i think this is one that i will forever hold close to my heart. now, onto the review).
AAAHHHHHHHHHHHH. WHAT?! A TRILOGY?! NEVER! the last book ended left me in shambles, pieces, but this one picked them all up, one at a time, and stitched it seamlessly back together.
i am one who normally rates all graphic novels 4/5 stars (because they’re fun and i have a great time reading them) but i might give this one 6????
getting to actually see the characters on page for the first time was such a treat. every one looked amazing and i loved how much Eden really shined in his own story while also including some of the best June x Daniel content of the series. the only tiny thing i wish was added would be more onomatopoeias in the action scenes. they’re always my favorite to read and it adds a little more *umph* to a panel. i’m sure this is missing details that the book provides, and i will be returning to the Rebel audiobook to listen to the comparison, but this is the best story to tie up this series. i’m so happy i was able to experience this story all at once and meet these amazing characters (all because i blatantly don’t do my needed research 😂).
i am running (safely driving) to my nearest bookstore and grabbing the novels as well as all of the currently released graphic novels of this series to add to my shelves.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5/5⭐
This is maybe the best conclusion to a book series I have ever read. First off, after the ending of Champion (Legend book 3), I thought I would just have to deal with the fact of always being upset at these characters because of how they ended things but noooo, this fixed ALL my issues with the ending of Champion and I love Marie for it!!!
The art is gorgeous and I loved seeing what all the original characters looked like after so many years after the original trilogy!
(This is of course an adaptation so none of these are spoilers since the actual book is already out).
Also, I have to say I'm sooooooo glad Daniel finally cut his hair, the long hair did him dirty for too long.
The plot was good! of course this was really quick compared to what I read of the full book (which I haven't finished yet) but it is just as good!
I liked how the point system was portrayed and getting to learn more about Antarctica.
The new characters were absolutely amazing! I love how this one focused on Edan instead of June or Daniel he was just as interesting of a character!
I loved Pressa! All the relationships and friendships were portrayed so well and even Daniel and Edan got some brotherly moments!
Of course, I have to mention my girl June who is still such an amazing character!
Last, and definitely not least, that ending was beautiful and everything I could have ever wanted and all these characters deserved it! The art was on point, and the style was perfect for this book!
I'd definitely recommend to lovers of the original series and to people who've never even heard of the series!
This is maybe the best conclusion to a book series I have ever read. First off, after the ending of Champion (Legend book 3), I thought I would just have to deal with the fact of always being upset at these characters because of how they ended things but noooo, this fixed ALL my issues with the ending of Champion and I love Marie for it!!!
The art is gorgeous and I loved seeing what all the original characters looked like after so many years after the original trilogy!
(This is of course an adaptation so none of these are spoilers since the actual book is already out).
Also, I have to say I'm sooooooo glad Daniel finally cut his hair, the long hair did him dirty for too long.
The plot was good! of course this was really quick compared to what I read of the full book (which I haven't finished yet) but it is just as good!
I liked how the point system was portrayed and getting to learn more about Antarctica.
The new characters were absolutely amazing! I love how this one focused on Edan instead of June or Daniel he was just as interesting of a character!
I loved Pressa! All the relationships and friendships were portrayed so well and even Daniel and Edan got some brotherly moments!
Of course, I have to mention my girl June who is still such an amazing character!
Last, and definitely not least, that ending was beautiful and everything I could have ever wanted and all these characters deserved it! The art was on point, and the style was perfect for this book!
I'd definitely recommend to lovers of the original series and to people who've never even heard of the series!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Marie Lu, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and NetGalley for providing an ARC for review. All opinions are my own.
This series of Graphic Novels are a perfect companion to the books. I read the original trilogy in middle school, and this series has had a special place in my heart since then. It is a series I've recommended to so many people, because when I read it, I was so invested that I couldn't put it down. And I'm still just as invested 7 years later considering how quickly I requested, preordered, and read this.
It follows the main points of the story, with stunning visuals of the characters we've grown to love. And I really loved seeing how Daniel and Eden are so similar, and yet they have such a hard time being vulnerable with each other. They both have issues based on their trauma—Daniel still feels a constant need to protect Eden, like he did when Eden was a kid. And Eden feels like Daniel has just moved on from their past completely and has adjusted to their new life perfectly. And yet, those perceptions are far from the truth, and the moment they realize it is so beautifully depicted. The Graphic Novel shows the best and worst of the Wing siblings, and even when they don't see eye to eye, at the end of they day they have each other's back and will do anything to take care of the people they love... even if it's illegal. The visuals just make me love the series a little more,
Reading the Graphic Novels keeps this world alive for a little longer, and I'm so excited that I'll be able to finally have the entire series of Graphic Novels on my shelf later this year.
