“I will come back for you. And when I do, I'll be a Champion.”
— Day to June, before his execution.
Archivist's Choice
Champion
Marie Lu (2013)
Genre
Fantasy / Science Fiction / Young Adult / Romance
Reading Time
6-7 hours
Key Themes
See below
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A deadly plague threatens to break a fragile peace, forcing a prodigy officer to convince her legendary love to make the ultimate sacrifice to save their war-torn Republic.
Synopsis
June Iparis, now Princeps-Elect, and Daniel 'Day' Altan Wing, a high-level military officer, find their peace broken by a new, deadlier plague from the Colonies. As war approaches, June discovers the only cure is Day's unique genetic immunity. The Republic's hidden plan is revealed: they need Day to create a vaccine, a process that will likely kill him. Day, already sick from past experiments, willingly sacrifices himself for the Republic and his brother, Eden, who is also immune. During this desperate time, June uncovers betrayal within the Republic's leadership, leading to a daring escape. War erupts, ending in a brutal confrontation where Day makes a world-changing sacrifice, losing his memories in the process, to save both the Republic and the Colonies. Years later, June, now a respected leader, meets Day, who has no memory of their past or their love. In a bittersweet farewell, she allows him to live a new, unburdened life, leaving their shared history a forgotten past for him, but a cherished memory for her.
Reading time
6-7 hours
Difficulty
Medium
Pacing
Fast
Mood
Suspenseful, Emotional, Bittersweet, Hopeful
✓ Read this if...
You love dystopian YA with high stakes, complex emotional arcs, and a blend of action and romance.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer standalone novels or happy, uncomplicated endings for your main characters.
Plot Summary
A Precarious Peace and a Lingering Illness
Six months after *Prodigy*, June Iparis is Princeps-Elect in the Republic, working with Commander Jameson and Senator Metias. She is involved in peace talks with the Colonies, specifically with their Elector, Thomas. Meanwhile, Day Wing, living in the Colonies with his brother Eden, struggles with advanced brain damage, causing severe headaches, memory loss, and seizures. He is treated by a Colonies doctor, Dr. Arani, who offers little hope. Day wants a normal life with Eden, but his worsening condition makes it impossible. He often thinks of June, aware of their distance and different lives.
The Threat of the New Plague Strain
Just as the Republic and the Colonies are about to sign a historic peace treaty in Ross City, a new, devastating plague erupts in the Colonies. This strain is much more aggressive and lethal, causing rapid death. The outbreak immediately stops the peace talks, as both sides focus on the crisis. The Republic fears the plague will cross its borders, while the Colonies are overwhelmed by the number of infected. June and her fellow leaders recognize the severe threat this poses to the stability and existence of both nations.
A Desperate Search for a Cure
June, using her science background and Republic medical data, starts an urgent investigation into the new plague. She realizes that previous plague strains were stopped using vaccines from naturally immune individuals, like Day. Her research reveals a shocking truth: Day's unique genes and natural resistance to the plague make his blood the only source for a cure to this new, more aggressive strain. This discovery presents a difficult moral problem, as getting the cure would require a great sacrifice from Day.
The Republic's Hidden Agenda
As June looks deeper, she finds troubling evidence that the Republic's interest in Day's blood goes beyond finding a cure. She learns that the Republic's top geneticists and military leaders, especially Commander Jameson, plan to weaponize Day's unique genetic immunity. Their goal is to create a biological weapon that would selectively target and kill the Colonial population, ensuring the Republic's power. This discovery horrifies June, as it shows the Republic's true, ruthless nature and puts Day in even greater danger, turning him from a potential savior into a potential weapon.
Day's Sacrifice and Eden's Dilemma
June travels to the Colonies to tell Day about his role in developing a cure. Despite his worsening condition and the high risks, Day agrees to the experimental procedure to extract antibodies from his blood, understanding the millions of lives at stake. The procedure, however, is very dangerous and could speed up his brain damage. Eden, Day's younger brother, is conflicted. He wants to save people, but he also fears losing Day, his only remaining family. He reluctantly agrees, understanding the seriousness of the situation and the immense pressure on his brother.
The Betrayal and the Escape
During the early stages of Day's treatment, June becomes more suspicious of the Republic's actions, especially Commander Jameson's. She realizes that the Republic is not just focused on a cure but is indeed developing a bioweapon using Day's blood. Horrified by this betrayal, June plans Day's escape from the Republic's medical facility. She gets help from trusted allies and uses her knowledge of the Republic's security systems to help them leave secretly, knowing this act of defiance will brand her as a traitor again.
