Warcross by Marie Lu

Title: Warcross
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!

Looking Ahead: Cover Reveals #6

Lately cover art for Fall 2016 and Winter 2017 titles have been popping all over the internet. Last week Entertainment Weekly wowed us with cover art for Caraval and Wayfarer. This week there are four covers that were revealed. All four books are ones that I am looking forward to and the cover art  is absolutely gorgeous with the jewel tones and dark colors. I have to say that the following beauties look rather lovely next to each other.

On Wednesday, April 20th, Entertainment Weekly revealed the cover to Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco. All I can say is WOW! The cover definitely screams historical fiction and Gothic horror. The red and the green look stunning against the black background. Not only is the cover gorgeous but the excerpt is eerily satisfying and it's definitely not for the faint of heart. Stalking Jack the Ripper is the first YA title under James Patterson's JIMMY imprint. Also, Stalking Jack the Ripper's previous title was Of Blood and Shadow.

Title: Stalking Jack the Ripper
Author: Kerri Maniscalco
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Publication date: September 20, 2016

On Thursday, April 21st, YA Interrobang revealed the cover art to Branded, which is the sequel to Inked by Eric Smith. The reds, oranges and purples are stunningly vibrant and they look fantastic next to Inked's sea of blues and greens. Graphic designer, Jenny Zemanek, did a fantastic job designing both covers. Click here to enter to win a e-book of Inked and some posters.

Title: Branded
Author: Eric Smith
Publisher: Bloomsbury Spark
Publication date: September 6, 2016

On Thursday, April 21st, Mashable unveiled the cover to The Midnight Star which is the last book in The Young Elites trilogy by Marie Lu. Not only is this cover art my favorite out of all of the three in the series, but I cannot wait to see how the trilogy ends. The contrast of the coppery bronze lettering against the backdrop of blues is very pleasing to the eyes.  Check out what Lu has to say about The Midnight Star here.

Title: The Midnight Star
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young
Publication date: October 11, 2016

On Thursday, April 21st, YA Books Central wowed us with the cover art to Starfall which is the companion book in the Starflight duology by Melissa Landers. Not only is the cover art ravishing, but Starfall is one of my most anticipated book for 2017. The glowing pink and purple pop out of the page, highlighting the title text well. I love how the orb is a planet and the black background brings out the white, purple and pink. Also, I love the movement within space. It definitely screams sci-fi!

Title: Starfall
Author: Melissa Landers
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication date: February 7, 2017

 

What do you think of the cover art for the books listed above? Do you have a favorite?

The Rose Society by Marie Lu

Title: The Rose Society
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication date: October 13, 2015
Pages: 416
Source/format: e-ARC from Edelweiss

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from Goodreads.com): Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, and she destroyed them all.

Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she and her sister flee Kenettra to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers who nearly killed her.

But Adelina is no heroine. Her powers, fed only by fear and hate, have started to grow beyond her control. She does not trust her newfound Elite friends. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends, Raffaele and the Dagger Society, want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good, when her very existence depends on darkness?

My Thoughts:

"It is nice, being powerful. Seeing others bend at your will." -  From ARC of The Rose Society

The Rose Society is a continuation of where The Young Elites left off. There is a new ruler of Kennetra and a new Beldish queen thrown into the mix. Adelina is on the run from Kennetra after the chaos that occurred in The Young Elites. Along with her sister Violetta, Adelina is on the search for an Elite named Magiano to join her in order to fight against the Inquisition Axis. The Dagger Society is now her enemy and she needs to recruit her own allies. Who can she trust? Will people betray the White Wolf? Can Adelina control her powers or will she spiral out of control? 

Just like The Young Elites, Adelina is trying to figure who she is. Nothing is black and white. She has become bitter over time because of how her family and friends have treated her for her entire life. Her powers feed off fury and fear which according to some, they can be deadly and uncontrollable. Does Adelina have the discipline to do what's right or will she feed off that fury and fear and cause chaos?

The Rose Society has mainly two POVs with a secondary third one. There is a love triangle in the novel but it is so slight that it doesn't take away from the plot. Adelina is so focused with her revenge that she is not in tune with her other emotions. Old characters return while new characters figure out who to ally with.

"Fear motivates, more than love or ambition or joy. Fear is more powerful than anything else in the world." - From ARC of The Rose Society

I am falling in love with Marie Lu's writing. I definitely think Lu should write more dark fantasy because she writes it well.  Lu expands upon The Young Elites with the same dark fantasy elements and epic world building. The Rose Society has more dimension and Adelina is not an apprentice anymore. She is no longer a student learning the basics of how to survive as an Elite. She takes control. Even though is is not a heroine in the novel, I cannot stop rooting for her. Adelina is dark, terrifying and is wicked. People fear her! She becomes a villain and a great one at it. Adelina is passionate and ambitious and will do what it takes to get the task done. Violetta is her conscious, reminding her to take a step back and not to feed on the darkness too long. After all, overexerting oneself has consequences. The power is consuming Adelina. With her power and influence, she creates the the Rose Society and diffuses her wrath against her enemies.