This series of Graphic Novels are a perfect companion to the books. I read the original trilogy in middle school, and this series has had a special place in my heart since then. It is a series I've recommended to so many people, because when I read it, I was so invested that I couldn't put it down. And I'm still just as invested 7 years later considering how quickly I requested, preordered, and read this.
It follows the main points of the story, with stunning visuals of the characters we've grown to love. And I really loved seeing how Daniel and Eden are so similar, and yet they have such a hard time being vulnerable with each other. They both have issues based on their trauma—Daniel still feels a constant need to protect Eden, like he did when Eden was a kid. And Eden feels like Daniel has just moved on from their past completely and has adjusted to their new life perfectly. And yet, those perceptions are far from the truth, and the moment they realize it is so beautifully depicted. The Graphic Novel shows the best and worst of the Wing siblings, and even when they don't see eye to eye, at the end of they day they have each other's back and will do anything to take care of the people they love... even if it's illegal. The visuals just make me love the series a little more,
Reading the Graphic Novels keeps this world alive for a little longer, and I'm so excited that I'll be able to finally have the entire series of Graphic Novels on my shelf later this year.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for an ARC of Rebel: The Graphic Novel!
I was really excited when I saw this title on NetGalley. I LOVED the Legend Trilogy when I was younger and I got so excited when I found out there was more!
Unfortunately, I'm a little disappointed. First of all, I really liked the art style. It was fast-paced with tons of action and a lot of reflection not only from Eden, but Day (Daniel) too. I found the story itself fun, when I forget that it's a continuation of a previous story.
It doesn't quite hold up for me as a continuation. While I was glad to see Day and June finally get together (that was my biggest gripe with Champion), I feel like the way Champion ended, it should have stayed that way? I feel like we should have been just left to wonder what happened after it ended. I also don't really like that Day was basically thrust into another rebellion. In my opinion, it almost cheapens the war he ended in the Republic.
Eden was also really stubborn amd reckless and he honestly wasn't how I remembered him. But again, it's been over a decade since I read the original trilogy. And as much as this story was supposed to be about him, I think he got overshadowed by Day. At least in this version, that is. I don't know how he's portrayed in the novel version of Rebel.
Overall, I think it's a good story on its own, but not as a continuation of the Legend Trilogy. It's enjoyable, but falls flat in places.
I was really excited when I saw this title on NetGalley. I LOVED the Legend Trilogy when I was younger and I got so excited when I found out there was more!
Unfortunately, I'm a little disappointed. First of all, I really liked the art style. It was fast-paced with tons of action and a lot of reflection not only from Eden, but Day (Daniel) too. I found the story itself fun, when I forget that it's a continuation of a previous story.
It doesn't quite hold up for me as a continuation. While I was glad to see Day and June finally get together (that was my biggest gripe with Champion), I feel like the way Champion ended, it should have stayed that way? I feel like we should have been just left to wonder what happened after it ended. I also don't really like that Day was basically thrust into another rebellion. In my opinion, it almost cheapens the war he ended in the Republic.
Eden was also really stubborn amd reckless and he honestly wasn't how I remembered him. But again, it's been over a decade since I read the original trilogy. And as much as this story was supposed to be about him, I think he got overshadowed by Day. At least in this version, that is. I don't know how he's portrayed in the novel version of Rebel.
Overall, I think it's a good story on its own, but not as a continuation of the Legend Trilogy. It's enjoyable, but falls flat in places.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First off, thank you so much to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, NetGalley, and Marie Lu for this Advanced Reader Copy!!!
Second off. Wow. Five out five stars. Literally, I am speechless and immediately gobbled this entire graphic novel in one sitting once I got approved.
I read the entire Legend triology plus Rebel back when I was in middle school and oh, have I missed Marie Lu's books so much. The ending of Champion left me wonder what Day and June were going to be up to next and Rebel is exactly what picks them right off seven years with now more focused onto Eden and Antartica's level systems.