The War Erupts
With peace talks broken and the plague destroying Colonial cities, the Republic's military, led by Commander Jameson, launches a full-scale invasion of the Colonies. The war is brutal and fast, with the Republic using advanced weapons and tactics. This invasion is partly a response to the plague, but also a calculated move to gain power and resources, fueled by the Republic's long-standing hatred for the Colonies. The war forces Day, June, and Eden to become active in the resistance, fighting for their lives and the future of both nations.
The Final Confrontation
June, Day, and their allies lead a desperate resistance against the Republic's forces. June, now fully committed to exposing the Republic's corruption and preventing the use of the bioweapon, confronts Commander Jameson directly. This leads to a major confrontation where June reveals Jameson's true intentions to the Republic's own soldiers and the public. The battle is fierce, with many casualties on both sides. June's strategic skill and Day's fighting ability are key in changing the course, but the cost is immense, both personally and for the Republic's future.
A World-Altering Sacrifice
To prevent the Republic from unleashing the bioweapon and to ensure the cure's widespread distribution, Day makes a huge sacrifice. He willingly undergoes a procedure that fully extracts the necessary antibodies from his blood, knowing it will permanently damage his brain and memory. This selfless act not only provides the cure for the plague but also exposes the Republic's evil, turning public opinion against Jameson and her group. Day's sacrifice becomes the reason for a true, lasting peace, but it comes at the devastating cost of his own identity.
A New Beginning, A Forgotten Past
After the war and Day's sacrifice, the Republic changes greatly, moving toward a more democratic and fair society. A true peace treaty is signed with the Colonies, starting an era of cooperation. However, Day, though physically recovered, has lost all memory of his past, including his relationship with June. He remembers nothing of his time as Legend, or the love he shared with June. June, heartbroken but determined, respects his new life, knowing his sacrifice brought about the peace they both fought for.
Years Later: A Chance Encounter
Ten years pass. June Iparis is now a respected leader in the newly formed United Republic of America, a testament to her vision and hard work. She lives a life with purpose, but carries the quiet sadness of Day's absence. Day, now living a peaceful, anonymous life, has no memory of his heroic past. He is a different person, free from the burdens of his former identity. In a touching moment, June sees Day in a park. She approaches him, and they have a brief, polite conversation. He is kind but clearly a stranger to her, completely unaware of their shared history and deep connection.
A Hopeful, Bittersweet Farewell
June, seeing Day happy and at peace, decides not to tell him about their past. She understands that his current life, free from the pain and trauma of his former existence, is a precious gift, a direct result of his sacrifice. As she walks away, she offers him a simple, hopeful farewell, telling him she hopes one day they might meet again and she could tell him about her life. It's a bittersweet ending, acknowledging the deep love and loss, but also the lasting hope for a future where their paths might genuinely cross again, even if as strangers.
Principal Figures
June Iparis
The Protagonist
June evolves from a loyal Republic soldier to a disillusioned rebel leader, eventually becoming a foundational figure in a new, democratic government, sacrificing personal happiness for national stability.
Day Wing (Daniel Altan Wing)
The Protagonist
Day transitions from a legendary rebel to a fragile hero, making the ultimate sacrifice of his memories and identity to save millions, embodying selfless heroism.
Eden Wing
The Supporting
Eden grows from a protected younger brother into a young man who understands the gravity of sacrifice and the cost of peace.
Commander Jameson
The Antagonist
Jameson remains a steadfast antagonist, ultimately falling from power as her ruthless ambitions and corruption are exposed.
Thomas
The Supporting
Thomas attempts to atone for his past actions, seeking redemption by aligning with June and the cause of justice.
Patriot
The Mentioned
Patriot's influence helps enable the broader rebellion, leading to the Republic's eventual transformation.
Tess
The Supporting
Tess matures, accepting Day's chosen path and finding her own strength and purpose within the new world.
Themes & Insights
Sacrifice for the Greater Good
The novel explores the deep sacrifices individuals make for society. Day's decision to give up his memories and identity to cure the plague and ensure peace is the main example of this theme. June also sacrifices her personal happiness and risks her life and reputation repeatedly to expose the Republic's corruption and fight for a just future. Even Eden makes the difficult choice to allow Day's dangerous procedure, understanding the millions of lives at stake. These acts show that true heroism often demands a great personal cost, especially during war and crisis.
““I will give you anything you want, Day. Anything. Just… live.””
The Nature of Identity and Memory
Day's brain damage and subsequent memory loss lead to a deep look at what makes up one's identity. If a person loses their memories, are they still the same person? The novel suggests that while memories are important, core values and spirit might remain. Day's loss of his past as 'Legend' and his relationship with June deeply affects both characters, showing the devastating personal cost of such a loss. June's struggle to accept Day's new, blank slate highlights the pain of loving someone who no longer remembers the shared history that defined their bond.
““He doesn't remember me. But he is still Day. And he is still good.””
