Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Legend. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: June Iparis, a prodigy soldier of the Republic, discovers that the government killed her brother Metias, not the rebel boy Day. She helps Day escape his execution, his brother John sacrifices himself, and Day and June flee to Las Vegas to join the Patriots.
Quick facts
– Book: Legend by Marie Lu
– First published: 2011
– Type: A young adult dystopian novel
– Tone of the ending: Tense and hopeful
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
In a future Los Angeles, the Republic tests children at ten. June earned a perfect score. Day, the Republic's most-wanted criminal, failed and was supposedly sent to labor camps. When June's brother Metias is murdered, Day is blamed, and June hunts him.
What Happens at the End of Legend
June goes undercover in the slums, meets Day without knowing who he is and falls for him. After she turns him in, she begins to doubt the Republic. She finds evidence that Metias was killed by Thomas, a soldier he trusted, on Commander Jameson's orders, because Metias had learned that the Republic spreads plague in the poor sectors on purpose. Day's mother is shot during his arrest, and his little brother Eden is taken for experiments. June secretly plans Day's escape. On the day of his execution, his older brother John switches places with him and is executed instead. June and Day escape together and head for Las Vegas to find the Patriots.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- The Republic killed Metias.
- The plague is manufactured.
- John sacrifices himself.
- June and Day escape.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| June Iparis | Escapes with Day |
| Day | Escapes |
| John | Executed in Day's place |
| Commander Jameson | Revealed as a villain |
| Thomas | Killed Metias |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows June choosing truth over loyalty.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers notice that Marie Lu has said the story was inspired by Les Misérables, with June as a kind of Javert. Others focus on the romance between two people from opposite sides.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Truth. June learns the truth.
Family. Day protects his brothers.
Power. The Republic lies.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Legend as tense and hopeful. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Marie Lu to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are tense and hopeful will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Marie Lu closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Legend with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about truth, and do you agree with Marie Lu's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as tense and hopeful, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces truth and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Marie Lu leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Legend often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Legend earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Legend on Amazon
Books to Read After Legend
Related: Legend by Marie Lu: Summary and Key Takeaways · What Age Is Legend Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Legend?
June Iparis, a prodigy soldier of the Republic, discovers that the government killed her brother Metias, not the rebel boy Day. She helps Day escape his execution, his brother John sacrifices himself, and Day and June flee to Las Vegas to join the Patriots.
Is the ending of Legend happy or sad?
Most readers call it tense and hopeful.
What does the ending of Legend mean?
The ending shows June choosing truth over loyalty.
Who wrote Legend and when was it published?
Legend was written by Marie Lu and first published in 2011.
Is Legend worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy young adult dystopian novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Marie Lu prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Legend before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.