The visuals, the emotions, the flashbacks, the relationships, the friendships, the way everything is visualized straight from the novel itself. Absolutely stunning and amazing now to see the art and the plot finally drawn in full color. The story is fast-paced filled with action, tension, and emotion from Daniel finally letting go of what potential Eden has to rebuilding his relationship with June.
Also I'm squealing about the endings for all the characters! Overall, I highly recommend the series for anyone who hasn't heard of them as it's very action-packed and represents a lot about real life struggles today!
Second off. Wow. Five out five stars. Literally, I am speechless and immediately gobbled this entire graphic novel in one sitting once I got approved.
I read the entire Legend triology plus Rebel back when I was in middle school and oh, have I missed Marie Lu's books so much. The ending of Champion left me wonder what Day and June were going to be up to next and Rebel is exactly what picks them right off seven years with now more focused onto Eden and Antartica's level systems.
The visuals, the emotions, the flashbacks, the relationships, the friendships, the way everything is visualized straight from the novel itself. Absolutely stunning and amazing now to see the art and the plot finally drawn in full color. The story is fast-paced filled with action, tension, and emotion from Daniel finally letting go of what potential Eden has to rebuilding his relationship with June.
Also I'm squealing about the endings for all the characters! Overall, I highly recommend the series for anyone who hasn't heard of them as it's very action-packed and represents a lot about real life struggles today!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a really solid graphic novel adaptation of the fourth book in the Legend series by Marie Lu. I absolutely loved the original trilogy and read Rebel when it first came out, but I'd forgotten a lot of the details over the years. It was so much fun revisiting the story in a fresh format, and it made me want to go back and reread the entire series.
The artwork does a fantastic job of capturing the action and emotion without ever feeling cluttered. If you've already read the novel, I think you'll enjoy seeing some of your favorite moments this way. And if you're new to the series, this feels like a really accessible entry point.
I also think this adaptation has the potential to introduce a whole new generation of readers to the Legend universe. Graphic novels continue to be such a popular format, and this one is a great example of how to adapt a beloved story without losing what made it special in the first place.
One small recommendation: if you have the option, I'd definitely read this in print rather than digitally. That's true for most graphic novels, but especially here. It's much easier to appreciate the artwork, follow the panel layouts, and flip back if you want to revisit a previous page.
The artwork does a fantastic job of capturing the action and emotion without ever feeling cluttered. If you've already read the novel, I think you'll enjoy seeing some of your favorite moments this way. And if you're new to the series, this feels like a really accessible entry point.
I also think this adaptation has the potential to introduce a whole new generation of readers to the Legend universe. Graphic novels continue to be such a popular format, and this one is a great example of how to adapt a beloved story without losing what made it special in the first place.
One small recommendation: if you have the option, I'd definitely read this in print rather than digitally. That's true for most graphic novels, but especially here. It's much easier to appreciate the artwork, follow the panel layouts, and flip back if you want to revisit a previous page.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞'𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 .ᐟ review #13
I think this was a wonderful conclusion to an amazing book series. I have not yet read the novel version of this book, but I will be making sure that I will sometime soon. I absolutely love this series, so I was happy to read the graphic novel version of Rebel, which follow's Daniel's (Day) younger brother Eden Wing.
The art was very beautiful and it's been a while since I've read the series so it was nice to see how the characters were represented and drawn. The plot was pretty good, and I liked the parts about Antarctica's point/level system and how that affected daily life. It was nice that the focus of the story was on Eden instead of Daniel or June, and he was a very interesting main character. I probably do like the main trilogy better, but the characters in this one were also great, like Pressa. Her relationship and friendship with Eden was wonderful. I thought the ending was perfect, and it really ended the entire series without any loose threads, which I liked.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an e-ARC of this graphic novel!
(Shoutout to June for still being a diva).
I think this was a wonderful conclusion to an amazing book series. I have not yet read the novel version of this book, but I will be making sure that I will sometime soon. I absolutely love this series, so I was happy to read the graphic novel version of Rebel, which follow's Daniel's (Day) younger brother Eden Wing.
