SOPHIE LI

Do you guys believe in second chances? Legend #1 was underwhelming for me, so I was not enthusiastic about reading another book by Marie Lu. However, after being encouraged by some of you guys out there, I decided to give Warcross a try. This book BLEW ME AWAY!!

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.

What I Liked:

• SO action-packed. This book hooked me from page 1 sentence 1. I was never bored and always looking forward to reading the next chapter.
• Endless plot twists!! Just when I thought I knew what was going on, everything changes.
• The theme of AI vs human that sneaks its way into this novel.
• Erika, who is fearless and badass, and yes she is a Chinese-American!! (++points right there! Haha *not biased at all*) One of my favourite parts was reading about Emika’s relationship with her late father. Although he passed, we see how his memories impact Emika and the decisions she makes.
• The writing style, which is quick and smart, including just enough detail to be descriptive without being wordy.
• The ending to this book in the series, which makes me want to fast forward a year just to be able to read the next book.
• The concept of Warcross and how hacking is described in visual terms. This is probably not how hacking or programming works (not that I have any experience with either) but it makes reading about it understandable and interesting.

What I Didn’t Like (As Much):

• The other characters are OK. Emika’s team members seem like cool people though we don’t know much about them.
• I am on the fence about Hideo because he seems too perfect to be true, particularly early on in the novel. Can a 21-year-old really be a genius and a multi-millionaire and super, duper handsome!??! However he is also silent and aloof (which is totally my type :’) )

The Bottom Line:

Looking for an addictive YA sci-fi that will keep your eyes glued to the page from beginning to end? Look no further 🙂

What do you think of the child genius trope? (Yay or nay!?) Do you love a good plot twist? What do you think are the ingredients of a good beginning that hooks you right away?