The Rose Society is emotionally gripping and a thought provoking story. There is so much going on and sometimes I have no clue how to feel when reading the novel. It's mind blowing! It's action packed with so much betrayal and deceit. The darkness amplifies in The Rose Society and I am not complaining because I love it so much more than the predecessor. I am curious how dark the third installment will be.

Looking Ahead: The Rose Society by Marie Lu

I fell in love with The Young Elites by Marie Lu last fall and I am amped about the sequel, The Rose Society. I enjoy reading a good dark fantasy and this one is super intriguing. The series has a bit of sci-fi and wonderful world building. It is chock full of action, adventure, betrayal and love. The Rose Society is the second book in The Young Elites trilogy and will be available from retailers on October 13, 2015 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers.

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

From New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu comes the second book in the exhilarating Young Elites series

Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, and she destroyed them all.

Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she and her sister flee Kenettra to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers that murdered her love, the Crown Prince Enzo Valenciano.

But Adelina is no heroine. Her powers, fed only by fear and hate, have started to grow beyond her control. She does not trust her newfound Elite friends. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends, Raffaele and the Dagger Society, want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good, when her very existence depends on darkness?

Lu received a lovely finished copy yesterday. Take a look below at her wonderful display for her new novel!

Guess what came in the mail today? My copy of The Rose Society hardcover, aaaah!! 🌹😈💀 *pets it* #Oct13 #TheRoseSociety

A photo posted by Marie Lu (@marieluthewriter) on Sep 4, 2015 at 11:06am PDT

Also, don't forget to check out the tour dates Marie Lu posted last week. I know everyone is excited to see where she is touring. The following list of locations is from Marie Lu's Tumblr.

Fall is here! That means that Fall 2015 tour season is almost here, too–and yes, I will be touring for the release of The Rose Society (Oct. 13). Dates and locations below. I’ll update the details as they become available:

Saturday, October 10th – 12th
Anderson’s YA Conference
Naperville, IL

Tuesday, October 13th
Books & Greetings
Northvale, NJ

Wednesday, October 14th
Avid Bookshop
Athens, GA

Thursday, October 15th
Little Shop of Stories
Decatur, GA

Saturday, October 17th
Texas Book Festival
Austin, TX

Wednesday, October 21st
A Great Good Place for Books
Oakland, CA

Friday, October 30th
Vroman’s Bookstore
Pasadena, CA

Friday & Saturday, November 13 - 14th
YALLFest 2015
Charleston, SC

Looking Ahead: Cover Reveals

Can I say this week has been an AMAZING cover reveal week? All of the covers are absolutely stunning and I cannot wait to get my hands on following books to see the beautiful covers in person. Of course the books won't be released for awhile but I can't contain my excitement!

Image from twitter.com/josieangelini

Title: Fire Walker
Author: Josephine Angelini
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication date:  September 1, 2015

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Worlds divide, magic slays, and love lies in the second book of Josephine Angelini’s The Worldwalker Trilogy.

"You think I’m a monster, but my choices, as ruthless as they seem, are justified."

Lily is back in her own universe, and she's ready to start a new life with Rowan by her side. True, she almost died in the Pyre that fueled their escape from New Salem, and must hide her magic for the safety of everyone she cares about, but compared to fighting the Woven, the monstrous creatures inhabiting the alternate Salem, life is looking pretty good.

Unfortunately, Lillian, ruthless ruler of the 13 Cities, is not willing to let Lily go that easily. If she can’t persuade Lily to return to her world, she will force her to come back by doing away with the ones she loves.

Picking up right where Trial By Fire left off, Firewalker is another sexy, fast-paced, heartbreaking thrill ride from internationally bestselling author Josephine Angelini!

These covers are pretty amazing. The Trial by Fire cover has been redesigned. As of now, I am not sure if it's just for the paperback or if it's for the paperback and the hardcover versions. I love the redesign and I love the Fire Walker cover design. They are electrifying and gorgeous!