The art was very beautiful and it's been a while since I've read the series so it was nice to see how the characters were represented and drawn. The plot was pretty good, and I liked the parts about Antarctica's point/level system and how that affected daily life. It was nice that the focus of the story was on Eden instead of Daniel or June, and he was a very interesting main character. I probably do like the main trilogy better, but the characters in this one were also great, like Pressa. Her relationship and friendship with Eden was wonderful. I thought the ending was perfect, and it really ended the entire series without any loose threads, which I liked.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for an e-ARC of this graphic novel!
(Shoutout to June for still being a diva).
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press, Marie Lu, Kaari (Illustrator), and Kyla Vanderklugt (Adapter) for the opportunity to read Rebel: The Graphic Novel in exchange for an honest review.
I love the Legend series. I have the original trilogy graphic novel set both digital and physical, and always aim to have copies in my classroom. What an exciting treat to get to experience Rebel: The Graphic Novel in all its illustriousness months before its release!
If you have not read Legend, you MUST! It is a dystopian series that explores a controlled society through means of which I will not say as spoilers. Rebel takes place ten years later and also explores a form of rebellion in a society that seem structured and well off, but with a system that doesn't work well for the poor.
An excellent adaptation with amazing artwork. I already have this in my shopping cart! I can't wait to read this again in all its physical beauty. Great characterization, storytelling, and yet another lesson about how ideas in society may seem great, but there is always an underlying concern for those who might instigate a rebellion.
I love the Legend series. I have the original trilogy graphic novel set both digital and physical, and always aim to have copies in my classroom. What an exciting treat to get to experience Rebel: The Graphic Novel in all its illustriousness months before its release!
If you have not read Legend, you MUST! It is a dystopian series that explores a controlled society through means of which I will not say as spoilers. Rebel takes place ten years later and also explores a form of rebellion in a society that seem structured and well off, but with a system that doesn't work well for the poor.
An excellent adaptation with amazing artwork. I already have this in my shopping cart! I can't wait to read this again in all its physical beauty. Great characterization, storytelling, and yet another lesson about how ideas in society may seem great, but there is always an underlying concern for those who might instigate a rebellion.
May 3, 2026
Received as an ARC through NetGalley
I received this graphic novel through NetGalley before realizing that I haven’t read the previous ones before, so this review will just be about this particular story and when I finish the other ones in the future, I will update the review.
I did enjoy this graphic novel, especially how the plot line was intriguing with how people are assorted into different levels based on the deeds they do or what they have. To me, it is a very degrading system to keep people from leveling up to higher levels and bettering themselves and I can understand why people would want change. But the way to go about the change is challenging as it really depends on the answer of do the ends justify the means? It really makes you question what you would do to change systems. I did also like how deeply the brothers, Eden and Day, care about each other even if they have a rough time of showing it.
I look forward to reading the preceding novels in order to understand the full story.
I received this graphic novel through NetGalley before realizing that I haven’t read the previous ones before, so this review will just be about this particular story and when I finish the other ones in the future, I will update the review.
I did enjoy this graphic novel, especially how the plot line was intriguing with how people are assorted into different levels based on the deeds they do or what they have. To me, it is a very degrading system to keep people from leveling up to higher levels and bettering themselves and I can understand why people would want change. But the way to go about the change is challenging as it really depends on the answer of do the ends justify the means? It really makes you question what you would do to change systems. I did also like how deeply the brothers, Eden and Day, care about each other even if they have a rough time of showing it.
I look forward to reading the preceding novels in order to understand the full story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley for this arc.
I read the Legend series ages ago, and hadn't yet read Rebel. In this final (?) story for Legend, we join Eden, Daniel's younger brother, as a young adult navigating the Antarctic nation's level system (think Black Mirror's Nosedive episode). We also revisit Daniel and June as June comes with a delegation and Daniel works in the intelligence unit. As Eden stumbles his way into a shady "resistance" movement whose leader his brother is hunting, things go to hell and our protagonists have to fix it.
I had a good time with this story. I like these characters a lot, and getting to meet Eden more now that he's a little more grown was interesting. Getting to explore another dystopian set up (the third for this series) was fun, as well, and Lu sets up an interesting world.
However, this graphic novel does seem to suffer from the same problem as the other three, where event get pushed forwards very quickly, and sometimes seem disconnected between plot point A and plot point B. I am unsure if that is a novel issue, or an adaptation issue.
