“Love is illogical, love has consequences – I did this to myself, and I should be able to take it.”
June and Day come from vastly different parts of the world and have different backgrounds, and falling in love with each other was objectively not a smart idea: they bring each other into conflicts and constantly argue because of their differences. June is a very logical person who makes smart, calculated decisions – she was in the military, after all – and the fact that she makes such a stupid decision shows the extreme growth she’s experienced as a character. As someone who’s so strong, she should be able to deal with the consequences of making a less-than-intelligent decision, but the fact that she doesn’t shows how strong the effects of romantic love can be.
"All it takes is one generation to brainwash a population and convince them that reality doesn't exist."
Prodigy explores both the Republic and the Colonies, two strict regimes that dictate everything their people do and think. The consequences are extreme: both countries contain residents who think that their country is superior to all others and that their way of life is the only acceptable one. Neither has been around for many generations, but they have developed this extreme power anyway, showing the frightening ability that regimes have to control their people.
"I want to run. To do what I always do, have always done, for the last five years of my life. Escape, flee into the shadows. But this time, I stand my ground. I'm tired of running."
Day has spent the last years of his life as a wanted criminal, running from the law and hiding on the streets. He wanted nothing to do with politics and the government during this time, and instead ran away from issues that he faced. After meeting June and realizing the extent of the Republic’s tyranny, however, he becomes a devoted member of the resistance, who wants to fight for the freedom of a larger number of people rather than hide in the shadows. He’s experienced significant character development, and has become a braver, more selfless person.
"The Republic's most wanted criminal is just a boy, sitting before me, suddenly vulnerable, laying all his weaknesses out for me to see."
Because of the amount of life-threatening missions that Day and June go on, and the military and political skills they have, it's easy to forget that they're children. Their resistance is one being led by children, who have been forced to grow up far too quickly because of the harsh conditions under which they live. Not only does Lu force her readers to remember that her main characters are children, she also emphasizes the power that children have to change the world when the adults in power abuse that power and force children to take on the roles of responsibility that they shouldn't have had to worry about yet.