Title: The Rose Society
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
Publication date:  October 6, 2015

Synopsis (from Goodreads): 

From New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu comes the second book in the exhilarating Young Elites series

Once upon a time, a girl had a father, a prince, a society of friends. Then they betrayed her, and she destroyed them all.
Adelina Amouteru’s heart has suffered at the hands of both family and friends, turning her down the bitter path of revenge. Now known and feared as the White Wolf, she and her sister flee Kenettra to find other Young Elites in the hopes of building her own army of allies. Her goal: to strike down the Inquisition Axis, the white-cloaked soldiers that murdered her love, the Crown Prince Enzo Valenciano.

But Adelina is no heroine. Her powers, fed only by fear and hate, have started to grow beyond her control. She does not trust her newfound Elite friends. Teren Santoro, leader of the Inquisition, wants her dead. And her former friends, Raffaele and the Dagger Society, want to stop her thirst for vengeance. Adelina struggles to cling to the good within her. But how can someone be good, when her very existence depends on darkness?

I love this cover design more than The Young Elites cover. It's more mysterious and I love how the wolf is on the cover. Very Adelina-like!

Title: Soundless
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication date:  November 17, 2015
Pages: 368

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

From Richelle Mead, the #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy and Bloodlines, comes a breathtaking new fantasy steeped in Chinese folklore.

For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village, where rocky terrain and frequent avalanches prevent residents from self-sustaining. Fei and her people are at the mercy of a zipline that carries food up the treacherous cliffs from Beiguo, a mysterious faraway kingdom.

When villagers begin to lose their sight, deliveries from the zipline shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the people she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.

But soon Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon.

Richelle Mead takes readers on a triumphant journey from the peak of Fei’s jagged mountain village to the valley of Beiugo, where a startling truth and an unlikely romance will change her life forever...

The cover design to this book is STRIKING! I am very intrigued and I cannot wait to read this standalone!

Title: Wandering Star
Author: Romina Russell
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication date:  December 2015

Synopsis and exact date are not provided by Goodreads at this time but how gorgeous is this cover? 

I love the gradient of vibrant colors. I assume the horoscopes like Taurus will play a big part in the plot of the novel.

The Mortal Instruments UK books will have new covers! I love the new cover redesigns for all six of the books in the series. I need to get my hands on them when they hit the shelves in the UK! Thank goodness for Book Depository. 

The release date is scheduled for July 2015.

For more information about the new covers, check out the Female First website. 

The website mentioned how "each of the six titles in the series features gorgeous cover illustrations by Mila Furstova, the artist who created the album artwork for Coldplay's Ghost Stories." 

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Title: The Young Elites
Author: Marie Lu
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons of Books for Young Readers
Publication date:  October 7, 2014
Pages: 355
Source/format: Purchased, hardcover

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all.

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen.

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt. 

My Thoughts: 

I absolutely love this book. It's an amazing start to an epic trilogy. I love how it's a fantasy but feels like I am reading a historical fiction novel. I am not a huge fan of high fantasy but if it reads like a historical fiction novel, I am all for it. Marie Lu does POVs right! She has a knack at writing in the character's voice during the character's POV chapter. Not many authors are capable of mastering the art of writing multiple POVs. The world building in The Young Elites is amazing and I love the power dynamics. Lu does an an incredible job with descriptions. I can picture every last detail in my head when reading the novel.

I love the secret society of The Daggers, a branch of the Young Elites, in the book. They save Adelina from the burning but at what cost? She goes through an initiation after finding out what stones she has affinities for. Adelina learns more about The Daggers and what their mission is. However, Adelina has second thoughts about if being part of The Daggers is the right thing to do. Can she trust them? Can she trust Enzo and what he claims? Is Teren really the enemy?

Adelina is a strong character. She thinks for herself and holds onto secrets because she cannot trust others. Everyone seems to have secrets in the novel. People use Adelina for her knowledge and/or her powers but she takes a stand to make a name for herself. Adelina is her own boss and leader. She does not want to do other people's bidding.

However, Adelina was not always a strong woman. She was broken and fragile at the beginning of the book. The only person who has been protecting her is her sister, Violetta. Adelina doesn't find out until much later that her sister is protecting her though. The entire time, Adelina believes that she is the one protecting Violetta. Her love for her sister is similar to Katniss' love for Prim in The Hunger Games. Adelina will do anything to make sure Violetta is safe. The bond is strong. It took awhile for Adelina to gain her strength to become her own person. She feeds off of fury and fear. Her powers are the darkest of all the Young Elites but she has potential to be great. The darkness of the story is great. I can feel Adelina become darker and darker as the plot line progresses.

At the end of the novel, there is a huge cliffhanger. So much stuff happens at the end of the book in such a small time span. I seriously cannot wait for the next installment of this trilogy. Go on ahead and read part one of this dark fantasy. If you like a little romance, a lot of action and some betrayal, you will love this book!