I read the Legend series ages ago, and hadn't yet read Rebel. In this final (?) story for Legend, we join Eden, Daniel's younger brother, as a young adult navigating the Antarctic nation's level system (think Black Mirror's Nosedive episode). We also revisit Daniel and June as June comes with a delegation and Daniel works in the intelligence unit. As Eden stumbles his way into a shady "resistance" movement whose leader his brother is hunting, things go to hell and our protagonists have to fix it.
I had a good time with this story. I like these characters a lot, and getting to meet Eden more now that he's a little more grown was interesting. Getting to explore another dystopian set up (the third for this series) was fun, as well, and Lu sets up an interesting world.
However, this graphic novel does seem to suffer from the same problem as the other three, where event get pushed forwards very quickly, and sometimes seem disconnected between plot point A and plot point B. I am unsure if that is a novel issue, or an adaptation issue.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillian Children's Publishing Group for this ARC
Rebel: The Graphic Novel was actually my first introduction to the Legend world! I haven’t read the original series, and I also didn’t realize going into this that Rebel takes place at the end of the series oops 😂. That’s on me!
That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to jump into the story. I never really felt lost or like I was missing a ton of information despite not having read the previous books.
I really enjoyed the characters, especially the dynamic between the brothers, and I found the whole level-system society really interesting. The world immediately caught my attention and made me want to know more about how everything got to this point.
If anything, reading this completely out of order worked in its favor because now I want to go back, start from the beginning, and read the entire Legend series!
Overall, such a fun introduction to this world even if I accidentally started at the end.
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillian Children's Publishing Group for this ARC
Rebel: The Graphic Novel was actually my first introduction to the Legend world! I haven’t read the original series, and I also didn’t realize going into this that Rebel takes place at the end of the series oops 😂. That’s on me!
That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to jump into the story. I never really felt lost or like I was missing a ton of information despite not having read the previous books.
I really enjoyed the characters, especially the dynamic between the brothers, and I found the whole level-system society really interesting. The world immediately caught my attention and made me want to know more about how everything got to this point.
If anything, reading this completely out of order worked in its favor because now I want to go back, start from the beginning, and read the entire Legend series!
Overall, such a fun introduction to this world even if I accidentally started at the end.
July 31, 2026
I love this world so much, and these graphic novels have quickly become some of my favorite adaptations out there, so getting to see the final book in the series get the graphic novel treatment was pure excitement from the moment I picked it up.
It absolutely delivers. The adaptation stays true to the original story, hitting all the emotional beats and plot points that made the source material so compelling in the first place. Fans of the series won't feel like anything essential got lost in translation.
The artwork is fantastic - every panel is well done, capturing the tone and intensity of the world in a way that feels true to Marie Lu's vision while still standing on its own as a visual experience. It's the perfect way to close out the series, and a must-read for anyone who's followed this world from the beginning.
Highly recommend, whether you're revisiting the story or experiencing it for the first time in this format.
It absolutely delivers. The adaptation stays true to the original story, hitting all the emotional beats and plot points that made the source material so compelling in the first place. Fans of the series won't feel like anything essential got lost in translation.
The artwork is fantastic - every panel is well done, capturing the tone and intensity of the world in a way that feels true to Marie Lu's vision while still standing on its own as a visual experience. It's the perfect way to close out the series, and a must-read for anyone who's followed this world from the beginning.
Highly recommend, whether you're revisiting the story or experiencing it for the first time in this format.
September 9, 2026
Clearly I need to go back and do a reread of Legend because wow, the amount I have forgotten in the years since the series concluded. That being said, I was able to read this installment as mostly a standalone with no issue so if you are new to this series then reading this graphic novel alone should be fine.
I enjoyed this - we got an entire rebellion from beginning to end with solid conclusions on the two main story lines that we followed throughout the book. There were some sweet endings that those of us who read Legend when it was released forever ago have been waiting for. This book was also an interesting look in to what it can look like after a rebellion is successful and how often, the oppressive system that was rebelled against just gets retooled and used in different ways by different people. I also really enjoyed the artwork throughout the whole book. I am looking forward to adding this to my physical library.
**Arc from Netgalley**
I enjoyed this - we got an entire rebellion from beginning to end with solid conclusions on the two main story lines that we followed throughout the book. There were some sweet endings that those of us who read Legend when it was released forever ago have been waiting for. This book was also an interesting look in to what it can look like after a rebellion is successful and how often, the oppressive system that was rebelled against just gets retooled and used in different ways by different people. I also really enjoyed the artwork throughout the whole book. I am looking forward to adding this to my physical library.
