Warcross by Marie Lu

RATING: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

Published: September 12, 2017

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 353

 

 

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“Every locked door has a key.”

 

SYNOPSIS:

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 Warcross players who bet on the game illegally. But the bounty hunting world is a competitive one, and survival has not been easy. 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.

 

THOUGHTS:

I have heard a lot of good things about this book and I can’t believe that I only pick up this book just now. To be honest, I was a little hesitant to read this book because even though I like Marie Lu’s writing style, I am not that hooked with the Legend Trilogy as much as I thought I would be. However, I fly through this book the moment I read it.

The plot is not that complicated to understand. Even though this is a sci-fi book, you could easily follow the story line and how the technology has progressed in it. The world as described in the book is imaginable. You could picture it as you read it being described to you. And even how the technology works and were incorporated in the lives of the characters are easy to understand. Definitely perfect for younger audiences and for those who is not into heavy sci-fi. With that being said, I still wished that this book is a little heavy on the sci-fi aspect. I wish we could see how Emika would hack in the systems or the info that she needs from others. But all we get is her typing furiously in her keyboard when she is hacking or giving out commands to protect herself.  But other than that I really enjoyed this book.

Another thing that adds my love for this book is the characters. I love them all. They all have distinct characteristics that would make them standout or memorable even though they are just a side character. And more importantly, I love the main character, Emika. Even their enemy’s character is quite good as he gives off this mysterious feel to the whole story. However, his identity is quite easy to guess. I guessed it halfway through the book. It’s not that it is too obvious, it is just that it is the only option.

I think this is quite a solid book. It’s not just sci-fi but there is also a mystery and romance. And damn I am here for that trashy romance feels that this book gave me. It’s not as cringy because it did not felt forced even though the relationship develops quite fast. But damn, Marie Lu and her romance… just WHY? (You would understand when you get to the end of the book.)

The pacing of the book would not bore you. There is always something interesting about every chapter that would leave you wanting to read more. In other words, there is no filler. There are exciting moments that builds up here and there and I did not expect the plot twist to be dropped like that. And even thought the plot twist is not as mind blowing there is still an impact that might surprise you a little. Maybe because at the back of my mind I was already considering the plot to take that turn so I am not really that surprised. However, the motive of the plot is kinda surprising and disturbing if it really happens in real life.

Highly recommending this to anyone who wants to have a good time.

 

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Well, that’s it for this review.

Till next time!

Maria ❤