Corruption of Power and the Fight for Justice
The story continues to expose the deep corruption within the Republic's government, especially through Commander Jameson's ruthless pursuit of power and her willingness to exploit Day for a bioweapon. June's journey is one of constantly uncovering and fighting against this injustice, eventually leading to the old regime's downfall. The novel argues that unchecked power leads to tyranny and that true justice requires openness, responsibility, and the courage of individuals to oppose oppressive forces, even from within their own ranks.
““The Republic has always been about control. It’s never been about its people.””
Hope and Rebuilding
Despite the great losses and devastating war, *Champion* ends with a strong message of hope and the possibility of rebuilding. The creation of the United Republic of America, a more democratic and fair society, symbolizes a new start. The peace treaty between the Republic and the Colonies, formed through shared suffering and Day's sacrifice, represents a future where cooperation replaces conflict. The bittersweet ending for June and Day, while painful, still carries a glimmer of hope for a future connection, reinforcing the idea that even after great devastation, humanity can work for a better world.
““Maybe, someday, you’ll find me. And you’ll tell me all the things you’ve been doing, and I’ll tell you all the things I’ve been doing.””
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
The Plague
A recurring biological weapon and catalyst for conflict and scientific breakthroughs.
The plague serves as the central inciting incident and a persistent threat throughout the trilogy, culminating in a new, deadly strain in *Champion*. It is not merely a disease but a tool of political manipulation and biological warfare, initially engineered by the Republic. Its evolution drives the plot, forcing characters to make desperate choices and ultimately revealing Day's unique genetic immunity as the key to salvation. The plague underscores the themes of scientific ethics, government overreach, and the desperate search for survival.
Day's Brain Lesion
A ticking clock and a physical manifestation of Day's past trauma and impending sacrifice.
Day's brain lesion acts as a constant, escalating threat, a physical manifestation of the damage inflicted upon him by the Republic. It creates a ticking clock for his survival and forces difficult decisions. More than just a medical condition, it symbolizes the personal cost of his rebellion and foreshadows his ultimate sacrifice. The lesion's progression impacts his identity and abilities, making his heroism even more poignant as he battles both external enemies and his own deteriorating body.
The Peace Treaty Negotiations
A political backdrop that frames the escalating conflict and reveals hidden agendas.
The ongoing peace treaty negotiations between the Republic and the Colonies serve as a critical political backdrop. Initially, they offer a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution, but they are consistently undermined by the plague and the Republic's hidden agenda. The negotiations highlight the complex political landscape and the deep-seated distrust between the two nations. Their eventual breakdown and subsequent re-establishment after Day's sacrifice underscore the fragility of peace and the profound changes required for genuine reconciliation.
June's Princeps-Elect Status
A position of power and access that allows June to uncover Republic secrets.
June's role as Princeps-Elect provides her with unprecedented access to the Republic's inner workings, intelligence, and scientific data. This position is crucial for her to uncover the truth about the plague, Day's condition, and the Republic's bioweapon agenda. It allows her to operate from within the system to dismantle it, leveraging her intelligence and strategic thinking. Her internal struggle within this role highlights the moral compromises and difficult choices inherent in political power.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“You are my favorite person of all time. I love you.”
— Day's thoughts about June.
“Every day, I think of you. Every day, I miss you.”
— June's inner thoughts about Day after his memory loss.
“The world is full of things I don't understand, but I'm not afraid of them.”
— June's reflection on her journey and growth.
“We are all a little broken. But it's okay. We can put ourselves back together. One piece at a time.”
— Day's perspective on healing and resilience.
“Sometimes, the best way to save someone is to let them go.”
— June's difficult decision regarding Day's future.
“He was the boy with the golden eyes, the boy who would never be forgotten.”
— June's description of Day's lasting impact.
“I don't know who I am without you. But I'm going to find out.”
— Day's resolve after losing his memories of June.
“It’s funny how much you can change in a year. How much you can grow.”
— June reflecting on her past self.
“The greatest battles are not fought with weapons, but with words.”
— Anden's philosophy on leadership and diplomacy.
“Sometimes, love isn't enough. Sometimes, you need to be strong enough to walk away.”
— June's realization about her relationship with Day.
“You can't escape your past, but you can choose your future.”
— Commander Jameson's advice to June.
“Even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.”
— A recurring theme throughout the series.
“I never wanted to be a hero. I just wanted to be free.”
— Day's personal desire contrasted with his public image.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
June and Day are reunited due to a new, highly virulent strain of plague breaking out in the Colonies. This plague threatens to destabilize the fragile peace between the Republic and the Colonies, forcing June to work on a cure and Day to consider a difficult sacrifice to secure the vaccine.
About the author
Biography coming soon.