**Arc from Netgalley**
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much Netgalley for this early copy because OH MY GOSH I now need to go and do a FULL reread! I always have adored the Legend books, and thought it was the coolest thing that they had their own graphic novels. I am happy to report that this graphic novel holds up beautifully to the past ones!! Not only does the art style match the first trilogy of graphic novels, but it is even more stunning with vibrant colors and seeing the older versions of our beloved characters is just EVERYTHING! Plus, I am amazed at how deeply I felt every scene and moment. Whoever the artist(s?) was for this novel, they deserve triple whatever they were paid because they did a phenomenal job. I am also so impressed that they covered the entire story and it didn't feel like I was missing out on anything (although now I definitely need to reread the book to get ALL of the scenes haha).
July 9, 2026
Thank you so much Netgalley for this early copy because OH MY GOSH I now need to go and do a FULL reread! I always have adored the Legend books, and thought it was the coolest thing that they had their own graphic novels. I am happy to report that this graphic novel holds up beautifully to the past ones!! Not only does the art style match the first trilogy of graphic novels, but it is even more stunning with vibrant colors and seeing the older versions of our beloved characters is just EVERYTHING! Plus, I am amazed at how deeply I felt every scene and moment. Whoever the artist(s?) was for this novel, they deserve triple whatever they were paid because they did a phenomenal job. I am also so impressed that they covered the entire story and it didn't feel like I was missing out on anything (although now I definitely need to reread the book to get ALL of the scenes haha).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Coming back to the world of Legend felt like coming home. It reminded me why this series has remained one of my all-time favourites, and getting to revisit Daniel, June, and now Eden in graphic novel form was such a treat.
I actually thought this adaptation was much stronger than the previous graphic novels. Unlike the adaptations of books 1 through 3, this one kept so many of the important scenes that made Rebel so memorable, which made the story feel much more complete.
The art style was absolutely gorgeous and captured both the action and the emotional moments so well. Seeing some of my favourite scenes illustrated only made me appreciate them even more.
And of course, the plot is incredible. This story had me just as invested as it did the first time I read it, and I loved getting to experience it in a completely new format. A must-read for any Legend fan.
I actually thought this adaptation was much stronger than the previous graphic novels. Unlike the adaptations of books 1 through 3, this one kept so many of the important scenes that made Rebel so memorable, which made the story feel much more complete.
The art style was absolutely gorgeous and captured both the action and the emotional moments so well. Seeing some of my favourite scenes illustrated only made me appreciate them even more.
And of course, the plot is incredible. This story had me just as invested as it did the first time I read it, and I loved getting to experience it in a completely new format. A must-read for any Legend fan.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the publisher for this free eARC! All opinions are my own.
This book takes place 10 years after the end of Champion.
Eden Wing has been living in his older brother Daniel's shadow his entire life. He feels like Daniel still sees him as a child and someone to protect. Eden may have bitten off more than he can chew when he catches the attention of a crime lord in Antarctica's Undercity at an illegal drone race.
Daniel Wing aka Day is still piecing together his memories. He recently reconnected with June and is sorting out his feelings for her. He wants to protect Eden from everything he had to endure at the hands of the Republic, but everything he does just keeps pushing Eden further away.
Can the brothers reconcile and save Antarctica from chaos?
This book takes place 10 years after the end of Champion.
Eden Wing has been living in his older brother Daniel's shadow his entire life. He feels like Daniel still sees him as a child and someone to protect. Eden may have bitten off more than he can chew when he catches the attention of a crime lord in Antarctica's Undercity at an illegal drone race.
Daniel Wing aka Day is still piecing together his memories. He recently reconnected with June and is sorting out his feelings for her. He wants to protect Eden from everything he had to endure at the hands of the Republic, but everything he does just keeps pushing Eden further away.
Can the brothers reconcile and save Antarctica from chaos?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the free digital copy to read and review.
Ahhhhh I love this series so much I actually read the og trilogy comics in prep for this one. I really like the new illustrator! It didn’t take long for me to adjust to her style and I loved it! I loved the book and am so excited to see I still loved this story as much as I did before. I especially loved this one and how it tackles Antarctica’s level system. Ever since I realized how laws can be used against people it made me wonder how truly just this system could be. I was thrilled to see the author explore that as well. And of course I loved seeing it in graphic novel form. This was awesome and I will definitely be grabbing a copy of the whole series when I get the chance!
