Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication date: September 12, 2017
Pages: 368
Source/format: Publisher//ARC
Rating: ☆☆☆☆1/2
Synopsis (from amazon.com):
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu—when a game called Warcross takes the world by storm, one girl hacks her way into its dangerous depths.
For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. Struggling to make ends meet, teenage hacker Emika Chen works as a bounty hunter, tracking down players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. Needing to make some quick cash, Emika takes a risk and hacks into the opening game of the international Warcross Championships—only to accidentally glitch herself into the action and become an overnight sensation.
Convinced she’s going to be arrested, Emika is shocked when instead she gets a call from the game’s creator, the elusive young billionaire Hideo Tanaka, with an irresistible offer. He needs a spy on the inside of this year’s tournament in order to uncover a security problem . . . and he wants Emika for the job. With no time to lose, Emika’s whisked off to Tokyo and thrust into a world of fame and fortune that she’s only dreamed of. But soon her investigation uncovers a sinister plot, with major consequences for the entire Warcross empire.
In this sci-fi thriller, #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu conjures an immersive, exhilarating world where choosing who to trust may be the biggest gamble of all.
M Y T H O U G H T S
Marie Lu wrote an action-packed, futuristic, sci-fi novel that will sweep you off your feet. Not only is Emika Chen a character to learn more about but her interesting past has caught the eye of Hideo Tanaka, the creator of the virtual reality game, Warcross. From being in foster care to living with a roommate being a bounty hunter in New York City, Mr. Tanaka invites rainbow haired Emika to join him to hunt down Zero in Japan using her hacking expertise during the Warcross Championships. Emika has gone from a criminal to a wild card during the first draft of the Warcross Championships. She joins the Phoenix Riders and infiltrates the games while uncovering the real identity of Zero.
Kudos to Ms. Lu who wrote such a compelling and well written novel. The intensity and momentum heighten the more you read the book. You're at the edge of your seat next to Emika trying to figure out who Zero is. The games are intense! I enjoyed learning more about secondary characters, especially about Emika's teammates, Asher, Hammie, Ren and Roshan. There are a few twists at the end and Emika surprisingly teams up with people that she would never have thought she would have in order to do what is right for mankind.
Emika is survivor. She knows what she wants and how to obtain what she needs. As a go-getter, Emika is all about business. Although she doesn't open up to people easily, she genuinely wants to gain acceptance and have people who care for her. She is definitely my favorite character in Warcross.
Lu incorporates diversity in every form in Warcross. Because the games is worldwide, it makes sense to have diversity in terms of nationality, ethnicity, religion, disabilities, etc. Warcross will be a novel many will gravitate toward because they can see someone like them in the book. I was hoping for more build up regarding the romance in the novel. I felt that certain scenes were added just for the sake of being in the novel. The transitions weren't as smooth. However, I enjoyed reading the novel overall.
Warcross is colorful and dynamic! It's immersive and readers who love video games will definitely enjoy this novel! So put on your NueroLinks and join the game!
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