Ahhhhh I love this series so much I actually read the og trilogy comics in prep for this one. I really like the new illustrator! It didn’t take long for me to adjust to her style and I loved it! I loved the book and am so excited to see I still loved this story as much as I did before. I especially loved this one and how it tackles Antarctica’s level system. Ever since I realized how laws can be used against people it made me wonder how truly just this system could be. I was thrilled to see the author explore that as well. And of course I loved seeing it in graphic novel form. This was awesome and I will definitely be grabbing a copy of the whole series when I get the chance!
February 21, 2026
Thank you so much netgalley, Macmillan Children’s Publishing group and Marie Lu for this Advanced reader copy😊❤️.
I was so happy to get approved and read this because I love dystopian books, I was surprised that is part of a series and is book 4 but is not hard to understand the trama. I really enjoyed the story, the visuals and the adventures in the undercity, this is an absolutely beautiful job and story, Eden is a great character and his brother too.
The ending was perfect and beautiful for each character and I recommend this story because it has action, love and drone races so you will enjoyed💗
I was so happy to get approved and read this because I love dystopian books, I was surprised that is part of a series and is book 4 but is not hard to understand the trama. I really enjoyed the story, the visuals and the adventures in the undercity, this is an absolutely beautiful job and story, Eden is a great character and his brother too.
The ending was perfect and beautiful for each character and I recommend this story because it has action, love and drone races so you will enjoyed💗
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Something tells me… I should’ve read the book series before the graphic novel ☠️
I was still interested, but it def wasn’t as heightened as I know it could’ve been lmfao.
Either way, I love Marie Lu’s writing. Her dystopian novels are some of my faves (Red City), and I can’t wait to start this series ‘cause the graphic novel alone was pretty cool!! Very curious about the level systems, and I def feel like I sided w/ Red…
To a point, of course lol.
Sad for Pressa though, but also happy for her? I’m still confused on whether it was from the sickness or the rebellion itself. I definitely feel like everything was wrapped up nicely though!!
I was still interested, but it def wasn’t as heightened as I know it could’ve been lmfao.
Either way, I love Marie Lu’s writing. Her dystopian novels are some of my faves (Red City), and I can’t wait to start this series ‘cause the graphic novel alone was pretty cool!! Very curious about the level systems, and I def feel like I sided w/ Red…
To a point, of course lol.
Sad for Pressa though, but also happy for her? I’m still confused on whether it was from the sickness or the rebellion itself. I definitely feel like everything was wrapped up nicely though!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rebel: The Graphic Novel by Marie Lu
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank you to the author, netgalley, and Macmillian for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
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What I Liked: This graphic novel is beautifully well illustrated. The story matches the full length books very well. You still get the push and pull relationship from Day and June and get to see how their day to day lives are effected by the ongoing political disputes.
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What I Didn't Like: As is typical for Graphic novels, a lot of details get left out. That would be my only complaint.
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Would I Recommend? Yes
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.
Thank you to the author, netgalley, and Macmillian for a copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
.
What I Liked: This graphic novel is beautifully well illustrated. The story matches the full length books very well. You still get the push and pull relationship from Day and June and get to see how their day to day lives are effected by the ongoing political disputes.
.
What I Didn't Like: As is typical for Graphic novels, a lot of details get left out. That would be my only complaint.
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Would I Recommend? Yes
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Honestly, I couldn't care less about this book. It’s not terrible enough to warrant a rage-filled 1 or 2 stars, but it is just plain boring.
Both the artwork and the plot are completely simplistic and dull. The characters feel entirely one-dimensional, moving through a predictable story with zero tension, no depth, and absolutely no emotional payoff at the end. Nothing about it grabs your attention or makes you feel invested in what happens to anyone on the page.
It’s completely average, forgettable visual filler that leaves almost no impression once you close the book.
Both the artwork and the plot are completely simplistic and dull. The characters feel entirely one-dimensional, moving through a predictable story with zero tension, no depth, and absolutely no emotional payoff at the end. Nothing about it grabs your attention or makes you feel invested in what happens to anyone on the page.
It’s completely average, forgettable visual filler that leaves almost no impression once you close the book.
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